New students joining Thomas Jefferson will follow a carefully planned sequence of courses. Our goal is to introduce and build on foundational material in a way that maximizes student understanding and prepares students for the California Bar exam.
Along the way, students have increasing opportunities to enroll in elective courses in which they can learn vital practice skills, deepen their specialized knowledge, and pursue their intellectual and professional passions.
Students Starting in the Fall or Spring
Programs of study for students starting in the Fall or Spring are set out below. Programs of study for students attending part-time during the day may also be available -- interested applicants should inquire further with the Admissions department. Students who elect the Early Start option will follow the program of study for students entering in the Fall, except that they will not have to take Criminal Law and may choose to take an approved elective instead.
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Early Start Summer Program Option
Students admitted for the Fall can elect the Early Start Program option.
Criminal Law 3 units
Introduction to Law 1 unit
Client Interviewing and Counseling 2 units
Full-time students will normally take all three courses.
Part-time students will normally take the first two courses.
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PROGRAM OF STUDY
Students may complete some of the courses listed above during the optional Summer term instead, enabling them to substitute other courses (including elective courses) during the Fall and Spring terms.
Fall Entering Full-Time Three-Year Program of Study*
Students who start as full-time students will take the following sequence of courses over six semesters. They will complete 67 units of required courses and a minimum of 13 units of elective courses. Students must earn at least 6 units in qualifying skills courses.
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First Semester Contracts 5 units Torts 5 units Learning Skills 1 unit Legal Writing I 3 units
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Second Semester Civil Procedure 5 units Criminal Law 3 units Legal Writing II 3 units Professional Responsibility 3 units
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Third Semester Business Associations 3 units Constitutional Law I 3 units Criminal Procedure 3 units Property 5 units |
Fourth Semester Evidence 4 units Constitutional Law II 3 units Between 4 and 8 elective units
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Fifth Semester MBE Mastery 3 units Wills and Trusts 3 units Community Property 2 units California Civil Procedure 2 units Between 1 and 5 elective units |
Sixth Semester Remedies 3 units Bar Exam Fundamentals 3 units California Evidence 2 units Between 3 and 7 elective units
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Fall Entering Evening Part-Time Four-Year Program of Study
Students who start in the Fall semester as part-time evening students will take the following sequence of courses over eight semesters. They will complete 67 units of required courses and a minimum of 13 units of elective courses. Students must earn at least 6 units in qualifying skills courses.
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First Semester Torts 5 units Learning Skills 1 unit Legal Writing I 3 units |
Second Semester Civil Procedure 5 units Legal Writing II 3 units
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Third Semester Contracts 5 units Property 5 units
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Fourth Semester Constitutional Law II 3 units Criminal Law 3 units Evidence 4 units |
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Fifth Semester Constitutional Law I 3 units Community Property 2 units Criminal Procedure 3 units Up to 2 elective units |
Sixth Semester Business Associations 3 units California Evidence 2 units Professional Responsibility 3 units Up to 2 elective units |
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Seventh Semester California Civil Procedure 2 units MBE Mastery 3 units Wills and Trusts 3 units Up to 2 elective units |
Eight Semester Bar Exam Fundamentals 3 units Remedies 3 units Up to 4 elective units |
Spring Entering Full-Time Three-Year Program of Study
Students who start in Spring semester as full-time students will take the following sequence of courses over six semesters. They will complete 67 units of required courses and a minimum of 13 units of elective courses. Students must earn at least 6 units in qualifying skills courses.
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First Semester Civil Procedure 5 units Criminal Law 3 units Learning Skills 1 unit Legal Writing I 3 units Professional Responsibility 3 units |
Second Semester Contracts 5 units Property 5 units Torts 5 units
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Third Semester Constitutional Law II 3 units Evidence 4 units Legal Writing II 3 units Between 1 and 5 elective units
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Fourth Semester Business Associations 2 units California Civil Procedure 2 units Constitutional Law I 3 units Criminal Procedure 3 units Wills and Trusts 3 units Up to 2 elective units |
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Fifth Semester California Evidence 2 units MBE Mastery 3 units Remedies 3 units Between 3-7 elective units |
Sixth Semester Bar Exam Fundamentals 3 units Community Property 3 units Between 5-11 elective units
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Spring Entering Evening Part-Time Four-Year Program of Study
Students who start in Spring as part-time students will take the following sequence of courses over eight semesters. They will complete 67 units of required courses and a minimum of 13 units of elective courses. Students must earn at least 6 units in qualifying skills courses.
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First Semester Civil Procedure 5 units Learning Skills 1 unit Legal Writing I 3 units
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Second Semester California Civil Procedure 2 units Legal Writing II 3 units Torts 5 units
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Third Semester Criminal Law 3 units Evidence 4 units Professional Responsibility 3 units
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Fourth Semester Contracts 5 units Property 5 units
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Fifth Semester Business Associations 3 units California Evidence 2 units Constitutional Law II 3 units Up to 2 elective units |
Sixth Semester Constitutional Law I 3 units Community Property 2 units Criminal Procedure 3 units Up to 2 elective units
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Seventh Semester MBE Mastery 3 units Remedies 3 units Up to 4 elective units |
Eight Semester Bar Exam Fundamentals 3 units Wills and Trusts 3 units Up to 4 elective units |