Juris Doctor (J.D.)
Regent Law J.D. – Where Knowledge, Skill & Integrity Meet
Regent’s Juris Doctor (J.D.) law degree is academically excellent and competitive with law schools nationwide. We will prepare you to become an excellent lawyer — one who is thoughtfully educated in the law, thoroughly trained in legal skills, and professionally formed to provide meaningful, caring counsel to your clients and others. You will also learn how the law can be used to improve the human condition and how it can be used to help change the world for the better.
Regent Law had the highest overall bar passage rate among all eight Virginia law schools in both July 2017 and February 2018. It had an 87.5% first-time passage rate on the July 2019 Uniform Bar Exam (UBE) and ranked 20th in the nation for Ultimate Bar Passage in 2019. The law school currently ranks in the top 25 percent of all law schools for obtaining judicial clerkships. It was also ranked among Top 5 in the Nation for Interesting Professors (Teaching) and Top 35 in the Nation for Academic Experience by The Princeton Review, 2020. Available in 3-year, part-time, and accelerated formats, our Juris Doctor degree program is grounded in Christian values and taught by an internationally recognized faculty.
Honors & Global Juris Doctor Programs
Our law school’s J.D. Honors program provides exclusive academic and professional experiences to select entering and first-year students. The J.D. – Global program provides an opportunity for foreign law students and lawyers to transfer credit from their non-U.S. law school, earn their American J.D., and be eligible to sit for the bar exam in the U.S. in as little as two years.
Increase Your Earning Potential
Advance in your career and expand your earning opportunities.
Develop Skills through Clinical Practice
Develop practical lawyering skills through clinical practice, including a civil litigation clinic, legal research and a partnership with the American Center for Law and Justice.
Gain Internship & Externship Opportunities
Enjoy opportunities including internships with the Center for Global Justice.
Strengthen Your Advocacy Skills
Compete on award-winning Moot Court, Negotiation and Trial Advocacy teams. Regent’s School of Law is one of 20 law schools to receive an “A” rating for trial advocacy and litigation, according to PreLaw Magazine, 2019.
On completing the Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree, you will be able to:
- Take the bar examination.
- Apply your knowledge in legal areas such as contracts, legal analysis, research, and mediation.
- Apply your appellate advocacy skills.
After passing the bar examination, J.D. graduates are eligible for positions in areas such as:
- Litigation
- Administrative law or regulated industries
- Constitution and public law
- Corporate and commercial law
- Intellectual property
- Property or real estate
Jurisprudential survey of the foundations of law, including the development of higher and natural law theories, the influence of higher and natural law and Christian principles on the development of Anglo-American law, and the rise and influence of modern legal philosophies.
Introduction to the lawyer’s roles and responsibilities; duties to God, clients, courts, and bar, ethical and moral challenges; and development of a moral code and ethical decision-making framework. Includes assessment of students’ God-given gifts, consideration of how their strengths intersect with legal opportunities, and how to pursue a professional calling. Pass/No Pass.
History and development of the common law of contracts; the principles controlling the formation, enforcement, and avoidance of contracts; as well as preliminary consideration of remedies for breach of contract.
The principles controlling the performance and breach of contracts, rights of third parties, as well as additional consideration of remedies for breach of contract.
Civil liability resulting from breach of duties arising from common law as distinguished from duties imposed by contract or criminal law, focusing especially on intentional torts.
Civil liability resulting from breach of duties arising from common law as distinguished from duties imposed by contract or criminal law, focusing especially upon negligence, invasion of privacy, and defamation.
Jurisdiction of federal and state courts and fundamental issues related to a plaintiff's ability to sue a defendant in a specific federal district, including subject matter jurisdiction, personal jurisdiction and venue. Not available to LL.M. students.
Introduction to the law library and to the use of the full range of source materials available to lawyers and judges in the practice of law. Complete written projects designed to develop legal writing and research skills necessary for the practice of law.
Introduction to the law library and to the use of the full range of source materials available to lawyers and judges in the practice of law. Complete written projects designed to develop legal writing and research skills necessary for the practice of law.
Procedures and rules governing the process by which a civil lawsuit proceeds through the federal system, including the rules governing pleadings, claims by and against the defendant, pretrial discovery, summary judgment, judicial involvement in case management, the trial and appeal; joinder of claims and parties, and the preclusive effect of a judgment in one suit involving one or more of the same parties in a successive suit. Prerequisite: LAW 551 or LAW 851 (LL.M. students).
The law pertaining to the nature of private property, both real and personal, including biblical principles relevant to property acquisition and ownership, personal property issues, donative transfers, the common law classification of estates and future interests, and concurrent estates.
The law and biblical principles pertaining to the acquisition, ownership and use of real property; landlord-tenant law; easements; covenants and servitudes; transfers of interests in real property, including an examination of merchantable title, deeds, legal descriptions, conveyancing, recording systems and title assurance, adverse possession, and land use controls.
Develop written and oral appellate advocacy skills through appellate brief-writing and participation in simulated oral arguments. Teaches how to present clear and persuasive arguments to appellate judges. Prerequisites: LAW 551, 554, 552 and 553.
Develop legal negotiation skills through participation in simulated negotiations. Negotiation exercises are video-taped for review and faculty critique and evaluation. Classroom discussion is devoted to examining and applying theoretical and practical strategies of negotiation. J.D student prerequisites: LAW 511, 521, 522, 541, 542, 551, 552, 553, 554, 561, and 562.*
*Students who intend to apply to sit for the New York Bar Examination will be required to satisfy an experiential course requirement, effective 2018.
General introduction to the law and legal regulation of family associations. Focuses on the relationships of husband and wife, parent and child and, in that context, assists in developing a thorough understanding of biblical, historic and contemporary legal principles and rules governing the family and other intimate relationships. Probes contemporary topics related to law and the family in light of current legal and cultural settings. J.D. student prerequisites: LAW 521, 522, 561 and 562. Cross-listed with MLAW 661.
Provides an understanding of estate and gift tax adequate for planning moderate-sized estates, and teaches how to structure, prepare, manage, and use an appropriate estate plan and advise clients concerning the accumulation, preservation and distribution of their estates.
Admission Requirements – Juris Doctor
Application Deadline:
Applications for the Juris Doctor law degree are accepted between September 1 and July 31.
LSAT Deadline:
In light of the COVID-19 outbreak, Regent Law will be accepting LSAT scores through the July 2020 test, subject to receiving scores from LSAC in time for our Fall 2020 orientation. Click here for LSAC updates and LSAT rescheduling options »
- Early Commitment Program: Regent Law’s Early Commitment Program (ECP) is a binding decision program with exclusive benefits for those who commit to enroll at Regent Law by March 1, if admitted. Accepted students choosing to enroll under the Early Commitment Program are eligible to receive enhanced scholarship opportunities, priority consideration for Faculty Scholar Fellowships and a $500 tuition scholarship for the first year of law school. Once admitted to this program, the applicant must withdraw all other law school applications and may not initiate applications to any other law schools.
- International Applicants: encouraged to apply by January 15
For seating availability information, please contact the Office of Admissions at 757.352.4584 or lawschool@regent.edu.
Application for entry into Regent Law is available through the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) website until July 31, 2019.
Please carefully note the following information as you begin your law school application process.
Admissions Criteria for J.D. Degree
The Regent Law admissions committee seeks to do more than simply enroll those with the greatest academic potential. We admit men and women who demonstrate academic ability, as well as a commitment to the university’s mission as a Christ-centered institution.
The admissions committee, comprised of faculty members, associate deans, and the director of admissions, evaluates applicants according to the following criteria:
- Academic achievement (GPA, course rigor, and institution(s) attended)
- LSAT scores*
- Mission fit
- Responses to the questions in the application for admission
- Career accomplishments
- Skills relevant to the practice of law
* Regent Law does consider applicants who meet the criteria for admission under Interpretation of ABA Interpretation 503-3. Applicants are not required to have an LSAT score, but still need to apply through LSAC.org. For more information, contact lawschool@regent.edu or 757.352.4584.
Prerequisites for the J.D. Program
All J.D. applicants should possess a bachelor’s degree from an approved college or university prior to beginning their legal studies. The Admissions Committee does not recommend any single major or undergraduate field of study, but welcomes majors ranging from political science to engineering, and from biblical studies to psychology.
Once you have fulfilled the admission requirements listed in the application process below, you may be contacted for an admissions interview, which is by invitation only.
Medians
- LSAT Score: 155
- GPA: 3.45
Admissions Decisions
Admission decisions are made on a rolling basis, with most applicants being notified within three weeks of the date that the application and all supporting documents are received by the Admissions Office.
Juris Doctor Application Process
All admissions materials should be submitted using the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) service.
1. Application for Admission
Applicants should apply online through the Law School Admission Council (LSAC). If you have any technical difficulty in using the online application, please contact LSAC’s Help Desk at 215.968.1393.
2. $50 Application Fee
Pay the $50 nonrefundable application fee by check or money order mailed to Regent University, Enrollment Support Services, 1000 Regent University Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23464.
3. Official Transcripts
Submit all official transcripts from all institutions you have attended to LSAC. If accepted to Regent Law prior to the completion of your bachelor’s degree, an official degree-posted transcript must be submitted to Regent Law School prior to matriculation.
4. LSAT Scores
All applicants must take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) and subscribe to the Credential Assembly Service (CAS). The LSAT is offered several times throughout the year. Visit the LSAC website to view future LSAT dates.
Generally, applicants are advised to schedule the LSAT several months prior to their anticipated enrollment in law school.
A J.D. law school applicant’s performance on the LSAT is a very important factor in the application review process. The LSAT score is carefully weighed in light of the many other parts of the applicant’s admissions file and in conjunction with the overall profile for the incoming class. The admissions committee relies heavily upon the highest score when an applicant has taken the LSAT more than once, but all scores will be reviewed. Applicants scoring below 154 may be encouraged to retest.
Regent University is a host site for the LSAT, and provides study materials and an LSAT prep workshop each fall and spring.
5. Letter(s) of Recommendation
- Applicants must submit at least one Academic Recommendation, even if the degree was earned online. Applicants who have been out of school for five or more years may substitute a General Recommendation.
- In addition to the Academic Recommendations(s), Regent encourages applicants to submit a Spiritual Recommendation from a pastor, spiritual leader, or someone who can comment on the role of faith in the applicant’s life.
- Applicants may also submit a General Recommendation, which would be from an employer, if possible.
- Applicants should not submit more than four letters of recommendation.
- Recommendations should be sent to LSAC using the Letter of Recommendation (LOR) Service.
6. Personal Statement
The admissions committee attaches significant importance to the applicant’s personal statement. The statement, a typed essay of 500 – 1,000 words, can provide the committee with insights into the applicant’s passion and motivation for studying law, his or her commitment to receiving a legal education that integrates Christian principles and ethics, and knowledge of special skills and abilities developed through employment experiences.
7. Additional International Applicant Requirements
Please refer to our International Admissions Checklist to make sure you have successfully completed the proper documentation and forms, along with your application. J.D. applicants must obtain at least a 100 on Internet section of the TOEFL.
For any further q uestions, please feel free to contact our office by email at lawschool@regent.edu or our International Students Office.
Note: All items submitted as part of the law school application process become the property of Regent University and cannot be returned.
2019-20 Tuition Rates
J.D. tuition is $1,200 per credit hour*
- First-year, full-time program is $36,000 (30 credit hours)
- First-year, part-time program is $27,600 (23 credit hours)
View estimated Cost of Attendance.
Use this worksheetto calculate a picture of your financial needs.
Student Fees | Cost Per Semester |
University Services Fee (On-Campus Students) | $700 (per semester) |
Student Bar Association | $80 (per semester) |
BARBRI Fee | $430 (per semester)** |
2020-21 Tuition Rates
J.D. tuition is $1,200 per credit hour*
- First-year, full-time program is $36,000 (30 credit hours)
- First-year, part-time program is $27,600 (23 credit hours)
View estimated Cost of Attendance.
Use this worksheetto calculate a picture of your financial needs.
Student Fees | Cost Per Semester |
University Services Fee (On-Campus Students) | $750 (per semester) |
Student Bar Association | $80 (per semester) |
Bar Preparation Program Fee | $430 (per semester)** |
* Rates are subject to change at any time.
** To be fully vested and eligible to receive the bar preparation review course upon graduation for no additional cost other than postage, a $250 refundable materials deposit, and state sales tax. J.D. students must pay the $430 fee for all of the first six consecutive semesters of their enrollment, including summer sessions.
Joint Degree Options
The Juris Doctor may be combined as a joint degree with the following programs: MBA, M.A. in Organizational Leadership, M.A. in Communication or M.A. in Journalism, M.A. in Practical Theology, M.Div., M.A. in Government, MPA, M.A. in Counseling.
Noah Dipasquale, J.D., Class of 2017