Law (JD)
At Gonzaga Law, we offer two different completion options for applicants: our traditional, three-year J.D., and an Executive Two-Year J.D. Both are delivered entirely in-person here in Spokane and feature the same number of required credits to complete the degree. As you are considering which program is the best fit for you, keep in mind that there are some critical differences between each of the tracks.
Traditional Program
Gonzaga’s traditional J.D. program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the law and prepare them for a legal career. The program is delivered in the fall and spring semesters. Over the course of three years, students study a wide range of legal subjects, including contracts, torts, criminal law, constitutional law, and more, gaining both theoretical knowledge and practical skills such as legal research, writing, and advocacy.
Executive J.D. Program
Housed within our Center for Law, Ethics, & Commerce, the Executive Two-Year J.D. is not merely an “accelerated” program designed to get you to the finish line as quickly as possible. From educational and experiential lenses, it is quite different than the traditional path. The Executive Two-Year J.D. is designed for driven professionals seeking business law, general practice, or private practice outcomes. With these narrower professional outcomes in mind, it features a more sequenced curriculum with fewer elective hours than the traditional track.
Executive Two-Year J.D. students begin with a full semester of credits in the summer term before the traditional fall term begins and continues for six consecutive semesters. The experiential learning opportunities feature guaranteed clinic placements beginning with the second semester, but Executive Two-Year J.D. students do not have as much flexibility for externships as traditional students. Some of our most recent placements have included:
- Business/Commercial firm work
- Intellectual Property Clinic
- Tax Law Clinic
- Indian Law/General Practice Clinic
- Business Innovation Clinic
If your specific area(s) of interest lies outside this scope, the traditional J.D. track will be the best fit for you. As you discern to which program you should apply, please contact the Admission Office with questions or to talk through them.
Regardless of which program you choose, throughout your time at Gonzaga, you will be required to complete 30 hours of public service work and up to 15 credits of experiential learning in the form of internships, externships, and simulation credits. These experiences, coupled with other hands-on learning opportunities, such as moot court competitions and law review, ensure that students are developing the necessary skills to be successful in their chosen career.
Program Requirements
The requirements below are for law students who matriculated in 2024 or thereafter.
First Year Fall
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| LAW 1011 | Contracts | 4 |
| LAW 1031 | Legal Research & Writing I | 2 |
| LAW 1041 | Civil Procedure | 4 |
| LAW 1061 | Torts | 3 |
| LAW 1118 | Profsnl/Acadmc Foundations | 1 |
First Year Spring
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| LAW 1032 | Legal Research & Writing II | 2 |
| LAW 1051 | Property | 3 |
| LAW 1071 | Criminal Law | 3 |
| LAW 1201 | Lawyering Skills | 3 |
| LAW 1551 | Constitutional Law I | 3 |
Upper Level
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| LAW 2011 | Legal Research & Writing III | 2 |
| LAW 2021 | Evidence | 3 |
| LAW 2031 | Professional Responsibility | 3 |
| LAW 2051 | Constitutional Law II | 3 |
| LAW 3105 | Business Associations | 3 |
Additional Requirements
In addition to the above, all students must take one Upper-Level Research and Writing Course and complete at least six credits of Experiential Learning, three of which much be either Clinic or Externship.
Executive J.D. Program
Students in the Executive J.D. program must take all courses listed above, as well as the following
Incoming Semester
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| LAW 1021 | Fndtns Legal Research/Analysis | 3 |
| LAW 1411 | Legal Methods & Jurisprudence | 3 |
| LAW 1601 | Stats/Data Analysis for Lwyrs | 3 |
| LAW 1801 | Leadership for Lawyers | 3 |
| LAW 1901 | ExJD Variable Course | 3 |
Upper Level
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| LAW 3042 | Business Planning | 3 |
| LAW 3171 | Taxation of Individual Income | 3 |
| LAW 3321 | Accntng & Finance for Lawyers | 3 |
Executive J.D. students must also complete two additional credits in Experiential Learning, beyond the six required of Traditional students, for a total of eight credits. At least four of the eight credits must be in Clinic or Externship.