Part-Time Evening Program
Our Part-Time Evening Program is designed for working professionals interested in legal education. We understand that family priorities or professional commitments might prevent you from enrolling in a full-time JD program. Our Part-Time Evening Program gives you the opportunity to earn a JD without having to sacrifice your other responsibilities.
Program Highlights
Get more info- Part-time enrollment (6–11 units) per term.
- Classes scheduled between 6–9:30 PM.
- Students take their first-year classes with full-time students and other part-time classmates who are experienced working professionals.
- Students have the ability to petition to switch to the full-time day program after the first-year curriculum is completed (first year courses for the Part-Time Evening Program generally take 3 terms and students are considered 2Ls upon the completion of 27 units).
- While evening courses will always be available, students may also enroll in daytime courses after they complete the first year.
- Residential program provides students access to our beautiful downtown San Diego campus.
Curriculum
Part-time students will take the same required first-year courses and are subject
to the same curricular requirements as full-time students. It takes 90 units to earn
a Juris Doctor whether enrolled in the part-time or full-time program.
Part-time students will need to complete a minimum of 9 semesters in order to earn
the 90 units required for graduation.
Below is a sample of what the part-time sequence could resemble (please note the specific
course rotation is subject to change). Some courses may be offered online.
First Year
| Fall (8 units) | Spring (10 units) |
|---|---|
| Torts (4 units) | Property (4 units) |
| Legal Skills I (3 units) | Legal Skills II (3 units) |
| Foundations of Law (1 unit) | Elective/Foundations of Law II (3 units) |
Second Year
| Fall (10 units) | Spring (9 units) |
|---|---|
| Contracts (4 units) | Evidence (4 units) |
| Civil Procedure I (3 units) | Civil Procedure II (2 units) |
| Criminal Law (3 units) | Professional Responsibility (3 units) |
Third Year
| Fall (up to 11 units) | Spring (up to 11 units) |
|---|---|
| Constitutional Law I (3 units) | Criminal Procedure (3 units) |
| Elective Courses | Elective Courses |
Fourth Year
Elective courses in both fall and spring.
Schedule
Class schedules vary depending on the specific section a student is placed in. Students should expect to attend class four nights per week.
Exams
Students will take final exams with their full-time classmates during the day. Therefore, students will need to be available during the last week of the term during daytime hours for final exams. The exam dates will be available at the beginning of each term so students can plan accordingly.
Schedule Flexibility
Students in the Part-Time Evening Program have considerable flexibility to tailor their law school journey and may accelerate their progress toward graduation by:
- Attending summer school (day and evening courses available) after the first-year curriculum is completed (first year courses for the Part-Time Evening Program generally take 3 terms and students are considered 2Ls upon the completion of 27 units). Please note that part-time students are not able to enroll in summer classes during their 1L year due to the sequencing of 1L courses.
- Transitioning to the Full-Time Day Program (only after completion of the first-year curriculum with permission of the Vice Dean).
- Beginning with the 5th term of the program, students may take courses offered during the day.
All students are expected to complete their degree within five years.
Applying to the Program
Learn how to applyAdmissions requirements are no different than those who are applying for the full-time program. Additional information on how to apply for admissions may be found in our How to Apply information page.
Scholarship opportunities are available for those who qualify. Click below for additional information on scholarship opportunities.
View scholarship opportunities