Part-Time Evening Program
California Western recognizes that not every law student is coming straight from an undergraduate education. Many students are choosing to return to school and make law their second career. For that reason, we are proud to offer a part-time evening program designed for students who are fully employed or have other obligations while they are attending law school.
Program Highlights
Get more infoPart-time students take a reduced course load per semester and an established sequence of courses in the first year.
- Part-time enrollment (6 – 11 units) per term
- Classes scheduled between 6 – 9:30 p.m.
- Students have the ability to petition to switch to the full-time day program after the first-year curriculum is completed
- While evening courses will always be available, students may also enroll in daytime courses after they complete the first-year curriculum
- 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 or 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
| Fall | Spring |
|---|---|
| Elective Courses | Elective Courses |
Schedules
View a sample course scheduleClass schedules vary depending on the specific section a student is placed in. Students should expect to attend class four nights per week.
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 after they complete the first-year curriculum (day and evening courses available)
-
Transitioning to the full-time day program, only after completion of the first-year curriculum with permission of the Vice Dean (first-year courses for the evening part-time program generally takes three terms)
-
After completing the first-year curriculum, students may take courses offered during the day
-
All students are expected to complete their degree within five years
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.
Applying to the Program
Apply now!Admissions requirements are no different than those who are applying for the full-time program. Additional information may be found in our How to Apply information page.
Scholarship opportunities are available for those who qualify. Learn more about scholarships, student loans, work-study, and other financial aid opportunities to help make California Western an affordable option.
Admissions Office
The Financial Aid Office is here to help you determine if the part-time evening program is right for you. If you require assistance or have questions about the program, please contact our office.
(619) 615-1460
San Diego, CA 92101