Graduation Requirements for the Executive Two-Year J.D. Program
Graduation requires 90 course credits, plus 30 hours of public service work. Please consult the Academic Rules in our Student Handbook for more detailed information on our graduation requirements.
Admission Details & Coursework Information
Students seeking admission to the Executive Two-Year J.D. Program must apply before March 31. Applicants not accepted into the Executive Two-Year J.D. Program who also expressed interest in the traditional three year program may be considered separately for that program.
- September 1: Applications to all Gonzaga Law programs opens
- March: Last administration of the LSAT test that will return scores in time for admission to the program.
- March 31: Deadline for the Executive Two-Year J.D. Program applicants.
- Mid-May: Orientation and classes for the Executive Two-Year J.D. Program students begin.
Admission to the Executive Two-Year J.D. Program
The Executive Two-Year J.D. Program is designed for students who are self-motivated, diligent, and industrious. Applicants to the program should be able to articulate and demonstrate those traits. The application process shares the same requirements and uses the same online LSAC form as admission to our 3-year program.
To apply;
- Check the appropriate box on your application to indicate your interest in the Two-Year Executive J.D. Program.
First-Year Executive JD
Term 1, Year 1 Late May to Mid-August
Term 2, Year 1 Late August to Mid-December
Term 3, Year 1 Mid-January to Early May
Second-Year Executive JD
Term 4, Year 2 Late May to Mid-August
Term 5, Year 2 Late August to Mid-December
Term 6, Year 2 Mid-January to Early May
Gonzaga University holds Commencement exercises in early May.
As in most states, the Washington State bar examination is administered in July of each year. The examination is also offered in February.
As a student in the Executive Two-Year J.D. Program, you will start classes in the summer. After the summer semester, you will be in classes with traditional three-year JD students.
A Gonzaga Law tradition, in Legal Research & Analysis and Legal Research and Writing, you will learn to communicate with lawyerly precision and clarity while simultaneously honing your analytical and research skills. You will stay in the same section of Legal Research and Legal Research & Writing in the two terms.
During your first year, you will be automatically registered for courses by the Registrar’s Office and notified by email when registration has been completed. Sections are assigned randomly.
Although there is some flexibility in the Executive Two-Year J.D. Program, here is what your schedule may look like:
First Term - Summer - 15 Credits
- Foundations of Legal Research & Analysis – 3 Credits
- Legal Methods – 3 Credits
- Leadership for Lawyers – 3 Credits
- Financial Accounting for Lawyers – 3 Credits
- Stats for Lawyers – 3 Credits
Second Term - Fall - 15 Credits
- Civil Procedure – 4 Credits
- Torts – 4 Credits
- Criminal Law – 3 Credits
- Legal Research & Writing I – 3 Credits
- Foundations of Experiential Learning – 1 Credit
Third Term - Spring - 14 Credits
- Contracts – 4 Credits
- Property – 4 Credits
- Constitutional Law I – 3 Credits
- Legal Research & Writing II – 3 Credits
Fourth Term - Summer - 16 Credits
- Counseling Startups: Law, Regulation & Fundraising – 2 Credits
- Power & Influence in Leadership – 3 Credits
- Professional Responsibility – 3 Credits
- Taxation of Individual Income - 3 Credits
- Electives (Experiential Learning Requirements) – 5 Credits
Fifth Term - Fall - 15 Credits
- Constitutional Law II or Evidence – 3 Credits
- Agency & Non-Corporate Entities– 2 Credits
- Electives – 10 Credits
Sixth Term - Spring - 15 Credits
- Corporations – 3 Credits
- Business Planning – 3 Credits
- Evidence or Constitutional Law II – 3 Credits
- Electives – 6 Credits
Learn By Doing
You will be required to engage in experiential learning, serving real clients while working with practicing lawyers or judges.
You may complete this requirement in our legal clinic, in a designated simulation course, or in community placements through the externship program. You are already required to take 4 credits of simulation experiential learning in Foundations of Experiential Learning (1 credit in your second term) and Business Planning (3 credits in your sixth term). You may begin taking experiential learning credits in our legal clinics or through the externship program beginning in your third term.
Students in the Executive Two-Year J.D. Program must fulfill 8 credit hours of experiential learning to complete their degree but may complete up to 15 total credits. Only 4 of the required 8 credits may be from simulation courses.
You must apply for each experience in which you would like to participate. Visit the Experiential Learning page for application information.