Accelerated JD program


In United States legal education, an accelerated JD Program may refer to one of the following:
U.S. News & World Report stated that as a result of student concerns about the time and cost required to complete a law degree, there has been an emerging trend to develop accelerated JD programs.

List of 3+3 accelerated JD programs

List of 2-year accelerated JD programs

Unless otherwise indicated, all students enter the accelerated JD program at the start of the school's summer term. At Southwestern Law, the summer term starts in June; at the other listed schools, the summer term starts in May.
The May/June start of most accelerated programs is compatible with the bar examination schedule of all U.S. jurisdictions. Bar exams throughout the U.S. take place during the week containing the last Wednesday in July; almost all jurisdictions also offer an exam during the week containing the last Wednesday in February. Washburn's January starting date is compatible with February examinations.
StateLaw schoolLinkRemarks
ArizonaJames E. Rogers College of Law"The Advanced JD Program for non-US lawyers is for those who have studied law outside the US, but now wish to expand their professional opportunities by earning a US law degree."
ArizonaSandra Day O'Connor College of Law"Allows individuals to earn their J.D. in 24 months."
CaliforniaSouthwestern Law SchoolThe first accelerated 2-year program in the U.S., operating since 1974.
CaliforniaPepperdine University School of Law"After an initial summer session beginning in May, the Accelerated Option students will enroll in the regular first year JD classes and continue to matriculate in the regular JD program."
FloridaStetson University College of Law"Stetson Law will allow qualified foreign-educated attorneys the opportunity to apply as transfer applicants for fall entry and complete the J.D. in an accelerated manner, typically two years if attending on a full-time basis. Candidates may also apply for part-time consideration. Following graduation, candidates may sit for the Bar Examination in any state."
FloridaFlorida Coastal School of Law"Only ABA fast-track program in state of Florida. May to May. Ranked Tier 4 by US News."
FloridaWestern Michigan University Cooley Law School]Campus in Tampa Bay, FL. Additional campuses in Auburn Hills, Grand Rapids, and Lansing, MI.
Hawai'iUniversity of Hawai'i William S. Richardson School of LawHawai'i's only law school offers a 2-year Advanced JD Program for graduates of non-US law schools. Students admitted to the accelerated JD program receive the same degree as other JD students and are eligible to take the bar examination in all U.S. jurisdictions, if they meet the other requirements for admission.
IllinoisNorthwestern University School of LawNorthwestern Law was the first and only top tier law school to offer a 2-year accelerated JD program. This program has since been replaced with a 2-year JD for foreign-educated attorneys.
KansasWashburn University School of LawStudents can begin the program in either August or January.
KansasUniversity of Kansas School of LawStudents begin the program in May. Can also still participate in a wide range of Study Abroad options in 2nd year.
MichiganWestern Michigan University Cooley Law School]Campuses in Auburn Hills, Grand Rapids, and Lansing, MI. Additional campus in Tampa Bay, FL.
NebraskaCreighton University School of Law"Students in the program can participate in summer study-abroad program "From Nuremberg to The Hague," in which students travel to Germany and The Netherlands to study international law, the impact of the Holocaust on the law, and the prosecution of war criminals and perpetrators of genocide and crimes against humanity."
New JerseyRutgers Law School]"The Foreign Lawyer Program creates an opportunity for those who have earned a law degree abroad and practiced law outside the United States to receive up to 28 advance standing credits and earn an accelerated J.D. degree upon the completion of 56 credits at Rutgers Law School."
New YorkAlbany Law SchoolEliminates tuition costs for the third year. Students will have the option of starting in January or May, and after 24 months of intensive study will be ready to sit for the February or July bar exam, respectively.
New YorkBrooklyn Law School"Brooklyn Law School Creates the First Accelerated 2-Year J.D. Program in New York Metro Area"
New YorkTouro Law Center"Touro Law Center’s new accelerated degree program is an extraordinary opportunity for a select group of qualified applicants to complete all requirements for the Juris Doctor degree during a concentrated and rigorous 24-month period and to sit for a Bar Examination only 26 months after they begin their law school studies."
OhioUniversity of Dayton School of Law
PennsylvaniaThomas R. Kline School of LawStudents in the Fast Forward accelerated JD program take up to 17 credits per semester for six consecutive semesters over two years.
Rhode IslandRoger Williams University
VirginiaRegent University School of LawProgram began in 2013. It allows students to attend over the summer, instead of getting internships, to finish in only 2 years.
VirginiaUniversity of Richmond School of Law
VermontVermont Law School
WashingtonGonzaga University School of LawProgram will start again in 2017 after previously starting in 2014 and being discontinued after one year.