Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law policies

Graduate policies

Academic standing

Retention standards - JD students

If a student's 1L GPA is above 2.00 but below 2.33 after the first year, that student is disqualified from ASU Law but may be reconsidered for readmission, if the student applies. If a student's 1L cumulative GPA is below 2.00, that student is permanently disqualified in accordance with ASU Law policies. If an upper-class student's cumulative GPA is below 2.33 (2.00 for students who started law school before fall 2020), that student is disqualified from ASU Law but may apply for readmission.

Retention standards - all students

The ASU Law JD Statement of Student Policies (PDF) contains additional retention and academic policies.

Advising

Academic advising for currently enrolled law students is available through the Office of Academic Services, with designated points of contact for different degree programs.

Degree requirements

Concurrent degrees

ASU Law students must be in academic good standing to be eligible to pursue a concurrent degree.

Shared credit

Per the Graduate College policy for concurrent master's degrees, a maximum of 20% of the minimum total credit hours for the completion of both degrees may be common hours shared between the degree programs. The total number of credit hours common to both degree programs may vary from this maximum value only when the Graduate College office has formally approved coordinated degree programs.

The Graduate College policy also states that for a concurrent master's or doctoral degree, a maximum of 12 credit hours may be common hours shared between the degrees and may only include coursework completed after admission to both degree programs. The total number of hours common to both degree programs may vary from this maximum value only when the Graduate College has formally approved coordinated degree programs.

The Graduate College policy for concurrent doctoral degrees states that a maximum of 12 credit hours may be common hours shared between the degrees. The total number of hours common to both degree programs may vary from this maximum value only when the Graduate College has formally approved coordinated degree programs.

Process

Current ASU Law Juris Doctor students who are interested in pursuing a concurrent degree should contact ASU Law's assistant dean for academic affairs or the assistant registrar prior to applying to ASU Law or the department or school offering the desired concurrent degree.

Students in one of ASU Law's master's degree programs who are interested in pursuing a concurrent degree should contact ASU Law's associate dean for new education initiatives prior to applying to the college or department or school offering the concurrent degree.

Current ASU students who are not enrolled in ASU Law and who wish to pursue a concurrent degree with ASU Law should contact the admission office.

Admission process

Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law.

JD admission

For the JD program, the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law enrolls only one first-year Juris Doctor class per year, beginning in the fall semester. This is a three-year program, and almost all students study on a full-time basis. The college offers a flexible scheduling option for students with circumstances that make full-time enrollment impossible. To be considered for admission to the Juris Doctor program, applicants must have taken the LSAT (excluding applicants applying to the ASU Achievement Program) and have earned, by the time of enrollment in law school, a bachelor's degree awarded by an institution that is accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education.

ASU Law is committed to a more sustainable and resilient future and requires applicants to apply electronically through the Law School Admission Council website: https://www.lsac.org/.

An application for admission must include:

1. electronic application
2. personal statement (no more than two pages, double-spaced, with 11-point or larger font size)
3. resume (no more than two pages, with 11-point or larger font size)
4. character and fitness statements; if applicable, explaining affirmative answers to questions 1-8 in the character and fitness section of the application
5. binding admission contract, if applicable
6. valid LSAT score (except applicants applying to the ASU Achievement Program)
7. transcripts from each undergraduate and graduate institution attended (must be sent to LSAC)
8. proof of English proficiency for applicants whose native language is not English, regardless of current residency

The application may also include:

• letters of recommendation — no more than two*
• inclusive excellence statement
• Arizona residency form
• optional addenda
• "elevator pitch" video

*Because letters are not required, the admission office does not wait for them to complete an applicant's file for review.

Application deadlines:

• Priority deadline: February 28, 2024
• Final deadline: July 31, 2024

Students should visit the college website for detailed information about the JD application process.