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J.D. Degree Requirements

Students entering the Law Center prior to May 2006 must have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 for all courses in which a grade is earned. Students entering the Law Center May 2006 and thereafter must have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 for all courses in which a grade is earned.

To receive a J.D. degree, a student must:

1. Satisfactorily complete 90 semester hours within four years as a full-time student, or six years as a part-time student. Extra time may be given by the Law Center for disabilities, prolonged illness, military service, or other compelling circumstances.

2. Have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 for all courses in which a grade is earned. Students entering after 2005, must have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5.

3. Complete all courses as required.

4. If full time, complete 90 full weeks of residency; if part time, the student must complete 120 weeks.

5. Complete the senior writing requirement through either a law seminar paper (with a grade of "C" or better), or successful preparation of one comment or two case notes for the Houston Law Review, Houston Journal of International Law, Houston Journal of Health Law and Policy, Houston Business and Tax Law Journal, and Journal of Texas Consumer Law.

6. Complete a course in Professional Responsibility with a passing grade.

7. Complete other requirements of the university and the Law Center as listed in this catalog.

Doctor of Jurisprudence Program

Full-Time Students – First Year

Fall Semester	Hours
Contracts	4
Procedure	4
Torts	4
Legal Research	2
Total	14

Spring Semester	Hours
Constitutional Law	4
Criminal Law	3
Property	4
Legal Writing	2
Statutory/Practicum Elective	3
Total	16

Part-Time Students – First Year

Fall Semester	Hours
LRW	2
Procedure I	4
Property	4
Total	10

Spring Semester	Hours
LRW	2
Contracts	4
Torts	4
Total	10

Part-Time Students – Second Year

Fall Semester	Hours
Constitutional Law	4
Electives	6
Total	10

The order of classes that part-time students take is subject to change. In addition to the foregoing, all students must satisfactorily complete a course in professional responsibility and all students must satisfy a senior research and writing requirement.