Juris Doctor (JD)

Get started. Learn the details about applying to the Juris Doctor program and our admissions requirements.

The program of study at the School of Law is structured to prepare you for the practice of law in any American jurisdiction. Our curriculum integrates traditional classroom instruction in legal doctrine, analysis, writing, and problem-solving. You will begin with several required courses that form the foundation for more advanced legal studies:

• Academic Success
• Advanced Legal Analysis I and II
• Business Organizations
• Civil Procedure
• Constitutional Law
• Contracts
• Criminal Law
• Evidence
• Introduction to Law
• Introduction to the Legal Profession
• Income Tax or Legislative & Administrative Process
• Lawyering Skills I and II
• Professional Responsibility
• Property
• Torts

Explore the courses offered in the current academic year and see a sample program of study.

The law school offers several opportunities for students who wish to concentrate their studies in a specific area of law. Students pursuing a concentration may use the concentration requirements to guide their choices about course selection. Additionally, a completed concentration may help students signal to prospective employers their interest and focus on a particular area of law.

Concentrations are optional and are not required of any student. A student may submit a Concentration Request form any time during the final semeter of coursework related to this concentration.

Once the concentration requirements have been successfully met and approved by the Associate Dean, the student will receive a Concentration Certificate.

• Concentration in Criminal Law Practice 
• Concentration in Gender & Sexuality Law 
• Concentration in International and Comparative Law Practice
• Concentration in Public Interest Practice 
• Concentration in Transactional Law Practice

Western New England University School of Law is committed to helping you achieve your goals of becoming a licensed attorney. The bar exam can be the most challenging test you will face.  However, our comprehensive bar preparation approach guides students from the first day of law school through the bar exam.

Each year, a small group of applicants will be selected to participate in the Public Interest Scholars program and awarded a scholarship of up to $10,000. The program offers mentorship in the public interest space, as well as exclusive professional development opportunities. Scholars learn about public interest law via elective courses and speaker engagements at the Law School and put their knowledge into action through pro bono projects. Scholars will also receive a one-time summer stipend for an approved public interest internship.

Applicants may apply for the Public Interest Scholars program via the WNE Law application available through LSAC.org. Scholars will be notified of their acceptance to the program and scholarship award by April 1.

Public Interest Law

2024 Entering Class

• 114 1L students (80 full-time; 34 part-time)
• LSAT median: 150 (25th percentile: 148; 75th percentile: 154)
• GPA median: 3.30
• Average age: 27 (age range 20-53)
• 46% students of color 
• 40% first-generation to college
• 18% LGBTQ+
• 61% female
• 17 states and territories
• 7:1 student/faculty ratio
• 91% awarded scholarships