Degree Requirements

Syracuse University College of Law awards the Juris Doctor degree to students who successfully complete a minimum of 87 credits. Each student must earn a cumulative grade point average and a final-year grade point average of 2.2 on a 4.0 scale to satisfactorily complete the course of study.

For further information regarding admissions, please contact the College of Law Admissions Office, 315-443-1962, admissions@law.syr.edu

For further information regarding Scholarships and Financial Aid, please contact the College of Law Financial Aid Office, 315-443-1962, financialaid@law.syr.edu

For further information regarding academic programs, and policies, please contact the College of Law Office of Student Life, 315-443-1146, studentlife@law.syr.edu

Student Learning Outcomes

Performance Criteria

1-a. Demonstrate competence in the courses that are required of all students

1-b. Demonstrate competence in one or more specialized areas of United States or international law

1-c. Demonstrate an understanding of the theories, historical development, and application of United States law

1-d. Demonstrate knowledge of the basic structure and procedures of government, including the role of legislatures, executives, courts, and administrative agencies, in making, interpreting, and enforcing law

2-a. Identify the key facts, issues, reasoning, holdings, assumptions, and policies that underlie judicial decisions and independently critique them

2-b. Apply principles of statutory interpretation to construe statutes and regulations

2-c. Determine the applicable legal rules from multiple sources of the law and seek to reconcile any competing principles

2-d. When analyzing legal problems, identify relevant issues, apply relevant law, anticipate contrary arguments, evaluate potential outcomes, and formulate coherent strategies

3-a. Listen actively, be respectful in their professional interactions, and collaborate when appropriate.

3-b. Explain legal issues understandably orally and in writing

3-c. Communicate persuasively when advocating

3-d. Write legal and other types of documents that are accurate and well-organized, follow accepted rules of grammar and citation, and use appropriate tone

4-a. Efficiently find governing law and relevant secondary sources

4-b. Identify relevant facts, ascertain methods for discovering those facts, and evaluate the facts obtained

5-a. Propose solutions to problems that take into account applicable law, client interests, changed circumstances, alternative options, and practical constraints

5-b. Manage their time to meet deadlines

6-a. Identify and resolve ethical issues consistent with the profession’s ethical standards

6-b. Demonstrate commitment to the profession by helping to meet the legal needs of their communities and by promoting the fair administration of justice

6-c. Recognize differing perspectives in resolving legal issues