2021-2022 Law School Catalog > Academic Rules and Regulations > I. Degree Requirements > A. General Requirements

A. General Requirements

A candidate for the degree of Juris Doctor must be in good academic standing and comply with the following requirements:

1. A candidate must have completed at least six semesters of full-time study in law school or at least eight semesters of part-time study in law school. A student in good academic standing may, in extraordinary circumstances and with the permission of the Dean of Students Office, complete an upper-class year of study at another ABA-accredited law school (see policy on Visiting Out, Study Abroad, and Electives at Non-Suffolk Programs.)
2. A student admitted with advanced standing based on course work completed at another ABA-accredited law school must complete at least four semesters of study at Suffolk University Law School in order to receive the Juris Doctor degree from Suffolk University. In exceptional circumstances this requirement may be reduced at the discretion of an Associate Dean.
3. A candidate’s complete law school record must (i) show a cumulative weighted average of at least 2.000; and (ii) show unsatisfactory grades outstanding in no more than three courses.

   A student in good academic standing but in violation of Regulation I(A)(3) may submit a petition to remedy such violation by fulfilling conditions to be determined by an Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. Conditions may include retaking a final examination or rewriting a final paper in a course in which the student received an unsatisfactory grade, or repeating a course in its entirety. Completion of such conditions will not affect GPA or credits earned. The conditions set by the Associate Dean for a student to remedy a violation of Regulation I(A)(3) shall be final and not subject to appeal.

   Regulation I(A)(3) does not supersede the academic standing provisions of Regulation II(C). Satisfying the requirements of Regulation I(A)(3) does not entitle a student who is not in good academic standing under Regulation II(C) to be restored to good academic standing.

4. The ABA, as a national accrediting authority for law schools, has established in ABA Standard 311(a) that a law school shall require, as a condition for graduation, successful completion of a course of study of not fewer than 83 credit hours, at least 64 of which shall be in courses that require attendance in regularly scheduled classroom sessions or direct faculty instruction at the law school. Suffolk University Law School requires all students to complete at least 84 credit hours of study in order to be eligible to graduate. The Law School adheres to the definition of “credit hour” established in ABA Standard 310(b), as set forth in Regulations I(B)(2) and I(C)(2).
5. Prior to graduation, every student must satisfactorily complete:
   1. Six credits of upper-level experiential learning courses (as defined by ABA Standards 303 and 304),
   2. Two continuing legal education seminars, and
   3. A minimum of 50 hours of practice-based learning completed in any of the following ways:
      1. First Year Summer Internship Program placement;
      2. 50 hours of legal work completed through the Pro Bono Program; or
      3. 50 hours of legal work completed under the supervision of an attorney.

      Students completing Sections b and c of this requirement must submit certification of completion to the Academic Services Office.

      Part-time students in the Evening Division are exempt from section c. of the requirement, but are encouraged to complete it.

      Students graduating in September 2021 are exempt from Rule I.A.5.b. Students graduating in January 2022, May 2022, or September 2022 are required to complete only one continuing legal education seminar under Rule I.A.5.b.

6. All students are required to take a Diagnostic Exam covering selected bar-related subjects taught during the first year of study in the day division and the first two years of study in the evening division. Results of the diagnostic exam will be reported to students but will not appear on their transcripts and will not affect their grade point averages. However, students are required to complete the Diagnostic Exam and receive a minimum score of 50 (out of 120) in order to be eligible to graduate, and this requirement will be included in each student's degree audit. The Diagnostic Exam will be offered in an online format. Day students who started law school before May 2021 will be required to take the exam during designated periods in the fall of their second year of study. Evening students who started before May 2020 will be required to take the exam during designated periods in the fall of their third year of study. For students entering the law school in May 2021 or later, the diagnostic exam will be administered in May during a two week period at the end of August. Students are eligible to take the diagnostic in the first May after they have completed the first year courses in Contracts, Civil Procedure, Criminal Law, Property, and Torts. Once eligible, students will have the option of taking the diagnostic in the May or August administration, or both if necessary, in order to meet the graduation requirement, students must complete the diagnostic and obtain a minimum score of 50 out of a possible 120. Students who score below 50 are required to meet with a bar preparation adviser and will be permitted to retake the exam as many times as necessary to achieve the passing score. [Approved by law faculty on 4/17/14, amended 3/4/21]
7. All students must complete the required courses in Civil Procedure, Constitutional Law, Contracts, Criminal Law, Legal Practice Skills, Property, Torts, and Professional Responsibility.
8. All students must complete the Legal Writing Requirement (see Rule I. H.)
9. All students are subject to the provisions of the Academic Standing Requirements (Rule II.C.) and must complete any requirements set forth under Rule II.C. or by the Academic Standing Committee.
10. The Law Faculty may revise these degree requirements or impose additional requirements from time to time. Students will be provided advance notice of such changes.
11. Degrees are awarded by the Trustees at Suffolk University on the recommendation of the faculty. Recommendation may be withheld by the faculty for good cause other than failure to meet the foregoing requirements.