Academics

At Saint Louis University School of Law, we offer our students a diverse curriculum designed to prepare them for all areas of legal practice. The majority of the 91 required credit hours for the J.D. degree are elective courses.  This design allows students to customize their law school education around their individualized needs and areas of interest. 

The School's core curriculum is designed to help students develop the analytical skills necessary for interpreting the law. For this reason, students are required to take specific courses during the first year of full time study or during the first two years of part time study.  The upper division curriculum includes a wide variety of courses, from specialized offerings to foundational bar preparation courses.  Students may earn a certificate or concentration in a specialized area of law. Certificates are available in employment law, health law and international and comparative law.  Students may also earn a concentration in civil or criminal litigation, business transactions, taxation or urban planning.  There are also a wide variety of offerings in other areas including intellectual property law, civil rights and public service.