JD Program

The Juris Doctor (JD) degree is a post-baccalaureate program designed for those who wish to practice law. Traditionally, the 90-credit hour program takes three years to complete. Students who enroll in two continuous summer sessions may be eligible to graduate in two and one-half years.

Program Requirements

Areas of Study

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Last Updated: Aug 31, 2026, 04:08 PM

How to Apply

View the application process, requirements and checklist for:

  • First Year Student Requirement
  • International Student Requirements
  • Transfer Student Requirements
  • Visiting Student Requirements

About the Program

This program is a full-time, day-time program with fall admission only. This program is fully accredited by the American Bar Association and is a member of the Association of American Law Schools. Simmons Law School does not offer a part-time program.

Our JD program selectively admits a small class of students each year, so you each get the personal attention you deserve. SIU Simmons Law focuses on taking the theoretical and turning it into what works. You’ll master theory, but you’ll also learn to understand that theory will only take you so far. To go the distance, you’ll develop a skill set that you’ll never stop adapting—skills that are in short supply yet in great demand.

Our curriculum equips you for a career in any environment—from a legal aid office to a large urban law firm, from a corporate boardroom to a government agency.

JD Program Requirements

Current Program Requirements

JD Program Requirements Table

Requirements 

 Credit
Hours
14 First-Year Required Courses 31
6 Second-Year Required Courses 19
Additional Second-Year Requirement: Advanced Legal Methods Course (required for students in the bottom 15% of the class at the end of the first year) 2
1 Second/Third-Year Required Course 3
1 Second/Third-Year Course to Fulfill Senior Writing Requirement 3 - 5
Additional Third-Year Reqirement: Advanced Legal Analysis & Strategies Course (required for students with a cumulative GPA below 2.900 at the end of the first year) 2 - 3
Academic Advising Menu: Experiential Education (must take 6 credit hours from list of approved Experiential Education Menu courses) 6
Total Credits Needed for Degree 90

Additional Requirements

 Additional Requirements for the JD Degree

  • Successful completion of the first-year Academic Success Program
  • The law school requires students to have a laptop. 
  • Participation in required law school events.
  • Going to SCALE

Requirements Prior to August 2023 Matriculation

Requirements Prior to August 2023 Matriculation

Requirements: Prior to August 2023 Matriculation

 Credit
Hours
14 First-Year Required Courses 31
2 Second-Year Required Courses 6
Additional Second-Year Requirement: Advanced Legal Methods Course (required for students in the bottom 15% of the class at the end of the first year) 2
3 Second/Third-Year Required Courses 10
1 Second/Third-Year Course to Fulfill Senior Writing Requirement 3 - 5
Additional Second/Third-Year Requirement: Intensive Bar Preparation Courses (required for students with a cumulative GPA below 2.900 at the end of the first year must take all 4 courses) 12-14
Academic Advising Menu: UBE Topics (must take 4 courses from list of approved UBE Topics Menu courses) 8 - 15
Academic Advising Menu: Experiential Education (must take 6 credit hours from list of approved Experiential Education Menu courses) 6
Total Credits Needed for Degree 90

Areas of Study

SIU Simmons Law School offers its students a wide variety of courses and educational experiences.

SIU law students listen to a lecture

Experiential Education

SIU Simmons Law School is one of the few schools in the country to guarantee its JD students an opportunity to participate in a legal clinic or field placement experience.

SIU law students work in a legal clinic setting