Juris Doctor (JD) Program
The JD program at California Western School of Law will give you the knowledge and skills you’ll need to serve as an effective advocate for justice.
Designed for Success
Because of our status as an independent law school, we can stay ahead of the latest legal trends, so you can gain the skills and experience that employers and clients seek.
JD Program Details
Our program is carefully crafted to impart a strong law foundation. In your second year, you'll build on that foundation, honing legal skills through hands-on experience. Explore our course offerings and discover what to expect throughout your journey at California Western.
We offer a part-time program designed for students who are working or have other obligations while they are attending law school. As of Fall 2024, this part-time program is a part-time evening program.
Program Highlights
The JD program at California Western School of Law gives you a strong foundation in legal theory and practices, as well as hands-on experiences with clients in the field. Find out more below.
Before you take your courses, you might want to know the details of all the courses that we offer. After gaining a strong foundation in legal analysis, research, and writing, you’ll have the chance to explore more electives in years two and three.
As a part of your studies, you can specialize in several areas of law, including:
- Business Law
- Criminal Justice
- International Law
- Labor and Employment Law
We offer more than 40 simulation courses through the JD program at California Western School of Law. Some include:
- Advanced Negotiation
- Culture & the Criminal Justice System
- Law & Lawyers in Pandemic
- Trial Practice
In your third year, you can participate in the Clinical Externship Program, through which you will receive academic credit while working in a professional legal environment.
Your externship may be in any type of office or area of law. Students may use our pre-approved externship placements or self-initiate an externship in San Diego or anywhere in the world, adding a cultural experience to the hands-on learning opportunity.
Upon graduation, you can participate in the Bar Review Program, which provides additional preparation for the bar examination.
The program offers a complete review of all subjects tested on the California Bar Examination as well as essay workshops, multiple choice question workshops, performance exam workshops, several simulated exams, and group and individual tutoring.