Juris Doctor (J.D.) – Honors Program
Align Yourself with Excellence
Regent’s Juris Doctor (J.D.) – Honors Program provides exclusive academic and professional experiences to select entering students and those who have performed near the top of their first-year law school class. Our law Honors Program Classes of 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020 achieved a 100% bar passage rate nationwide, placing our honors graduates among the top in the nation. Our graduates have also been particularly successful in securing highly competitive judicial clerkships. Over 51% Honors Program graduates secured these. In 2021, Regent Law ranked 22nd in the nation for obtaining judicial clerkships and 96% of Regent Law graduates were employed within 10 months of graduation (NALP 2020).
Set a Strong Foundation
In the first semester of their first year, law Honors Program students participate in a special section of Foundations of Law.
Enjoy a Special Section
Honors students enjoy a special honors section of at least one of the other first-year common law doctrinal courses, such as Torts, Contracts, Property, and Civil Procedure.
Get an Early Start
Law Honors Program students also take select upper-level courses in small, honors-only sections.
More Opportunities
Along with all Regent Law students, you also may:
- Compete on award-winning Moot Court, Negotiation and Trial Advocacy teams.
- Enjoy many externship and practical opportunities including internships with the Center for Global Justice®.
- Develop practical lawyering skills through clinical practice, including a civil litigation clinic, a robust curriculum and a partnership with the American Center for Law and Justice (the nation’s foremost public interest law firm defending religious liberties).
Learn more about Regent Law Honors.
On completing the J.D. program, you can:
- Apply your knowledge in legal areas such as contracts, general mediation, property, and family mediation.
- Demonstrate proficiency in criminal law and constitutional criminal procedure.
- Apply appellate advocacy skills.
- Demonstrate sound legal analysis, legal research, and problem-solving.
Career Opportunities
- Administrative law/regulated industries
- Constitution and public law
- Corporate and commercial law
- Family law
- Health law
- Intellectual property
Application Deadline
Applications for the Juris Doctor law degree are accepted between September 1 and July 31.
LSAT Deadline:
Click here for LSAC updates and LSAT rescheduling options »
- Early Commitment Program: Regent Law’s Early Commitment Program (ECP) is a binding decision program with exclusive benefits for those who commit to enroll at Regent Law by March 1, if admitted. Accepted students choosing to enroll under the Early Commitment Program are eligible to receive enhanced scholarship opportunities, priority consideration for Faculty Scholar Fellowships and a $1,000 tuition scholarship for the first year of law school. Once admitted to this program, the applicant must withdraw all other law school applications and may not initiate applications to any other law schools.
- International Applicants: encouraged to apply by January 15
For seating availability information, please contact the Office of Law Admissions & Financial Aid at 757.352.4584 or lawschool@regent.edu. Admission decisions are made on a rolling basis, with most applicants being notified within three weeks of the date that the application and all supporting documents are received by the Office of Law Admissions & Financial Aid.
Application for entry into Regent Law is available through the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) website until July 31.
Please carefully note the following information as you begin your law school application process.
Admissions Criteria for J.D. Degree
The Regent Law admissions committee seeks to do more than simply enroll those with the greatest academic potential. We admit men and women who demonstrate academic ability, as well as a commitment to the university’s mission as a Christ-centered institution.
The admissions committee, comprised of faculty members, associate deans, and the director of admissions, evaluates applicants according to the following criteria:
- Academic achievement (GPA, course rigor, and institution(s) attended)
- LSAT scores
- Mission fit
- Responses to the questions in the application for admission
- Career accomplishments
- Skills relevant to the practice of law
Prerequisites for the J.D. Program
All J.D. applicants should possess a bachelor’s degree from an approved college or university prior to beginning their legal studies. The Admissions Committee does not recommend any single major or undergraduate field of study, but welcomes majors ranging from political science to engineering, and from biblical studies to psychology.
Once you have fulfilled the admission requirements listed in the application process below, you may be contacted for an admissions interview, which is by invitation only.
Medians
- LSAT Score: 157
- GPA: 3.63
Admissions Decisions
Admission decisions are made on a rolling basis, with most applicants being notified within three weeks of the date that the application and all supporting documents are received by the Admissions Office.
Juris Doctor Application Process
- Application: Apply online via Law School Admission Council (LSAC). For technical issues, contact LSAC Help Desk at 215.968.1393.
- Application Fee: Pay a $65 nonrefundable fee by check or money order to Regent University, Enrollment Support Services, 1000 Regent University Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23464.
- Transcripts: Send official transcripts from all attended institutions to LSAC. If admitted before completing your bachelor’s degree, submit an official final transcript to Regent Law School before matriculating.
- LSAT Scores: Take the LSAT and enroll in the Credential Assembly Service (CAS). Visit the LSAC website for test dates. Regent University hosts an LSAT Prep Course twice a year and offers information on prep resources. The admissions committee considers the highest LSAT score but reviews all scores and application materials when rendering a decision.
- Letters of Recommendation: Submit at least one Academic Recommendation, or a General Recommendation if out of school for five years or more. A Spiritual Recommendation is encouraged. Limit recommendations to four, sent via LSAC’s LOR Service. Note: Recommenders, not the applicants, must upload the letters through LSAC’s LOR Service.
- Personal Statement: Provide a 500-1,000 word essay outlining your motivation for studying law at Regent and any relevant skills or experiences.
- International Applicants: Follow the International Admissions Checklist, including a TOEFL score of at least 100 or a Duolingo score of 125. For queries, contact lawschool@regent.edu or the International Students Office.
Submit all admissions materials through the Law School Admission Council (LSAC). Note: Submitted materials are not returnable.
PART-TIME STUDENTS
Degree | Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour | Average Credit Hours Per Semester | Average Tuition Per Semester |
---|---|---|---|
Master of Arts (MA) | $715 | 6 | $4,290 |
Master of Laws (LLM) | $1,035 (On-Campus) $725 (Online) | 6 | $6,210 $4,350 |
Juris Doctor (JD) | $1,360 | 11 | $14,960 |
Full-Time Students
Degree | Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour | Average Credit Hours Per Semester | Average Tuition Per Semester |
---|---|---|---|
Master of Arts (MA) | $715 | 9 | $6,435 |
Master of Laws (LLM) | $1,035 (On-Campus) $725 (Online) | 9 | $9,315 $6,525 |
Juris Doctor (JD) | $1,360 | 15 | $20,400 |
Student Fees Per Semester
University Services Fee (On-Campus Students) | $850 (Fall & Spring) $700 (Summer) |
University Services Fee (Online Students) | $700 |
J.D. Program Fees Per Semester
Student Bar Association | $80 (per semester) |
Bar Preparation Program Fee | $430 (per semester)** |
Classroom Response Tech Fee | $13 (per semester) |
**To be fully vested and eligible to receive the bar preparation review course upon graduation for no additional cost other than postage, a $250 refundable materials deposit, and state sales tax. J.D. students must pay the $430 fee for six semesters.
Estimated Total Cost of Attendance 2024-25
Full-time J.D. (Fall/Spring Combined)
Tuition | $40,800 |
University Fees | $1,700 |
Program Fees | $1,046 |
Loan Fees | $326 |
Books & Supplies | $2,000 |
Food | $5,792 |
Housing* | $13,120 |
Transportation | $4,224 |
Personal | $5,056 |
Total | $74,064 |
*Estimated off-campus housing cost. If living in on-campus housing, the amount may vary.
Military Admissions & Aid » | Cost of Attendance »
J.D. Program Fees Per Semester
Student Bar Association | $80 (per semester) |
Bar Preparation Program Fee | $430 (per semester)** |
Classroom Response Tech Fee | $13 (per semester) |
Part-Time Students
Degree | Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour | Average Credit Hours Per Semester | Average Tuition Per Semester |
---|---|---|---|
Master of Arts (MA) | $715 | 6 | $4,290 |
Master of Laws (LLM) | $690 | 6 | $4,140 |
Juris Doctor (JD) | $1,295 | 11 | $14,245 |
Full-Time Students
Degree | Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour | Average Credit Hours Per Semester | Average Tuition Per Semester |
---|---|---|---|
Master of Arts (MA) | $715 | 9 | $6,435 |
Master of Laws (LLM) | $690 | 9 | $6,210 |
Juris Doctor (JD) | $1,295 | 15 | $19,425 |
Student Fees Per Semester
University Services Fee (On-Campus Students) | $850 (Fall & Spring) $700 (Summer) |
University Services Fee (Online Students) | $700 |
J.D. Program Fees Per Semester
Student Bar Association | $80 (per semester) |
Bar Preparation Program Fee | $430 (per semester)** |
Classroom Response Tech Fee | $13 (per semester) |
**To be fully vested and eligible to receive the bar preparation review course upon graduation for no additional cost other than postage, a $250 refundable materials deposit, and state sales tax. J.D. students must pay the $430 fee for six semesters.
Estimated Total Cost of Attendance 2023-24
Full-time J.D. (Fall/Spring Combined)
Tuition | $38,850 |
University Fees | $1,700 |
Program Fees | $1,046 |
Loan Fees | $326 |
Books & Supplies | $2,000 |
Food | $5,792 |
Housing* | $13,120 |
Transportation | $4,224 |
Personal | $5,056 |
Total | $72,114 |
*Estimated off-campus housing cost. If living in on-campus housing, the amount may vary.
Military Admissions & Aid » | Cost of Attendance »
J.D. Program Fees Per Semester
Student Bar Association | $80 (per semester) |
Bar Preparation Program Fee | $430 (per semester)** |
Classroom Response Tech Fee | $13 (per semester) |
*Rates are subject to change at any time.
**To be fully vested and eligible to receive the bar preparation review course upon graduation for no additional cost other than postage, a $250 refundable materials deposit, and state sales tax. J.D. students must pay the $430 fee for six semesters.
How does the Honors Program benefit participants?
- Honors Program participants take classes with other high-performing students and enjoy a high level of in-class intellectual engagement.
- Honors Program classes are smaller than classes at most law schools, which enables faculty members to engage students at an enhanced level.
- Honors Program participants enjoy greater curricular flexibility by having fewer required courses during the second and third years.
- Honors students have secured clerkships and internships at the Supreme Courts of Texas and Virginia, United States Federal District Courts, state Courts of Appeal and trial courts, various U.S. Attorney’s Offices, the U.S. Navy Judge Advocate General’s Corps, the FBI, and private firms and organizations nationwide. Out of approximately 200 ABA-approved law schools, in 2013, Regent Law placed behind only four schools (Harvard, Yale, the University of Virginia, and Notre Dame) in the number of interns accepted to the prestigious Blackstone Fellowship, and all of the interns were Honors Program students.
How do I get into and stay in the program?
Admitted incoming students with the following minimum LSAT/UGPA are offered admission to the Honors Program:
- LSAT 160 and UGPA 3.2
- LSAT 158-159 and UGPA 3.4
- LSAT 156-157 and UGPA 3.6
Admitted incoming students who do not fall within the above criteria may also be considered for admission to the Honors Program on a case-by-case basis.
Rising second-year students can enter the Honors Program by finishing in the top 15% of their class at the end of the first year of law school. All students must maintain a law school GPA of 3.0 to continue in the Honors Program.
Joint Degree Options
The Juris Doctor may be combined as a joint degree with the following programs: MBA, M.A. in Organizational Leadership, M.A. in Communication or M.A. in Journalism, M.A. in Christian Ministry, M.Div., M.A. in Government, MPA, M.A. in Counseling.
Learning Outcomes
Upon completing the Juris Doctor (J.D.) program, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate an understanding of substantive and procedural law and the biblical underpinnings of law.
- Demonstrate sound legal analysis, legal research, and problem solving.
- Communicate effectively and appropriately in legal contexts, both orally and in written form.
- Articulate the decision-making framework by which the student will make ethical decisions in the practice of law.
- Perform the skills needed for one entering the legal profession to be able to participate competently and ethically in the legal profession.
- Create a strategic plan for the student’s career path and to follow God’s call.