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Two first year law students in Robertson School of Government building at Regent University Law School.

Juris Doctor (J.D.)

Regent Law J.D. Degree – Where Knowledge, Skill & Integrity Meet

Regent’s Juris Doctor (J.D.) law degree is academically excellent and competitive with law schools nationwide. We can prepare you to become an excellent lawyer — one who is thoughtfully educated in the law, thoroughly trained in legal skills, and professionally formed to provide meaningful, caring counsel to your clients and others. You can also learn how the law can be used to improve the human condition and help change the world for the better. Earn your J.D. degree on its own or as part of a dual degree program with another Regent University graduate program.

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Regent Law has achieved notable bar passage success, ranking 16th in the nation for first-time bar passage in 2023. The law school also excelled in judicial clerkship placements, ranking 35th in the nation for judicial clerkships in 2024. Additionally, Regent Law was recognized for its excellence in public policy, tying for 1st place in the nation by preLaw Magazine in 2024, and for the quality of its teaching, ranking 16th in the nation according to Princeton Review in 2023. Our Moot Court program was ranked 9th best in the nation by preLaw Magazine in 2023.

Available in 3-year, part-time, and accelerated formats, our Juris Doctor degree program is grounded in Christian values and taught by an internationally recognized faculty. According to U.S. News and World Report rankings, Regent Law has risen 39 places in the past three years, making it the third-fastest rising law school among all other ranked law schools. Our commitment to academic excellence and professional integrity ensures that our graduates are not only well-prepared for legal practice but also equipped to make a positive impact on society.

Honors & Global Juris Doctor Programs

Our law school’s J.D. Honors program provides exclusive academic and professional experiences to select entering and first-year students. The J.D. – Global program provides an opportunity for foreign law students and lawyers to transfer credit from their non-U.S. law school, earn their American J.D., and be eligible to sit for the bar exam in the U.S. in as little as two years.

Increase Your Earning Potential

Advance in your career and expand your earning opportunities.

Develop Skills through Clinical Practice

Develop practical lawyering skills through clinical practice, including a civil litigation clinic, legal research and a partnership with the American Center for Law and Justice.

Gain Internship & Externship Opportunities

Enjoy opportunities including internships with the Center for Global Justice®.

Strengthen Your Advocacy Skills

Compete on award-winning Moot Court, Negotiation and Trial Advocacy teams. Regent’s School of Law received an “A” rating for trial advocacy (among the top 18 in the nation), according to PreLaw Magazine, Winter 2021.

On completing the Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree, you can:

  • Take the bar examination.
  • Apply your knowledge in legal areas such as contracts, legal analysis, research, and mediation.
  • Apply your appellate advocacy skills.

After passing the bar examination, J.D. graduates are eligible for positions in areas such as:

  • Litigation
  • Administrative law or regulated industries
  • Constitution and public law
  • Corporate and commercial law
  • Intellectual property
  • Property or real estate

ABA Required Disclosures

$127Thousand
Approximate Median Annual Wage for Lawyers U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2020
Featured Courses
LAW 511Foundations of Law2
Jurisprudential survey of the foundations of law, including the development of higher and natural law theories, the influence of higher and natural law and Christian principles on the development of Anglo-American law, and the rise and influence of modern legal philosophies.
LAW 512Foundations of Practice1
Introduction to the lawyer’s roles and responsibilities; duties to God, clients, courts, and bar, ethical and moral challenges; and development of a moral code and ethical decision-making framework. Includes assessment of students’ God-given gifts, consideration of how their strengths intersect with legal opportunities, and how to pursue a professional calling. Pass/Low Pass/No Pass.
LAW 521Contracts I3
History and development of the common law of contracts; the principles controlling the formation, enforcement, and avoidance of contracts; as well as preliminary consideration of remedies for breach of contract.
LAW 522Contracts II2
The principles controlling the performance and breach of contracts, rights of third parties, as well as additional consideration of remedies for breach of contract.
LAW 541Torts I2
Civil liability resulting from breach of duties arising from common law as distinguished from duties imposed by contract or criminal law, focusing especially on intentional torts.
LAW 542Torts II3
Civil liability resulting from breach of duties arising from common law as distinguished from duties imposed by contract or criminal law, focusing especially upon negligence, invasion of privacy, and defamation.
LAW 551Civil Procedure I2
Jurisdiction of federal and state courts and fundamental issues related to a plaintiff's ability to sue a defendant in a specific federal district, including subject matter jurisdiction, personal jurisdiction and venue. Not available to LL.M. students.
LAW 552Legal Analysis, Research & Writing I3
Introduction to the law library and to the use of the full range of source materials available to lawyers and judges in the practice of law. Complete written projects designed to develop legal writing and research skills necessary for the practice of law.
LAW 553Legal Analysis, Research & Writing II3
Introduction to the law library and to the use of the full range of source materials available to lawyers and judges in the practice of law. Complete written projects designed to develop legal writing and research skills necessary for the practice of law.
LAW 554Civil Procedure II3
Procedures and rules governing the process by which a civil lawsuit proceeds through the federal system, including the rules governing pleadings, claims by and against the defendant, pretrial discovery, summary judgment, judicial involvement in case management, the trial and appeal; joinder of claims and parties, and the preclusive effect of a judgment in one suit involving one or more of the same parties in a successive suit. Prerequisite: LAW 551 or LAW 851 (LL.M. students).
LAW 561Property I3
The law pertaining to the nature of private property, both real and personal, including biblical principles relevant to property acquisition and ownership, personal property issues, donative transfers, the common law classification of estates and future interests, and concurrent estates.
LAW 562Property II3
The law and biblical principles pertaining to the acquisition, ownership and use of real property; landlord-tenant law; easements; covenants and servitudes; transfers of interests in real property, including an examination of merchantable title, deeds, legal descriptions, conveyancing, recording systems and title assurance, adverse possession, and land use controls.

Juris Doctor Application Deadlines

Regent University School of Law operates on a rolling application basis with periodic reviews. Applying early is highly encouraged to maximize your chances of admission and access to scholarships. Most applicants are 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.

Below are the key application deadlines to keep in mind:

November 15, 2024 – Priority Decision Application Deadline 1
January 15, 2025 – Priority Decision Application Deadline 2
February 20, 2025 – Priority Decision Application Deadline 3
March 20, 2025 – Application Deadline
May 15, 2025 – Application Deadline
June 30, 2025 – Application Deadline
July 31, 2025 – Final Application Deadline

LSAT Deadline: Access upcoming test dates and registration deadlines on LSAC.org.

Early Commitment Program: The priority decision application deadlines fall within the timeframe for admitted students to enroll in the Early Commitment Program (ECP). Regent Law’s 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 ECP 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.

Juris Doctor Admissions Criteria & Prerequisites

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

* Regent Law considers applicants who meet the criteria for admission under Interpretation of ABA Interpretation 503-3 as long as they apply through LSAC.org and indicate the criteria that they meet. For more information, contact lawschool@regent.edu or 757.352.4584.

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: 158
  • GPA: 3.64

Juris Doctor Application Process

  1. Application: Apply online via Law School Admission Council (LSAC). For technical issues, contact LSAC Help Desk at 215.968.1393.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. Personal Statement: Provide a 500-1,000 word essay outlining your motivation for studying law at Regent and any relevant skills or experiences.
  7. 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.

Graduating with a J.D. from Regent University School of Law makes students eligible to sit for the bar exam in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

PART-TIME STUDENTS

DegreeTuition Cost Per Credit HourAverage Credit Hours Per SemesterAverage Tuition Per Semester
Master of Arts (MA)$7156$4,290
Master of Laws (LLM) in American Legal Studies$1,035 (On-Campus)6$6,210
Master of Laws (LLM) in Human Rights$1,035 (On-Campus)
$725 (Online)
6$6,210
$4,350
Juris Doctor (JD)$1,36011$14,960

Full-Time Students

DegreeTuition Cost Per Credit HourAverage Credit Hours Per SemesterAverage Tuition Per Semester
Master of Arts (MA)$7159$6,435
Master of Laws (LLM) in American Legal Studies$1,035 (On-Campus)9$9,315
Master of Laws (LLM) in Human Rights$1,035 (On-Campus)
$725 (Online)
9$9,315
$6,525
Juris Doctor (JD)$1,36015$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$17 (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 $17 (per semester)

Military Admissions & Aid » | Cost of Attendance »

Part-Time Students

DegreeTuition Cost Per Credit HourAverage Credit Hours Per SemesterAverage Tuition Per Semester
Master of Arts (MA)$7156$4,290
Master of Laws (LLM)$6906$4,140
Juris Doctor (JD)$1,29511$14,245

Full-Time Students

DegreeTuition Cost Per Credit HourAverage Credit Hours Per SemesterAverage Tuition Per Semester
Master of Arts (MA)$7159$6,435
Master of Laws (LLM)$6909$6,210
Juris Doctor (JD)$1,29515$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)

Military Admissions & Aid » | Cost of Attendance »

*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.

Regent Law’s 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. Participants take select classes with other high-performing students and enjoy a higher level of in-class engagement. Honors Program classes are smaller than those at most law schools, which affords faculty members more opportunities to engage students. Law Honors Program students also enjoy greater curricular flexibility by having fewer required courses during the second and third year.

As a student in the J.D. Honors Program, you can:

  • Participate in an honors-only section of the Foundations of Law course.
  • 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.
  • Take select upper-level courses in small, honors-only sections.
  • Meet with prominent speakers such as:
    • Elena Kagan, Supreme Court Associate Justice
    • John Ashcroft, Distinguished Professor of Law & Government and former U.S. Attorney General
    • Vern Clark, Distinguished Professor of Government & Leadership and retired U.S. Admiral
    • Leslie H. Southwick, Federal Judge, U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals

Along with all Regent Law students, you also may:

  • Compete on award-winning Moot Court, Negotiation and Trial Advocacy teams.
  • Gain experience through many externship and practical opportunities including internships with the Center for Global Justice®.
  • Develop practical lawyering skills through clinical practice within The Center for Advocacy and a partnership with the American Center for Law and Justice (the nation’s foremost public interest law firm defending religious liberties).

How do I get into the Honors Program?

Admission to the honors program is primarily based on an applicant’s LSAT score(s), cumulative undergraduate GPA, and overall academic record. Admitted students with a 160 LSAT and a 3.7 cumulative GPA are automatically admitted to the honors program. Other admitted students with a LSAT score of 157 or higher and other strong academic indicators will also receive consideration. Space is limited, so we encourage you to apply early.

Rising second-year students can enter the Honors Program by finishing in the top 25 percent of their class at the end of the first year of law school. All students must maintain a law school GPA of 3.2 to continue in the Honors Program.

100%
First-Time Bar Passage Rate for Honors Class of 2020
51%+
Honors Program Graduates Secured Judicial Clerkships

Success Story

Ariel Bryant, Regent Law school alumna.

The Regent Law Honors Program helped me thrive academically and expand in my comprehension of the law. I have excelled at my federal clerkships because my coursework always challenged me to go deeper in my understanding of the legal matters at issue.

— Ariel Bryant, J.D., Class of 2019, Law Clerk, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, Roanoke, VA

The School of Law offers students the opportunity to pursue a joint degree in the Juris Doctor (JD) and other graduate programs at Regent University. In accordance with ABA regulations, the School of Law application must be used as the primary application for the student’s joint degree. Applicants must then apply to the additional program utilizing the general admissions application for the other school. Under the joint-degree agreement, students complete 83 (instead of 90) credit hours in the JD. Joint degree students subsequently earn a separate degree from each school and must complete both degree programs before being approved for graduation.

Noah Dipasquale, J.D., Class of 2017

“There were plenty of other law schools. But I told my family, ‘If I don’t go to Regent, I’m not going to law school at all.’”
Jim Mischel Jr., J.D., 1996 CEO, Electric Mirror; CEO Safeology
“Regent has an outstanding record of preparing students for incredible success.”
Timothy J. Downing, Juris Doctor (J.D.), 2010 U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma