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An alumna: Regent’s Global JD is for foreign law students/ lawyers who want to sit for the bar exam in the U.S.

Juris Doctor (J.D.) – Global

Advance Your Legal Career

If you are a foreign law student or foreign lawyer who wants to sit for the bar exam in the U.S., Regent’s Juris Doctor – Global J.D. Program is a great option. It allows you to transfer credit from your non-U.S. law school, earn an American J.D., and be eligible to sit for the bar exam in the U.S. in as little as two years. As a prerequisite, you should have completed at least 30 credit hours of a law degree.

On Campus
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August 19, 2024
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Gain a 50% Tuition Scholarship

Every student admitted to the Global J.D. Program will receive a 50% tuition scholarship. Earn an American J.D. for the cost of one year of law school.

Transfer Credit Hours

Transfer in up to 30 credit hours from a non-U.S. law school to be applied toward the J.D.’s required 90 credit hours.

Sharpen Your Skills

Focus on legal analysis, writing, and problem solving.

Advance Your Knowledge

Learn the core of the American legal system in the context of a Christian worldview.

ABA Required Disclosures

Global J.D. students must complete the same requirements as all J.D. students.

* All J.D. students must complete their J.D. degree within 84 months of the last year they began law school. Exceptions may be made for “extraordinary circumstances.”

On completing the J.D. program, you can:

  • Apply your knowledge in legal areas such as contracts, general mediation, estates, and family law.
  • 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
$144Thousand
Mean annual wage for lawyers Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2018
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.
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.
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.
The principles controlling the performance and breach of contracts, rights of third parties, as well as additional consideration of remedies for breach of contract.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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.

Application Deadline: February 15

LSAT Deadline:
Click here for LSAC updates and LSAT rescheduling options »

International Applicants must apply by February 15 to ensure sufficient time to process visas and make living arrangements.

Please Note: International applicants have non-negotiable deadlines regarding I-20 issuance in addition to supplementary admission requirements. These requirements will change depending on several factors, such as citizenship or visa status. All applicants are responsible for the validity and completion of the documents before the due dates mentioned above.

For Global J.D. degree 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.

Please carefully note the following information as you begin your law school application process.

Admissions Criteria for Global J.D. Degree Applicants
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 for the Global J.D. degree, 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 (not required for all applicants)
• English Proficiency
• 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 Global J.D. applicants should possess a bachelor’s degree from an approved college or university and have completed at least 30 credit hours of a non-U.S. law degree.

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.



Global Juris Doctor Application Process

How to Apply

  1. Log into or create an account through the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) service.
  2. Submit your application through LSAC and your transcripts through LSAC’s Credential Assembly Service
  3. On the Regent University application, under “Applicant Status,” select “Global JD” for the first question.

All applicants must submit the following items to be considered for admission to Regent Law’s Global J.D. program.

1. Application for Admission
Applicants should apply online through the Law School Admission Council (LSAC). If you have any technical difficulty in using the online application, please contact LSAC’s Help Desk at 215.968.1393.

2. $65 Application Fee
Pay the $65 nonrefundable application fee by check or money order mailed to Regent University, Enrollment Support Services, 1000 Regent University Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23464.

3. Official Transcripts
Submit all official transcripts from all institutions you have attended to LSAC. If accepted to Regent Law prior to the completion of your bachelor’s degree, an official degree-posted transcript must be submitted to Regent Law School prior to matriculation.

4. English Language Proficiency
All students enrolled in Regent University are required to be proficient in the English language. For international students in which English is not the primary language of their country, either the TOEFL® or the IELTS® exam must be taken to demonstrate one’s effectiveness with the English language: Successful applicants will typically have earned a 100 on the internet-based TOEFL or a 7 on the IELTS.

5. LSAT Scores

Common Law Countries:

  • Applicants from common law countries are not required to take the LSAT, although it is strongly encouraged and applicants may be required to do so at the discretion of the committee.
  • Applicants from common law countries who do not take the LSAT must submit a GRE Score, an SAT score, or an ACT Score.

Civil Law Countries:

  • Applicants from civil law countries are required to take the LSAT.

All applicants must take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) and subscribe to the Credential Assembly Service (CAS). The LSAT is offered several times throughout the year. Visit the LSAC website to view future LSAT dates.

Generally, applicants are advised to schedule the LSAT several months prior to their anticipated enrollment in law school.

An applicant’s performance on the LSAT is a very important factor in the application review process. The LSAT score is carefully weighed in light of the many other parts of the applicant’s admissions file and in conjunction with the overall profile for the incoming class. The admissions committee relies heavily upon the highest score when an applicant has taken the LSAT more than once, but all scores will be reviewed. Applicants scoring below 154 may be encouraged to retest.

Regent University is a host site for the LSAT, and provides study materials and an LSAT prep workshop each fall and spring.

6. Letter(s) of Recommendation

  • Applicants must submit at least one Academic Recommendation, even if the degree was earned online. Applicants who have been out of school for five or more years may substitute a General Recommendation.
  • In addition to the Academic Recommendations(s), Regent encourages applicants to submit a Spiritual Recommendation from a pastor, spiritual leader, or someone who can comment on the role of faith in the applicant’s life.
  • Applicants may also submit a General Recommendation, which would be from an employer, if possible.
  • Applicants should not submit more than four letters of recommendation.
  • Recommendations should be sent to LSAC using the Letter of Recommendation (LOR) Service.

7. Personal Statement
The admissions committee attaches significant importance to the applicant’s personal statement. The statement, a typed essay of 500 – 1,000 words, can provide the committee with insights into the applicant’s passion and motivation for studying law, his or her commitment to receiving a legal education that integrates Christian principles and ethics, and knowledge of special skills and abilities developed through employment experiences.

8. Resume

Note: Please note that all items submitted as part of the law school application process become the property of Regent University and cannot be returned.

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 »

PART-TIME STUDENTS

DegreeTuition Cost Per Credit HourAverage Credit Hours Per SemesterAverage Tuition Per Semester
Master of Arts (MA)$6956$4,170
Master of Laws (LLM)$6706$4,020
Juris Doctor (JD)$1,23511$13,585

Full-Time Students

DegreeTuition Cost Per Credit HourAverage Credit Hours Per SemesterAverage Tuition Per Semester
Master of Arts (MA)$6959$6,255
Master of Laws (LLM)$6709$6,030
Juris Doctor (JD)$1,23515$18,525

Student Fees Per Semester

University Services Fee (On-Campus Students)$800 (Fall & Spring)
$650 (Summer)
University Services Fee (Online Students)$650

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 2022-23
Full-time J.D. (Fall/Spring Combined)

Books & Supplies$2,000
Board$5,400
University Fees$1,600
Program Fees$1,046
Loan Fees$440
Personal$5,040
Room$8,100
Transportation$3,600
Tuition$37,050
Total$64,276

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.

New York Bar Exam

Global J.D. students interested in sitting for the NY State Bar Exam must have their academic credentials evaluated by the New York State Board of Law Examiners for duration and substance and receive confirmation of the U.S. legal education requirements that will satisfy eligibility requirements for the Bar Exam. Please submit your qualification credentials for evaluation to the Board of Law Examiners online.

Learning Outcomes

On completing the J.D. program, the student 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.

Noah Dipasquale, J.D., Class of 2017

“Without funding for a law degree, I was ready to give up on my dream. Then, Regent contacted me about their honors program and a full-ride scholarship. I said, 'All right, God; I guess this is your answer. I’m going.'”

Joe Addink, Juris Doctor (J.D.), 2019 Associate District Attorney, Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office

“I had always prayed about going to a Christian law school. My experience at Regent exceeded my expectations.”

Lina Sophat, LLM, 2011 American Legal Studies

“I was paired with Mr. Brandon Delfunt, a district attorney near the Atlanta area. He has given me very solid advice, in regard to law school and personally. He told me about how crazy everything can seem in law school with all the assignments and the extra-curricular activities that can pile up. But he also told me that he is glad that he did it. This was very encouraging for me personally because I know what it’s like to feel overwhelmed. I know the day will come when I look back and am glad that I did it, as well.”

Carter Budwell, Mentoring Program Mentee

“Regent Law gave me a high-quality education delivered by passionate professors who brilliantly integrated biblical principles into rigorous curriculum. The collegiality of professors and peers also stands out. I can't imagine you get that blend at any other ABA-approved school.”

Bradley Knox, J.D., 1994 Life & Health Insurance Vice President & Counsel, Federal Relations, Aflac, Inc., Washington, D.C.

“I use the knowledge I gained at Regent every single day.”

Ann Buwalda, Juris Doctor (J.D.), 1990 2020 Alumnus of the Year; Managing Attorney & Founder of Just Law International PC