Advanced Standing enrollment
JD admission
Students with a degree from a law school outside the United States may be able to complete their Juris Doctor (JD) at ASU Law within two years. To qualify for the JD with Advanced Standing (JDAS) program, applicants must hold a law degree that meets the educational requirements to practice law or seek licensure in a jurisdiction outside the U.S., and is at least the foreign equivalent of a U.S. bachelor’s degree. JDAS applicants are not required to take the LSAT.
The JDAS program allows students to transfer credits from their first law degree (up to 29 credits) toward a U.S. JD degree. Transfer credit will not be granted for courses with less than the equivalent of a “B” grade for work completed in a foreign law degree. ASU Law may also deny or reduce credit for particular courses. Grades received during the applicant’s foreign law degree program are not counted in determining a student’s cumulative grade point average at ASU. All transfer credits are elective credits and do not satisfy ASU Law JD requirements.
JDAS students take the required first-year JD curriculum in their first year in the program. The following year, JDAS students select their own courses to fulfill the remaining credit and graduation requirements for the JD degree. JDAS students have access to and can take advantage of the same opportunities as regular JD students.
JDAS students earn a U.S. JD, the same degree earned by students who complete the traditional three-year track. Holding a JD from an American Bar Association accredited law school enables graduates to apply for the bar exam anywhere in the U.S.
Explore all the JD enrollment options ASU Law offers.
Application deadlines
The fall 2025 JDAS application is available online through LSAC
Applicants who require a visa must complete all paperwork by June 1.
Application components
The application fee ($65) is waived for all applicants
Completed applications must be submitted online to ASU Law through LSAC and include the following:
Required materials
All applicants must register with LSAC’s Credential Assembly Service (CAS). Although the LSAT is not required for this program, the score will be considered for applicants who have a valid LSAT score. An LSAT score is valid for five years. LSAC will report all LSAT scores for the past five years.
You must have a separate transcript from each undergraduate and graduate institution you attended sent to LSAC. Learn more about requesting transcripts on the LSAC website.
ASU Law accepts up to two letters of recommendation. The recommender should submit the letter directly to LSAC. Please note that since letters of recommendation are optional, the Admissions Office will not wait for letters to complete your file for review.
The personal statement should give the committee a better picture of who you are beyond your academic achievements and resume. It should be compelling, well-written and include some discussion of why you want to go to law school. It is also an opportunity to highlight specific reasons for your interest in ASU Law. Your personal statement should be two to three double-spaced, typed pages and in a font size no smaller than 11 point.
Your resume should include details about your educational background, work history, military service, leadership roles, honor societies, scholarships, extracurricular activities, public/community service, honors and awards, publications, foreign language proficiencies, and any other significant achievements and involvements. As to work history, include significant employment during and post-college (including organization name, dates of employment and hours worked). Your resume should be no more than two typed pages and in a font size no smaller than 11 point.
If you answer "yes" to any of the questions in the Character and Fitness section, you must include a separate statement providing a complete description of your actions and full details of the charges and sanctions against you. For example, to be complete, the statement must include a description of all charges or adjudications, including the level of degree and whether it is a felony or misdemeanor. You also must include the date(s) of the matter(s), the status or final disposition of the charge(s), (with the type of plea, such as, not guilty, no contest, Alford or guilty) including your current status with the disciplinary or criminal authorities (for example, the status of your probation or parole), and the name and address of the authority in possession of those records. You must also include any charges that have been expunged, sealed or set aside, even if told you do not need to by a judge or attorney. If you participated in a deferment program in order to expunge a criminal activity, you will also need to include that information. Additionally, you must provide your personal account of the events that led to the charges or discipline.
The legal writing sample should not exceed ten pages and be written in the English language.
ASU Law will invite applicants to participate in a virtual admissions interview with members of the Admissions Committee and ASU Law community. Applicants invited to interview will receive an email with further information about the interview process. Applicants must participate in the interview process for their application to move forward in the review process.
Required for foreign educated applicants. Please refer to special instructions here.
Admission details
The admissions committee reads files in the order they are completed and it is in your best interest to apply early in the cycle well in advance of the priority deadline of February 1. The rolling process for JDAS applications typically begins in December or January. Admission and scholarship decisions are made on a rolling basis once the review process begins, therefore, for the best consideration, applicants should make every effort to apply as early as possible.
Review process
Applicants are responsible for ensuring that all required documents are received by our office. Applicants will typically receive a confirmation email and instructions on accessing the application status checker within three business days of submitting the electronic application.
ASU Law allows applicants to use generative artificial intelligence (AI) in the preparation of their application materials. Applicants are expected to use this technology responsibly and must certify that the information they submit in their application to ASU Law is true.
Be aware that during the application review process, the admissions committee may request additional information to be provided. Please check your email regularly and ensure that your voicemail box is set up and can receive messages should the Admissions Office need to contact you to request information.
