Juris Doctor, JD

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.

The JD with Advanced Standing (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.

To qualify for the 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.

JDAS students take the required first-year JD curriculum. 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.

Students in good standing at a law school accredited by the American Bar Association, may apply for admission to ASU Law with advanced standing after completing at least one year of a full-time JD program or its equivalent. In order to transfer, students must have completed not less than one year and not more than three semesters of law school. Generally, only first-year coursework is eligible for transfer credit. A maximum of 29 transfer credits can be counted toward the 88 credits necessary for graduation. Transfer credit will not be granted for courses with less than a "C" grade for work completed at an accredited law school. ASU Law may also deny or reduce credit for particular courses. Grades received at another law school are not counted in determining a student's cumulative grade point average at ASU Law.

As is with many other law schools, ASU Law’s policy dictates that students who transfer into the college are not eligible to be ranked and are not eligible for the Order of the Coif. However, students who transfer and earn at least 40 graded credits at ASU Law are eligible to earn academic honors (cum laude, magna cum laude, or summa cum laude) based on their final cumulative grade point average at ASU Law. Students who transfer are also eligible to participate on ASU Law's Law Review, journals, and moot court teams. Students may also be eligible for externships and study abroad opportunities.

Frequently asked questions

A student in good standing at a law school accredited by the American Bar Association may be permitted to complete courses at the ASU Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law without being a candidate for the Juris Doctor degree awarded by ASU. Students who have completed at least one year of a JD program at an ABA accredited law school are eligible to apply to visit for up to two semesters (maximum 30 credits) at ASU Law. Applications for visiting student status must ordinarily demonstrate compelling personal reasons to attend and meet certain academic qualifications. All applicants must submit a completed application and visiting applicant approval form to be considered for admission.

As a non-degree or visiting student, your candidacy will be considered based on available space, as well as your class standing and performance in law school, the quality of the law school you attended, undergraduate/graduate academic performance, LSAT score(s), and any unusual personal circumstances that may suggest your need for visiting student status.