JD with Advanced Standing
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. 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.
Fall 2025 application deadlines
Priority: February 1, 2025
Regular: April 15, 2025
Applicants who require a visa must complete all paperwork by June 1.
Application process
- Complete Law School Admission Council (LSAC) Electronic Application, in addition to the following documents:
- Complete Credential Assembly Service (CAS) report (the CAS report must be from the current application year)
- Two letters of recommendation
- Personal statement not to exceed two double-spaced, typed pages
- Resume not to exceed three typed pages
- Legal writing sample (a sample of your legal writing, not to exceed ten pages)
- Explanations to affirmative answers to any Character & Fitness questions
- Official University transcripts and transcript evaluation (if applicable) completed by the LSAC Credential Assembly Service
- Please call LSAC help desk at (215) 968-1001 if you encounter any problems.
- Proof of English Proficiency: Please refer to special instructions here.
- *We are waiving this year’s application fee.
Questions
Contact ASU Law Office of Admissions or call 480-965-1474.
Check application status