The J.D. degree takes three years to complete. Some law schools offer a part-time evening course of study that is completed in four years.
A typical course of study during the first year of law school requires students to complete courses in contracts, civil procedure, criminal law and torts.
At most law schools during the second year, certain courses such as commercial and constitutional law are required, but a student is allowed to chose some electives. The course of study during the third year is usually comprised of courses a student selects and may include such topics as securities regulations, administrative law and corporate taxation.
Most law schools still follow the Socratic method of instruction, where knowledge of the principles of the law are disseminated by constant questioning and prodding from the student’s professor during classroom instruction.
In most jurisdictions, a J.D. degree is a prerequisite for being admitted to practice law.