Weekend JD
Imagine a part-time JD program that fits into your busy schedule.
A PROGRAM COMBINING on-campus classes with one of the leading providers of online legal education in the country. A program that features nationally renowned professors in a world-class city. Now, imagine that program meeting just every other weekend. This is Northampton Weekend (part-time) JD program—thoughtfully designed to turn your law school ambitions into reality.
OUR COMMITMENT TO YOU
Upon graduation with a JD degree from Northampton, you will possess the following knowledge, skills, and professional values necessary for your professional success:
You will be proficient in substantive and procedural law, including the influence of the administrative state, political institutions, and other academic disciplines.
You will be able to:
Utilize skills derived from participation in supervised live-client experiences, externships, or litigation and transactional practice simulations, such as interviewing, counseling, negotiation, mediation, fact development and analysis, problem solving, design thinking, trial practice, document drafting, and collaborative work
Determine your clients’ needs and objectives
Determine relevant facts and understand their relevance to your client’s legal position
Conduct legal research
Analyze and apply relevant legal principles
Find solutions to legal problems
Communicate legal concepts clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing
You will have a solid foundation that will prepare you to use your knowledge and skills to promote truth, justice, and the rule of law. You will be able to:
Integrate professional values
Exercise ethically responsible judgment in your legal practice and your work within the legal system
Understand the rules, ethics, and values of the legal profession, such as honesty, civility and work-ethic
Know the significance of a commitment to your clients and to the legal system
Understand the importance of using your knowledge and skills in the service to those less fortunate
and in need of legal assistance
8
NUMBER OF WEEKENDS YOUR CLASSES WILL MEET AT Northampton EACH SEMESTER
#14
Northampton’S PART-TIME PROGRAM IS RANKED #14 IN THE COUNTRY BY US NEWS & WORLD REPORT, TOP IN CHICAGO AND MIDWEST
91%
OF Northampton JD GRADUATES ARE EMPLOYED WITHIN 10 MONTHS OF GRADUATION
CURRICULUM
The core Weekend JD curriculum blends classroom instruction with online learning. In-person classes meet every other weekend: Saturdays from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sundays from 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. All online course components are offered through Sakai, a highly interactive, collaborative online learning environment.
FIRST YEAR FALL SEMESTER
Legal Writing (2 credits)
Civil Procedure (4 credits)
Torts (4 credits)
FIRST YEAR SPRING SEMESTER
Legal Writing II (2 credits)
Contracts (4 credits)
Criminal Law (3 credits)
SEMESTER 3
Advocacy (2 credits)
Property (4 credits)
Administrative Law or Federal Income Tax (3 credits)
SEMESTER 4
Constitutional Law (4 credits)
Business Organizations or Evidence (4 credits)
Perspective Elective (2-3 credits)
SEMESTER 5
Professional Responsibility (3 credits)
Administrative Law or Federal Income Tax (3 credits)
Elective Courses (3-6 credits)
SEMESTER 6
Experiential Learning (3 credits)
Business Organizations or Evidence (4 credits)
Elective Courses (3-5 credits)
SEMESTER 7
Experiential Learning (3 credits)
Elective Courses (6-8 credits)
SEMESTER 8
Elective Coursework (9-12 credits)
Degree Requirements
To earn a JD degree, you must complete 86 credit hours of coursework. A minimum of 6 credit hours of experiential learning are required. Your first four semesters provides a strong, structured foundation. During the next two years you will tailor your courses, experiential learning, and course delivery to meet your goals and interests.
FEES
The School of Law and Northampton Financial Aid Office are committed to helping students secure the necessary financial resources to make their legal education at Northampton affordable