J.D. Options

Rutgers Law School is dedicated to preparing students to excel in their legal careers. As part of this commitment, in addition to the standard J.D. program, we offer alternative J.D. programs, including programs that allow students to jumpstart their legal education early and a program for foreign lawyers to earn their J.D. at an accelerated pace. Please see below for more information on these specialized J.D. programs.

Rutgers Law School also offers programs for students who are interested in the law as well as another field. Interdisciplinary studies that familiarize law students with social science vocabularies and non-legalistic methods of problem solving are encouraged. Students may enroll in courses offered by other Rutgers graduate programs to pursue a dual-degree with any of several other academic disciplines within the university, or they can create their own dual degree programs with other educational institutions.

  • Foreign Lawyer Program (2-year accelerated J.D.)
  • Certificate Programs
  • 3+3 Program (Universitywide)
  • Summer Jump Start Program (Camden Campus)
Foreign Lawyer Program (2-year accelerated J.D.)

The Foreign Lawyer Program creates an opportunity for those who have earned a law degree abroad and practiced law outside the United States to receive up to 28 advance standing credits, earning a J.D. degree upon the completion of 56 credits within two academic years. 

In general, students in the program first take all first-year required courses. Those students with suitable prior academic experience may obtain an exception, at the vice dean’s discretion. The remaining credits will be earned through elective courses depending on the student's interest. 

A successful participant in the Foreign Lawyer Program receives a J.D., which qualifies the student to sit for the bar exam in any American jurisdiction. Rutgers Law School does not currently offer a one year LL.M. degree. View more information for international students.

Certificate Programs

At Rutgers Law, students can develop their special interests through certificate programs that capitalize on the law school's doctrinal strengths in business law, criminal law, and family law. These programs require a concentration of carefully curated upper-level courses, including skills-based classes, supervised research projects, and practical experience in the field. 

Read more about each certificate program.

3+3 Program (Universitywide)

The 3+3 Program enables highly qualified students to complete both a bachelor’s degree and a graduate law degree (Juris Doctor) in six years, rather than the usual seven. The 3+3 Program is open to Rutgers students across all three of the University’s schools/colleges of Arts and Sciences, in Camden, Newark, and New Brunswick. Students participating in this accelerated program complete their first year of law school courses during their fourth undergraduate year. To prepare for this fourth year, they must complete all undergraduate course requirements in General Education and in their chosen major and compile at least 91 credits during their first three years. The 29 credits required during the first year of law school count toward both degrees.  

Learn more about the 3+3 Program.

Summer Jump Start Program (Camden Campus)

Admitted first-year law students have the opportunity to begin their legal education at a more moderated pace through the Jump Start summer class, held at our Camden location.

The program seats approximately 50 students on a first-come basis, with the possibility of an additional section. This is not a conditional-admit program; only admitted students may begin in the summer.

Jump Start students take one first-year required course over the summer, which means they have a reduced course load (10.5 credits) in the fall. In the spring semester, they increase to a full credit load of 14.5 credits.

Learn more about the Summer Jump Start Program.