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An alumna: Regent’s Global JD is for foreign law students/ lawyers who want to sit for the bar exam in the U.S.

Juris Doctor (J.D.) – Global

Advance Your Legal Career

If you are a foreign law student or foreign lawyer who wants to sit for the bar exam in the U.S., Regent’s Juris Doctor – Global J.D. Program is a great option. It allows you to transfer credit from your non-U.S. law school, earn an American J.D., and be eligible to sit for the bar exam in the U.S. in as little as two years. As a prerequisite, you should have completed at least 30 credit hours of a law degree.

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Gain a 50% Tuition Scholarship

Every student admitted to the Global J.D. Program will receive a 50% tuition scholarship. Earn an American J.D. for the cost of one year of law school.

Transfer Credit Hours

Transfer in up to 30 credit hours from a non-U.S. law school to be applied toward the J.D.’s required 90 credit hours.

Sharpen Your Skills

Focus on legal analysis, writing, and problem solving.

Advance Your Knowledge

Learn the core of the American legal system in the context of a Christian worldview.

ABA Required Disclosures

Global J.D. students must complete the same requirements as all J.D. students.

* All J.D. students must complete their J.D. degree within 84 months of the last year they began law school. Exceptions may be made for “extraordinary circumstances.”

On completing the J.D. program, you can:

  • Apply your knowledge in legal areas such as contracts, general mediation, estates, and family law.
  • Demonstrate proficiency in criminal law and constitutional criminal procedure.
  • Apply appellate advocacy skills.
  • Demonstrate sound legal analysis, legal research, and problem-solving.

Career Opportunities

  • Administrative law/regulated industries
  • Constitution and public law
  • Corporate and commercial law
  • Family law
  • Health law
  • Intellectual property
$144Thousand
Mean annual wage for lawyers Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2018
Featured Courses
LAW 511Foundations of Law2
Jurisprudential survey of the foundations of law, including the development of higher and natural law theories, the influence of higher and natural law and Christian principles on the development of Anglo-American law, and the rise and influence of modern legal philosophies.
LAW 512Foundations of Practice1
Introduction to the lawyer’s roles and responsibilities; duties to God, clients, courts, and bar, ethical and moral challenges; and development of a moral code and ethical decision-making framework. Includes assessment of students’ God-given gifts, consideration of how their strengths intersect with legal opportunities, and how to pursue a professional calling. Pass/Low Pass/No Pass.
LAW 521Contracts I3
History and development of the common law of contracts; the principles controlling the formation, enforcement, and avoidance of contracts; as well as preliminary consideration of remedies for breach of contract.
LAW 522Contracts II2
The principles controlling the performance and breach of contracts, rights of third parties, as well as additional consideration of remedies for breach of contract.
LAW 541Torts I2
Civil liability resulting from breach of duties arising from common law as distinguished from duties imposed by contract or criminal law, focusing especially on intentional torts.
LAW 542Torts II3
Civil liability resulting from breach of duties arising from common law as distinguished from duties imposed by contract or criminal law, focusing especially upon negligence, invasion of privacy, and defamation.
LAW 551Civil Procedure I2
Jurisdiction of federal and state courts and fundamental issues related to a plaintiff's ability to sue a defendant in a specific federal district, including subject matter jurisdiction, personal jurisdiction and venue. Not available to LL.M. students.
LAW 552Legal Analysis, Research & Writing I3
Introduction to the law library and to the use of the full range of source materials available to lawyers and judges in the practice of law. Complete written projects designed to develop legal writing and research skills necessary for the practice of law.
LAW 553Legal Analysis, Research & Writing II3
Introduction to the law library and to the use of the full range of source materials available to lawyers and judges in the practice of law. Complete written projects designed to develop legal writing and research skills necessary for the practice of law.
LAW 554Civil Procedure II3
Procedures and rules governing the process by which a civil lawsuit proceeds through the federal system, including the rules governing pleadings, claims by and against the defendant, pretrial discovery, summary judgment, judicial involvement in case management, the trial and appeal; joinder of claims and parties, and the preclusive effect of a judgment in one suit involving one or more of the same parties in a successive suit. Prerequisite: LAW 551 or LAW 851 (LL.M. students).
LAW 561Property I3
The law pertaining to the nature of private property, both real and personal, including biblical principles relevant to property acquisition and ownership, personal property issues, donative transfers, the common law classification of estates and future interests, and concurrent estates.
LAW 562Property II3
The law and biblical principles pertaining to the acquisition, ownership and use of real property; landlord-tenant law; easements; covenants and servitudes; transfers of interests in real property, including an examination of merchantable title, deeds, legal descriptions, conveyancing, recording systems and title assurance, adverse possession, and land use controls.

Juris Doctor Application Deadlines

Regent University School of Law operates on a rolling application basis with periodic reviews. Applying early is highly encouraged to maximize your chances of admission and access to scholarships. Most applicants are notified within three weeks of the date that the application and all supporting documents are received by the Office of Law Admissions & Financial Aid. Application for entry into Regent Law is available through the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) website until July 31.

Below are the key application deadlines to keep in mind:

November 15, 2024 – Priority Decision Application Deadline 1
January 15, 2025 – Priority Decision Application Deadline 2
February 20, 2025 – Priority Decision Application Deadline 3
March 20, 2025 – Application Deadline
May 15, 2025 – Application Deadline
June 30, 2025 – Application Deadline
July 31, 2025 – Final Application Deadline

LSAT Deadline: Access upcoming test dates and registration deadlines on LSAC.org.

Early Commitment Program: The priority decision application deadlines fall within the timeframe for admitted students to enroll in the Early Commitment Program (ECP). Regent Law’s ECP is a binding decision program with exclusive benefits for those who commit to enroll at Regent Law by March 1, if admitted. Accepted students choosing to enroll under the ECP are eligible to receive enhanced scholarship opportunities, priority consideration for Faculty Scholar Fellowships and a $1,000 tuition scholarship for the first year of law school. Once admitted to this program, the applicant must withdraw all other law school applications and may not initiate applications to any other law schools.

International Applicants: Encouraged to apply by January 15.

For seating availability information, please contact the Office of Law Admissions & Financial Aid at 757.352.4584 or lawschool@regent.edu.

Juris Doctor Admissions Criteria & Prerequisites

Please carefully note the following information as you begin your law school application process.

Admissions Criteria for J.D. Degree

The Regent Law admissions committee seeks to do more than simply enroll those with the greatest academic potential. We admit men and women who demonstrate academic ability, as well as a commitment to the university’s mission as a Christ-centered institution.

The admissions committee, comprised of faculty members, associate deans, and the director of admissions, evaluates applicants according to the following criteria:

• Academic achievement (GPA, course rigor, and institution(s) attended)
• LSAT scores*
• Mission fit
• Responses to the questions in the application for admission
• Career accomplishments
• Skills relevant to the practice of law

* Regent Law considers applicants who meet the criteria for admission under Interpretation of ABA Interpretation 503-3 as long as they apply through LSAC.org and indicate the criteria that they meet. For more information, contact lawschool@regent.edu or 757.352.4584.

Prerequisites for the J.D. Program

All J.D. applicants should possess a bachelor's degree from an approved college or university prior to beginning their legal studies. The Admissions Committee does not recommend any single major or undergraduate field of study, but welcomes majors ranging from political science to engineering, and from biblical studies to psychology.

Once you have fulfilled the admission requirements listed in the application process below, you may be contacted for an admissions interview, which is by invitation only.

Medians

  • LSAT Score: 158
  • GPA: 3.64

Juris Doctor Application Process

  1. Application: Apply online via Law School Admission Council (LSAC). For technical issues, contact LSAC Help Desk at 215.968.1393.
  2. Application Fee: Pay a $65 nonrefundable fee by check or money order to Regent University, Enrollment Support Services, 1000 Regent University Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23464.
  3. Transcripts: Send official transcripts from all attended institutions to LSAC. If admitted before completing your bachelor’s degree, submit an official final transcript to Regent Law School before matriculating.
  4. LSAT Scores: Take the LSAT and enroll in the Credential Assembly Service (CAS). Visit the LSAC website for test dates. Regent University hosts an LSAT Prep Course twice a year and offers information on prep resources. The admissions committee considers the highest LSAT score but reviews all scores and application materials when rendering a decision.
  5. Letters of Recommendation: Submit at least one Academic Recommendation, or a General Recommendation if out of school for five years or more. A Spiritual Recommendation is encouraged. Limit recommendations to four, sent via LSAC's LOR Service. Note: Recommenders, not the applicants, must upload the letters through LSAC’s LOR Service.
  6. Personal Statement: Provide a 500-1,000 word essay outlining your motivation for studying law at Regent and any relevant skills or experiences.
  7. International Applicants: Follow the International Admissions Checklist, including a TOEFL score of at least 100 or a Duolingo score of 125. For queries, contact lawschool@regent.edu or the International Students Office.

Submit all admissions materials through the Law School Admission Council (LSAC). Note: Submitted materials are not returnable.

PART-TIME STUDENTS

DegreeTuition Cost Per Credit HourAverage Credit Hours Per SemesterAverage Tuition Per Semester
Master of Arts (MA)$7156$4,290
Master of Laws (LLM) in American Legal Studies$1,035 (On-Campus)6$6,210
Master of Laws (LLM) in Human Rights$1,035 (On-Campus)
$725 (Online)
6$6,210
$4,350
Juris Doctor (JD)$1,36011$14,960

Full-Time Students

DegreeTuition Cost Per Credit HourAverage Credit Hours Per SemesterAverage Tuition Per Semester
Master of Arts (MA)$7159$6,435
Master of Laws (LLM) in American Legal Studies$1,035 (On-Campus)9$9,315
Master of Laws (LLM) in Human Rights$1,035 (On-Campus)
$725 (Online)
9$9,315
$6,525
Juris Doctor (JD)$1,36015$20,400

Student Fees Per Semester

University Services Fee (On-Campus Students)$850 (Fall & Spring)
$700 (Summer)
University Services Fee (Online Students)$700

J.D. Program Fees Per Semester

Student Bar Association$80 (per semester)
Bar Preparation Program Fee$430 (per semester)**
Classroom Response Tech Fee$17 (per semester)

**To be fully vested and eligible to receive the bar preparation review course upon graduation for no additional cost other than postage, a $250 refundable materials deposit, and state sales tax. J.D. students must pay the $430 fee for six semesters.

Estimated Total Cost of Attendance 2024-25
Full-time J.D. (Fall/Spring Combined)

Tuition$40,800
University Fees$1,700
Program Fees$1,046
Loan Fees$326
Books & Supplies$2,000
Food$5,792
Housing*$13,120
Transportation$4,224
Personal$5,056
Total$74,064

*Estimated off-campus housing cost. If living in on-campus housing, the amount may vary.

Military Admissions & Aid » | Cost of Attendance »

J.D. Program Fees Per Semester

Student Bar Association$80 (per semester)
Bar Preparation Program Fee$430 (per semester)**
Classroom Response Tech Fee $17 (per semester)

Military Admissions & Aid » | Cost of Attendance »

Part-Time Students

DegreeTuition Cost Per Credit HourAverage Credit Hours Per SemesterAverage Tuition Per Semester
Master of Arts (MA)$7156$4,290
Master of Laws (LLM)$6906$4,140
Juris Doctor (JD)$1,29511$14,245

Full-Time Students

DegreeTuition Cost Per Credit HourAverage Credit Hours Per SemesterAverage Tuition Per Semester
Master of Arts (MA)$7159$6,435
Master of Laws (LLM)$6909$6,210
Juris Doctor (JD)$1,29515$19,425

Student Fees Per Semester

University Services Fee (On-Campus Students)$850 (Fall & Spring)
$700 (Summer)
University Services Fee (Online Students)$700

J.D. Program Fees Per Semester

Student Bar Association$80 (per semester)
Bar Preparation Program Fee$430 (per semester)**
Classroom Response Tech Fee$13 (per semester)

**To be fully vested and eligible to receive the bar preparation review course upon graduation for no additional cost other than postage, a $250 refundable materials deposit, and state sales tax. J.D. students must pay the $430 fee for six semesters.

Estimated Total Cost of Attendance 2023-24
Full-time J.D. (Fall/Spring Combined)

Tuition$38,850
University Fees$1,700
Program Fees$1,046
Loan Fees$326
Books & Supplies$2,000
Food$5,792
Housing*$13,120
Transportation$4,224
Personal$5,056
Total$72,114

*Estimated off-campus housing cost. If living in on-campus housing, the amount may vary.

Military Admissions & Aid » | Cost of Attendance »

J.D. Program Fees Per Semester

Student Bar Association$80 (per semester)
Bar Preparation Program Fee$430 (per semester)**
Classroom Response Tech Fee$13 (per semester)

Military Admissions & Aid » | Cost of Attendance »

*Rates are subject to change at any time.
**To be fully vested and eligible to receive the bar preparation review course upon graduation for no additional cost other than postage, a $250 refundable materials deposit, and state sales tax. J.D. students must pay the $430 fee for six semesters.

New York Bar Exam

Global J.D. students interested in sitting for the NY State Bar Exam must have their academic credentials evaluated by the New York State Board of Law Examiners for duration and substance and receive confirmation of the U.S. legal education requirements that will satisfy eligibility requirements for the Bar Exam. Please submit your qualification credentials for evaluation to the Board of Law Examiners online.

Learning Outcomes

On completing the J.D. program, the student will be able to:

  • Demonstrate an understanding of substantive and procedural law and the biblical underpinnings of law.
  • Demonstrate sound legal analysis, legal research, and problem solving.
  • Communicate effectively and appropriately in legal contexts, both orally and in written form.
  • Articulate the decision-making framework by which the student will make ethical decisions in the practice of law.
  • Perform the skills needed for one entering the legal profession to be able to participate competently and ethically in the legal profession.
  • Create a strategic plan for the student’s career path and to follow God’s call.

Noah Dipasquale, J.D., Class of 2017

“I was paired with Mr. Brandon Delfunt, a district attorney near the Atlanta area. He has given me very solid advice, in regard to law school and personally. He told me about how crazy everything can seem in law school with all the assignments and the extra-curricular activities that can pile up. But he also told me that he is glad that he did it. This was very encouraging for me personally because I know what it’s like to feel overwhelmed. I know the day will come when I look back and am glad that I did it, as well.”

Carter Budwell, Mentoring Program Mentee

“Regent gave me an understanding of how to think about law and how to think like a lawyer; it also gave me practical classes and training to do good and help people.”

Corrynn Peters, Juris Doctor (J.D.), 2003 Founding Partner of Phillips & Peters, PLLC

“Most of my practice is devoted to cybersecurity or litigation related to information and privacy law. My goal is to carry forward the standard of excellence I learned at Regent. This will help me continue to influence and advance cybersecurity law to solve problems that we haven’t even thought about yet.”

Shawn Tuma, Juris Doctor (J.D.), 1999 Cybersecurity & Data Privacy Partner, Spencer Fane LLP Dallas, Texas

“I learned all I could at Regent, because I knew He would eventually draw it all back out of me to use for someone else’s good.”

Sharla Mylar, Juris Doctor (J.D.), 2017 Assistant Attorney General, Alaska Department of Law

“When it comes to higher education, it’s about giving students every opportunity to succeed and making sure they have the tools to walk out God’s calling. I've been given so much opportunity and a fantastic education at Regent; if that doesn't set me up to help someone else, what will? ”

Stephanie Iaquinto, Ph. D., 1996 Communications