Each candidate for the degree of Doctor of Jurisprudence (J.D.) must:
Pursue full-time (enrolled for a minimum of 10 credit hours each semester), resident study at Vanderbilt Law School for a period of six semesters (or, in the case of students requiring more than six semesters, the equivalent).
Complete, with a grade point average of 2.0 or above, 88 semester hours of credit:
No more than 5 credit hours may be earned by participating in credit-bearing extracurricular activities;
At least 65 credit hours must be earned in regular Law School classes. (Students must complete at least 66 graded hours to be eligible for Order of the Coif);
Earn a passing grade in all required courses, which includes all first-year courses, Constitutional Law I, Professional Responsibility, a professional skills requirement, and a substantive research paper;
It is the student's sole responsibility to plan a schedule that ensures the completion of 88 semester hours and all other requirements for the J.D. degree.
Pay all financial obligations due to Vanderbilt University.
Be of good moral character, according to the standards of personal and professional integrity traditionally associated with the profession of law.
The law faculty may remove a student from the J.D. program at any time for failure to meet the standard of good moral character required for the degree, or impose sanctions other than suspension or expulsion.
Receive the favorable recommendation of the faculty for the degree.
