Harvard Law School JD Degree Requirements

(1) Completion of the 1L curriculum 

(see HLS Handbook of Academic Policies Section I.B) 

• Civil Procedure, Contracts, Criminal Law, 1L International/Comparative Law course, Legislation and Regulation, Property, and Torts
• Legal Research and Writing
• Problem Solving Workshop
• Spring upper-level elective course of a minimum of two and a maximum of four law school classroom credits

(2) Upper-level Requirements 

(see HLS Handbook of Academic Policies Section I.C)

    Credit Totals

• 52 total upper-level credits
• 36 of which are law school classroom credits

    Minimum and Maximum Credits

• Minimum of 10 total credits in each fall and spring term
• Maximum of 16 total credits in each fall and spring term
• Minimum of 2 and maximum of 3 credits in 2L and 3L winter terms

• Minimum of 24 total credits per year in each of the 2L and 3L years
• Maximum of 35 total credits per year in each of the 2L and 3L years

• Maximum of 12 clinical credits
• Maximum of 12 writing credits
• Maximum of 12 cross-registration credits

(3) Additional Requirements

• Professional Responsibility Requirement (courses)
• J.D. Written Work Requirement
• Pro Bono Requirement
• Winter Term in 2L and 3L years

Contact the Registrar's Office (registrar@law.harvard.edu) with questions.