Overview
The California J.D. degree programme thoroughly prepares graduates to sit for the California Bar Exam through a collaborative learning environment that emphasizes discussion and debate. Studying alongside a diverse cohort, students come away with the cultural competence that helps them confidently advocate for clients from all walks of life and strengthens the legal profession as a whole.
Students pursuing their Juris Doctor degree study under working lawyers, judges, and elected officials, many of whom live and practice in the Santa Barbara and Ventura communities. Culminating with a pro bono internship under a practicing attorney or judge, the J.D. degree programme equips students with the practical and theoretical skills that translate into a successful professional career. Visit the programme website for more information
Careers
Graduates of The Colleges of Law Juris Doctor degree programme can pursue becoming a lawyer by completing the necessary steps and passing their state’s Bar Exam. However, not every J.D. graduate wishes to become a lawyer; several other career paths are available to those wanting to work in a legal-related profession. For example, Juris Doctor graduates may pursue criminal justice and law enforcement jobs or as compliance managers or officers. There are opportunities to work as legislators, regulatory affairs managers, or specialists or as paralegals, legal assistants, and judicial law clerks. Each legal-related career path may require additional training or certifications and will experience various projected job growth and demand for more professionals unique to its field.
J.D. students can explore potential specializations or areas of legal practice that revolve around technology, business, employment law, or corporate law with business-to-business operations such as acquisitions and mergers. Graduates may benefit from learning the five highest-paid types of lawyers and the various types of law when deciding on a career path.
Emerging legal specializations for lawyers include subfields such as contract law, commercial litigation, employment discrimination, labor relations, corporate finance, and securities law. With a Juris Doctor degree, students have endless opportunities to discover and establish their niche in the legal profession.
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Programme Structure
Courses include:
- Contracts
- Criminal Law
- Legal Analysis
- Civil Procedure
- Community Property
Check out the full curriculum
Admission requirements
Academic requirements
GPA 2
English requirements
We are not aware of any English requirements for this programme.
Other requirements
General requirements
J.D. applicants are considered for admission in one of three categories defined by the State Bar of California — regular, special, and transfer. Requirements and application materials vary slightly depending on which admissions category applies.
Regular J.D. Students:
One of the following from an accredited college or university:
- Bachelor’s degree
- Associate’s degree
- 60 semester units of academic college credits
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0
- At least one letter of recommendation
- A 750-1000 word typed, double-spaced personal statement detailing your motivation, skills, and suitability to pursue a J.D. degree at the Colleges of Law
- Students for whom English is the second language: TOEFL scores or English composition class transcripts (if proficiency is not otherwise demonstrated)
Make sure you meet all requirements
Fees and funding
Tuition Fees
Tuition fees are shown in AUD and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.
International Non-residents: 32,525 AUD / year (≈ 23,304 USD / year)
Out-of-State: 32,525 AUD / year (≈ 23,304 USD / year)
Domestic In-State: 32,525 AUD / year (≈ 23,304 USD / year)
Living costs
Santa Barbara, United States: 2,289-3,461 AUD / month
The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.