Suffolk University Law School will offer an accelerated J.D. program beginning in May 2018, allowing students to earn a law degree in just 24 months.
The accelerated J.D. program will be the first of its kind in the State of Massachusetts. Only 21 similar programs exist in the U.S.
Students enrolled in the accelerated program will take the same number of credits as students enrolled in the traditional three-year J.D. program, but students will complete the program requirements faster by enrolling in summer evening classes.
“Suffolk Law was founded on the idea that aspiring lawyers should have some flexibility in how they obtain a legal education,” said Law School Dean Andrew Perlman. “In 1906, that meant an evening law school that allowed people to work during the day and attend law school at night. An accelerated juris doctor degree is a natural extension of this longstanding mission; it offers students an opportunity to pursue their legal education in ways that best fit their schedules and needs.”
Suffolk Law intends to keep its inaugural class small, according to a press release. Preference will be given to applicants with at least one year of professional work experience.
“This initiative is another example of Suffolk Law’s ability to be nimble in addressing legal education needs,” said attorney Philip C. Swain, who teaches a patent litigation course at Suffolk. “In setting up the program so that summer classes are offered at night, Suffolk Law’s accelerated JD allows students to benefit from internships and summer positions in law firms and thus build their resumes while gaining valuable experience. And I have always found that the kind of students Suffolk attracts are also the type willing to work a little harder to finish their JD in less time.”
Students may also complete the accelerated program by enrolling in the 36-month, part-time evening program.
Students accepted to the program will begin classes in May 2018 with a 12-week summer session. Full time students will then attend Suffolk Law for six straight semesters, including two part-time summer sessions.
Part-time evening students will attend six straight semesters at night with a break in their third summer. They will then attend Suffolk Law for two more semesters. Part-time students may opt for eight straight semesters, including the third summer, to graduate in 2.5 years.
Accelerated students will pay the same per-semester tuition as traditional students for each semester, including summers, and may qualify for merit scholarships. Admitted students are also elligible to participate in Suffolk Law’s clinics, Law Review, journals, internships, externships, Moot Court, Trial Team, Student Bar Association and other student groups.
The inaugural accelerated class has a planned graduation date of May 2020 for full-time students and May 2021 for part-time evening students.
More information about the program can be found here.
