J.D. Admission FAQ's

Application Process

When is the application deadline?

What are the application requirements?

See the Application Instructions page for a checklist of the documents needed for a complete application.

Does UC Hastings offer application fee waivers?

The College honors fee waivers granted by the Law School Admission Council (LSAC), however UC Hastings does not generally offer its own application fee waivers.

Does UC Hastings offer an Early Decision process?

Yes.  See the Early Commitment Option page for further information. 

J.D. Curriculum

Does UC Hastings permit students to pursue joint degrees?

Yes. Students are permitted to pursue joint degrees with the permission of the Associate Academic Dean. Historically, UC Hastings students have pursued joint degrees with other institutions in the Bay Area such as UC Berkeley or San Francisco State. 

Does UC Hastings offer study abroad programs?

Yes, the College offers more than fifteen affiliated programs.  See the Study Abroad page for a list of programs and other information.

Can students choose their class schedule?
Not during your first year. With the exception of the spring semester statutory course, the Records Office will schedule all first-year sections and classes. Section assignments are made in early August.

What is the first-year curriculum?
The first-year curriculum offers the foundation for future legal study; over the first year, students gain the breadth of knowledge and key lawyering skills necessary for any type of legal career. The following courses are required for all first-year UC Hastings students:

• Civil Procedure (4 Units)
• Constitutional Law I (3 units)
• Contracts (4 units)
• Criminal Law (4 units)
• Legal Writing & Research (2 units)
• Moot Court (2 units)
• Property (4 units)
• Torts (4 Units)

In addition to the required courses, one of the following 3-unit Statutory Course Electives must be selected during the spring semester:

• Education Law
• Employment Discrimination
• Environmental Law
• Federal Income Taxation
• Immigration Law

Are students required to pursue a concentration at UC Hastings?
Students are not required to pursue a concentration during law school. Nonetheless, many students desire more significant depth in their legal studies and choose to pursue a concentration in one of the following areas:

• Civil Litigation and Dispute Resolution
• Criminal Law Practice and Theory
• Government Law
• International and Comparative Law
• Intellectual Property Law
• Social Justice Lawyering
• Taxation
• Law and Health Sciences

Students may also pursue a specialization in such areas as Administrative and Public Law, Business and Commercial Law, Criminal Law and Procedure, Environmental Law, Family Law, and Legal Philosophy and Systems.

Are students permitted to work during their first year at UC Hastings?
No. As the first year is a period of academic adjustment coupled with a full-time program, students are discouraged from seeking outside employment.

Where is there more information about the UC Hastings Career Office and employment statistics?

Please visit the Career Office section of the website for comprehensive information about services, events, and detailed data about post-graduation employment.