Law (J.D.)
Chicago-Kent’s J.D. program combines innovation and tradition, giving you hands-on legal experience, direct access to top faculty, and a path into Chicago’s dynamic legal market.
Shape Your Legal Career with Innovation in Chicago-Kent’s Juris Doctor Program
At Chicago-Kent, you’ll gain the forward-thinking skills needed to become a standout legal professional. Our J.D. program seamlessly blends legal theory with real-world practice, ensuring that you’re fully prepared to succeed in today’s legal landscape. With our tech-forward curriculum and hands-on learning in Chicago’s vibrant legal scene, you’ll graduate ready to make an impact wherever your career takes you.
Program Overview
Chicago-Kent’s Juris Doctor program gives you the tools and experiences to excel in your legal career. Whether it’s gaining practical experience in our in-house law firm or competing in moot court, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to sharpen your legal skills. The program’s flexibility, offering full-time or part-time enrollment, lets you shape your academic journey around your life. With an on-campus format, you’ll be immersed in Chicago’s legal community, gaining access to career-defining opportunities and legal tech innovations through Illinois Tech.
Career Opportunities
Graduates of Chicago-Kent’s Juris Doctor (J.D.) program pursue careers as
- Attorney
- Compliance officer
- In-house counsel
Curious about whether a J.D. is the right path for you? Explore the benefits of a law degree both within and beyond traditional legal careers.
Chicago-Kent offers both full-time and part-time divisions. Entrance, scholastic, and graduate requirements are the same for both divisions, and full-time faculty teach in both divisions. Three years are normally required for full-time day division students to complete the 87 credit hours needed for the Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree. In addition to traditional courses, the curriculum offers a wide variety of innovative courses and seminars to enrich the student’s academic experience.
Explore dynamic courses such as:
- Constitutional Law: Dive into the fundamental laws shaping America through an exploration of Supreme Court decisions and constitutional principles.
- Civil Procedure: Master the procedural framework of the U.S. court system, from pleadings to trials.
- Practice and Professionalism: Navigate the evolving ethical challenges lawyers face today, including the impact of technology on legal practice.
Admission to the law school is highly competitive, with many more applicants than seats in the entering class. Students are admitted to the law school based on the information contained in their applications, their admissions test scores (LSAT or GRE), and their undergraduate records. Although the GPA and test scores are important criteria, other qualitative factors are considered. Particular emphasis is given to the nature and rigor of the undergraduate curriculum, writing ability, the personal statement, and letters of recommendation, particularly those from academic sources.
Applicants for admission to Chicago-Kent must have received a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university prior to beginning classes at the law school in mid-August.
Elisabeth Hieber has already made an impact in improving the lives of transgender, nonbinary, and gender non-conforming people.
Elisabeth Hieber (LAW ’19)
Roberto Martinez possesses the soft skills that make others feel comfortable, skills that he developed, first, helping others and now looks to utilize as he moves into a career in law—where he hopes to do the same.
Roberto Martinez (LAW ’21)
In the final year of an exceptional law school career, Jun Qiu was named one of National Jurist’s 20 “Law Students of the Year” in 2018.
Jun Qiu (LAW ’18)
From door knocking just out of college to her current position the Illinois Department of Human Services’ senior Emerson immigration fellow, Ruth Lopez-McCarthy has spent her life fighting for immigrant rights.
Ruth Lopez-McCarthy (LAW ’09)
Monica Whitten ’23 is a recent graduate who already has established a successful career. After years excelling in commercial real estate in Dallas, followed by a decade caring for her family, she came to Chicago-Kent, driven to succeed in places where others like her rarely go. She is now a star law firm associate with a bright future ahead of her.
Monica Whitten LAW '23Featured Faculty
Graeme B. Dinwoodie
Nancy Kim
Raff Donelson
David A. Erickson
Anita K. Krug
Harold J. Krent
Nancy S. Marder
Marsha Ross-Jackson
Carolyn Shapiro
FAQs
Q: What are the minimum requirements to apply to the J.D. program?
A: Applicants must have received a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university prior to beginning courses. The application requires your official LSAT or GRE score, a personal statement, and letters of recommendation. Admission is highly competitive, though; the committee gives particular emphasis to qualitative factors such as the rigor of your undergraduate curriculum, your demonstrated writing ability, and strong letters of recommendation.
Q: What makes Chicago-Kent’s J.D. program unique?
A: Chicago-Kent uniquely combines legal tradition with modern innovation to prepare you for today’s dynamic digital landscape. We provide hands-on experience, direct access to faculty, and a tech-forward curriculum. You’ll also be immersed in Chicago’s vibrant legal market.
Q: Can I continue working while I work on my JD degree?
A: Yes! The program is designed for flexibility and offers both full-time and part-time divisions (including a part-time evening option) to allow you to shape your academic journey around your life and commitments.
Q: What kind of practical legal experience is available?
A: Chicago-Kent is committed to hands-on learning. We offer substantial practical experience, highlighted by the opportunity to gain legal skills directly through our in-house law clinics and by competing in our nationally recognized moot court and trial advocacy programs.