Courses and Curriculum
The UConn School of Law offers a wide selection of courses across an array of legal disciplines, allowing students to follow their unique interests and prepare to practice in their chosen fields.
Current students are strongly encouraged to browse the course offerings through their Student Administration (PeopleSoft) account and/or the student portal rather than this through this listing.
First-Year JD Curriculum
Three-Year Day Division
| Fall Term | Civil Procedure Contracts Legal Practice: Research & Writing Torts |
| Spring Term | Constitutional Law Criminal Law Legal Practice: Advocacy Legal Practice: Skills Capstone Statutory / Regulatory Elective |
| Fall Term, Second Year | Property |
Four-Year Evening Division
| Fall Term | Civil Procedure I Legal Practice: Research & Writing Torts Contracts I |
| Spring Term | Civil Procedure II Legal Practice: Advocacy Legal Practice: Capstone Contracts II Criminal Law |
| Fall Term, Second Year | Property I Statutory / Regulatory Elective (Fall or Spring) Constitutional Law I |
| Spring Term, Second Year | Constitutional Law II Property II Statutory/Regulatory Elective (Fall or Spring) |
1L Legal Practice Program
The Legal Practice Program is a coordinated, year-long sequence of three courses that develop core lawyering skills. Students begin with foundational training in legal analysis, research, and predictive writing, and then progress to persuasive writing and oral advocacy. The sequence culminates in a capstone course in which students apply these skills in realistic client scenarios involving interviewing, counseling, and negotiation. Together, these courses provide a cohesive foundation for advanced experiential learning and the practice of law.
Legal Practice: Research and Writing
Develops foundational skills in legal analysis, research, and predictive writing, with an emphasis on problem-solving, clear written communication, and understanding the lawyer’s role.
Legal Practice: Advocacy
Develops skills in persuasive writing and oral advocacy through experiential learning activities, focusing on crafting and presenting effective legal arguments while reinforcing professional and ethical standards.
Legal Practice: Skills Capstone
Provides a simulation-based experience in client representation, in which students apply their analysis, research, writing, and advocacy skills while developing abilities in interviewing, counseling, negotiation, and strategic decision-making.
Upper Division JD Curriculum
- Complete a course designated as a statutory/regulatory course elective.
- Complete the Legal Profession course, which focuses on the issues of professional responsibility and legal ethics.
- Satisfy the writing requirement.
- Satisfy the Bias, Racism and Cross-Cultural Competency requirement.
- Satisfy the practice-based legal requirement through a clinic, field placement or practicum course.
Degree Requirements
To earn a JD degree at the UConn School of Law, students must earn a minimum number of credits, achieve or exceed a minimum grade point average, complete a set of required courses, fulfill an upper level writing requirement, and complete a practice-based learning requirement.
Learning Outcomes
In keeping with American Bar Association standards, successful completion of the JD Program at the University of Connecticut School of Law provides graduates with competence in "the knowledge and understanding of substantive and procedural law; legal analysis and reasoning, legal research, problem-solving, and written and oral communication in the legal context; exercise of proper professional and ethical responsibilities to clients and the legal system; and other professional skills needed for competent and ethical participation as a member of the legal profession."