The School of Law

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Degree available from the School of Law at The University of South Dakota:

Juris Doctor

The School of Law also offers a joint degree program with other colleges/schools of The University of South Dakota leading to the juris doctor degree and a master’s degree. Options include:

JD/Master of Arts in Education Administration
JD/Master of Arts in English
JD/Master of Arts in History
JD/Master of Arts in Political Science
JD/Master of Arts in Psychology
JD/Master of Business Administration
JD/Master of Professional Accountancy
JD/Master of Public Administration
JD/Master of Science in Administrative Studies

Dean: Professor Barry R. Vickrey
    Associate Dean: Thomas L. Sorensen
    Assistant Dean: Angela Ericson

The School of Law course offerings are varied and respond to the evolving and dynamic needs of the legal profession. The University of South Dakota offers a broad range of electives after students have taken the traditional first-year curriculum, including a strong curricular emphasis in Indian Law. The School of Law also offers course tracks in business, civil litigation, commercial law, constitutional law, criminal law, employment law, estate planning, Indian law, real estate, and tax law. A broad array of co-curricular activities and professional events further enrich the educational experience.

The Law School program leads to a juris doctor degree upon successful completion of 90 hours of credit. The full-time program covers three years; the Flex-Time program permits certain well-qualified students to take less than the normal load of credits each semester and to graduate with a juris doctor degree within five years instead of three.

The University of South Dakota’s School of Law was established in 1901. It has been accredited by the American Bar Association since 1923, and has been a member of the Association of American Law Schools since 1907.

The School of Law has a diverse, scholarly, and highly-accomplished faculty who have obtained their J.D., and in some cases advanced law degrees, from a variety of respected institutions from across the country. Many faculty members have practice experience in addition to their many years of teaching experience. School of Law students come from a variety of backgrounds and upon graduation and admission to a bar, enter law practice in South Dakota and throughout the nation.

The University of South Dakota School of Law offers a high-quality legal education at an affordable cost, in a small, friendly school with many opportunities for specialized instruction and personal assistance. Prospective students are encouraged to consider carefully the many advantages available as a student of The University of South Dakota School of Law. We encourage you to visit our website at www.usd.edu/law and visit our campus in Vermillion. The faculty and staff are available to discuss legal education generally and how the programs at the USD School of Law can be designed to fit individual needs.

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