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Advanced JD

Overview

The Advanced Juris Doctor (AJD) degree is a special program that allows graduates of foreign law schools to complete a U.S. Juris Doctor (JD) degree in as little as two years. This enables graduates of foreign law programs to save time and money in earning their JD degree. Earning an AJD is an excellent pathway for those who plan to take a bar examination and work in the United States. Foreign lawyers practicing abroad will also benefit from the AJD Program which will allow them to build their expertise in U.S. law.

Under the AJD, qualified students may be admitted with advanced standing and awarded up to 29 credits for their previous law study. Credits from an LLM earned at another U.S. institution can not be transferred. The decision on the number of credits to be granted will be made when your application is considered. Successful applicants will be notified at the time of admission about how many credits they will receive for their foreign study.

Advanced JD students are full members of our Law School community. AJD graduates receive the same degree as other JD students and are eligible to take the bar examination in all U.S. jurisdictions, if they meet the other requirements for admission. In addition to a bar examination, there are character, fitness, and other qualifications for admission to the bar in every U.S. jurisdiction. Applicants are encouraged to determine the requirements for any jurisdiction in which they intend to seek admission by contacting the jurisdiction. Addresses for all relevant agencies are available through the National Conference of Bar Examiners. 

Curriculum and Requirements

Most students admitted to the AJD program will complete the first-year required JD curriculum in their first year of study, then take elective courses and additional requirements during the summer and in their second year of study. An academic advisor will assist students to design an individual program suited to their background and interests, including participation in our programs in environmental, international and business law.

First-year Fall semester

• LAW 516 Civil Procedure I (3 credits)
• LAW 506 Contracts (4 credits)
• LAW 522 Torts (4 credits)
• LAW 504 Lawyering Fundamentals I (3 credits)

January Term (J-Term)

• This program runs the week before the Law School Spring semester begins and gives law students the bonus of specialized mini-courses taught by some of the world’s leading scholars, professors, and judges.
• Courses vary.

First-year Spring semester

• LAW 517 Civil Procedure II (3 credits)
• LAW 505 Lawyering Fundamentals II (2 credits)
• LAW 518 Real Property I (4 credits)
• LAW 513 Criminal Law (4 credits)
• LWLR 501 Legal Research (2 credits)

Additional Requirements

• LAW 533 Constitutional Law I (3 credits)
• LAW 511 Professional Responsibility (3 credits)
• 10 hours of Pro Bono service for each semester of attendance
• 6 credits of Experiential Learning (EXL) coursework
• Upper-level writing requirement
• Satisfactory completion of a 89 credits and a minimum of 60 credits taken at William S. Richardson School of Law

How to apply

Classes begin
August 25, 2025

Eligibility

To be eligible for the AJD program, applicants must hold a law degree from an accredited or approved law school outside the U.S. Applicants may submit LSAT and/or GRE scores, but they are not required.  Applicants do not have to be members of the bar in their home countries. However, their educational and professional experiences, including law school grades and practice background, are carefully considered by the Admissions Committee. 

Application Deadline and Submission

Application are considered on a rolling basis September 1 to June 1. Applications submitted after June 1 will be considered if space is available.  Application received by February 5 will be given priority consideration for any available scholarships.

AJD applications must be submitted through LSAC.

Application Materials

AJD applicants must order a CAS Report when applying through LSAC. The CAS report is an assembly service that will receive, evaluate, and compile application documents.

• Personal Statement
  Tell us about your experience and qualifications, your reasons for seeking an AJD degree, and the course of study you wish to pursue. (about 800 words)
• Writing Sample
  Submit a document written by you at work or school in English on any topic, up to three pages, as a sample of your English writing ability. The writing sample does not need to be a complete document. You may black out any confidential information.
• Resume or Curriculum Vitae
• $75 Application Fee
  Not refundable or transferable.
• Two Letters of Recommendation
  We prefer that one of the letters be from a former or current law professor, if possible. Letters must be written in English or have an English translation attached. Applicants to the AJD who have earned an LLM degree in the U.S. will ideally include one letter of recommendation from an LLM instructor.
• Official Transcripts
  Official transcripts from all graduate and undergraduate institutions sent directly from the school to LSAC.
• LSAT and/or GRE test scores
  Applicants may submit LSAT and/or GRE scores, but they are not required.
• Proof of English Proficiency (if applicable)
  Applicants whose native language is not English should send scores that are no more than three years old directly to LSAC.
  • TOEFL minimum score: 90
    (UH school code 8395)
  • IELTS minimum score: 7
  • Cambridge English Exam C1 or C2
  • If an applicant’s legal education at the university level was conducted entirely in English in India, Pakistan, the Philippines, or Hong Kong, they may attach an official statement from the university verifying English was the medium of instruction.
  • Applicants who have earned a bachelor’s or graduate degree from an institution in the United States, Canada (excluding Quebec), the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, or Singapore are exempt from providing English proficiency test scores.
    
    Other exemptions may be granted at the discretion of the AJD Admissions Committee.
    

Interview

Once all application materials are received, the Admissions Committee may request a Zoom interview before making their decision.

Visa Information

The Law School’s International Programs works with the UH International Student Services to assist Richardson students with I-20 and Visa paperwork.