Full-Time Vs Part-Time

At Capital University, you can earn your J.D. at a pace that suits your schedule. Choose from a traditional, full-time option with classes typically scheduled during the day, allowing you to typically complete the program in 3 years. Our part-time program offers options to accommodate working professionals and anyone with additional commitments that may need some flexibility in their academic schedule.

Full-Time Program

Students in the full-time program of study comprise two-thirds of the total Law School enrollment. Each year, an entering class of approximately 160 full-time students are admitted and divided into two cohorts. Classes for full-time students are usually scheduled between 9:00 am and 4:00 pm, some may fall outside of this time block, Monday through Friday. Students attend class for three to four hours each day. For each hour in class, students average three hours of reading, briefing, and outlining course materials outside of class.

The Law School strongly discourages outside employment for full-time students during the first year and recommends that students devote their time and energy to legal studies. Upperclass students may not work more than 20 hours per week.

Part-Time Programs

Capital University Law School offers two part-time programs.

Part-Time Evening Division

Capital's evening division is designed to accommodate students who have daytime commitments and must attend classes after 6:00 pm. Most required courses for the evening division are offered between the hours of 6:00 pm and 10:00 pm, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Elective courses are also held weekday evenings. Some students will also participate in supplemental writing classes on Tuesday and Thursday nights during the first semester. Those students who have participated in the Summer Academic Success Program will meet on Thursday nights.

Part-time evening students are required to take 9 or 10 hours of class each week during the first two years, with required study the first summer. In order to graduate in four years, evening students must take five or six hours of class during each of two summers and nine hours of class each of the four regular semesters after the first two years.

Part-Time Division

The part-time division is designed for individuals who work evenings or nights, those who might be stay-at-home parents, or others who might have been away from the classroom environment for a while and want to ease back into academic life. Students in this program will take approximately 10-11 hours per semester. The part-time division follows the traditional, full-time class schedule, with a reduced course load.

The program will take students four to five years to complete, depending upon whether they take summer courses. While most required courses and many of the elective courses tested on the bar exam will fall between the hours of 8:30 am and 3:30 pm, some may fall outside of this time block.

It is recommended that part-time students not work more than 40 hours per week.

Graduation Requirements

Requirements for the receipt of the Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from Capital University Law School requires the following (see the student handbook for additional, detailed information):

1. Successful completion of 89 credit hours;
2. Cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.0; and
3. Successful completion of all required courses as outlined in the student handbook.