J.D. admissions
Wayne State University Law School admits and enrolls students who will excel academically, meet high standards of professional excellence and integrity, and will become active and distinguished members of the legal community.
Every application receives careful, individualized attention by the Admissions Office and our faculty Admissions Committee. A variety of factors are taken into consideration. Typically, only about 36 percent of applicants are offered admission.
Wayne Law doesn't have an application fee and our Admissions team is here to support you every step of the way, from online and in-person workshops to one-on-one meetings and personalized tours.
Ready to take the next step?
Request more information Apply
Programs
-
Full-time day program
15 credits each semester
The first-year day program is a full-time, two-semester program that begins only in the fall. Students in this program take all courses during the day, completing 30 credit hours in their first year.
FALL SEMESTER 1
- Civil Procedure A
- Contracts A
- Legal Research and Writing
- Constitutional Law I*
- Torts*
*The semester in which these courses are scheduled varies between the fall and winter.
WINTER SEMESTER 1
- Civil Procedure B
- Contracts B
- Legal Research and Writing
- Criminal Law*
- Property*
*The semester in which these courses are scheduled varies between the fall and winter.
-
Part-time evening program
8 credits each semester during the first year
The Law School offers a part-time program that enables students to complete their J.D. requirements in four to six years.
Students in the part-time evening program take three courses at night, completing 16 credit hours in their first year. Students complete their required first-year curriculum in two years. Course sequencing will be determined based upon the course availability each semester.
Evening classes generally begin at 6:10 p.m. Monday through Thursday. A number of courses are offered starting at 4 or 4:35 p.m. for easy accessibility for both day and evening students. Class size is generally smaller in evening courses.
FIRST YEAR
FALL SEMESTER 1
- Civil Procedure A
- Contracts A
- Legal Research and Writing
*The semester in which these courses are scheduled varies between the fall and winter.
WINTER SEMESTER 1
- Civil Procedure B
- Contracts B
- Legal Research and Writing
*The semester in which these courses are scheduled varies between the fall and winter.
SECOND YEAR
Second-year evening students also may choose electives.
FALL SEMESTER 2
- Constitutional Law I*
- Torts*
*The semester in which these courses are scheduled varies between the fall and winter.
WINTER SEMESTER 2
- Criminal Law*
- Property*
*The semester in which these courses are scheduled varies between the fall and winter.
-
Full-time combined day and evening program
11-12 or 15 credits each semester during the first year
The combined day and evening program is designed to meet the needs of students who wish to complete law school in three years, but who prefer to take as many classes as possible in the evening. The program may be elected by any applicant.
Students in the combined program take three courses at night, as well as one or two day courses each semester, completing 22-30 credit hours in their first year.
Students in the combined program who complete all five courses open to them in both the fall and winter semester will have 30 credits at the end of the first year, allowing them to complete their degree in three years by maintaining a full-time schedule during their second and third years.
FIRST YEAR
FALL SEMESTER 1
These courses are required and scheduled during the evening:
- Civil Procedure A
- Contracts A
- Legal Research and Writing
In addition, combined program students must elect to take either one or both of these courses during the day:
- Constitutional Law I*
- Torts*
*The semester in which these courses are scheduled varies between the fall and winter.
WINTER SEMESTER 1
These courses are required and scheduled during the evening:
- Civil Procedure B
- Contracts B
- Legal Research and Writing
In addition, combined program students must elect to take either one or both of these courses during the day:
- Criminal Law*
- Property*
*The semester in which these courses are scheduled varies between the fall and winter.
SECOND YEAR
Combined students must take any remaining 1L courses not taken in their first year and must register in the evening section. In addition, they may register for upper-level classes.
FALL SEMESTER 2
Combined program students must elect to take either one or both of these courses:
- Constitutional Law I*
- Torts*
*The semester in which these courses are scheduled varies between the fall and winter.
WINTER SEMESTER 2
Combined program students must elect to take either one or both of these courses:
- Criminal Law*
- Property*
*The semester in which these courses are scheduled varies between the fall and winter.