Juris Doctor (J.D.) – Global
Advance Your Legal Career
If you are a foreign law student or foreign lawyer who wants to sit for the bar exam in the U.S., Regent’s Juris Doctor – Global J.D. Program is a great option. It allows you to transfer credit from your non-U.S. law school, earn an American J.D., and be eligible to sit for the bar exam in the U.S. in as little as two years. As a prerequisite, you should have completed at least 30 credit hours of a law degree.
Gain a 50% Tuition Scholarship
Every student admitted to the Global J.D. Program will receive a 50% tuition scholarship. Earn an American J.D. for the cost of one year of law school.
Transfer Credit Hours
Transfer in up to 30 credit hours from a non-U.S. law school to be applied toward the J.D.’s required 90 credit hours.
Sharpen Your Skills
Focus on legal analysis, writing, and problem solving.
Advance Your Knowledge
Learn the core of the American legal system in the context of a Christian worldview.
Global J.D. students must complete the same requirements as all J.D. students.
* All J.D. students must complete their J.D. degree within 84 months of the last year they began law school. Exceptions may be made for “extraordinary circumstances.”
On completing the J.D. program, you can:
- Apply your knowledge in legal areas such as contracts, general mediation, estates, and family law.
- Demonstrate proficiency in criminal law and constitutional criminal procedure.
- Apply appellate advocacy skills.
- Demonstrate sound legal analysis, legal research, and problem-solving.
Career Opportunities
- Administrative law/regulated industries
- Constitution and public law
- Corporate and commercial law
- Family law
- Health law
- Intellectual property
Application Deadline: February 15
LSAT Deadline:
Click here for LSAC updates and LSAT rescheduling options »
International Applicants must apply by February 15 to ensure sufficient time to process visas and make living arrangements.
Please Note: International applicants have non-negotiable deadlines regarding I-20 issuance in addition to supplementary admission requirements. These requirements will change depending on several factors, such as citizenship or visa status. All applicants are responsible for the validity and completion of the documents before the due dates mentioned above.
For Global J.D. degree seating availability information, please contact the Office of Law Admissions & Financial Aid at 757.352.4584 or lawschool@regent.edu. Admission decisions are made on a rolling basis, with most applicants being notified within three weeks of the date that the application and all supporting documents are received by the Office of Law Admissions & Financial Aid.
Please carefully note the following information as you begin your law school application process.
Admissions Criteria for Global J.D. Degree Applicants
The Regent Law admissions committee seeks to do more than simply enroll those with the greatest academic potential. We admit men and women who demonstrate academic ability, as well as a commitment to the university’s mission as a Christ-centered institution.
The admissions committee for the Global J.D. degree, comprised of faculty members, associate deans, and the director of admissions, evaluates applicants according to the following criteria:
• Academic achievement (GPA, course rigor, and institution(s) attended)
• LSAT scores (not required for all applicants)
• English Proficiency
• Mission fit
• Responses to the questions in the application for admission
• Career accomplishments
• Skills relevant to the practice of law
Prerequisites for the J.D. Program
All Global J.D. applicants should possess a bachelor’s degree from an approved college or university and have completed at least 30 credit hours of a non-U.S. law degree.
Once you have fulfilled the admission requirements listed in the application process below, you may be contacted for an admissions interview, which is by invitation only.
Medians
- GPA: 3.64
- LSAT Score: 158
Admissions Decisions
Admission decisions are made on a rolling basis, with most applicants being notified within three weeks of the date that the application and all supporting documents are received by the Admissions Office.
Global Juris Doctor Application Process
- Application: Apply online via Law School Admission Council (LSAC). For technical issues, contact LSAC Help Desk at 215.968.1393.
- Application Fee: Pay a $65 nonrefundable fee by check or money order to Regent University, Enrollment Support Services, 1000 Regent University Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23464.
- Transcripts: Send official transcripts from all attended institutions to LSAC. If admitted before completing your bachelor’s degree, submit an official final transcript to Regent Law School before matriculating.
- LSAT Scores:
Common Law Countries:
- Applicants from common law countries are not required to take the LSAT, although it is strongly encouraged and applicants may be required to do so at the discretion of the committee.
- Applicants from common law countries who do not take the LSAT must submit a GRE Score, an SAT score, or an ACT Score.
Civil Law Countries:
- Applicants from civil law countries are required to take the LSAT.
All applicants must take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) and subscribe to the Credential Assembly Service (CAS). The LSAT is offered several times throughout the year. Visit the LSAC website to view future LSAT dates.
Generally, applicants are advised to schedule the LSAT several months prior to their anticipated enrollment in law school.
An applicant’s performance on the LSAT is a very important factor in the application review process. The LSAT score is carefully weighed in light of the many other parts of the applicant’s admissions file and in conjunction with the overall profile for the incoming class. The admissions committee relies heavily upon the highest score when an applicant has taken the LSAT more than once, but all scores will be reviewed. Applicants scoring below 154 may be encouraged to retest.
Regent University is a host site for the LSAT, and provides study materials and an LSAT prep workshop each fall and spring.
- Letters of Recommendation: Submit at least one Academic Recommendation, or a General Recommendation if out of school for five years or more. A Spiritual Recommendation is encouraged. Limit recommendations to four, sent via LSAC’s LOR Service. Note: Recommenders, not the applicants, must upload the letters through LSAC’s LOR Service.
- Personal Statement: Provide a 500-1,000 word essay outlining your motivation for studying law at Regent and any relevant skills or experiences.
- International Applicants: Follow the International Admissions Checklist, including a TOEFL score of at least 100 or a Duolingo score of 125. For queries, contact lawschool@regent.edu or the International Students Office.
Submit all admissions materials through the Law School Admission Council (LSAC). Note: Submitted materials are not returnable.
PART-TIME STUDENTS
| Degree | Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour | Average Credit Hours Per Semester | Average Tuition Per Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master of Arts (MA) | $715 | 6 | $4,290 |
| Master of Laws (LLM) in American Legal Studies | $1,035 (On-Campus) | 6 | $6,210 |
| Master of Laws (LLM) in Human Rights | $1,035 (On-Campus) $725 (Online) | 6 | $6,210 $4,350 |
| Juris Doctor (JD) | $1,360 | 11 | $14,960 |
Full-Time Students
| Degree | Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour | Average Credit Hours Per Semester | Average Tuition Per Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master of Arts (MA) | $715 | 9 | $6,435 |
| Master of Laws (LLM) in American Legal Studies | $1,035 (On-Campus) | 9 | $9,315 |
| Master of Laws (LLM) in Human Rights | $1,035 (On-Campus) $725 (Online) | 9 | $9,315 $6,525 |
| Juris Doctor (JD) | $1,360 | 15 | $20,400 |
Student Fees Per Semester
| University Services Fee (On-Campus Students) | $850 (Fall & Spring) $700 (Summer) |
| University Services Fee (Online Students) | $700 |
J.D. Program Fees Per Semester
| Student Bar Association | $80 (per semester) |
| Bar Preparation Program Fee | $430 (per semester)** |
| Classroom Response Tech Fee | $17 (per semester) |
**To be fully vested and eligible to receive the bar preparation review course upon graduation for no additional cost other than postage, a $250 refundable materials deposit, and state sales tax. J.D. students must pay the $430 fee for six semesters.
Estimated Total Cost of Attendance 2024-25
Full-time J.D. (Fall/Spring Combined)
| Tuition | $40,800 |
| University Fees | $1,700 |
| Program Fees | $1,046 |
| Loan Fees | $326 |
| Books & Supplies | $2,000 |
| Food | $5,792 |
| Housing* | $13,120 |
| Transportation | $4,224 |
| Personal | $5,056 |
| Total | $74,064 |
*Estimated off-campus housing cost. If living in on-campus housing, the amount may vary.
Military Admissions & Aid » | Cost of Attendance »
J.D. Program Fees Per Semester
| Student Bar Association | $80 (per semester) |
| Bar Preparation Program Fee | $430 (per semester)** |
| Classroom Response Tech Fee | $17 (per semester) |
Part-Time Students
| Degree | Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour | Average Credit Hours Per Semester | Average Tuition Per Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master of Arts (MA) | $715 | 6 | $4,290 |
| Master of Laws (LLM) | $690 | 6 | $4,140 |
| Juris Doctor (JD) | $1,295 | 11 | $14,245 |
Full-Time Students
| Degree | Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour | Average Credit Hours Per Semester | Average Tuition Per Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master of Arts (MA) | $715 | 9 | $6,435 |
| Master of Laws (LLM) | $690 | 9 | $6,210 |
| Juris Doctor (JD) | $1,295 | 15 | $19,425 |
Student Fees Per Semester
| University Services Fee (On-Campus Students) | $850 (Fall & Spring) $700 (Summer) |
| University Services Fee (Online Students) | $700 |
J.D. Program Fees Per Semester
| Student Bar Association | $80 (per semester) |
| Bar Preparation Program Fee | $430 (per semester)** |
| Classroom Response Tech Fee | $13 (per semester) |
**To be fully vested and eligible to receive the bar preparation review course upon graduation for no additional cost other than postage, a $250 refundable materials deposit, and state sales tax. J.D. students must pay the $430 fee for six semesters.
Estimated Total Cost of Attendance 2023-24
Full-time J.D. (Fall/Spring Combined)
| Tuition | $38,850 |
| University Fees | $1,700 |
| Program Fees | $1,046 |
| Loan Fees | $326 |
| Books & Supplies | $2,000 |
| Food | $5,792 |
| Housing* | $13,120 |
| Transportation | $4,224 |
| Personal | $5,056 |
| Total | $72,114 |
*Estimated off-campus housing cost. If living in on-campus housing, the amount may vary.
Military Admissions & Aid » | Cost of Attendance »
J.D. Program Fees Per Semester
| Student Bar Association | $80 (per semester) |
| Bar Preparation Program Fee | $430 (per semester)** |
| Classroom Response Tech Fee | $13 (per semester) |
*Rates are subject to change at any time.
**To be fully vested and eligible to receive the bar preparation review course upon graduation for no additional cost other than postage, a $250 refundable materials deposit, and state sales tax. J.D. students must pay the $430 fee for six semesters.
New York Bar Exam
Global J.D. students interested in sitting for the NY State Bar Exam must have their academic credentials evaluated by the New York State Board of Law Examiners for duration and substance and receive confirmation of the U.S. legal education requirements that will satisfy eligibility requirements for the Bar Exam. Please submit your qualification credentials for evaluation to the Board of Law Examiners online.
Learning Outcomes
On completing the J.D. program, the student will be able to:
- Demonstrate an understanding of substantive and procedural law and the biblical underpinnings of law.
- Demonstrate sound legal analysis, legal research, and problem solving.
- Communicate effectively and appropriately in legal contexts, both orally and in written form.
- Articulate the decision-making framework by which the student will make ethical decisions in the practice of law.
- Perform the skills needed for one entering the legal profession to be able to participate competently and ethically in the legal profession.
- Create a strategic plan for the student’s career path and to follow God’s call.
Noah Dipasquale, J.D., Class of 2017