Juris Doctor (J.D.)

Admission Requirements – Juris Doctor

Application Deadline:
Applications for the Juris Doctor law degree are accepted between September 1 and July 31.

LSAT Deadline:
Click here for LSAC updates and LSAT rescheduling options »

• Early Commitment Program: Regent Law’s Early Commitment Program (ECP) is a binding decision program with exclusive benefits for those who commit to enroll at Regent Law by March 1, if admitted. Accepted students choosing to enroll under the Early Commitment Program are eligible to receive enhanced scholarship opportunities, priority consideration for Faculty Scholar Fellowships and a $1,000 tuition scholarship for the first year of law school. Once admitted to this program, the applicant must withdraw all other law school applications and may not initiate applications to any other law schools.
• International Applicants: encouraged to apply by January 15

For 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.

Application for entry into Regent Law is available through the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) website until July 31.

Please carefully note the following information as you begin your law school application process.

Admissions Criteria for J.D. Degree
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, 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*
• Mission fit
• Responses to the questions in the application for admission
• Career accomplishments
• Skills relevant to the practice of law

* Regent Law considers applicants who meet the criteria for admission under Interpretation of ABA Interpretation 503-3 as long as they apply through LSAC.org and indicate the criteria that they meet. For more information, contact lawschool@regent.edu or 757.352.4584.

Prerequisites for the J.D. Program
All J.D. applicants should possess a bachelor’s degree from an approved college or university prior to beginning their legal studies. The Admissions Committee does not recommend any single major or undergraduate field of study, but welcomes majors ranging from political science to engineering, and from biblical studies to psychology.

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
• LSAT Score: 157
• GPA: 3.63

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.

Juris Doctor Application Process

All admissions materials should be submitted using the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) service.

1. Application for Admission
Applicants should apply online through the Law School Admission Council (LSAC). If you have any technical difficulty in using the online application, please contact LSAC’s Help Desk at 215.968.1393.

2. $65 Application Fee
Pay the $65 nonrefundable application fee by check or money order mailed to Regent University, Enrollment Support Services, 1000 Regent University Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23464.

3. Official Transcripts
Submit all official transcripts from all institutions you have attended to LSAC. If accepted to Regent Law prior to the completion of your bachelor’s degree, an official degree-posted transcript must be submitted to Regent Law School prior to matriculation.

4. LSAT Scores
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.

A J.D. law school 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.

5. Letter(s) of Recommendation

• Applicants must submit at least one Academic Recommendation, even if the degree was earned online. Applicants who have been out of school for five or more years may substitute a General Recommendation.
• In addition to the Academic Recommendations(s), Regent encourages applicants to submit a Spiritual Recommendation from a pastor, spiritual leader, or someone who can comment on the role of faith in the applicant’s life.
• Applicants may also submit a General Recommendation, which would be from an employer, if possible.
• Applicants should not submit more than four letters of recommendation.
• Recommendations should be sent to LSAC using the Letter of Recommendation (LOR) Service.

6. Personal Statement
The admissions committee attaches significant importance to the applicant’s personal statement. The statement, a typed essay of 500 – 1,000 words, can provide the committee with insights into the applicant’s passion and motivation for studying law, his or her commitment to receiving a legal education that integrates Christian principles and ethics, and knowledge of special skills and abilities developed through employment experiences.

7. Additional International Applicant Requirements
Please refer to our International Admissions Checklist to make sure you have successfully completed the proper documentation and forms, along with your application. J.D. applicants must obtain at least a 100 on Internet section of the TOEFL.

For any further questions, please feel free to contact our office by email at lawschool@regent.edu or our International Students Office.

Note: All items submitted as part of the law school application process become the property of Regent University and cannot be returned.

*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.

Joint Degree Options

The Juris Doctor may be combined as a joint degree with the following programs: MBA, M.A. in Organizational Leadership, M.A. in Communication or M.A. in Journalism, M.A. in Christian Ministry, M.Div., M.A. in Government, MPA, M.A. in Counseling.