Degree: Juris Doctor (J.D.)

  • 2025 Online J.D. Program Application Closed

    NOTE: The 2025 Application for Online J.D. program is now closed. St. Mary’s Law will resume the application cycle for 2026 Fall Admission around mid-September 2025.

Online J.D. Program

Welcome to St. Mary’s Law, where we lead with tradition and innovation.

This is a limited enrollment, part-time program.

We understand that not all students have the time to enroll in law school full-time or the ability to attend classes on campus. For students with considerably more outside responsibilities,  the St. Mary’s University School of Law is proud to offer the first fully online J.D. program accredited by the American Bar Association in the nation.

Our renowned faculty, which consists of legal experts in specialties from business law to international law, receives extensive training in online education and pedagogy, and all professors are fully certified to teach online.

As an online student at St. Mary’s Law, you will have access to the same opportunities and resources as a full-time student, including career counseling and advice through the Office of Career Strategy, academic advising from the Office of Law Success, and student services from the Office of Law Student Affairs.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (click to expand)
How will classes be taught?

The online J.D. program will consist of 50% synchronous and 50% asynchronous teaching methods for the first-year curriculum. Upper-level courses may be offered as a combination of synchronous and asynchronous methods, or fully asynchronous with heightened requirements for student interaction and stricter enrollment caps.

How will the online J.D. prepare me for the bar exam?

St. Mary’s Law has a robust, data-driven bar preparation program that is individually tailored to each student. In addition to providing extensive coaching and custom bar study schedules, our instructors work with each student to understand what approach works best for them. Online students will also have 100% access to all of our bar coaching resources. Students can expect to receive a personal bar study coach who will check in with them, set up one-on-one meetings over Zoom and help them assess their progress.

Can I decide to move from the online program to the full-time program?

After completing the first-year curriculum online, online J.D. students may opt to continue in the in-person full-time program.

Can international students apply for the online J.D.?

International students are not automatically excluded from admission to the online J.D. program; however, the program is unlikely to meet the unique needs of international students given differences in time zones and synchronous class meeting times. Rather, the program’s intent is to expand access to legal education in South Texas, and to offer opportunities nationally to those who would find it difficult to pursue a traditional in-person J.D.

Can I participate in campus events and extracurricular activities?

Online students are invited to visit campus and participate in any on-campus activities or meet with faculty and staff for assistance, at any time during their degree program. Online students will also be able to complete externships, pro bono activities and non-clinic experiential learning in the online environment. Faculty and staff will be fully available to online students through virtual office hours, email, and individual Zoom meetings. Our faculty prides itself on an open-door policy that we are eager to extend to our online cohort.

Can I participate in Registered Student Organizations?

One hallmark of the St. Mary’s J.D. experience is getting involved on campus. As an online student, you will have the opportunity to choose from more than 30 active registered student organizations, which promote a variety of interests and practice areas. Online students can even start their own student organizations and are encouraged to do so.

Is there anything I cannot do as an online student?

Not every elective course in the course directory will be offered in an online format every semester. However, students will have significant advance notice of elective availability for each upcoming semester, and will receive course advising that maximizes their educational opportunities based on interest and career goals.

Will I have to attend orientation as an online student?

To welcome all incoming J.D. students to St. Mary’s, the law school hosts a three-day, in-person Orientation program. This program introduces students to our Marianist tradition, the practice of law, the skills needed to be successful in law school and allows for opportunities to meet classmates and professors. Highlights include a mock law school class, a practice law school exam, chances to mingle with alumni and a class service project. Online students are strongly encouraged to attend this Orientation in person, and will receive information about lodging, timing and the experience as the date approaches. Online students are also encouraged to participate in our innovative First Generation Student Boot Camp, which provides several days of skills training for students entering law school as the first lawyer in their family.

Will I need to attend in-person sessions as part of my online education?

No, although there will be activities such as Orientation, that you will be strongly encouraged to attend in person.

Where can I view tuition information about the online J.D. program?

Online J.D. students will pay the current part-time tuition rate, which can be viewed in the Tuition and Fees webpage.  St. Mary’s is proud to offer an online J.D. that provides the same quality teaching, student services and community that are hallmarks of our in-person degree.  As such, online J.D. students should expect an engaging and informative classroom experience and an open “virtual” door to our online-certified faculty.  Additionally, online students will have the opportunity to take advantage of our career and academic counseling, pro bono opportunities, networking events and more.  And, the online degree comes with a significant cost savings in living expenses, board and transportation.

Learn more about Tuition and Fees

Curriculum for Online Students

As an online student, you will take a planned curriculum designed to teach you the foundations of substantive law and the applications of legal writing and analysis. You will always have the option of taking an in-person course, but it is not required for completion of the degree. To ensure that our online students receive a quality educational experience, our online cohort will be capped at 25 students.

View the Course Schedule for more information on the courses.

Students in a classroom taking notes on a laptop

First Term

  • Contracts I (2 hours)
  • Civ. Pro. (4 hours)
  • Legal Communication, Analysis & Professionalism (LCAP) (3 hours)

Second Term

  • Contracts II (2 hours)
  • Property (4 hours)
  • LCAP II (3 hours)

Third Term

  • Criminal Law (2 or 3 hours)
  • Professional Responsibility (3 hours)

Fourth Term

  • Torts (4 hours)
  • Constitutional Law (4 hours)

Fifth Term (Start of Second-Year Curriculum)

  • Business Associations (3 hours)
  • Family Law (3 hours)
  • Elective

Sixth Term

  • Evidence (3 or 4 hours)
  • Elective

Seventh Term

  • Con Crim Pro. (3 hours)
  • Wills, Estates & Trusts (4 hours)
  • Elective

Eighth Term

  • Conflicts of Law (3 hours)
  • Sales (2 hours)
  • Elective

Ninth Term (Start of Third-Year Curriculum)

  • Secured Transactions (3 hours)
  • Electives

Tenth Term

  • Mortgages (3 hours)
  • Electives

Eleventh Term

  • Electives
VIEW THE COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

Accreditation

The St. Mary’s Law online J.D. program is approved by the American Bar Association. Applicants should confirm the legal education requirements for the jurisdiction in which they intend to seek admission to the bar, and can find information for each jurisdiction through the National Conference of Bar Examiners.

St. Mary’s Law is accredited by the ABA, but jurisdictions may have restrictions regarding online degree programs. Graduates of the St. Mary’s Law online J.D. program are eligible to sit for the Texas Bar Exam, which includes the Uniform Bar Exam, according to the Texas Supreme Court and the Texas Board of Law Examiners.

Academic Requirements

Applicants may apply to either the full-time day program or the part-time online program, but not to both. Admission and graduation standards are the same for both J.D. programs.

A candidate for the J.D. program must earn a minimum of 90 credit hours in order to graduate.  Additionally, J.D. students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.3 or higher to graduate.   Other curricular and academic requirements will apply. Requirements are set forth in the St. Mary’s School of Law Student Handbook.

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Considering the online program?

We want to support you in your journey to find out which law school is right for you and your schedule. You may wish to:

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Joint Degree Programs

The Evening J.D. Program for Part-time Students is just one of your options. See the main J.D. Program page for details about the overall program and other available options.

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Students can earn credit toward the selected master’s degree by satisfying the requirements for doctor of jurisprudence. These programs allow students at St. Mary’s to complement their training in the law with advanced study in another discipline.

The first year of academic work for a law student pursuing a joint degree consists entirely of law courses. During the second and third year, law and master’s degree courses are taken. Depending on the specific requirements of the master’s degree program, a student ordinarily can earn both a law degree and a master’s degree in three or four years.

An interested applicant must gain admission to both the Law School and Graduate Studies, which make separate admissions decisions. Application to Graduate Studies may be made after the student begins law school.

Following are brief descriptions of the joint-degree programs offered by St. Mary’s University.

J.D. / MBA

  • Doctor of Jurisprudence (J.D.)
  • Greehey Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Gain the technical, analytical, leadership and other business skills to advance your career with an accredited online MBA degree that is recognized and respected all over the world. Federal, state and corporate taxation, estate planning, banking and finance, accounting and corporate management are but a few of the areas in which law and business overlap. Students who wish to serve as counsel to corporations, or specialize in business and commercial law, would benefit from an advanced degree in business.

Learn business the same way you will lead it: across platforms, formats and locations.

Among the courses offered in the Greehey MBA program are Taxation for Corporations, Estate and Gift Taxation, Multinational Management, Advanced Managerial Accounting, International Banking and Financial Management, and Investment and Portfolio Analysis. Professor Mark W. Cochran is the J.D./M.B.A. adviser.

Learn more about J.D./MBA

J.D. / M.A. in International Relations

  • Doctor of Jurisprudence (J.D.)
  • Master of Arts in International Relations (M.A.)

Due to the internationalization of relations among the countries of the world, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), and the globalization of the world’s economy, there is an increased need for lawyers who have an international perspective on the practice of law.

Among the courses offered in the International Relations program are Ethical Issues in International Relations, International Law and Treaties, International Political Economy, Human Rights, and Border Security and Immigration Policy.

Learn more about J.D./MAIR

J.D. / M.P.A.

  • Doctor of Jurisprudence (J.D.)
  • Master of Arts in Public Administration (M.P.A.)

Controversies concerning the utilization of natural resources, land use (zoning, planning, and economic development), labor relations, the administration of justice, and civil rights all illustrate the importance of law in the public sector. Associate Professor Emily Fowler Hartigan is the J.D./M.P.A. adviser.

Among the courses offered in the master’s in Public Administration program are Social Responsibility and Business Environment, Financial Policies, Management and Organization Development, Organizational Behavior, and Urban Political Institutions and Processes.

Learn more about J.D./M.P.A.

J.D. / M.A. in Theology

  • Doctor of Jurisprudence (J.D.)
  • Master of Arts in Theology (M.A.)

The program is especially suited for students who wish to pursue a legal career as a form of ministry. Professor Michael S. Ariens is the J.D./M.A. adviser.

Among the courses offered in the master’s of Theology program are Foundational Moral Theology Ethics, Ecology and Christian Ethics, Dynamics of Spiritual Life, Marriage and the Family, Theology of Human Sexuality, and Principles of Theological Method.

Learn more about Theology

J.D. / M.A. in English Literature and Language

  • Doctor of Jurisprudence (J.D.)
  • Master of Arts in English Literature and Language (M.A.)

The St. Mary’s School of Law and College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences offer a joint program of study leading to the degrees of Doctor of Jurisprudence (J.D.) and Master of Arts in English Literature and Language. The joint degree program allows a student to complete the requirements for both degrees in three to four years.

Admission to the joint program requires application to both Schools, although application to the Graduate Studies at St. Mary’s need not be made until the student begins law school. Upon successful application to both programs, students work with the graduate program director and the law school to coordinate student scheduling for completion of both degree programs.

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J.D. Program

J.D. Program at St. Mary’s University School of Law

The Doctor of Jurisprudence degree (J.D.) is required to practice law in most states. The J.D. degree is offered by American Bar Association (ABA) accredited schools like St. Mary’s School of Law, as well as some non-ABA-accredited institutions and some institutions in Canada.

To pursue a J.D. program, you must first have (or be nearing completion of) a bachelor’s degree and take the LSAT. Learn more about the J.D. application process.

After obtaining a J.D. degree, you’ll need to be admitted to the Bar of the state where you want to practice law. Each state sets its own rules for bar admission, but generally this includes a bar exam and a character evaluation. You can find out more about the requirements to practice law in the state of Texas at the Texas Board of Law Examiners website.

Meet the J.D. Admissions Team

The St. Mary’s Law J.D. Admissions Team understands you’ll have many questions about the J.D. admissions process and campus life. You can request more information about the law school, or contact us directly at lawadmissions@stmarytx.edu.

Catherine Casiano

Assistant Dean for Admissions
ccasiano@stmarytx.edu

Eddie Chavez

Director of Admissions and Recruitment
echavez10@stmarytx.edu

Catherine Mery

Director of Student Enrollment
cmery@stmarytx.edu

Johanna Fickel

Assistant Director of J.D. Admissions
jfickel@stmarytx.edu

Nia Walker

Administrative Assistant for Office of Admissions
Nwalker7@stmarytx.edu

Join Us for a Virtual or On-Campus Event

Join our information sessions covering the admissions process specific to the J.D. program at St. Mary’s Law. Check back on this page for future dates and times as they become available.

Event

Date

Location

General Virtual Information Session
This is an opportunity to engage via Zoom with the admissions team at St. Mary’s Law. Attendees will be able to ask questions regarding our programs and the admissions process.

Thursday, May 8
4 p.m. CST


Register here



General Virtual Information Session
This is an opportunity to engage via Zoom with the admissions team at St. Mary’s Law. Attendees will be able to ask questions regarding our programs and the admissions process.

Thursday, May 22
4 p.m. CST


Register here



General Virtual Information Session
This is an opportunity to engage via Zoom with the admissions team at St. Mary’s Law. Attendees will be able to ask questions regarding our programs and the admissions process.

Thursday, June 12
4 p.m. CST


Register here



Learn More

Find St. Mary’s J.D. Admissions Near You

EventDateLocation
LSAC Digital Law School ForumThursday, Feb. 6, 2025lsac.org

J.D. Program Options

St. Mary’s offers several ways to earn a J.D.:

Academic Requirements

Applicants may apply to either the full-time day program or a part-time evening program, but not to both. Admissions and graduation standards are the same for both J.D. programs.

All programs and offices, including the Clinical Program, are available to full-time daytime students as well as part-time evening students.

A candidate for the J.D. program must earn a minimum of 90 credit hours in order to graduate, or 91 credits hours for students who entered prior to Fall 2018. Students who entered law school in the Fall of 2019 or later must have a cumulative GPA of 2.3 or higher to graduate. For students who entered prior to that time, a cumulative GPA of 2.0 is required to remain in good academic standing. Other curricular and academic requirements will apply. Those requirements are set forth in the St. Mary’s School of Law Student Handbook. Faculty may add additional requirements at any time.

St. Mary’s Law Student Handbook
Course Descriptions
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