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A graduate at the library: Explore the Juris Doctor Honors law program offered by Regent University, Virginia Beach.

Juris Doctor (J.D.) – Honors Program

Align Yourself with Excellence

Regent’s Juris Doctor (J.D.) – Honors Program provides exclusive academic and professional experiences to select entering students and those who have performed near the top of their first-year law school class. Our law Honors Program Classes of 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020 achieved a 100% bar passage rate nationwide, placing our honors graduates among the top in the nation. Our graduates have also been particularly successful in securing highly competitive judicial clerkships. Over 51% Honors Program graduates secured these. In 2021, Regent Law ranked 22nd in the nation for obtaining judicial clerkships and 96% of Regent Law graduates were employed within 10 months of graduation (NALP 2020).

On Campus
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August 19, 2024
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Set a Strong Foundation

In the first semester of their first year, law Honors Program students participate in a special section of Foundations of Law.

Enjoy a Special Section

Honors students enjoy a special honors section of at least one of the other first-year common law doctrinal courses, such as Torts, Contracts, Property, and Civil Procedure.

Get an Early Start

Law Honors Program students also take select upper-level courses in small, honors-only sections.

More Opportunities

Along with all Regent Law students, you also may:

Learn more about Regent Law Honors.

ABA Required Disclosures

On completing the J.D. program, you can:

  • Apply your knowledge in legal areas such as contracts, general mediation, property, and family mediation.
  • 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
$127Thousand
Approximate Median Annual Wage for Lawyers U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2020
Jurisprudential survey of the foundations of law, including the development of higher and natural law theories, the influence of higher and natural law and Christian principles on the development of Anglo-American law, and the rise and influence of modern legal philosophies.
Introduction to the lawyer’s roles and responsibilities; duties to God, clients, courts, and bar, ethical and moral challenges; and development of a moral code and ethical decision-making framework. Includes assessment of students’ God-given gifts, consideration of how their strengths intersect with legal opportunities, and how to pursue a professional calling. Pass/Low Pass/No Pass.
History and development of the common law of contracts; the principles controlling the formation, enforcement, and avoidance of contracts; as well as preliminary consideration of remedies for breach of contract.
The principles controlling the performance and breach of contracts, rights of third parties, as well as additional consideration of remedies for breach of contract.
Civil liability resulting from breach of duties arising from common law as distinguished from duties imposed by contract or criminal law, focusing especially on intentional torts.
Civil liability resulting from breach of duties arising from common law as distinguished from duties imposed by contract or criminal law, focusing especially upon negligence, invasion of privacy, and defamation.
Jurisdiction of federal and state courts and fundamental issues related to a plaintiff's ability to sue a defendant in a specific federal district, including subject matter jurisdiction, personal jurisdiction and venue. Not available to LL.M. students.
Introduction to the law library and to the use of the full range of source materials available to lawyers and judges in the practice of law. Complete written projects designed to develop legal writing and research skills necessary for the practice of law.
Introduction to the law library and to the use of the full range of source materials available to lawyers and judges in the practice of law. Complete written projects designed to develop legal writing and research skills necessary for the practice of law.
Procedures and rules governing the process by which a civil lawsuit proceeds through the federal system, including the rules governing pleadings, claims by and against the defendant, pretrial discovery, summary judgment, judicial involvement in case management, the trial and appeal; joinder of claims and parties, and the preclusive effect of a judgment in one suit involving one or more of the same parties in a successive suit. Prerequisite: LAW 551 or LAW 851 (LL.M. students).
The law pertaining to the nature of private property, both real and personal, including biblical principles relevant to property acquisition and ownership, personal property issues, donative transfers, the common law classification of estates and future interests, and concurrent estates.
The law and biblical principles pertaining to the acquisition, ownership and use of real property; landlord-tenant law; easements; covenants and servitudes; transfers of interests in real property, including an examination of merchantable title, deeds, legal descriptions, conveyancing, recording systems and title assurance, adverse possession, and land use controls.

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

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.

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 156 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 for the law school honors program 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.

Part-Time Students

DegreeTuition Cost Per Credit HourAverage Credit Hours Per SemesterAverage Tuition Per Semester
Master of Arts (MA)$7156$4,290
Master of Laws (LLM)$6906$4,140
Juris Doctor (JD)$1,29511$14,245

Full-Time Students

DegreeTuition Cost Per Credit HourAverage Credit Hours Per SemesterAverage Tuition Per Semester
Master of Arts (MA)$7159$6,435
Master of Laws (LLM)$6909$6,210
Juris Doctor (JD)$1,29515$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)

Military Admissions & Aid » | Cost of Attendance »

PART-TIME STUDENTS

DegreeTuition Cost Per Credit HourAverage Credit Hours Per SemesterAverage Tuition Per Semester
Master of Arts (MA)$6956$4,170
Master of Laws (LLM)$6706$4,020
Juris Doctor (JD)$1,23511$13,585

Full-Time Students

DegreeTuition Cost Per Credit HourAverage Credit Hours Per SemesterAverage Tuition Per Semester
Master of Arts (MA)$6959$6,255
Master of Laws (LLM)$6709$6,030
Juris Doctor (JD)$1,23515$18,525

Student Fees Per Semester

University Services Fee (On-Campus Students)$800 (Fall & Spring)
$650 (Summer)
University Services Fee (Online Students)$650

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 2022-23
Full-time J.D. (Fall/Spring Combined)

Books & Supplies$2,000
Board$5,400
University Fees$1,600
Program Fees$1,046
Loan Fees$440
Personal$5,040
Room$8,100
Transportation$3,600
Tuition$37,050
Total$64,276

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)

Military Admissions & Aid » | Cost of Attendance »

*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.

How does the Honors Program benefit participants?

  • Honors Program participants take classes with other high-performing students and enjoy a high level of in-class intellectual engagement.
  • Honors Program classes are smaller than classes at most law schools, which enables faculty members to engage students at an enhanced level.
  • Honors Program participants enjoy greater curricular flexibility by having fewer required courses during the second and third years.
  • Honors students have secured clerkships and internships at the Supreme Courts of Texas and Virginia, United States Federal District Courts, state Courts of Appeal and trial courts, various U.S. Attorney’s Offices, the U.S. Navy Judge Advocate General’s Corps, the FBI, and private firms and organizations nationwide. Out of approximately 200 ABA-approved law schools, in 2013, Regent Law placed behind only four schools (Harvard, Yale, the University of Virginia, and Notre Dame) in the number of interns accepted to the prestigious Blackstone Fellowship, and all of the interns were Honors Program students.

How do I get into and stay in the program?

Admitted incoming students with the following minimum LSAT/UGPA are offered admission to the Honors Program:

  • LSAT 160 and UGPA 3.2
  • LSAT 158-159 and UGPA 3.4
  • LSAT 156-157 and UGPA 3.6

Admitted incoming students who do not fall within the above criteria may also be considered for admission to the Honors Program on a case-by-case basis.

Rising second-year students can enter the Honors Program by finishing in the top 15% of their class at the end of the first year of law school. All students must maintain a law school GPA of 3.0 to continue in the Honors Program.

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.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completing the Juris Doctor (J.D.) program, students 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

“When it comes to higher education, it’s about giving students every opportunity to succeed and making sure they have the tools to walk out God’s calling. I've been given so much opportunity and a fantastic education at Regent; if that doesn't set me up to help someone else, what will? ”

Stephanie Iaquinto, Ph. D., 1996 Communications

“Regent attracts very talented students, and I was continually challenged by the academic excellence and career ambition of my classmates.”

Elizabeth Oklevitch, J.D., 2014

“I learned all I could at Regent, because I knew He would eventually draw it all back out of me to use for someone else’s good.”

Sharla Mylar, Juris Doctor (J.D.), 2017 Assistant Attorney General, Alaska Department of Law

“There were plenty of other law schools. But I told my family, ‘If I don’t go to Regent, I’m not going to law school at all.’”

Jim Mischel Jr., J.D., 1996 CEO, Electric Mirror; CEO Safeology

“I would put Regent up against the finest law schools. Regent provided me with a top-notch legal education. Quality academic instruction is required of any law school, but Regent went a step further by providing faculty and staff who genuinely cared for and supported the students.”

Teresa Hammons, J.D., 1988