The Degree

Successful completion of 84 semester units is required to receive the Juris Doctor degree.



Certificates of Concentration. Students may earn a Certificate of Concentration in one of four areas: Business Law, Criminal Law, Family Law, and Estate Planning.

To earn a certificate, a student must, in addition to completing the law program:

• Complete, with a grade of "Pass" or higher, 10 units of elective courses qualified for credit toward that concentration
• Submit a Petition for Certificate of Concentration form

A student who elects to earn a certificate can demonstrate a higher level of interest and competence in a specific practice area, in preparation for entering an employment market that favors law graduates who are well grounded in both fundamental skills and emerging legal trends.


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Hourly Requirements

Each unit of credit ordinarily requires 15 clock hours of instruction; to complete the degree requires 1260 clock hours of instruction, or its equivalent as determined by the College.

Lecture Courses. Most regularly scheduled courses meet once per week for three hours. Usually two to three hours of outside preparation are expected for each hour of class time.

Legal Internship. Sixty-five hours of work are required to earn each unit of Legal Internship credit. Students may elect to earn up to six units of credit in a variety of Legal Internship learning experiences.
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Class Scheduling

The College operates on a semester system, with two 15-week semesters (plus study and examination weeks) offered in the Fall and Spring. A 10-week Summer session is also offered each year.

During the regular Fall/Spring academic year, a student must enroll in nine units each semester (exclusive of practicum courses), with two exceptions. A student who begins law studies in the Spring (March) enrolls in only six units, while in the last semester of the fourth year a student takes six units. During Spring semester of fourth year, only six units are offered.

Santa Barbara Campus. During Fall and Spring semesters, regularly scheduled classes at the Santa Barbara campus meet on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday evenings from 6:30 p.m. until 9:30 p.m., although classes for students who begin in March may also be scheduled for Wednesdays.

Ventura Campus. During Fall and Spring semesters, regularly scheduled classes at the Ventura campus meet on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings from 6:30 p.m. until 9:30 p.m., although classes for students who begin in March may also be scheduled for Tuesdays.

Summer Sessions. During the Summer, students may take elective courses at either campus. Classes are offered during the Summer session Monday through Thursday evenings from 6:30 p.m. until 9:30 p.m., and some elective courses may be held during the day on Saturdays.
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Length of Program

A student may choose to start the program in either the Fall (August) or Spring (March) semester. And, a student may choose to complete degree requirements at the end of either the Fall or Spring semester of the fourth year curriculum.

The student’s decision about when he or she intends to complete the program will dictate how many elective units must be taken during Summer sessions. The Assistant Dean at each campus is available to meet with each student to assist in program planning, although it is the student’s personal responsibility to plan his or her own program.

To meet requirements for graduation and minimum course load, a student may need to complete more than 84 units. The College does not give partial course credit.
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Required and Elective Courses

The College offers a mix of required and elective subjects, to provide students with the depth and breadth of knowledge they will need to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving profession. Most required courses are offered in a set pattern during the academic year (Fall/Spring semesters). Students are assigned to these courses and, with the exception of Legal Internship, generally have the opportunity to take elective classes only during Summer sessions.

Three required courses must be taken during Summer session: Legal Research (unless taken as a "Spring Start" student), Legal Writing and either Advanced Legal Writing or Moot Court. These courses are offered every Summer; with planning, a student will be able to meet the requirement that Legal Research be completed before advancing to the third year, and that the Legal Writing courses be taken in sequence.

In addition, each student must complete one unit of Legal Internship.
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Curriculum

The College of Law has a carefully planned curriculum, offering students both required and elective courses. Our required courses emphasize traditional core subjects—including all subjects tested on the California Bar Examination—and skills essential to the effective practice of law, such as legal research and writing. During Summer sessions, students may choose from a wide range of elective courses focused primarily on areas of legal practice.
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REQUIRED COURSES

FIRST YEAR*

Contracts I and II (6 units)
A basic study of the fundamental principles that govern the creation, interpretation, enforcement, and termination of agreements. Course coverage includes the Statute of Frauds, assignment and delegation of contracts, express and implied contracts, and remedies available for breach of contract.

Criminal Law (3 units)
This course analyzes the purposes of criminal law, the development of common law crimes, and the elements of major crimes against persons and property. Defenses, including the insanity defense, are analyzed.

Legal Analysis and Writing (3 units)
This course provides an overview of the methods of legal study and analysis, and the techniques that promote success in law school and on the Bar Examination. Topics covered include briefing and analysis of case law, outlining, and expressing legal concepts in writing. Principles of logic, effective writing, and effective argument will be discussed.

Torts I and II (6 units)
This course considers the nature and extent of the legal protection afforded against interference by others with the security of one’s person, property, or intangible interests. The course covers civil liability for intentional and unintentional behavior, the law of negligence, strict liability, vicarious liability, various forms of immunity, damages and other remedies.

*Spring beginning first-year students will also take, during their first year, Introduction to Law, Legal Research and Juvenile Law.
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SECOND YEAR

Business Associations (3 units)
This course provides an introduction to the modern business entities. Among the issues covered are partnerships, limited liability corporations, and the formation, operation, financing, and control of closely held and public corporations.

Civil Procedure I and II (6 units)
This course covers the procedural rules governing civil lawsuits, primarily in federal courts. Topics include the proper court in which to file a lawsuit, joinder of parties and causes of action, discovery, pretrial motions, conduct of a trial, and conflict between state and federal judicial systems.

Community Property (3 units)
A survey of the laws relating to community property in California, the fundamentals of that property system, and how it effects virtually every other area of law. Separate and community property, liability for debts and torts, control and management of assets, fiduciary duties between spouses, and the distribution of property on dissolution or death are analyzed in this course.

Real Property I and II (6 units)
An analysis of basic property concepts, including the definition, acquisition and transfer of real property. Principal areas covered include the history of land transactions, landlord/tenant relations, land development, public and private control of land use, non-possessory rights in land, covenants and restrictions on the land, and recordation and title searches.
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THIRD YEAR

Constitutional Law I and II (6 units)
An examination of the United States Constitution, principles of constitutional law, and the concept of judicial review. Course coverage includes the protection of individual rights, freedom of speech and religion, due process, equal protection, and limitations on the exercise of government powers.

Evidence I and II (4 units)
A study of the rules and standards which govern the use of evidence in a legal proceeding. Primary emphasis is on the basic concept of relevance, hearsay, cross-examination, impeachment of witnesses, privileged communications, presumptions, and burdens of proof.

Professional Responsibility (2 units)
An overview of the role of an attorney in society, the attorney-client relationship, ethical standards, and the responsibility of an attorney to the client, court, and public.

Remedies (3 units)
This course examines the availability and limitations of equitable and legal remedies, focusing on injunctions, specific performance, rescission, restitution, and other remedies in civil lawsuits.

Wills and Trusts (3 units)
A study of the law of wills, intestate succession, and trusts. Topics covered include methods of disposing of property during an individual’s life and after, contest of wills, gifts to charity, trust administration, fiduciary obligations, future interests, and probate.
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FOURTH YEAR*

Advanced Evidence (3 units)
This course focuses on California rules and standards of evidence. Topics include relevancy as affected by Proposition 115, expert and child witnesses, pre-trial hearings to determine admissibility, gang evidence, interrogations and confessions, and evidentiary trial technique.

Constitutional Criminal Procedure (3 units)
An exploration of the basic constitutional issues underlying the criminal justice system and the limitations placed on government in its attempt to enforce the criminal law. Specifically covered are the exclusionary rules, arrest, search and seizure, identification of suspects, bail, the right to counsel, and the right to a jury trial.

The Practice of Law (3 units)
A survey course focusing on various skills required for the competent practice of law, including analysis of documents, case theory development, preparation of investigation and discovery plans, and drafting legal documents.

Trial Practice I (3 units)
Trial Practice II (3 units)
These courses provide the student with actual, hands-on experience in a variety of simulated trial situations involving criminal and civil litigation. Students handle a wide range of matters, such as pleadings, pre-trial discovery, motions, and evidentiary issues. They also have opportunities to prepare and argue motions, make opening and closing statements, introduce and object to evidence, and examine and cross-examine witnesses. The course may conclude with a mock trial, held before a jury in a Ventura Hall of Justice or Santa Barbara Superior Court courtroom

*In the Fall semester, for students who have otherwise met graduation requirements and wish to take a minimum course load of six units in their last semester, the required curriculum will consist of Constitutional Criminal Procedure and Trial Practice I

Because students may graduate at the end of Fall semester, courses offered in the Spring semester are optional except that any student enrolling in Spring semester must take six units.
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SUMMER SESSION/FLEXIBLE

Advanced Legal Writing (2 units)
This course covers advanced writing techniques, particularly those needed to write persuasive documents clearly, accurately and consistently. Students will practice these techniques by examining, researching, and drafting a variety of legal documents, such as legal memoranda, pleadings, opinion letters, and briefs. Open to students who have successfully completed the basic Legal Writing course.
Note: Moot Court may be taken as an alternative to the meet the Advanced Legal Writing requirement.

Moot Court (2 units)
In this course, students participate on a team which researches and writes an appellate brief and argues it before a three judge panel. Legal Research and Legal Writing are prerequisites.

Legal Internship (Units vary)
See "Legal Internship"
All students participate in Legal Internship by earning at least one unit of academic credit by working as interns for practicing attorneys or judges. Up to eight (one required and seven elective) units of academic credit may be earned.

Legal Research (2 units)
An introduction to the tools and methods of legal research in primary and secondary sources. Emphasis is placed on federal and California materials, including constitutions, statutes, cases, and regulations, in both print and electronic media.

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ELECTIVE COURSES

Listed below are examples of elective courses; new elective courses are added as needed to enhance our curriculum.

Accounting for Lawyers (2 units)
An overview of principles of financial accounting and business finance, including "time value of money" calculations; "financial shenanigans;" asset and liability issues; financial statement analysis; and valuation techniques.

Advanced Criminal Law - Homicide (1 unit)
This course focuses on providing an overview of the multiple facets of criminal homicide cases. The class includes analysis and discussion of investigation, motion practice, trial preparation and the trial phases of homicide cases.

Advanced Torts (3 units)
This course focuses on the laws of personal relationships, including family relationships, economic relationships, intangible assets, privacy and publicity, defamation, and judicial and governmental processes.

Administrative Law (2 units)
An examination of the purpose and function of state and federal administrative agencies. The course covers the procedures and practices of administrative agencies, their adjudicative and investigative powers, rule making, and judicial review of administrative decisions.

Agency (2 units)
A study of business organization types, and the creation, implications, and termination of agency relationships. There will be a special focus on partnership agency issues, the rights and duties of principals and agents, and fiduciary responsibilities.

Alternative Dispute Resolution (2 units)
A survey course on alternative dispute resolution mechanisms. Topics include negotiation, mediation, arbitration and other trial substitutes.

Attorney Fees (1 unit)
The class focuses on attorney fee issues and philosophy, including: fee arrangements and agreements; fee shifting under contractual, statutory, and common law theories; practice and procedure for attorney fee motions; client fee disputes and dispute resolution; and on the ethical issues arising from each of these subjects.

Bankruptcy Law (2 units)
This course explores state law governing debtor-creditor relations and an introduction to federal bankruptcy law. Topics discussed include priorities and validities of liens, enforcement of money judgments, fraudulent and bulk transfers, the benefits of bankruptcy, eligibility for bankruptcy, jurisdiction and venue, and the powers of the bankruptcy trustee.

Business Planning (2 units)
A study of the issues raised by the formation of a new business, including choice of entity, formation of a partnership or corporation, liability concerns, and purchase and sale of a business.

Civil Law and Motion Practice (2 units)
An overview of civil law and motion practice in California state courts. Topics covered include: notice requirements, structure of points and authorities, declarations and other supporting papers, demurrers, motions for summary judgment, and discovery motions. Special emphasis is given to local rules of practice and policies in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties.

Civil Rights Litigation (2 units)
This course covers “constitutional tort actions” arising under 42 U.S.C. §1983, the primary vehicle for redressing federal constitutional violations by state and local officials. Among the topics addressed are Fourth Amendment standards and police misconduct, Eighth Amendment standards and care of prisoners, and Fourteenth Amendment equal protection issues.

Client Interview/Counseling (1 unit)
Effective lawyering requires the knowledge of how to elicit necessary information from clients and an understanding of how to communicate effectively with clients to ascertain and advance their interests. This course explores effective techniques and strategies for interviewing and counseling clients facing the stresses and conflicts inherent in the legal arena.

Clinical Courses
See "Legal Internship"

Collaborative Law (1 unit)
This course addresses innovative approaches to client representation, including "unbundled" legal services; therapeutic and restorative justice; mediation; and partnering with community and social programs to provide comprehensive assistance.

Criminal Procedure: Selected Topics (1 or 2 units)
Emphasizes the practical aspects of criminal procedures prior to trial. Included are topics relating to the lawyer’s responsibility in a criminal case; arrest, booking, and bail procedures; an examination of the accusatory pleading; the grand jury; and pretrial procedures, including preliminary hearings, pretrial discovery, and tactical considerations. Also covered are the types and consequences of pleas, and sentencing considerations.

Death Penalty (1 unit)
This course provides an analysis of federal and state constitutional, statutory and case law relating to Capital Punishment in California. In addition, the course will focus on mitigation and aggravation.

Directed Research (1 or 2 units)
A course which allows qualifying students to earn from one to two units for in-depth research and preparation of a paper on a topic of special interest to the student, under direct faculty supervision. This course will ordinarily be available only on approval of the Dean to students with unique needs for additional units to complete their graduation requirements, and requires that the student both develop a project acceptable to the Dean and obtain consent of a faculty member to supervise the required research and paper.

Employment Law (2 units)
A study of the legal rules surrounding the hiring, treatment, and termination of employees.The course includes Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and other federal and state laws concerning employment discrimination and wrongful discharge.

Entertainment Law (2 units)
This course considers issues arising in the entertainment industries—film, television, theater, music, literary and related businesses—and applicable legal principles, which come largely from the areas of contract, torts, governmental regulation, remedies, and intellectual property.

Environmental Law (2 units)
An introduction to the public policy behind the setting of environmental standards, and to major environmental laws such as the Clean Air and Water Acts, the National Environmental Protection Act, and the California Planning and Zoning Law.

Estate Planning (2 units)
This course covers the basic principles of estate planning, including: an overview of applicable taxation rules; inter vivos gifts; living trusts, wills, and testamentary trusts; life insurance and annuities; charitable gifts, business interests, employee benefits, and post-mortem tax planning.

Family Law (2 units)
Community Property is a prerequisite to this complementary course. Family Law focuses on the dissolution proceeding, including mediation, resolution of custody and visitation disputes, child and spousal support, property division, and attorney fees. Emphasis is on local court practices and forms.

Immigration (1 unit)
This course provides an overview of immigration law and practice.

Insurance Law (2 units)
This course focuses on basic aspects of insurance law, including the insurer’s duty to defend and indemnify, third-party liability, problems of insurance contracts, bad faith litigation, and current judicial and legislative trends in insurance law.

Intellectual Property (2 units)
A general introduction to the law of copyright, trademarks, patents, and trade secrets. Areas covered include which law applies to particular types of property; the legal rights of authors, designers, inventors and owners of such property and the competing rights of others to use their ideas; and an overview of intellectual property litigation.

International Law (2 units)
An introduction to public and private international law, covering such topics as sovereign immunity, the “act of state” doctrine, the law of treaties, transnational business regulation, international trade, and enforcement of judgments.

Introduction to Law (1 unit)
This course introduces students to the American legal system. It examines basic concepts of jurisprudence; the lawmaking roles of the legislative, judical, and executive branches; and the process of criminal and civil litigation. (Required for Spring beginning students.)

Juvenile Law (2 or 3 units)
This course covers the juvenile court system, including the jurisdiction of the juvenile court, detention and disposition of minors who are involved in juvenile proceedings, and other rights and responsibilities of minors, with specific emphasis on California law and procedure. (Required for Spring beginning students.)

Land Use and Planning Law (2 units)
A survey of land use principles, with emphasis on California law, in the areas of planning, zoning, subdivision, redevelopment, agricultural, and environmental regulations.

Law, Language & Culture (1 unit)
This course will provide a practical and theoretical analysis of language and cultural issues confronted in law practice, particularly when court interpreters and translators are used. It will also address ways to eliminate bias when culturally diverse participants have contact in the courtroom setting.

Law Practice Management (2 units)
This course surveys fundamental aspects of law practice management, including: basic principles of bookkeeping and accounting, fee agreements and client trust accounts, document control, legal technology, and support staff management.

Legal Internship (Units vary)
All students participate in Legal Internship by earning at least one unit of academic credit by working as interns for practicing attorneys or judges. Up to eight (one required and seven elective) units of academic credit may be earned.
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Legal Issues in Cyberspace (1 unit)
This course will address general concepts and emerging issues in the areas of copyright, including the Digital Millennium Copyright Act; trademark, including the Anticybersquatting Consumer Protection Act; privacy rights; and electronic commerce and contracting.

Legal Malpractice (1 unit)
An overview of California legal malpractice law. the course addresses general concepts of legal malpractice in civil and criminal cases including identification of high risk areas of practice, most frequent areas of errors or omissions, correlation between malpractice claims and ethical violations, calendaring and file management, client communications, legal malpractice insurance protection and claims reporting.

Legislative Process (2 units)
A survey course covering the lawmaking process, with emphasis on the federal model. Topics include considerations in the introduction and amendment of legislation, the use of committees, avenues for public input, and the implementation of new laws.

Medical Malpractice (1 unit)
An overview of California medical malpractice law from the Medical Injury Compensation Reform Act of 1975 (MICRA) to the present: informed consent; agency liability; immunities; standard of care; expert witnesses; general and punitive damages; attorney fees; periodic payments; collateral source rule; and arbitration and mediation.

Misdemeanor Criminal Practice (2 units)
This class covers the practices and procedures necessary to prosecute or defend common misdemeanor charges including DUI, theft, drug, assault and domestic violence allegations. Topics include pre-filing procedures and negotiations, arraignments, common motions, investigation and discovery, diversion and treatment options, trial and sentencing.

Moot Court (2 units)
In this course, students participate on a team which researches and writes an appellate brief and argues it before a three judge panel. Legal Research, Legal Writing, and Advanced Legal Writing are prerequisites.

Municipal Law (2 units)
A survey course covering common issues in public entity law. Relevant constitutional principles are also considered. Issues covered include city and county organization, preemption and relationships with State and Federal Government, judicial review of local entity decisions, drafting of ordinances and legislation, public employment law, public tort and civil rights liability, open meeting laws (Brown Act), conflicts of interest and other public sector ethical issues.

Psychology for Lawyers (1 unit)
This course outlines ciivil, criminal, probate and family law cases where psychological or psychiatric evidence is presented and reviews the common principles and concepts necessary to understand, offer and challenge this evidence.

Street Law (1 unit)
Street Law is a nationally recognized and supported program designed to educate teenagers about their legal rights and responsibilities. Areas covered consist of contracts, housing law, criminal law as it affects the youth in our community.

Taxation (2 units)
An overview of general principles of income and estate/gift taxation, with particular focus on the application of such principles to areas commonly encountered by practitioners (for example, divorce, bankruptcy, personal injury settlements, and various business transactions).

Therapeutic Jurisprudence (1 unit)
An examination of the newly developing phenomenon of “specialty” courts focusing on providing solutions to social problems frequently encountered by criminal courts. In recent years therapeutic courts denominated, “Drug Courts,” “Domestic Violence Courts,” and “Mental Health Courts,” have operated in a number of jurisdictions to provide innovative solutions to the age-old problems of substance abuse, domestic violence and protecting society and individuals from the ravages of mental illness. In addition to the history of the Therapeutic Jurisprudence movement, this course addresses a number of other issues including those relating to evidence and evidentiary privileges, legal ethics, defendant contracts, and treatment alternatives.

Uniform Commercial Code (1 unit)
This course focuses on the law of sales through selected portions of Articles I and II of the Uniform Commercial Code. Successful completion of Contracts I and II is a prerequisite.

Water Law (2 units)
Water law begins with an introduction to water resources issues including terminology. The course also covers different kinds of water rights including riparian, appropriative, hybrid rights along with groundwater and public rights in water. In addition, the course touches on the various water institutions in the state, regional water sources and water quality issues.

Workers’ Compensation (2 units)
A survey of the law related to workers’ compensation legislation, including covered employees, accidents and occupational diseases, and the relationship between tort law and workers’ compensation law.

Writs and Appeals (2 units)
An overview of California writ and appellate procedure, from the filing of writs and notices of appeal to final determination by the reviewing court. Topics covered include: writs, appealable orders and judgments, scope of appellate review, assembling the record on appeal, ethical limitations, briefs, right to present oral argument, and discretionary review.

Calendar

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