First-Year Program

First year course assignments can be found here.

One of the central goals of our JD program is to train students to “think like lawyers.” For this reason, the first year program begins with a two-week legal methods intensive course delivered over the last two weeks of August. The course is designed to introduce students to the foundational information and reasoning needed to make the most of the JD program from the outset. 

The LRW course offered in the second term of the first year program provides students with the opportunity to further develop their legal analysis, and to write and conduct research competently. LRW is taught in classes of 25 students, and is evaluated through a series of writing and research assignments that allow for extensive instructor feedback..

For each first year student, all but one of the substantive law courses is taught in larger sections of up to 90 students over a single term (two in the first term, three in the second). These courses are evaluated through a total of five final examinations, two in December and three in April. The remaining substantive law course is taught in a small group of 16-18 students, taught during the first term, and evaluated principally through writing assignments (small group courses do not have a final examination).  The nature of the small group format gives students an excellent opportunity to obtain feedback on written work, as well as gain additional exposure to the basics of legal research. The small group provides a seminar-style learning experience in which students interact closely with a law professor and fellow students in a convivial learning environment. Although legal methods, LRW, and legal process are offered in the same format and sequence for all first year students, the remaining five courses (constitutional, contracts, criminal, property and torts) will vary in their format and sequencing for each student. 

Our Peer Mentoring Program is designed to facilitate a friendly, welcoming first-year experience. The program matches first-year students with upper-year mentors who can answer questions, provide support and help new students feel more connected to the broad range of academic and co-curricular activities available.

For detailed information about the 2026-2027 first year program, please see the Handbook of Academic Policies from the Academic Handbook.