At Gonzaga Law, we offer two different completion options for applicants: our traditional, three-year J.D., and an Executive Two-Year J.D. Both are delivered entirely in-person here in Spokane and feature the same number of required credits to complete the degree. As you are considering which program is the best fit for you, keep in mind that there are some critical differences between each of the tracks.
Housed within our Center for Law, Ethics, & Commerce, the Executive Two-Year J.D. is not merely an “accelerated” program designed to get you to the finish line as quickly as possible. From educational and experiential lenses, it is quite different than the traditional path. The Executive Two-Year J.D. is designed for driven professionals seeking business law, general practice, or private practice outcomes. With these narrower professional outcomes in mind, it features a more sequenced curriculum with fewer elective hours than the traditional track.
Executive Two-Year J.D. students begin with a full semester of credits in the summer term before the traditional fall term begins and continues for six consecutive semesters. The experiential learning opportunities feature guaranteed clinic placements beginning with the second semester, but Executive Two-Year J.D. students do not have as much flexibility for externships as traditional students. Some of our most recent placements have included:
- Business/Commercial firm work
- Intellectual Property Clinic
- Tax Law Clinic
- Indian Law/General Practice Clinic
- Business Innovation Clinic
If your specific area(s) of interest lies outside this scope, the traditional J.D. track will be the best fit for you. As you discern to which program you should apply, please contact the Admission Office with questions or to talk through them.
