Overview

Juris Doctor Degrees at VLGS

The Juris Doctor (JD) degree program at Vermont Law and Graduate School prepares students to engage in the general practice of law as well as pursue a career in environmental or energy law, international law, criminal law, or another specialty. 

Earning a Juris Doctor from VLGS symbolizes dedication and commitment, not just to the legal profession, but to making a positive impact through the application of law. As you prepare for general practice in all 50 states, you’ll develop the knowledge and acquire the skills needed for leadership across various legal domains. 

Our program will prepare you for the opportunities and challenges that await in environmental law, criminal law, dispute resolution, energy law, international and comparative law, land use, or water resources law.

Juris Doctor Learning Outcomes

Professional Responsibility and Ethics: Graduates will be able to work respectfully, ethically, and productively with diverse clients and legal professionals. They should possess the skills needed to recognize and resolve dilemmas in an ethical manner.

Foundational and Substantive Legal Knowledge: Graduates will demonstrate knowledge and understanding of substantive and procedural law, and the role of law in society.

Foundational Legal and Advocacy Skills: Graduates will be able to independently and collaboratively engage in legal research, legal analysis and reasoning, and problem solving and communicate effectively and persuasively.

Bar Exam Preparedness and Skills: Graduates will possess the skills needed to successfully perform on the bar examination taken.

Service to Society: Graduates will understand an attorney’s obligation to engage in community and public service.

What to Expect from the Juris Doctor Degrees

Core curriculum for a JD degree focuses on legal doctrine and analysis, emphasizes the broader social context of the law, and provides education in the skills and values required for effective law practice. 

In the first year, you’ll build a foundation for legal study through exposure to basic subjects–techniques of legal analysis, and fundamental legal skills–as well as perspectives on the origins, function, and development of the legal system. During your second and third years, you’ll use Vermont Law and Graduate School’s extensive course catalog to focus on the issue areas in which you’d like to work and lead.

Click Here to learn more about JD Degree requirements

Traditional and Accelerated JD Programs at VLGS

To accommodate the financial realities of many students, Vermont Law and Graduate School offers accelerated two-year, extended four-year, and reduced-residency enrollment options for the JD program.

Traditional Three-Year JD Program

The Traditional Three-Year JD Program is the JD track most students choose when entering law school. Students in this program complete their studies over the course of three academic years, attending classes in the fall and spring semesters. 

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Experiential Learning

Students who choose the Traditional Three-Year JD Program gain real-world experience by participating in up to two clinics and externships. Those who work in the legal field during their 1L and 2L summers may end up with up to four opportunities for legal work experience to add to their resume.

Accelerated Juris Doctor Program (AJD)

The Accelerated Juris Doctor program at Vermont Law and Graduate School enables students to earn a JD degree in less time and to reduce costs associated with living expenses while enrolled.

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Fall Start Two-Year Accelerated JD Program

The Fall Start AJD program begins in August. Students attend classes during the fall, spring, and summer semesters in each of their two years and graduate in August of their second year. Fall Start AJD students are eligible to sit for the bar in February after graduation.

Students admitted into the Fall Start AJD program must meet a 3.0 GPA requirement at the end of the fall semester to continue in the AJD program. Students who do not meet the GPA requirement will continue with the traditional program.

Online Hybrid JD Program

With the part-time Online Hybrid JD at Vermont Law and Graduate School you can explore your passion, supercharge your career, and make a difference in your community and the world.

Delivered through a mixture of online classes and three brief in-person residential sessions, the Online Hybrid JD offers the same rigorous legal education as the school’s residential JD, but with the flexibility that allows working professionals and people who have other obligations in their lives to earn a law degree.

The ABA-accredited program builds on the school’s decade-plus track record of delivering successful, impactful online degrees, where you can take advantage of the same engaging curriculum and expert professors as the school’s residential JD program. Additionally, students will be able to concentrate on one of six areas of specialization that VLGS is widely known for—environmental law, food and agriculture law, general practice, energy law, animal law, or restorative justice.

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Joint Degree Opportunities

If you are interested in pursuing a joint degree with Vermont Law and Graduate School, visit our Joint Degree Programs page to learn more. It’s important to note that admission to a JD program does not ensure admission to a joint degree program. 

Extended Four-Year JD Program

Vermont Law and Graduate School offers an extended four-year enrollment option for the JD program. Applicants with family, work, or life circumstances that preclude them from enrolling in the full three-year program, now have the opportunity to take fewer credits per semester and graduate in four academic years.

Students in the four-year extended program take 10 credits per semester and are considered first-year students for two years. Tuition is billed at 80% of the current tuition rate each year for all four years.

There is no standard class schedule as we work with each student individually to develop a schedule that fits their needs. Following the completion of the second year, students will receive a class rank and become eligible for law review and extra-mural competitions.

The extended program does not include summer classes, giving students the option of taking the summer off or enrolling in the joint degree program.

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Reduced Residency Juris Doctor (RRJD)

The Reduced-Residency Juris Doctor (RRJD) program at Vermont Law and Graduate School offers students a more flexible way to earn a JD. Compared to traditional three-year residential JD programs, this JD degree option enables students to earn a JD, partially online, with only three semesters of study on campus, beginning in the fall semester. 

Students complete the remainder of their studies with online law degree courses in an asynchronous format and a Semester-in-Practice (SiP) externship off campus. In addition to the flexibility of taking JD courses online, students may potentially reduce costs associated with attending VLGS by living and working elsewhere.

The RRJD is built for the motivated student who desires the opportunity to finish their JD degree online, perhaps while working; who is ready to gain practical legal experience; and who is eager to build a professional network.

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Juris Doctor Sample Schedule

  • Year One: On-campus classes in fall and spring semesters
  • Year Two: On-campus classes in the fall and a spring Semester-in-Practice (SiP) externship which may be done in any location in the U.S.
  • Year Three: Online classes in fall and spring semesters (or spread over time)


Students also have the flexibility to take a reduced course load during the last two semesters, extending the graduation date until classes are completed. This flexibility allows RRJD students to be working during the last semesters.

The Reduced-Residency JD program may be finished earlier than three years with careful planning with the Registrar and if the student meets the requirements to take classes over the summer. To qualify for summer classes, Reduced Residency students must achieve a 3.0 or higher at the end of the Fall semester.

JD Program Opportunities & Degree Options

Dual Degree Opportunities

If you are interested in pursuing a dual degree, we encourage you to explore the program descriptions and application information specific to each of the dual degree programs available. It’s important to note that admission to the JD or Master’s program does not guarantee admission to a dual degree program. For more details on dual degrees, please visit the Dual Degree Programs page.

Scholarships & Financial Aid Opportunities

Whether you’re a new or returning student, there are scholarships available to support your educational journey. Vermont Law and Graduate School offers and provides information regarding many opportunities for scholarships and financial aid. For more details on funding your legal education, please visit the Tuition & Financial Aid page.

Transfer Students

Credits received from other institutions transfer at the discretion of the VLGS Registrar.

Transfer students are eligible for merit and need-based scholarships, law review (within law review deadline restrictions), as well as all Vermont Law and Graduate School clinical, experiential, and international offerings. An assigned mentor will help orient you to the curriculum and the community. You will also have the opportunity to get to know other students through social events and meet with your faculty advisor during Orientation Week.

VLGS offers transfer students the flexibility to enroll in any semester–fall, spring, or summer, with no application deadline or fee. Applications are reviewed upon completion.

In addition to the JD application requirements, transfer students must also submit:

  • Two letters of recommendation–one must be from a law school professor
  • Law school letter of good standing
  • Law school transcript with fall and spring semester grades
  • Law school class rank for the first year

Visiting & Exchange Students

Exchange applications may be submitted at any time during the academic year and will be reviewed when the file is complete. Applicants should submit their applications through the VLGS Visiting/Exchange Application portal.

In general, the following items are required to complete the application file, though additional materials may be requested.

  • Completed application form
  • $60 application fee (not required for exchange applicants)
  • Professional resume or curriculum vitae
  • Short essay indicating why you are interested in VLGS
  • Letter of good standing from the home law school, including permission to attend Vermont Law and Graduate School with a current law school transcript

U.S. Law School Exchange Programs

Students enrolled at a U.S. law school that is part of the Law School Exchange Program should contact their school’s Admissions Office for specific application instructions. For any other inquiries or concerns, please contact the Vermont Law and Graduate School’s Admissions Department.

Law School Exchange Program schools include:

  • University of Connecticut School of Law, Hartford, CT
  • University of New Hampshire, Concord, NH
  • University of California – Hastings College of the Law, San Francisco, CA
  • Howard University School of Law, Washington, D.C.
  • New York Law School, New York City, NY

International Exchange Programs

If you are currently enrolled at an institution which has an established International Dual Degree partnership with VLGS, please follow the application procedures outlined by your home institution. Once advised to proceed, visit the VLGS Visiting/Exchange Application portal.

Ready for Next Steps to pursue a dual degree at VLGS?

Application Process Roadmap

JD Application Requirements

Checklist of Application Materials


  • Completed application form
  • $60.00 (USD) application fee
  • Professional resume or curriculum vitae
  • Essays as described below
  • LSAC Credential Assembly Service (CAS) Report with current LSAT score, transcripts from all schools attended, and two letters of recommendation.
  • Character and Fitness Information
  • All applicants whose native language is not English and who have not lived or studied in an English-speaking country for at least two years must submit TOEFL, PTE, or IELTS scores.

JD Application Form

Students applying to all Juris Doctor (JD) programs are required to submit all application materials via LSAC.org. If you experience any technical difficulties with this application, please call the LSAC Help Desk at 215-968-1393.

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Application Fee

Vermont Law and Graduate School has an application fee of $60.00 (USD).

Required Essay

Describe the goals that are motivating you to pursue a JD degree. How do you think the skills and experience you will gain at Vermont Law and Graduate School will help you achieve these goals?

Optional Essays

  • Give a realistic appraisal of your academic work since graduation from high school. Please note any inconsistencies in your record and the reasons for them.
  • How have you tried to effect change in relation to an issue of personal, local, or national significance?

International Applicants

If you are currently enrolled at an institution that has an established International Dual Degree partnership with VLGS, please follow your home institution’s process to apply for an opportunity to study at VLGS. 

For individuals outside of the United States who are not currently enrolled at another institution, or who are enrolled at an institution that VLGS does not have a formal partnership with, please take note of the following additional application requirements:

International Credential Validation Requirement

All international transcripts must be evaluated by an official evaluation agency. Recommended evaluation agencies include the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO) via LSAC, Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE.org), and World Education Services (WES.org).

English Language Requirement

  • TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE score is required of all students for whom English is not the primary language spoken. Applicants who have studied in the U.S. or at an English-speaking institution for more than two years may be waived from this requirement.
  • TOEFL minimum score: 600 paper-based, 250 computer-based, 100 Internet-based
  • IELTS minimum score: 6.5
  • PTE minimum score: 68

Application Notification

Vermont Law and Graduate School reviews applications on a rolling basis. The Admission Committee reviews all complete applications and applicants are notified promptly of the admission decision. Please note that Vermont Law and Graduate School does not share information or offer feedback regarding admission decisions.


Application Evaluation Criteria

VLGS evaluates each applicant by examining the whole person and we admit students without consideration of their financial needs.

LSAT Scores & Academic Records

The two most important JD admissions criteria at VLGS are the undergraduate academic record and the LSAT score. Vermont Law and Graduate School generally requires applicants to have earned their bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution by the time they intend to enroll. LSAT scores are valid for five years and all JD applicants must provide current LSAT scores; there are no exceptions. 

We consider the undergraduate record from many perspectives: quality of the undergraduate institution; nature and rigor of the curriculum; performance compared to that of other students from the same school; grade trend from freshman to senior year; and length of time between receipt of degree and application to law school. Additionally, we view completion of graduate work favorably, particularly if the quality of work exceeds the minimum standards required for the graduate program.

Pre-Legal Education

Just as there are many different roads to the acquisition of an inquiring, disciplined, and cultivated mind, there are different ways to acquire a valuable foundation for the study of law. 

At VLGS, we do not prioritize college majors in political science, economics, or other concentrations traditionally associated with pre-law education. We seek applicants from programs that identify and prepare students to achieve their educational goals, allowing them to develop precision, fluency, and economy in both spoken and written communication.

Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree at the time of enrollment, with U.S. institutions requiring regional accreditation.

Recommendation Letters

We require two letters of recommendation, which should be thoughtful, substantive recommendations speaking specifically to and from personal knowledge of your academic potential as well as relevant personal qualities. 

Ideally, at least one recommendation should come from a college or graduate school professor. However, if individuals have been out of college for some time and cannot obtain these, we recommend asking for recommendations from individuals who are familiar with your work in your profession or within your community. We want to know about your intellectual ability, character, determination, professional and community achievements, your potential for contributions to the legal community and community at large, and how you compare to other law school students the writer has known.

Recommenders should send their letters to the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) to become part of your Credential Assembly Service (CAS) report. If a recommender prefers to submit a recommendation directly to Vermont Law and Graduate School, they may email it directly to the Office of Admissions.

Work Experience, Community Service, and Extracurricular Activities

Most of our applicants have had work experience be it in permanent positions or part-time work in college. We look upon your employment history as a reflection of your ambition and persistence.

Vermont Law and Graduate School hopes to enroll students who, once active in the legal profession, will use their education and skills to contribute to the profession and the community in which they live. We look favorably on applicants who demonstrate a commitment to the greater community through participation in civic, charitable, volunteer, and other activities.

We recommend that applicants give us a brief description of their extracurricular activities to round out their application. These activities help to complete the applicant’s profile and provide some insight for the Admissions Committee which might be helpful in the decision-making process.

Character & Fitness, Qualifications For Bar Admissions

In addition to a bar examination, there are character, fitness, and other qualifications for admission to the bar in every U.S. jurisdiction. Applicants are encouraged to determine the requirements for any jurisdiction in which they intend to seek admission by contacting the jurisdiction. 

Addresses for all relevant agencies are available through the National Conference of Bar Examiners. Acceptance by the law school does not guarantee certification by the state bar examiners. If you are concerned about facts that may affect your eligibility to practice law, you should discuss the matter with the Board of Bar Examiners in the state and jurisdiction where you expect to practice.


Acceptance of Offer for Admissions

An applicant who is offered admission must make a total non-refundable tuition deposit of $750 by the deposit deadlines indicated in the admission offer to secure a place in the incoming class. This deposit will be applied in full toward the student’s tuition upon enrollment.