J.D. Application Requirements
Applicants from a variety of academic backgrounds are offered admission each year. No specific undergraduate academic curriculum is required, but it is highly recommended that the course of study emphasizes skills in critical thinking and logical analysis and that students strive to develop strong writing skills.
If you want to complete your degree in a more traditional timespan, we offer a full-time program option. If you are a working professional or have other life commitments, you may benefit from our part-time and flexible part-time evening Juris Doctor programs.
International students who have completed the equivalent of a baccalaureate degree at an institution outside of the United States are eligible to be considered for admission to the J.D. program. Foreign-degree applicants must complete all requirements for domestic applicants and submit credentials to the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) for translation and evaluation. LSAC will then send the applicant's CAS report to the Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University.
The Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University does not accept students who have been dismissed from other law schools for academic reasons.
- All candidates for admission must be graduates of an accredited college or university before registration at the School of Law.
- There is NO application fee to apply to the Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University.
- Applicants must apply through the Law School Admissions Council (LSAC).
- Check the status of your application online and in real-time.
- Visit frequently asked questions for more information.
Deadlines
Applications for all divisions are accepted after September 1 for the following academic year. Decisions are made on a rolling basis; therefore, it is in your best interest to apply well before the priority deadline of April 1. Applications received after the priority deadline will be evaluated on a space-available basis. Decisions can take 6-8 weeks from when an application is placed in review, and we will begin notifying applicants of their acceptance in December. Applicants are responsible for submitting all required items and can check the status of their application online via the Application Status Check.
- JD applications received by April 1 for priority consideration are guaranteed to be considered for a merit scholarship.*
- JD applications received after the priority deadline may be considered for a merit
scholarship.
Binding Early Decision Program applications must be completed no later than December 31.
*Students may submit their application prior to taking the LSAT. We recommend applicants take the LSAT twice.
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Before an application can be considered, the following items must be submitted:
Application Form
The J.D. Application is available at www.lsac.org
Check the status of your application online and in real-time.
Credential Assembly Service (CAS) Report
The CAS Report includes your LSAT score(s), transcript(s), and letter(s) of recommendation. Applicants must submit their undergraduate and graduate transcripts from ALL institutions attended to LSAC so that they can be included in the CAS Report. CAS reports will also include all LSAT scores received in the last five years. The Admissions Committee will review all previous scores, but will use the highest score for reporting purposes.
Law School Admission Test (LSAT) or Graduate Record Exam (GRE)
All applicants for admission are required to take the LSAT or the GRE.
The Law School Admission Council (LSAC) offers the LSAT and scores will be sent via the CAS Report.
The GRE is offered by ETS. Applicants who elect to take the GRE must request that ETS send the GRE scores to
Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University using our institution code 3377. We will only accept official score reports from ETS.
When to take the LSAT or GRE?
Because decisions are made on a rolling basis, it is in your best interest to take
the LSAT or GRE early in the admissions cycle. We recommend that you plan to take
the LSAT or GRE twice. We will accept the highest score you receive.
If you have taken both the LSAT and the GRE, all scores will be reported to the School of Law, and you will be considered an LSAT candidate. As part of the holistic review, we will consider all application information submitted.
Students may submit their application before taking the LSAT or GRE.
LSAT and GRE test scores are valid for five years.
Letter of Recommendation
One letter of recommendation is required for each applicant. Two additional letters
may be submitted for consideration. A recommendation should be submitted by a professor
familiar with the applicant's academic work. Applicants who have been out of school
for some time may submit a letter from an employer. Submitting letters of recommendation
from family members or friends is strongly discouraged.
Letters of recommendation must be submitted through the CAS letter of recommendation
service.
Personal Statement
A one- to two-page typed essay must be submitted. There is no required topic, but applicants should view the personal statement as an opportunity to provide the Admissions Committee with more information about themselves beyond their transcripts and LSAT scores. Applicants often address their backgrounds, why they want to practice law, and why they would like to attend the Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University.
Resume
Applicants must submit a current resume or CV via the LSAC application.
TOEFL or IELTS
Foreign-degree candidates whose primary language is not English must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the IELTS. The TOEFL or IELTS should be taken by February 1 of the year in which you plan to enroll. The deadline to submit the application is the same as that for new domestic applicants, but it is suggested that foreign degree candidates apply as early as possible to allow sufficient time for credentials evaluation.
The Admissions Committee will generally consider a total TOEFL score of 100 or IELTS of 7.5 to be minimally acceptable.
Optional Essays
From its establishment in 1911, the Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University has maintained a commitment to enrolling students who represent a broad section of our community and society. We understand that a diverse student body strengthens the quality of interaction, awareness and education for the entire legal community.
The Optional Essays provide us with important, relevant information that may not be found in other parts of the application for admission. Please complete one or more of the essays on the topics provided. Essays should be one to two pages in length (double spaced, with 11-point font). Please include the essay title at the top of the page.
- Essay one - Why Duquesne Kline School of Law?
Let us know why Duquesne Kline School of Law is a good fit for you. - Essay two - Overcoming Obstacles
Describe how you have been able to overcome obstacles in your life, education, and/or career. How do your experiences, background and perspectives add to the strength of the educational experience and the legal
community? - Essay three - Leadership
In this ever-changing society, leadership has become increasingly important for lawyers to be effective advocates. Leadership is developed and demonstrated in many ways; volunteer work, sports, and work experience are just some of the areas where leadership is demonstrated. Please submit an essay about your leadership experience. - Essay four - Volunteer/Service Experience
The Duquesne University mission can be stated simply, "We Serve God by Serving Students." The Duquesne Kline motto advises, "The welfare of the people is the highest law." Considering these statements, please discuss your volunteer/service experience.
Character and Fitness Information
The Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University application requests information regarding your character and fitness. Complete and accurate information is essential. Failure to furnish all supporting credentials or the furnishing of incorrect information may invalidate admission and registration. Any false or misleading statement, incomplete or inaccurate information, omission of the required information, or failure to update changes in information in this application may cause you to be denied admission; or, if admitted, to be dismissed from the Duquesne Kline School of Law, or cause your degree to be revoked, and may jeopardize licensure with Boards of Bar Examiners.
Graduates of Duquesne Kline School of Law are eligible to take bar examinations in all jurisdictions of the United States.
Qualification for Admission to the Bar:
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.
Continuing Obligation to Notify
Applicants/admitted students have a continuing obligation to notify the Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University immediately if any of the following events occur: (1) They are apprehended, cited, arrested, taken into custody for, charged with, indicted or tried for, or plead guilty or no contest (nolo contendere) to, the commission of any crime, except for summary traffic violations unrelated to the use of intoxicants; (2) They are found guilty of an honor code violation at any institution of higher learning; (3) They are subject to disciplinary action by any educational institution, governmental or administrative agency (including any branch of the Armed Forces); or (4) They are notified of any misconduct or irregularity by the Law School Admissions Council (LSAC). Duquesne Kline School of Law reserves the right to revoke one's acceptance based on the nature of the event.
Applicants should retain copies of all items submitted as part of the admission application. These materials become the property of Duquesne Kline School of Law and will be neither reproduced nor returned to the applicant. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that the file for Admissions Committee consideration is complete and that all required documents have been received by the Admissions Office.
Applicants who know early on in the application cycle that Duquesne Kline School of
Law is their first choice may consider applying Early Decision. Duquesne Kline's Early
Decision Program is binding and requires that applicants withdraw all applications
from other schools if admitted to Duquesne Kline School of Law. Applicants may not
apply Early Decision at more than one law school and may not initiate new applications
after admission. If admitted through the Early Decision Program, you must commit to
matriculating at Duquesne Kline School of Law and submit a nonrefundable seat deposit
by the deadline on your letter of admission. This program is best suited for applicants
who have put considerable thought and research into their law school options early-on
in the application cycle. To be considered for Early Decision, your application must be complete, including
your Credential Assembly Service Law School Report, by December 31st. The November
LSAT is the last acceptable score for consideration as an Early Decision candidate.
You will be notified of the Admissions Committee's decision to either admit, deny,
or waitlist by January 31st. Applicants who are waitlisted are released from the binding
obligation of the program and will be evaluated with the rest of the applicant pool
in the spring. Applicants who are admitted through the Early Decision Program will receive the same
scholarship consideration as applicants in the regular decision pool. Applicants for
whom scholarship aid is a primary factor should not apply Early Decision, as you will
not have the opportunity to compare scholarship awards from multiple schools. To apply as an Early Decision candidate, you must complete and attach the Binding
Early Decision Agreement to your application. The only circumstance in which candidates may apply for admission without a baccalaureate
degree is through a pre-arranged 3/3 Early Admissions Agreement between the applicant's
institution (partners listed below) and the Duquesne Kline School of Law. The program
enables students to receive a bachelor's degree after three years of undergraduate
work and completing the first year of law school. The program allows students to complete
a B.A./B.S. degree and a law degree (J.D.) in six years rather than the typical seven. Eligibility for the 3/3 early admission program generally requires a minimum cumulative
grade point average of 3.5 over three years; completion of all undergraduate curricular
requirements; a minimum LSAT score in at least the 60th percentile (students interested
in applying should take the LSAT in the fall or winter of their junior year); a letter
of recommendation from a pre-law advisor, undergraduate advisor, and/or a professor
to the School of Law's Office of Admissions; and a personal interview with the Admissions
Committee. Alvernia University Students may participate in a joint degree, JD/MBA program with Thomas R. Kline School
of Law of Duquesne University and the John F. Donahue Graduate School of Business.
The process begins with an independent application to each program. Upon admission,
the student should consult with each school to plan the course of study. Juris Doctor/Master of Business Administration Students may apply for transfer admission to the Thomas R. Kline School of Law of
Duquesne University. Applicants for admission to a class other than the first year
who have begun the study of law at another school must meet all regular requirements
for admission to the first-year program, along with several other stipulations. Duquesne Kline School of Law does not accept students who have been dismissed from
other law schools for academic reasons. Transfer applicants must present satisfactory evidence of having been in regular attendance
at an ABA-approved law school and must be in good standing and unconditionally eligible
to return to studies at that school. Before a transfer application will be considered the applicant must have completed
the equivalent course requirements of a first-year, full-time day student at the Duquesne
Kline School of Law. Transfer applicants must meet all requirements for a first-year student and must submit
the Transfer Application along with the following: When should I apply for a transfer? How many transfers are admitted each year? Can I apply if I am currently attending a non-ABA-accredited law school? Do you accept students that have been academically dismissed from another law school? Will the grades that I earned at my old law school be factored into my Duquesne Kline
School of Law GPA? Can I transfer all of my credits from my old law school to Duquesne Kline School of
Law? What is the maximum number of credits that I can transfer to Duquesne Kline School
of Law? Are transfer students eligible for merit scholarships? Are transfer students eligible for Law Review? Thank you for applying to the Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University. You can check the status of your application online and in real-time. A login and
password will be emailed to you after we have processed your application. Decisions
can take approximately 6-8 weeks from the time the application is placed In Review
status. With the exception of Early Decision Program applicants, decisions are rendered
on a rolling basis. All Early Decision Program applicants will receive a decision
by the end of January. * Please add lawadmissions@duq.edu to your Contacts to ensure that you do not miss
any important emails from our office. Please also be sure to check your Junk/Spam
folders.Other Programs
Eligibility Requirements
3/3 Early Admission Program partners:
Assumption University
Bennett College
Bethany College
Carlow University
Carnegie Mellon University-College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Chatham University
DeSales University
Duquesne University
Elizabethtown College
Franciscan University of Steubenville
Gannon University
Juniata College
King's College
Lake Erie College
Mercyhurst College
Point Park University
Robert Morris University
Seton Hill University
St. Bonaventure University
St. Francis University
St. Vincent College
Thiel College
University of Findlay
University of Scranton
Washington and Jefferson College
Waynesburg University
Westminster College
Wheeling University
Xavier University of Louisiana
Institutions comprising the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education:
Bloomsburg University
Cheyney University
East Stroudsburg University
Indiana University
Kutztown University
Lock Haven University
Mansfield University
Millersville University
PennWest California
PennWest Clarion
PennWest Edinboro
Shippensburg University
Slippery Rock University
West Chester University
Requirements
Application Procedure
Transfer FAQs
You should apply between May 1 and July 15 of the year you wish to transfer. Please
use the "Transfer Application" at www.lsac.org. Do not use the regular JD application.
Duquesne Kline School of Law does not have a quota or goal number of transfer students
to admit each year. In some years we have admitted several transfer students; in other
years we have admitted none. Admission depends upon the strength of your application
materials and the rigor of the program you are currently in, including your success
as a 1L at your current law school.
Unfortunately, we will not admit transfer students from non-ABA-accredited law schools.
Duquesne Kline School of Law does not accept students who have been dismissed from
other law schools for academic reasons.
No. Grades earned in courses accepted for transfer credit will not be included in
the computation of a student's grade point average.
No. The grade earned in any course for which transfer credits are sought must be,
at a minimum, the equivalent of the School of Law's passing grade of "C."
No more than twenty-nine (29) transfer credits will be accepted toward satisfaction
of the J.D. degree. Please contact the law school Registrar's Office for the transfer
credit policy.
Transfer students should complete the FAFSA and have the results sent to Duquesne
University with school code 003258 in order to apply for student loans. Transfer students
are not eligible for incoming merit-based scholarships.
There are no guaranteed spaces on Law Review for transfer students, but transfer students
are eligible to participate in the writing competition for Law Review. Transfer students
who would like to apply for Law Review must complete the write-on competition as well
as an editing and citation exercise. Instructions regarding this process are available
after July 15.