The Juris Doctor Program Curriculum

The Law School offers a four-year course leading to the degree of Juris Doctor (J.D.). It pioneered the offering of the J.D. program in the Philippines, first conferring the degree to its graduates in 1991. 

J.D. students are required to prepare and defend a thesis on a controversial or novel legal issue, which requires extensive discussion and analysis of legal principles and cases relevant to the chosen topic. 

In 2015, the Law School introduced an enhanced J.D. Program, which features core courses that include bar subjects, complemented by an apprenticeship program and elective courses offered to allow students to specialize in certain fields of law. 

During their second and third years, students are required to spend 240 hours of apprenticeship in law school-based organizations, law firms, government institutions, and non-government organizations in order to translate their knowledge into skills. The apprenticeship program also provides opportunities for the students to serve the country while learning the law.   

Tracked elective subjects complement the core subjects on the third and fourth years of the J.D. program. Such elective subjects are designed to allow students to focus on one of the following areas of specialization or tracks covering:

• Corporate and Business Law

• Dispute Resolution

• International Law and Development