The University is registered as a law school with the Committee of Bar
Examiners of the State Bar of California. As a result of this registration and the University’s compliance with specific rules of the Committee of Bar Examiners
(CBE) and the California Supreme Court, graduates of the Juris Doctor–Attorney
Track
Program (hereinafter the
JDAT
Program) become eligible to sit for the California Bar Examination. Upon successful completion of this examination, graduates may become members of the State Bar of California eligible to practice in California Courts.
Students enrolling in the JDAT Program have many different career or personal goals. Many intend to practice law, but equal numbers elect to enter private enterprise or devote their lives to public service. Regardless of the career plans of graduates, a major objective of the JDAT Program is to prepare students for the California Bar Examination. Individuals who do not desire admission to the Bar should consider enrolling in the University’s Juris Doctor-Executive Track Program.
Taft students have a decades long history of success on the California Bar Examination as evidenced by our Statistics and our
Honored
Graduates. As can be seen from our
Graduate Survey
Results, over 90% of graduates from the Juris Doctor Program who responded to the survey believe they are competent attorneys, more informed citizens, better businesspeople, and better able to provide for the financial needs of their family as a result of the Program.
Admission to the JDAT Program generally requires that prior to commencing law study, a prospective student must have earned a postsecondary degree from an institution accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education.
According to the reference guide Survey of Law Economics (Altman Weil
Publications, Inc.), in recent years studies have disclosed the average attorney will bill in
excess of 1,700 hours per year. With billing rates often exceeding $150 per hour, the income potential is outstanding. While individuals who enter the legal profession enjoy excellent earning possibilities, they also have important professional as well as ethical responsibilities. Many become leaders in charitable and political organizations or contribute time to social and constitutional issues.
Many law school graduates use their legal knowledge in areas outside the legal profession. Accountants, medical professionals, law enforcement officers, educators, and many others have found legal training to be beneficial in their daily activities as well as increasing their career opportunities.
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The
Juris Doctor - Attorney Track
Program
Presentation
The JDAT
Program is presented through a distance education modality using telecommunications technology requiring no
classroom or seminar attendance. Prior students have resided in all regions of
the United States as well as in Asia and Europe.
The JDAT
Program requires four years of study. Each year consists of a period of time
of not less than 48 nor more than 52 consecutive weeks. While materials and
instruction are presented in a non-traditional manner, it is an objective of the
University to maintain criteria comparable to resident law programs with respect
to program content and academic standards.
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The
Juris Doctor - Attorney Track
Program
Faculty
The University
employs faculty qualified to undertake the
level of instruction or course development
that they are assigned. They possess degrees
or credentials appropriate to the Juris
Doctor Program. A complete listing of
faculty and their qualifications is set
forth in a separate
Faculty Catalog Supplement
or can be viewed
here on our website.
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The
Juris Doctor - Attorney Track
Program
Admission Policies and Requirements
Consistent with the University’s stated Mission of providing educational opportunities to individuals who are mature adults, employed on a full-time basis, or for whom place of residence or travel requirements are constraining factors, the University has instituted four classifications of applicants. All admission decisions are made without regards to race, handicap, religion, sex, age, or national origin.
Regular Applicants
Applicants who have earned a postsecondary undergraduate degree from a college or university accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education generally qualify as regular applicants. However, applicants holding only an Associate in Applied Sciences (A.A.S.) degree will
not qualify as a regular applicant without additional coursework. The majority of applicants to this Program are mature adults working in a variety of professional settings. Many have not attended college for several years. Consequently, prior class rank and grade point average are not significant factors in the admission process.
Special Applicants
Individuals who do not qualify as a regular applicant, may apply as a special applicant. Special applicants must, at a minimum, satisfy the standards established by the Committee of Bar Examiners of the State Bar of California with respect to pre-legal education. In the past, special applicants have represented less than five percent of total Program admissions.
By definition, a special admissions policy considers each applicant on a case-by-case basis. Other than the minimum threshold mandated by the Committee of Bar Examiners, the University has not developed any pre-established criteria for special admissions. In the admission of special applicants, the major consideration is whether the applicant has the ability to succeed in the Program and if the applicant will benefit from the Program. Special admission policies have historically served valuable social purposes.
All special applicants must be interviewed by a law school faculty member and provide supplemental application information. (The interview can either take place in the University’s offices or via telephone.) The recommendation of the faculty member and the approval of the Dean or Associate Dean
are required for admission.
Applicants Educated Outside of the United States
It is necessary for applicants holding earned degrees from colleges or universities outside of the United States to obtain an evaluation of their education from a credential evaluation service approved by the State Bar of California. Upon request, the University’s Admissions Office will provide a list of approved services.
In addition, applicants whose native language is not English and who have not earned a degree from an accredited institution where English is the principal language of instruction must
take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). The minimum score for the paper-based version is 550 or the equivalent.
Transfer Applicants
The University welcomes applications from students seeking to transfer from other law schools. Applicants seeking advanced standing should submit a transcript of all previous law study along with the
Application
for Admission Form. All prospective transfer students are individually evaluated for purposes of awarding transfer credit. Among the factors considered in such an evaluation are the grades of the applicant in law courses completed, the law school where the courses were completed, and the period of time since the courses were completed.
All applicants who wish to be admitted as third or fourth year students as well as some prospective second year students must obtain an evaluation from the Committee of Bar Examiners of past studies and proposed studies. The University will assist transfer students in the preparation of a proposed plan of study.
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The
Juris Doctor - Attorney Track
Program
Rules
of the State Bar of California
Students who plan to sit for the California Bar Examination must comply with a complex set of rules established by the Committee of Bar Examiners. (An abridged version of the rules as they apply to distance learning students can be found
HERE.) Students must complete four years of law study. Each year must consist of a period of time of not less than 48 nor more than 52 consecutive weeks. In addition, students must successfully complete the First Year Law Students’ Examination (“Baby Bar”) after their first year of study. This exam, given by the Committee of Bar Examiners each year in June and October, covers the first year subjects of Contracts, Criminal Law, and Torts. Normally, testing sites are located in both Northern and Southern California. The examination cannot be taken at any other location.
To obtain a complete copy of the State Bar rules, write the Committee of Bar Examiners, 1149 South Hill Street, 4th Floor, Los Angeles, California 90015 and request a copy of the
Rules Regulating Admission To Practice Law in
California, or phone them at (213) 765-1500.
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The
Juris Doctor - Attorney Track
Program
Degree
Requirements
The professional degree of Juris Doctor is awarded to those students in the JDAT Program who have fulfilled all of the following
requirements:
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- Satisfactory completion of 90 units
within a period of not more than seven years
with at least 24 units completed at
Taft (Completion of 96 units is necessary to be certified to take the California Bar Examination);
- Cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.00 or higher in Taft University
courses; and
- Completion and submission of the University’s
Program Evaluation Form.
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The
Juris Doctor - Attorney Track
Program
Curriculum
The following courses are required for the Juris
Doctor-Attorney Track
Program.
Click on the course title for full course
descriptions.
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The
Juris Doctor - Attorney Track
Program
Instructional Policies and Methods
Shortly after enrollment, students are provided with login information which allows them to access the electronic course syllabi, a list of required and recommended course materials as well as the official Student Handbook for the Program.
First year students may commence formal study on the first Monday of January, April, July, or September. (In 2007, there will also be a November study commencement date for first year students.) Second and third year students may commence study on the first Monday of October or April. Fourth year students may commence study on the first Monday of May or December.
Each academic year consists of 44 or 45 weekly lesson assignments plus a three or four week review period. At least one final examination must be completed after the last day of the 48th week and all final exams must be completed by the last day of the 52nd week. The majority of these assignments contain research/writing projects or quizzes which are submitted electronically and evaluated by faculty. Students also benefit from examinations throughout the academic year.
Our faculty believe that regular and substantive interaction with students is an important element of the learning experience. Therefore, through electronic message boards, electronic mail or by telephonic means, faculty is regularly available throughout the academic year. The learning modality also allows, but does not require, students to communicate directly with each other.
The Program also offers optional real-time Electronic Classroom sessions. However, all required assignments are completed asynchronously. (Students are not required to login at a specific time.)
As a result of the University's membership in the
Center for Computer-Assisted Legal
Instruction, students also have access to over 600 interactive computer-based tutorials written by over 100 faculty members at ABA accredited law schools.
The Program utilizes materials available at virtually every elite law school in the United States. In addition to casebooks, of equal importance are treatises, outlines, audio lectures recorded by some of the most prestigious law professors in the United States, and other study aids. Simple “busy work” found in many programs is eliminated. Students, with the advice of faculty, are encouraged to emphasize the study methods he or she find most beneficial.
Certain assignments require the use of the LEXIS® online library. (Students have access to the LEXIS® through the Internet with no hourly usage charges.) This library, which includes online tutorials, can be accessed through a personal computer from any location that has Internet access. The service contains major archives of United States federal and state case law, continuously updated statutes of all 50 states, state and federal regulations, administrative rulings, law review articles, and numerous other legal resources.
As a general rule, the final examination represents approximately 60% of a course grade. The midterm examination and electronic assignments make up the other 40%. For most courses, final examinations consist of essay and multiple-choice questions patterned after prior California Bar Examination questions.
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The
Juris Doctor - Attorney Track
Program
Admission
to Practice in a State
Other Than California
Most states require graduation from a law school approved by the American Bar Association or approved or accredited by the State Supreme Court or examining committee as a prerequisite to taking the bar examination in that state. The University has not previously sought approval from the American Bar Association and has no plans to seek such approval in the future.
California is the only state which will accept graduation from a distance education
law school as the qualifying standard for admission to their bar examination. However, some states will permit graduates from non-ABA schools to sit for their bar examination after a California attorney has practiced for a period of time (generally five years). Applicants who intend to seek admission in a state other than California should consult the admitting authority in that state to determine if study at this school will be accepted.
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The
Juris Doctor - Attorney Track
Program
Financial Information
The tuition for the JDAT Program is $250.00 per unit
($6,000.00 per year).
Tuition rates are “locked” for four years at the time of matriculation. An enrolled student will be protected from future tuition increases during this period of time.
Additional information on financial aid and tuition financing can be found under
Tuition, Financial Aid and Financing.
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Fee
Schedule |
| Application Fee |
None |
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Registration Fee |
None |
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Special Applicant Evaluation Fee
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$55.00
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Transfer Student Evaluation Fee
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$55.00
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Library Fee |
$75.00
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Enrollment Commitment Fee
(Applies Only to Matriculating Students) |
$100.00 |
| Non-Resident
Surcharge
(Applies Only to Students Residing Outside of the United States) |
$250.00 |
Administrative Accounting Fee
(Applicable to Installment Payment
Plans Only) |
$
50.00 |
Withdrawal Processing Fee
(Applicable to Withdrawing Students Only) |
$
100.00 |
|
Returned Check Fee |
$
25.00 |
Transcript Fee (Two
Provided at No Charge) |
$
7.50 |
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Graduation/Diploma Fee |
$
75.00 |
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All of the fees on this schedule are non-refundable.
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The cost of required books and materials, other than each course’s syllabus, is not included in the tuition. The current
average annual costs for these materials is approximately $800.00 (somewhat greater in the first year). Most books and
materials may be purchased through any legal bookstore. However, students will always be provided with mail and/or online
sources for obtaining any required materials. The
University does not sell books or study aids.
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The
Juris Doctor - Attorney Track
Program
How
to Enroll
To apply for admission to the
Juris Doctor-Attorney Track
Program, an applicant must first complete the University’s
Application
for Admission Form
and submit it to the Admissions Office. There is no application fee. Applicants seeking transfer credit for courses completed at other law schools must also provide, via mail, a transcript documenting all prior law study and a check in the amount of $55.00.
It is not necessary to submit official transcripts at the time of application.
However, official transcripts must be received by the University and the Committee of Bar Examiners within 45 days of enrollment. The University provides students with a form which may be used for this purpose.
If the applicant is accepted for admission to the Program, an enrollment commitment form will be prepared and sent to the applicant. At the time the commitment material and the $100.00 commitment fee are received by the Admissions Office, a formal enrollment agreement will be prepared and sent to the applicant for review and signature. All payments submitted for tuition and fees must be payable in U.S. dollars. Payments may be made by major credit cards (MasterCard® /Visa® /American Express® ) or personal or business checks.
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The
Juris Doctor - Attorney Track
Program
Frequently Asked Questions
- Q. What books and other materials are utilized in the Program?
A. Taft University students use many of the same casebooks and textbooks as students at traditional universities such as Harvard, Stanford, and other American Bar Association approved law schools. In addition, Taft University students benefit from professionally prepared course outlines, law summaries, and recorded lectures.
- Q. Does Taft University use the “case method” of study in the Program?
A. The case method, also known as the Socratic method, through which students examine actual decisions of the courts and administrative agencies, has been used by law schools since the 19th century. Many modern educators believe the case method is a very ineffective means of study. While most Taft University law courses utilize “casebooks,” of equal importance are treatises, outlines, recorded lectures and other study aids. Each student is encouraged to emphasize the study method they find most beneficial.
- Q. How are grades and final examinations handled?
A. In required courses, there are no lengthy research or term papers. As a general rule, the final examination grade constitutes approximately 60% of the course grade. Final examinations, which must be proctored, generally consist of essay and multiple-choice questions patterned after prior California Bar Examination questions. The examinations are written and graded by attorneys with years of experience in grading bar examination style questions.
- Q. What type of preparation is advisable for the study of law?
A. Successful law students - and outstanding attorneys - have come from all walks of life and educational backgrounds. Consequently, the University does not prescribe a specific course of study or employment experience for admission. Any person who has the ability to learn, is well motivated, has reasonable writing skills, and possesses a logical mind has the basic tools necessary to become a successful Taft University student and attorney.
- Q. Can the JDAT Program be completed in less than four years?
A. No. The Program is designed to meet the requirements of the Committee of Bar Examiners of the State Bar of California. The Program consists of four academic years. The final examinations are taken during the 11th or 12th month of each academic year. For example, a student commencing study in June of this year would take final examinations in April and May of next year.
- Q. Can a student take more than 4 years to complete the JDAT Program?
A. Yes. A student may take a leave of absence between academic years. However, once study has commenced, the academic year (period) must be completed within the 48 to 52 week time period unless special authorization is obtained from the University. All degree requirements must be satisfied within seven years from the date of original enrollment.
- Q. How soon do I need to select an area of specialization?
A. A common misconception about law school is that students must specialize in particular areas of the law while pursuing the first law degree. The volume of basic material essential to professional competence and required to pass the bar examination is too great to allow specialization within the JDAT Program. A major focus is to prepare students for the California Bar Examination. For attorneys wishing to specialize in particular areas of the law, the Continuing Education of the Bar and many private organizations offer hundreds of outstanding programs annually.
- Q. What financial aid is available?
A. Special grants-in-aid are available to outstanding prospects such as graduate degree holders and certain members of professional groups such as CPA’s and law enforcement personnel. These grants-in-aid are generally equal to 10% of the tuition. In addition, SLM Financial Corporation (a division of Sallie Mae) and Wells Fargo Bank offer qualified students loan programs to finance 100% of tuition and recommended books and materials. The University also offers a no-interest financing alternative which permits students to pay approximately 30% of tuition at the time of enrollment and the balance over a 12 month period.
- Q. Does the University participate in tuition assistance for military personnel?
A. Yes. The University participates in the Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES) Program. The DANTES Program provides tuition assistance to members of the military.
- Q. What are a graduate’s chances of passing the California Bar Examination after completing the JDAT Program?
A. Very good. The overwhelming majority of candidates who regularly sit for the Bar Examination ultimately pass. An objective of the university is to provide the student with the educational background necessary to qualify to sit for the examination and the skills necessary to pass the examination in the shortest possible time. The study of law is a personal commitment and the success on the Bar Examination is directly related to the degree of that commitment and the prior experiences of the student. Many Taft University graduates have passed the examination on the first attempt.
- Q. How soon can I get started?
A. First year students may commence formal study on the first Monday of January, April, July, or September. (In 2007, there will also be a November study commencement date for first year students.) Second and third year students may commence study on the first Monday of October or April. Fourth year students may commence study on the first Monday of May or December. To allow sufficient time to obtain books and materials and initiate the login process, all enrollments must be finalized at least five business days before formal study can commence. An enrollment can be finalized only upon the receipt by the University of a properly executed Enrollment Agreement.
Program
