Admissions FAQs

Is Thomas Jefferson School of Law accredited?
Yes, the Law School is accredited by the Committee of Bar Examiners of the State Bar of California (CBE) and WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).

Study at, or graduation from, this law school may not qualify a student to take the bar examination or be licensed to practice law in jurisdictions other than California. A student who intends to seek licensure to practice law outside of California at any time during their career should contact the admitting authority for information regarding its education and licensure requirements prior to enrolling at this law school.

Am I eligible to take the bar examination in another state?
Because the Law School’s JD program is accredited by the California State Bar’s Committee of Examiners (CBE), graduates of the Law School will be academically qualified to sit for the California Bar Examination. All J.D. students should register with the CBE their first year in law school; forms are available at the State Bar website.

Graduates can also become eligible to practice in a number of other states after meeting criteria set out by the admitting authority in those states. For additional information regarding state-by-state requirements, see the National Conference of Bar Examiners Comprehensive Guide to Bar Admissions, Chart 3: Domestic Legal Education Requirements.

Are interviews required?
The Law School requires some applicants to complete interviews. Interviews are conducted by members of the faculty and Admissions Officers and allow the Committee to assess an applicant’s perseverance, maturity, skills and aptitude, beyond the LSAT or GRE and undergraduate grade point average. Applicants who are not invited to interview may request a meeting with the Admissions Office to learn more about the Law School, discuss the merits of their application and have their questions answered. 

Is a college degree required for admission?
Yes. Completion of at least an Associate degree is required.

What standardized tests do you accept?
We accept the LSAT and GRE.

Is there a minimum test score required to apply?
No, there is no minimum score required to apply. Each applicant is a unique individual, and each application to Thomas Jefferson School of Law is considered individually. Every application receives full, careful, and personalized consideration.

Is federal financial aid available? 
Eligible students may apply for federal aid. To apply, students must complete a FAFSA form. Students are eligible to receive federal aid each year equivalent to the cost of attendance, which includes tuition, fees, books and living expenses (housing, food, transportation). Additional details can be found here: https://www.tjsl.edu/financial-aid/

Do you offer scholarships?
Limited scholarships are available. Learn more about our scholarships here: https://www.tjsl.edu/financial-aid/#scholarships

What is the cost for tuition?
Tuition rates are available here: https://www.tjsl.edu/admissions/tuition/ Our JD program is about half the cost of tuition at ABA-approved law schools in Southern California, saving our students tens of thousands of dollars.

As an incoming 1L, how do I register for classes?
Students who are admitted and submit a seat deposit will automatically be registered into the prescribed first-year classes for the appropriate term.

Do you offer an Early Start or Accelerated program?
Early Start Program: Yes, we offer students admitted into the fall program the opportunity to get a jumpstart on law school by enrolling in up to 3 classes. The Early Start program begins in June and runs for 8 weeks. Students can earn up to 6 credits during the program. Classes are held in late-afternoons and evenings (4-10 p.m.), and are scheduled with the working student in mind. 

Accelerated Program: Students who choose to earn credits during multiple summer terms may be able to accelerate their program by one term depending on course availability.  Students must complete their course of study for the J.D. degree no earlier than thirty months after commencing law school.

How many years does it take to complete the program?
Full-time students typically graduate in three years, and part-time students in four. Graduates of the JD program are immediately eligible to take the California bar examination. For information about graduation requirements, please see the JD Student Handbook.

What is the sequence of classes?
For a chart detailing the sequence of classes, please visit the Program of Study page (https://www.tjsl.edu/academics/curriculum/jd-curriculum/jd-program-of-study/).

When Are New Students Enrolled?

Do you offer academic specialties?
Yes. We offer an array of courses in Criminal Law, Entertainment & Sports Law and Intellectual Property Law. Interested applicants may apply for admission into the first-year fellowship programs in the areas listed here https://www.tjsl.edu/academics/law-fellowship-programs/. We also offer a number of electives that focus on matters of social justice and public policy.

Can I participate in clinics and internships?
Yes. We highly encourage participating in as many internships and clinics before graduation in order to maximize your “real world” experience and develop your professional networks before going into practice. We have found that the more our graduates participate in experiential learning, the more successful they are in finding jobs and succeeding in the workplace. Learn more about our clinics and internships https://www.tjsl.edu/academics/clinics-internships/