Programme Structure
The SMU J.D. is a 3-year full-time programme only, which comprises of 23 courses totaling 25 course units (Each course carries one course unit unless stated otherwise). The part-time J.D. programme is not available at SMU. Regradless of identification, JD students are not able to work during the programme due to intensive course schedule.
2022 ADMISSION COHORT ONWARDS
With effect from the 2022 admission cohort, the programme structure is revised as such:
| Law Core (17.0 course units) | + | Law Electives (8.0 course units) |
| Internship and Pro Bono Service | ||
The curriculum is designed to be completed in 3 years but the programme may be accelerated in some cases for completion within 2 years subject to the approval of the J.D. Committee, which will take into consideration their first term's exam grades.
In order to graduate, students are also required to undertake 6 weeks of internship and clock 20 hours of Pro Bono service.
Illustrative 3-year Programme (cu = course unit)
(Core modules have to be done in the year and term stated. Approval is required for any deferrals to Year 2 core modules).
| 3-Year Full-time Programme Only | |||
| Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | |
| Term 1: Aug - Dec | Contract Law 1 | Corporate Law (1.5cus) | Legal Theory and Philosophy |
| (15 weeks) | Criminal Law (1.25cu) | Law of Property (1.25cu) | Commercial Conflict of Laws |
| Legal Research Writing | Law Elective 2 | Capstone Project* | |
| Singapore Legal System (0.5cu) | Law Elective 3 | Law Elective 6 | |
| December Break | |||
| Term 2: Jan - Apr | Contract Law 2 | Constitutional and Admin Law (1.5cu) | Law of Evidence |
| (15 weeks) | Law of Torts (1.5cu) | Law of Equity and Trust (1.5cu) | Law Elective 7 |
| Legal Research Writing II (0.5cu) | Law Elective 4 | Law Elective 8 | |
| Comparative Legal Systems (0.5cu) | Capstone Project* | ||
| Summer Term 3A: May - Jun (5 weeks) | Law Elective 1 | Law Elective 5 | |
| Summer Term 3B: Jun - Jul (5 weeks) | Internship (6 weeks) | ||
| Summer Break: Jul - Aug (4 weeks) | Pro Bono (20 hours) | ||
*Capstone Project core can be done in either Year 3 Term 1 or Year 3 Term 2.
2021 ADMISSION COHORT
With effect from the 2021 admission cohort, the programme structure is revised as such:
| Law Core (17.5 course units) | + | Law Electives (7.5 course units) |
| Internship and Pro Bono Service | ||
The curriculum is designed to be completed in 3 years but the programme may be accelerated in some cases for completion within 2 years subject to the approval of the J.D. Committee, which will take into consideration their first term's exam grades.
In order to graduate, students are also required to undertake 6 weeks of internship and clock 20 hours of Pro Bono service.
Illustrative 3-year Programme (cu = course unit)
(Core modules have to be done in the year and term stated. Approval is required for any deferrals to Year 2 core modules).
| Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | |
| Term 1: Aug - Dec | Contract Law 1 | Corporate Law (1.5cus) | Legal Theory and Philosophy |
| (15 weeks) | Criminal Law (1.25cu) | Law of Property (1.25cu) | Commercial Conflict of Laws |
| Legal Research Writing | Law Elective 2 | Capstone Project | |
| Singapore Legal System (0.5cu) | Law Elective 3 (0.5cu) | Law Elective 6 | |
| December Break | |||
| Term 2: Jan - Apr | Contract Law 2 | Constitutional and Admin Law (1.5cu) | Law of Evidence |
| (15 weeks) | Law of Torts (1.5cu) | Law of Equity and Trust (1.5cu) | Law Elective 7 |
| Legal Research Writing II (0.5cu) | Law Elective 4 | Law Elective 8 | |
| Comparative Legal Systems | |||
| Summer Term 3A: May - Jun (5 weeks) | Law Elective 1 | Law Elective 5 | |
| Summer Term 3B: Jun - Jul (5 weeks) | Internship (6 weeks) | ||
| Summer Break: Jul - Aug (4 weeks) | Pro Bono (20 hours) | ||
UNTIL 2020 ADMISSION COHORT
| Law Core (18.5 course units) | + | Law Electives (6.5 course units) |
| Internship and Pro Bono Service | ||
The curriculum is designed to be completed in 3 years but the programme may be accelerated in some cases for completion within 2 years subject to the approval of the J.D. Committee, which will take into consideration their first term's exam grades.
In order to graduate, students are also required to undertake 6 weeks of internship and clock 20 hours of Pro Bono service.
Illustrative 3-year Programme (cu = course unit)
(Core modules have to be done in the year and term stated. Approval is required for any deferrals to Year 2 core modules).
| Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | |
| Term 1: Aug - Dec | Contract Law 1 | Corporate Law | Legal Theory and Philosophy |
| (15 weeks) | Criminal Law (1.25cu) | Law of Property (1.25cu) | Commercial Conflict of Laws |
| Legal Research Writing | Constitutional and Admin Law (1.5cu) | Law Elective 3 | |
| Singapore Legal System (0.5cu) | Ethics and Social Responsibility for Law | Law Elective 4 (0.5cu) | |
| December Break | |||
| Term 2: Jan - Apr | Contract Law 2 | Comparative Legal Systems | Law Elective 5 |
| (15 weeks) | Law of Torts (1.5cu) | Law of Equity and Trust (1.5cu) | Law Elective 6 |
| Law of Business Organisation | Law of Evidence | Law Elective 7 | |
| Legal Research Writing II (0.5cu) | |||
| Summer Term 3A: May - Jun (5 weeks) | Law Elective 1 | Law Elective 2 | |
| Summer Term 3B: Jun - Jul (5 weeks) | Internship (6 weeks) | ||
| Summer Break: Jul - Aug (4 weeks) | Pro Bono (20 hours) | ||