The decision to attend law school remains a sound, smart, and fulfilling investment in yourself and your future. In a complex world facing many serious challenges, the need for competent, ethical, and compassionate legal practitioners is stronger than ever.

Located near the heart of Washington, D.C., a city like no other and the center of our nation’s legal system, The Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law (Catholic Law) is among the best choices you can make if your goal is to graduate with the skills — such as critical legal analysis, legal writing, and effective oral advocacy—that are essential to successful legal practice in the 21st century. 

At every turn, our approach to legal education can be summarized with three words: practical, focused, and connected. Practical means you will learn by doing; focused offers the chance to choose among many different areas of legal study for academic emphasis; connected describes professors who take a personal interest in you, students who treat each other like family, and a supportive alumni network.

There is a metro stop (red line-CUA/Brookland) on campus. This allows students to easily access a multitude of year-round externship opportunities. The ease of access for those who work in the district and who are looking for a part-time J.D. program creates an ideal opportunity to take part in Catholic Law's supportive Part-time/Evening Program. For added convenience, there is also a parking garage attached to the law school building with street parking available as well.

 

Course Requirements

First-year courses focus on analytic skills and understanding key substantive areas of law. Graduation requirements include professional responsibility and writing.

 

Practice Areas

Upper-level students who want to specialize in a particular area of the law can pursue either a practice area concentration or one of our intensive certificate programs. There are also joint degree programs available with the other graduate schools at Catholic University.

 

Clinics and Practical Training

Through clinics, externships, moot court opportunities, and transition-to-practice capstone courses, the Catholic Law experience prepares students to graduate with practice-ready skills.