The Charleston School of Law is dedicated to preparing students to provide public service while pursuing productive and responsible careers in the legal profession. The school offers full- and part-time courses of study leading to the Juris Doctor degree to college graduates of high moral character and demonstrated academic ability.

To be eligible for a Juris Doctor degree, a student must have received course credit for 88 credit hours or the equivalent, satisfactorily completed all required courses, attained a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.00, satisfied the advanced legal writing requirement, fulfilled the ABA residency requirement, and conducted himself or herself as a fit candidate for admission to the bar.

Students must complete a minimum of 45 credit hours in residence at the Charleston School of Law.

It is expected that students enrolling in the full-time division will graduate in three years and those in the part-time division in four years.

Any student who wishes to enroll in more than the standard number of credit hours, i.e., more than 16 credit hours in the full-time division or fewer than 8 credit hours in the part-time division, must obtain the written approval of the Dean. Absent extraordinary circumstances, such approval will not be granted.