Your Academic Experience
Year 1: Build Your Legal Foundation
In your first year (and part of your second), you’ll complete a curriculum carefully curated to equip you with the knowledge and skills essential for success in law school and beyond: Civil Procedure I and II, Constitutional Law, Contracts I and II, Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure I, Evidence, Law and Ethics of Lawyering, Legal Research and Writing I–III Property I and II, Responsible Lawyering I and II, and Torts.
Years 2 and 3: Gain a Competitive Edge
Once you understand the basics of the law, your next step is to become familiar with different areas of the law and discover where your career passions lie. Choose from more than 100 electives, which include judicial internships, as well as clinics and courses that simulate a practice environment, so you can fine-tune your professional path and gain practical experience that gives you a competitive edge.
Stories of Success
“Choosing a law school with a part-time program enabled me to pursue my dream of becoming an attorney and provided the flexibility to build my Résumé through full-time internships, clinics, and employment.”
“I was able to experience what life is really like as counsel for an international corporation.”
“Our graduates stay, grow their careers, and help build our communities. We’re woven into the fabric of New England.”
“There are hundreds of law schools to choose from, but very few of them leave the impression New England Law does on its students.”
Program Curriculum
Course Schedule for Law Students
First Year Required Courses
| Fall Term | Credits | Spring Term | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civil Procedure | 4 | Contract II | 3 |
| Contacts I | 2 | Property II | 2 |
| Property I | 3 | Legal Research and Writing II | 2 |
| Legal Research and Writing I | 2 | Constitutional Law | 4 |
| Torts | 4 | Constitutional Law | 3 |
| Responsible Lawyering I | .5 | Responsible Lawyering II | .5 |
| Total Credits | 15.5 | Total Credits | 14.5 |
Second Year Required Courses
| Fall Term | Credits | Spring Term | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Evidence | 3 | Law and Ethics of Lawyering | 3 |
| Criminal Procedure | 3 | Electives | 9-12 |
| Electives | 6-9 | – | – |
| Total Credits | 12-15 | Total Credits | 12-15 |
Third Year Required Courses
| Fall Term | Credits | Spring Term | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electives | 12-15 | Advanced Legal Writing Requirement | 1 |
| – | – | Advanced Legal Analysis | 3 |
| – | – | Electives | 7-10 or 0-12* |
| Total Credits | 12-15 | Total Credits | 12-15 |
Course Schedule
Evening Part-Time Program: First Year Required Courses
| Fall Term | Credits | Spring Term | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civil Procedure I | 2 | Civil Procedure II | 2 |
| Contacts I | 2 | Contacts II | 3 |
| Legal Research and Writing I | 2 | Legal Research and Writing II | 2 |
| Torts | 4 | Criminal Law | 2 |
| Responsible Lawyering I | .5 | Responsible Lawyering II | .5 |
| Total Credits | 10.5 | Total Credits | 10.5 |
Evening Part-Time Program: Second Year Required Courses and Electives
| Fall Term | Credits | Spring Term | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Property I | 2 | Property II | 3 |
| Constitutional Law | 4 | Criminal Procedure I | 3 |
| Electives | 3 | Electives | 3-6 |
| Electives | 0-3 | – | – |
| Total Credits | 9-12 | Total Credits | 9-12 |
Evening Part-Time Program: Third Year Required Courses and Electives
| Fall Term | Credits | Spring Term | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Law & Ethics of Lawyering | 3 | Electives | 9-12 |
| Electives | 6-9 | – | – |
| Total Credits | 9-12 | Total Credits | 9-12 |
Evening Part-Time Program: Fourth Year Required Courses and Electives
| Fall Term | Credits | Spring Term | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electives | 9-12 | Advanced Legal Writing Requirement | 1 |
| – | – | Advanced Legal Analysis | 3 |
| – | – | Electives | 5-8 |
| Total Credits | 9-12 | Total Credits | 9-12 |
Course Schedule
Day Part-Time Program: First Year Required Courses
| Fall Term | Credits | Spring Term | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civil Procedure | 4 | Constitutional Law | 4 |
| Contacts I | 2 | Contacts II | 3 |
| Legal Research and Writing I | 2 | Legal Research and Writing II | 2 |
| Torts | 4 | Criminal Law | 3 |
| Responsible Lawyering I | .5 | Responsible Lawyering II | .5 |
| Total Credits | 12.5 | Total Credits | 12.5 |
Day Part-Time Program: Second Year Required Courses and Electives
| Fall Term | Credits | Spring Term | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Property I | 3 | Property II | 2 |
| Evidence | 3 | Law and Ethics of Lawyering | 3 |
| Criminal Procedure | 3 | Electives | 4-7 |
| Electives | 0-3 | – | – |
| Total Credits | 9-12 | Total Credits | 9-12 |
Day Part-Time Program: Third Year Electives
| Fall Term | Credits | Spring Term | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electives | 9-12 | Electives | 9-12 |
| Total Credits | 9-12 | Total Credits | 9-12 |
Day Part-Time Program: Fourth Year Required Courses and Electives
| Fall Term | Credits | Spring Term | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electives | 9-12 | Advanced Legal Writing Requirement | 1 |
| – | – | Advanced Legal Analysis | 3 |
| – | – | Electives | 5-8 |
| Total Credits | 9-12 | Total Credits | 9-12 |
The curriculum for this two-semester, 24-credit program comprises:
- Academic Excellence
- Course and writing requirements:
Constitutional Law, Law and Ethics of Lawyering,
Substantial Writing Requirement (may be satisfied by the completion of a seminar or
Legal Research and Writing I, II, or III) - Electives
Pursue Your Legal Passion. Tailor Your Career Path.
-
100+ Electives
Electives will make up half of your course load, providing plenty of freedom to choose. Explore different areas of law, experiment, and familiarize yourself with those you’re most interested in. Delve deeper into those that interest you most; we offer robust programs in many areas, including business, criminal, international, family, real estate, and tax law.
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Certificates and Concentrations
Graduate with the knowledge and experiences to hit the ground running in an area of law you’re passionate about, with a concentration or certificate in an in-demand field. We offer a certificate in criminal practice and procedure and concentrations in business law, family law, international law, litigation, public interest law, small firm practice, or trusts and estates.
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Clinics and Externships
Represent real clients in the field, under supervision. Gain hands‑on experience drafting motions, negotiating settlements, and advocating in court, while earning academic credit and professional mentorship. New England Law is one of the nation’s few schools that guarantee a clinical or externship experience to all interested students: you may take up to four before you graduate.
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Study Abroad
Spend a summer in Galway, Ireland, at the Irish Centre for Human Rights. Or spend a semester at The Lebanon Tribunal or the International Criminal Court in The Hague, the Netherlands, the International Human Rights Institute in London, or the U.S. Department of State in Washington, DC, and learn the inner workings of these vital organizations.
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Summer Courses
New England Law offers several courses each summer. These courses are open to current New England Law students and those in good standing at any ABA-accredited U.S. law schools and at Canadian and European university law programs.
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Personalized Support
From the Academic Excellence Program for first‑year students to our Honors Program, we offer every student guidance and support to meet their individual needs.
Top-Ranked Bar Preparation
Designed and led by a recognized expert in test-taking skills and strategies, our top-ranked Bar Examination Preparation Program helps students pass the bar at higher rates.
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Email: admit@nesl.edu
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