Juris Doctor - Criminal Law (Accelerated) in Boston United States | Suffolk University

Suffolk University | Boston United States
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Qualification
Juris Doctor
Languages
English
Delivery Mode
On-Campus
Tuition (2025)
USD 56,460
Attendance
Full-time
Full-time Duration
24 months

Suffolk Law's accelerated JD program caters to ambitious, dedicated students eager to tackle year-round coursework to complete their law degree a full year ahead of traditional programs. Given the rigorous nature of this track, admissions are extremely competitive with limited available spots.
Participants in Suffolk Law's accelerated program can obtain their JD in just 24 months (full-time) or 36 months (part-time evening). While following the same core curriculum and credit requirements as standard JD candidates, accelerated students compress their timeline by attending summer sessions before and after their first academic year.
Criminal law encompasses a broad spectrum of our legal framework. Unlike most legal disciplines, students typically arrive at law school with preconceived notions about criminal justice, shaped by undergraduate courses, media portrayals, and personal encounters. Yet real-world criminal practice extends far beyond courtroom theatrics or police interactions. This field examines everything from the philosophical foundations of punishment that shape legislation, to courtroom procedures governing prosecutions and defenses, through to the complex interplay of punishment theory and policy. As public law, criminal cases position the state as both plaintiff and aggrieved party, with government entities overseeing judicial processes and frequently providing defense counsel. Consequently, criminal law prioritizes societal welfare over individual redress, beginning with statutory definitions of offenses, procedural regulations, and correctional administration. These mechanisms operate within constitutional safeguards at state and federal levels, ensuring governmental power remains balanced and equitable when directed against citizens. In certain instances, international legal standards provide additional protections against potential abuses of authority.


Destination of Study

Subjects of Study

Language Requirements

English
IELTS 6.5

Qualification Requirements

Applicants are required to take either the Law School Admission Test (LSAT), the Graduate Record Exam (GRE), or the JD-Next Exam.
Transcripts and Recommendations - You'll need to submit all college and graduate school transcripts and at least two letters of recommendation through LSAC's Credential Assembly Service (CAS). You must register for this service separately. Letters of recommendation must be sent through LSAC. Letters will not be accepted if sent directly to the Office of Law Admission.
Resume - Applicants are required to submit an updated resume with their application. Upload your resume as part of the LSAC.org application to Suffolk Law School. Any gaps in employment or education should be noted and explained in a separate addendum submitted with the personal statement.
Personal Statement - Upload your personal statement (essay) as part of the LSAC application to Suffolk Law School.
Letter of Recommendation - Submit at least two letters of recommendation (no more than three) through LSAC's Credential Assembly Service (CAS). A recommendation should come from a college professor if you have graduated from college within the past three years. If you have been out of school longer than three years, your recommendation may come from a professional source. Letters of recommendation should never come from family member or friends. Letters of recommendation must be sent through LSAC. Letters will not be accepted if sent directly to the Office of Law Admission.
Official Academic Transcript -Register for LSAC's Credential Assembly Service (CAS). You must register for this service separately. This service authenticates all transcripts and recommendations. This is also how we receive your LSAT score(s). You must submit transcripts for all collegiate, graduate and professional study. This is also how we receive your LSAT score(s). Official copies of transcripts for all collegiate, graduate and professional study by the applicant must be sent directly to LSAC from the college or graduate school. Applicants who are still attending an undergraduate institution should submit all transcripts up to the most recent semester completed. All new students must provide a final transcript evidencing a bachelor's degree conferred. This is an ABA requirement.
Although the Law School considers each application in its entirety, applicants with the highest likelihood of admission to the Law School will have attained a score of at least 80 (internet based) or a score of 6.5 on IELTS.

Tuition USD 56,460
Boston, MA, United States
Type
Private
Degrees offered
Bachelor's Degree

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