Quinnipiac University School of Law
The information on this page was provided by the law school.
Official Guide to ABA-Approved JD Programs
Quinnipiac University School of Law offers a distinctive, student-centered legal education in the heart of the Northeast corridor, perfectly positioned between New York City and Boston. At Quinnipiac Law, students don’t just study law; they become practice-ready professionals shaped by a rigorous curriculum, close faculty mentorship, and a strong commitment to values-based learning. With a focus on educating the “whole lawyer,” the school empowers future attorneys to lead with integrity, serve with compassion, and advocate with confidence in an increasingly complex legal world. A 5:1 student-to-faculty ratio fosters deep academic support and collaboration, while full-time and part-time JD pathways provide the flexibility to meet students where they are and take them where they want to go.
The JD Program
Curriculum: Integrating theory and practice
Quinnipiac Law’s curriculum is designed to prepare students for the realities of modern legal practice through a balanced foundation in legal theory, practical skills, and professional development. From the first year, students build core competencies in legal analysis, writing, and research, while also exploring ethical responsibilities and real-world problem-solving. Upper-level offerings include a wide range of specialized courses, clinics, externships, and concentrations in fields such as health law, criminal law, family law, and civil advocacy. Experiential learning is at the heart of the program, with numerous opportunities to represent clients, work with judges and attorneys, and engage in policy work. Whether full-time or part-time, students graduate confident, capable, and ready to make an immediate impact in their chosen field.
Exceptional Faculty, Personalized Mentorship
Exceptional Faculty, Personalized Mentorship
Quinnipiac Law’s faculty are more than educators. They are mentors who take a personal interest in each student’s development, offering guidance, support, and expertise throughout the law school journey. With professional experience in areas such as public defense, prosecution, civil litigation, and corporate law, they bring a powerful combination of academic excellence and practical insight into the classroom. Faculty are also actively engaged in cutting-edge research and advocacy on critical legal issues including disability and transgender rights, human trafficking prevention, and cybersecurity and information privacy. The school’s low 5:1 student-to-faculty ratio fosters meaningful interaction, personalized feedback, and lasting relationships that often continue well beyond graduation.
Part-time faculty, many of whom are prominent judges and attorneys from across the region, further enrich the academic experience by bringing diverse, real-time perspectives from the courtroom and boardroom.
The law school’s Distinguished Practitioners in Residence program adds another valuable dimension. These accomplished legal professionals work closely with students through teaching, mentoring, and supervising research, offering real-world expertise and individualized career guidance.
Clinics and Externships: Real Clients, Real Impact
Thanks to Connecticut’s liberal student-practice rule, Quinnipiac Law students can begin representing real clients under attorney supervision as early as their first summer, well ahead of students in most other states. This early access allows students to gain more practical experience throughout law school and graduate with a strong foundation in legal practice.
Every Quinnipiac Law student is guaranteed participation in at least one clinic or externship, and many take part in more than one. Through these opportunities, students move beyond theory to meet the real-world challenges of clients, communities, and the justice system. Over the past three years alone, students in the school’s legal clinics have provided more than 48,000 hours of free legal services.
The law school offers 17 clinic practice areas and more than 350 externship placements across Connecticut and beyond. Students work alongside lawyers, judges, legislators, policy-makers, and mediators in a wide range of settings.
Clinic Practice Areas
- Advocacy for Survivors of Domestic Violence, Trafficking & Other Trauma
- Constitutional Law
- Criminal Defense Appellate Practice
- Criminal Prosecution Appellate Practice
- Employment Law
- Family Law
- Housing Law & Justice
- Human Trafficking Prevention
- Immigrants’ Rights Policy
- Immigration and Refugee Law
- Mediation
- Negotiation
- Prisoner Reentry
- Special Education Advocacy
- Tax
- Transgender Rights
- Women’s Rights
Externship Categories
- Business
- Corporate Counsel
- Criminal Justice
- Employment & Labor
- Environmental & Energy
- Family and Juvenile
- Health
- Immigration
- Intellectual Property
- Judicial
- Legal Services
- Legislative
- Mediation
- Private Practice
- Probate Law
- Public Interest
- Sports and Entertainment
- Tax
- Transactional Law
Impact Beyond the Classroom
At Quinnipiac Law, students don’t just gain experience—they create real change in the world around them.
- Human Trafficking Prevention Project students recently visited a youth detention center to educate young people about trafficking risks and prevention. They’ve also led multiple “Know Your Rights” seminars across Connecticut.
- In Immigration Law, students secured a gender-based asylum grant for a Salvadoran woman and her son after an eight-year legal battle—and subsequently helped her husband obtain legal status.
- In the Civil Justice Clinic, students filed a federal class-action lawsuit seeking improved COVID-19 protections and compassionate release for incarcerated individuals. More recently, they’ve taken on special education advocacy, ensuring vulnerable children receive the services they’re legally entitled to in school.
- Through the Family Law externship with Lawyers for Children America, students participated in home visits, investigations, and hearings to advocate for the best interests of children in the foster care system.
- Students involved in the Cold Case Unit at the State’s Attorney’s Office played a key role in a landmark trial—the first in Connecticut to use genealogy DNA evidence. They examined witnesses and helped secure a conviction for a series of sexual assaults from the 1980s.
- In the Tax Law Practicum, students successfully resolved a case involving over $100,000 in disputed IRS liability, helping their client—who was unfairly burdened due to a former spouse—achieve financial relief.
- A Privacy Law extern helped lead a multi-state initiative to harmonize privacy laws for connected vehicles, ensuring consumer data is protected in the fast-evolving world of automotive tech.
- In the Homelessness Mitigation Mediation Project, students worked alongside professionals to mediate eviction cases and prevent homelessness across the state.
Clinic and externship students have also:
- Argued before the Connecticut Appellate and Supreme Courts
- Represented clients in state and federal agencies
- Drafted legislation that became law
- Served as second chair in felony trials
- Testified before the state legislature
- Handled contract negotiations and cease-and-desist proceedings
The Bridge to Practice: A Three-Phase Pathway to Professional Readiness
The Bridge to Practice curriculum delivers an integrated, three-phase learning journey that transforms law students into practice‑ready professionals. Bridge I (Foundations) grounds first‑year students in essential professional identity development, legal research competencies, and foundational career planning, fostering both academic and personal resilience in full‑ and part‑time tracks. Bridge II (Applied Learning & Bar Preparation) expands practical readiness through upper‑year experiential coursework, including six credits of hands‑on legal experience designed to build contextual insights critical for both legal practice and bar success. Finally, Bridge III (Post‑Graduate Success) supports graduates in the pivotal period leading up to the bar exam. Students benefit from enrollment in a comprehensive commercial bar review course, structured study settings, wellness resources, and simulated testing sessions, ensuring a smooth transition to licensure and the profession.
Committed to Justice: Public Interest Law at Quinnipiac
Quinnipiac Law fosters a vibrant public interest community through student organizations, experiential learning, and dedicated support programs. The Public Interest Law Project (PILP) leads the way, organizing the largest student-run fundraiser of the year, an annual auction that provides grants enabling students to pursue summer public interest placements with organizations such as the Kings County District Attorney’s Office, the Middle District of Alabama Federal Defender Program, Dolores Street Community Services, and the Massachusetts Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts. PILP also sponsors Poverty Awareness Week, a series of panel discussions and campus events that explore the challenges faced by underserved populations.
The International Human Rights Law Society collaborates with the Albert Schweitzer Institute to offer service-learning trips to Guatemala. This immersive experience allows students to engage with local communities, NGOs, and legal professionals, deepening their understanding of international human rights. Students may also specialize in International Law and Policy and combine coursework with field experiences abroad to prepare them for advocacy in both domestic and global contexts.
Additional institutional support includes the Public Interest Scholarship, awarded to students with a strong commitment to public service, and the Loken Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP), which helps public interest graduates manage student debt. Eligible students may also access summer federal work-study funding to support employment at nonprofit or government organizations.
Dual Degrees and Certificate Programs
Quinnipiac Law offers a range of specialized academic pathways to help students tailor their legal education to their career goals:
- JD/Certificate in Tax Law
Gain in-depth expertise in federal and state tax law through focused coursework and practical experience. - JD/MBA (Master of Business Administration)
Combine legal training with advanced business and management skills to prepare for careers in corporate law, compliance, or entrepreneurship. - JD/MSW (Master of Social Work)
Designed for those pursuing careers in family law, juvenile justice, or advocacy, this dual degree integrates legal and social work perspectives. - JD/MERL (Master of Energy Regulation and Law) *
Focus on the complex legal and policy challenges related to energy systems, regulation, and sustainability. - JD/MCEP (Master of Climate and Environmental Policy) *
Prepare to work at the intersection of law, policy, and environmental science to address climate change and environmental protection. - JD/MPP (Master of Public Policy) *
Equip yourself with the legal and policy tools needed to influence public systems, governance, and reform.
*Master’s degree offered in partnership with Vermont Law & Graduate School
Global Perspectives: International Opportunities at Quinnipiac Law
Quinnipiac Law offers a robust range of international opportunities designed to build global awareness and cross-cultural legal skills. Through the International Law and Policy concentration, students explore international human rights, tax, and criminal law to prepare for careers with a global focus. Students can participate in international externships, service trips to Guatemala, and Quinnipiac’s summer legal study abroad program at Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland. Quinnipiac is also the only law school represented at the World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates and offers additional experiences through partnerships with the United Nations and the Oxford Consortium for Human Rights.
Student Life
Student Activities: Journals, Competition Teams, Community
More than 30 student organizations give Quinnipiac Law students the chance to follow their interests alongside equally passionate fellow students and step up to leadership. The organizations represent the full spectrum of professional and networking interests, with new student-led initiatives added every year. Among the opportunities are a dynamic Student Bar Association (SBA) and groups focusing on public service, organizations that hone in on a particular areas of the law, affinity groups, and groups focused on advocacy, professional networking, and recreation. The law school’s stellar competition teams (Moot Court Society, Mock Trial Society, and Society for Dispute Resolution) provide participants the chance to practice skills and develop expertise through participation in regional and national competitions. Likewise, the Quinnipiac Law journals, Quinnipiac Law Review, Health Law Journal, and Probate Law Journal, offer the opportunity to delve into legal scholarship. Our student organizations include:
- American Constitution Society
- Asian Pacific American Law Students Association
- Black Law Students Association
- Business Law Society
- Cannabis Law Society
- Criminal Law Society
- Environmental Law Society
- Family and Juvenile Law Society
- Federalist Society
- Health Law Society
- Human Trafficking Prevention Project
- Intellectual Property Law Society
- International Human Rights Law Society
- Italian American Law Students Association
- Jewish Law Students Association
- Latinx Law Students Association
- Military Law Society
- Mock Trial Society
- Moot Court Society
- Muslim Law Students Association
- National Lawyers Guild
- OutLaws (LGBTQIA+ and allies)
- Phi Alpha Delta Legal Fraternity
- Public Interest Law Project
- QU Law Soccer
- QU Law Softball
- Quinnipiac Health Law Journal
- Quinnipiac Law Review
- Quinnipiac Probate Law Journal
- Society for Dispute Resolution
- Sports & Entertainment Law Society
- Student Bar Association
- Tax Law Society
- Trivia Club
- Women’s Law Society
Three Tiers of Support: Peer, Faculty, and Alumni Mentoring
A true open-door spirit pervades Quinnipiac Law and is exemplified by the Day One Mentoring program, which connects incoming students with a strong support network before classes even begin and continues through graduation and beyond. Each new student is paired with a peer mentor from the 2L or 3L class, providing a valuable source of guidance on everything from study strategies and course selection to navigating law school life. Students are also encouraged to participate in the optional faculty mentoring component, which helps them explore academic and career interests with personalized support from experienced professors.
Now further strengthened by the addition of alumni mentors, the program offers students access to practicing attorneys who can provide real-world insight, professional perspective, and networking opportunities. This three-tiered model—peer, faculty, and alumni—ensures that students are supported throughout their law school journey by individuals who understand the path ahead. Many students find these relationships to be a vital part of their success, both academically and professionally.
Our Location: The Power of Place
Quinnipiac Law’s beautiful and dynamic Northeast location places students within one of the nation's highest concentrations of private law firms, corporations, and financial institutions. The School of Law Center, located on Quinnipiac University’s North Haven Campus, offers a stunning, state-of-the-art facility within a vibrant graduate and professional environment. The campus is also home to the university’s medical school and programs in health sciences, nursing, social work, and education, creating opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration and innovative partnerships. The law school has been recognized as one of the best in the nation for its facilities, ranked #2 in the country by preLaw magazine.
Quinnipiac Law continues to grow as a hub for the region’s legal community, a welcoming and intellectually engaged setting where the exchange of ideas thrives. The law school is at the forefront of critical legal conversations in areas such as immigration, health law, and social justice, and it offers a robust calendar of professional events year-round, many of which are open to students. Its location provides ready access to real-world opportunities, including the Connecticut State Capitol in Hartford, the corporate and legal markets of Stamford, and the vibrant legal, nonprofit, and cultural communities of nearby New Haven.
Career Placement and Bar Passage
Tuition and Aid
Approximately 97 percent of Quinnipiac Law students receive some form of financial assistance, reflecting the school’s strong commitment to making legal education accessible and affordable. All applicants are automatically considered for merit-based scholarships, which range from $5,000 to full tuition. Students retain their scholarship as long as they remain in good standing.
For optimal consideration for admission and scholarships, candidates are encouraged to submit their applications by early March for fall entry. However, applications are accepted on a rolling basis until August 1.
Applicants interested in the Dean’s Fellows full-tuition scholarship must submit a completed application by the priority deadline of February 1.
For the 2025–2026 academic year, total institutional scholarships and grants exceeded $8 million, demonstrating Quinnipiac Law’s substantial investment in student success.
Admission Decisions: Beyond the Numbers
At Quinnipiac University School of Law, our focus is on educating the whole lawyer. We empower you to retain your personal values and sense of self while teaching you to be skilled, knowledgeable, and ethical practitioners of the law. Quinnipiac Law has a responsibility to educate lawyers who will serve the legal needs of all members of society. With this responsibility in mind, we enroll students whose lived experience suggests that they have the capacity to make a substantial contribution to the learning environment of the law school and to distinguish themselves in serving the community through the practice of law, policy improvement, government service, legal scholarship, or other law-related activities. We aspire to educate lawyers who will serve the needs of communities that have been historically underserved by the legal profession.
While past academic performance and LSAT scores are important aspects of an application, we also consider additional factors including, but not limited to: letters of recommendation; the clarity and quality of writing (throughout the entire application); advanced degrees; employment history; commitment to community service; experience navigating social, educational, physical, or economic challenges; moral character; academic growth and improving grades; rigor of undergraduate curriculum; extracurricular activities; distinctions/honors achieved; and life experience.
Admitted Applicant Profile
