Juris Doctor
At Drake Law School, you’ll develop a solid foundation in legal theory from faculty who have practiced law and bring that experience into the classroom.
Law School | On-Campus
Program Options
Make your degree your own by taking advantage of programs that offer in-depth exploration of specific areas of law, additional degree options, and co-curricular experiences.
J.D. Curriculum
Build a strong foundation in law through a curriculum that blends required courses with a wide range of electives and special programs designed to allow you to define your experience. You’ll complement core legal training with hands-on experiences such as clinics, internships, and skills-based courses, allowing you to tailor your preparation to specific practice areas and career goals.
Certificate Programs
Our certificate programs allow you to focus on a specific area of law and demonstrate your emphasis and commitment to potential employers. Areas include artificial intelligence, constitutional law and civil rights, intellectual property, legislative practice, compliance and risk management, and more.
Academic Centers and Institutes
Drake Law School's four unique centers provide opportunities for students to pursue their professional interests while also serving the community. From drafting legislation to improving the lives of children to researching new and emerging issues in constitutional law, Drake's centers offer a wide range of opportunities for practical experience. The Institute for Justice Reform & Innovation promotes justice in courts and the legal profession through scholarship and action.
3+3 Programs
Take an accelerated path toward a legal career. Qualified students can earn an undergraduate degree and a law degree in six years rather than the usual seven.
Specializations
Drake Law School offers an incredible breadth of course options. Tailor your preparation and gain expertise in areas ranging from agricultural law to tort and commercial litigation.
Joint Degrees
Enhance your career options by combining your legal studies with another graduate program. Drake Law’s joint degree opportunities allow you to leverage your legal education while earning both degrees in less time. Options include business administration, public administration, political science, social work, public health, health care administration, and pharmacy—giving you the flexibility to deepen your expertise and broaden your career pathways.
Meet the Faculty
You’ll grow your knowledge and enhance your critical thinking as you learn from legal scholars with extensive real-world experience. A 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio provides you with individual attention and guidance as you prepare for your career.
Nickole Miller
Director of the Joan and Lyle Middleton Center for Children's Rights; Associate Professor of Law
Outside the Classroom
Blend your deep knowledge of the law and legal theory with diverse professional experiences that build your skills and allow you to make a vital contribution to your community and the profession.
First-Year Trial Practicum
See the law in action. In the only program of its kind in the country, you’ll interact with judges, attorneys, and jurors through a live jury trial held in the Drake Law courtroom.
Centers and Clinics
Hands-on exploration is central to the Drake experience. You’ll help real clients in the Legal Clinic and dive into research and service through our centers, each dedicated to a different practice area.
Internships
With Drake’s capital city advantage, you’ll have access to hundreds of internships in Des Moines and across the country. Earn credit in more than 30 areas of law while gaining real-world experience that sets you apart in your first job and every one after.
Summer in France
Gain an international perspective on the law at Nantes University Law School in France. You’ll take courses in English while getting first-hand exposure to the French legal system and culture.
Student Published Journals
Sharpen your legal acumen and build your résumé. Drake Law School boasts two student-published law journals that rank among the top in the nation. Join one of the Law School's publications as a member of the editorial board or staff.
Moot Court and Mock Trial
Hone your trial and advocacy skills by participating in one of Drake Law’s competition teams.
Careers & Skills
In-depth legal knowledge and practical skills in counseling, advocacy, research, and communication prepare Drake Law graduates to step confidently into their legal careers. In 2022, 90% of first-time test-takers passed the bar, and in a typical year, 85-90% of Bulldogs find positions requiring or preferring a J.D. within 10 months of graduation.
Considering these stats, preLaw Magazine awarded us an “A” rating on its “Best Law Schools for Practical Training” list in 2025.
You’ll find Drake Law alumni working in private practice and the judiciary system, in business and industry, and in government and public service across the United States and throughout the world. Whatever career path you choose, you’ll benefit from a 7,000+ alumni network, ongoing career support, and the confidence that comes from knowing you’re ready to make a difference.
Careers
- Intern, United States Attorney's Office
- Judicial Law Clerk, Minnesota Court of Appeals
- Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office
- Partner, Jones Day
- Public Defender, State of Iowa
- Senior Legal Counsel, Adobe Systems, Inc.
- Senior Litigation Counsel in the Fraud Section, U.S. Department of Justice
Skills
- Client counseling
- Critical thinking
- Legal document preparation
- Legal problem solving
- Legal research and analysis
- Written and oral advocacy
Salary & Growth Outlook
The median salary for lawyers in 2024. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
Take the Next Step
Access in-depth legal knowledge and formative real-world experience as you prepare to promote justice and serve clients with a J.D. from Drake Law School.
Contact
For more information, contact the Office of Admission and Financial Aid at 515-271-2782 or law-admit@drake.edu.
