Juris Doctor Executive Track (JDET)

School of Government & Law

Gain Legal Knowledge to Grow Your Career with Our JDET Program.

The legal system has an ever-increasing impact on both the personal and business lives of nearly all individuals. Our Juris Doctor Executive Track program is designed for individuals who desire a broad-based education in business law to enhance their current career, to obtain a clearer understanding of the regulatory process, to increase their ability to interact with the legal system, to improve their ability to anticipate potential legal problems both personally and professionally, or simply for personal enrichment. In addition to obtaining a comprehensive legal education in matters related to business, graduates benefit from increased analytical reasoning and communication skills.

Our Juris Doctor Executive Track program is not intended to, and will not, qualify graduates to sit for any bar examination. This affords the student greater flexibility in the completion of the program. For many, it is the best alternative for individuals that hold a strong interest in the law but have no desire to become an attorney.

Many law school graduates use their legal knowledge in areas outside the legal profession. Accountants, medical professionals, law enforcement officers, educators, and many others have found legal training to be beneficial in their daily activities as well as increasing their career opportunities.

Our JDET degree program is presented through distance education using online technology requiring no classroom or seminar attendance. The program is offered in both Independent Study and Directed Study modalities.

Learning Modalities | Curriculum | Admissions Process

Upcoming Start Dates:
Independent Study: Nov 18th | Dec 9
Directed Study: Jan 20th | April 2025 TBD

Tuition: $420/credit

Credits Required: 75

Total Program Tuition: $31,500

Learning Modalities:
Independent Study & Directed Study

Admissions Requirements:
Bachelor’s Degree

Program Catalog | FAQs

Choose the Learning Modality that Works for You.

Independent Study

Our Independent Study modality gives you the flexibility to fit your program around your career and lifestyle.

While independent study courses have detailed course syllabi and clearly defined student learning outcomes, students do not have required weekly assignments or required weekly interaction with faculty. The courses of each academic year must be completed within the 49th to 52nd weeks, however within this period, the timing of the completion of the coursework generally lies with the student. This format allows maximum flexibility in allocating time between a student’s academic, professional, and personal life.

Each course in the program contains a series of lessons, generally consisting of reading assignments supplemented occasionally by various multimedia. Students are evaluated through writing assignments and examinations, which are submitted for faculty evaluation.

Pay tuition in installments completely interest-free. Monthly start dates available.

Directed Study

Our Directed Study modality offers a more structured and collaborative online learning experience.

Students will move through the program with a cohort of other students while completing a series of weekly scheduled lessons, generally consisting of reading assignments supplemented occasionally by various multimedia, in addition to regular online asynchronous discussions, giving them the ability to interact with one another. Students are evaluated through writing assignments, examinations, and discussion participation, which are submitted for faculty evaluation.

Although students are not required to login at any specific time of day, weekly attendance and participation is monitored and required to maintain satisfactory academic progress and enrollment. Each academic year consist of 49 to 52 weeks of study.

Directed Study students may apply for federal financial aid to cover the cost of their education, or students may pay tuition in installments completely interest-free — each academic year, just make a 30% down payment upfront, followed by 12 equal monthly payments.

First year start dates are in January, May, and September. Second and third year start dates begin in June and October.

Curriculum

A total of 75 credits are required for graduation from the University with a JDET. A student may transfer in a maximum of 37 credits. Courses are set for the first academic year, while the second and third academic years have select required courses and also allow students to choose some electives, dependent upon which courses are allowed at the time of enrollment.

All courses available in the JDET program are available to view below.

+ First Year Courses

LAW601E Introduction to Law (1 credit)

This is an orientation course to help prepare the lay person for the study of law. As the first law school course, it provides the new student with an understanding of principles of law and of case analysis.

LAW616E Contracts (8 credits)

This course analyzes the law relating to formation of contracts, the statute of frauds, third-party beneficiary contracts, assignment of rights and delegation of duties, liability for breach of contract including the law of conditions and discharge.

LAW612E Torts (7 credits)

This course examines laws relating to civil liability for intentional wrongs to person and property, negligence, strict liability, misrepresentation, defamation, and other civil wrongs.

LAW613E Criminal Law (5 credits)

This course probes laws relating to various criminal offenses, including crimes against the person and habitation, larceny and kindred offenses, attempt and conspiracy rules, the defenses to criminal charges, and the procedural rights of the accused.

LAW604E Legal Writing (3 credits)

This course explains how to write in a “Lawyerlike” manner and you will develop legal research skills. The student is guided through the process of how to write memoranda, letters, briefs, and answers to law exams.

+ Second & Third Year Required Courses

LAW624E Civil Procedure (6 credits)

This course dissects the federal rules relating to jurisdiction and venue; sufficiency of the complaint, answers, counterclaims, and cross complaints, joinder of parties and causes of action, and motions before, during and after trial.

LAW623E Property (7 credits)

This course reviews laws relating to the various types of real property interests including freehold, non-freehold estates and future interests, landlord-tenant relationships, conveyancing, and the use of land.

LAW646E Remedies (4 credits)

This course explores laws relating to equitable remedies, including injunction and specific performance and defenses; protection against certain types of tort liability including waste, nuisance, unfair competition, and the law of rescission and reformation.

LAW631E Business Organizations (8 credits)

This course examines the laws governing the creation, termination, and legal consequences of agency relationships, partnerships, and business corporations; advantages and disadvantages of various forms of business enterprises.

LAW622E Constitutional Law (7 credits)

This course explores the scope of federal powers, separation of powers, the federal system, the Bill of Rights, due process, equal protection, and eminent domain.

+ Electives

Students choose at least 15 credits of electives to complete their program.

LAW651E Administrative Law (3 credits)

This course is an examination of the law relating to governmental agencies, with emphasis on federal regulation. The course deals with issues such as the due process right to a hearing, adjudication, rule-making, freedom of information, secret lobbying, control of discretion, judicial review and regulatory reform.

LAW674E Alternative Dispute Resolution (3 credits)

This course focuses on the options that parties may have to settle a dispute without going to trial. Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) has become a mandatory step in many judicial districts before a matter may proceed to trial. In particular, the course examines the processes of Negotiation, Mediation, and Arbitration.

LAW633E Community Property (3 credits)

This course reviews the classification of separate and community property, liability for debts, management and control of the community, and problems arising from the dissolution of the community or death of a spouse.

LAW630E Criminal Procedure (3 credits)

This course study criminal procedure in general, with substantial emphasis on recent Supreme Court decisions affecting the procedural rights of the accused. Criminal trial practice and techniques are also covered.

LAW675E Health Care Law (3 credits)

This course provides the student with the necessary background on a wide variety of health care topics, enabling professionals to deal with the common legal and practical problems facing the health care industry.

LAW658E Intellectual Property (3 credits)

The protection of intellectual property and encouragement of creativity. Explores copyright, trademarks, trade secrets, patents, unfair competition, and selected state law theories. It provides students with a general working knowledge of the various intellectual property doctrines.

LAW672E Labor/Employment Law (3 credits)

This course examines the historical foundation for labor laws and the creation of the labor movement while focusing on the workplace of today. The laws and regulations that govern the employment relationships, particularly those related to wages, hours, benefits, and conditions are focused upon. The distinctions between public and private employers are also reviewed.

LAW671E Sports Law (3 credits)

This course reviews the broad spectrum of issues related to the world of sports. The course will examine such diverse issues as the power of the sports commissioner, labor negotiations, the role of the sports agent, professionalism vs. amateurism, injuries, and gender equity.

LAW650 Directed Legal Studies (1 to 6 credits)

This course consists of an independent research project written under the supervision of a law school faculty member. Subjects may vary dependent on the nature and interest o the student and requires the approval of the Dean.

LAW620E Wills & Trusts (4 credits)

This course analyzes the law relating to the creation of wills and trusts, creation of the trust relationship, charitable trusts, resulting and constructive trusts, the powers and duties of the trustee, alteration and termination of the trust, probate of wills and administration of estates.

Admissions Process

  • Apply Online

    Complete our online Application Form and attach any prepared documents. Additional documents may be emailed directly to Admissions@Taft.edu or your Admissions Representative after your application form is submitted.

    Required Documentation:

    • Bachelor’s Transcript

    • Personal Statement

    • Copy of ID

  • Get Transfer Credits Approved

    Students enrolling in our JDET program are able to transfer in up to 37 credits from previously-taken coursework.

    Please email your admissions representative or Admissions@Taft.edu with any questions.

  • Choose Your Start Date

    Independent Study students are able to begin their program on any of six start dates throughout the year.

    Directed Study students may begin on any of three start dates per year.

    Complete information about our start dates, holidays, and other important dates can be found on our Academic Calendar.

    Once you’re accepted into the program, your admissions representative will confirm your start date with you.

  • Complete Your Enrollment Materials

    Once your start date is confirmed, you’ll be provided with enrollment materials to fill out and sign. This includes your first tuition payment.