Who We Are

If the standard of a law school's greatness is the caliber of its students, the success of its graduates and the dedication of its faculty, then there is no doubt that the Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University stands among the nation's best. Our Achievements and Rankings illustrate the breadth of our excellence.

group of law students talking
We seek the best and brightest students to join our community of scholars, and we prepare them for success every step of the way. You cannot get lost here. The deans and professors will know you from the day you walk in the front door, and you will know them.

Our alumni have achieved top leadership positions in government and in business, and have excelled in private practice. We are proud of the number of graduates who have attained judicial office in Pennsylvania, New York, California, and many other states.

Finally, there is one factor that distinguishes our law school, and that, quite simply, is the fact that we are part of Duquesne University, a Catholic institution dedicated to moral, ethical and spiritual values. In an era when ethical concerns are among the most important questions facing the legal profession, the Duquesne Kline School of Law reflects the University's unique emphasis on justice and service to others. Those values are outlined in our Learning Outcomes and Performance Criteria.

Dean Barton speaking with a newly admitted law student
This unequaled combination of attributes—with the convenience of Full-Time Day, Part-Time Day and Evening programs—and our unparalleled location in downtown Pittsburgh, within walking distance to the courts, technology corridor, government agencies and corporate leaders, make the Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University a leader in legal education.

 

Degree Programs

Becoming a lawyer opens career possibilities. At the Duquesne Kline School of Law, we offer diverse programs to fit your path and where you are in life to turn your goals into reality.

Juris Doctor (J.D.)

The study of law concerns the rules and the facts. Students acquire knowledge of the rules and the facts through broad, required courses, which are intended to provide the requisite skills to become a competent attorney in any field of practice. Find a program that fits your schedule - Full-time, Part-time, Day or Evening. *Admission criteria and performance standards are the same for all J.D. students.

picture of students outside of Tribone Center

Joint Degrees

Students may participate in dual and joint degree programs with the Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University and select graduate programs. Upon admission, students consult with each school to plan their course of study. There are joint degree options with Business, Environmental Science, Healthcare, Philosophy, and Divinity.

School of Law Registrar

The School of Law Registrar’s Office offers efficient student and alumni services and accurate academic record information. Students turn to the office for academic planning, course registration, current academic calendar, exams, graduation, certifications, rankings, and assistance in many other areas. If you have questions about how we can help you, please stop by the office, email, or call us. 

Academic Calendar

Class Schedules

Courses

Forms

Stop by our offices to talk to us in person, or email us directly.

Administration and Staff

 

Be Prepared

 
Professor talking by classroom whiteboard

Legal Research & Writing

The Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University offers you a nationally ranked Legal Research and Writing Program. Duquesne Kline Law has very small class sizes with exceptionally low student:faculty ratios. As a result, faculty provide students with extensive critiques using computer-based feedback techniques. In addition to multiple faculty-supervised writing courses and student publication opportunities, there are several advanced legal writing courses taught by faculty in the Legal Research and Writing Program addressing writing for law practice, legislative drafting, and law and literature.

Female law professor enthusiastically presenting to class

Comprehensive Bar Preparation

Duquesne Law makes it a top priority to ensure that you are thoroughly prepared for the bar examination, so you can be practice ready when you graduate. Bar-passage rates are "the single best outcome measure...in assessing whether a law school is maintaining a 'rigorous program of legal education'," according to the American Bar Association. Our success in bar passage speaks for itself. And it begins early, because our admissions practices look beyond cold statistics to see the potential in every applicant. Our Achievements and Rankings illustrate this.

Bar Studies
Female and male law student reviewing a textbook together

Clinics & Externships

The Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University's Tribone Center for Clinical Legal Education is comprised of community-focused clinics, externship opportunities, a pro bono program and fellowships. Clinical education is one of the instructional cornerstones of the Duquesne Kline's Tribone Center for Clinical Legal Education. All of these programs provide student attorneys with hands-on client experiences and often include opportunities to appear in court, while serving the public and earning credit.

Learning Outcomes

The Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University equips its students with more than knowledge of the law. A legal education at Duquesne comprises extensive procedural and substantive knowledge, practical experience, an understanding of professional ethics, and the skills required to be a competent member of the legal community.

A.1. FUNDAMENTALS & BAR EXAM: Remember and explain the black-letter law in the core doctrinal areas.

A.2. LEGAL POLICY: Recognize the law's theoretical frameworks and trace their influence and the influence of extra-legal factors (e.g., politics, history, culture, etc.) on the development of substantive doctrine.

A.3. LEGAL SYSTEM: Explain and differentiate among key conceptual categories of law and understand the hierarchy of authority.

A.4. PRACTICAL KNOWLEDGE DEVELOPMENT: Integrate information from multiple sources (e.g., opinions, statutes, regulations, rules, scholarly analysis) to identify operative legal rules, principles and concepts.

A.5. SPECIALTY AREAS: Remember and explain the black-letter law in the substantive and procedural law on specialized topics.

B.1. INTERVIEWING, COUNSELING, AND NEGOTIATING: Investigate and analyze facts to achieve a client's objectives or otherwise solve a legal problem and recommend a solution.

B.2. LEGAL ANALYSIS AND REASONING: Critically read the applicable authority, including identifying the key rules within each authority; synthesize the relevant rules into an analytical framework, identifying which rules the court is most likely to apply, and apply the rules to the relevant facts.

B.3. LEGAL RESEARCH: Create and execute an effective, efficient legal research strategy to conduct legal research with the appropriate use of sources and technology.

B.4. PROBLEM SOLVING: Develop systems and procedures for effectively working with other people and to ensure that time, effort, and resources are allocated efficiently in a legal practice.

B.5. WRITTEN AND ORAL COMMUNICATION: Draft legal and non-legal documents in the manner expected of a competent new lawyer and communicate orally in a manner appropriate for the audience and purpose.

C.1. CULTURAL COMPETENCE: Work with others of diverse backgrounds and understand the importance of building an inclusive community characterized by interdependence, dignity, equality, compassion, and respect.

C.2. DILIGENCE: Demonstrate a strong work ethic, engage in productive time management, understand the principles of timely project submittal, and be punctual and respectful.

C.3. LEADERSHIP: Exemplify servant leadership through ethical conflict resolution and emotionally intelligent engagement in team building, collaboration, and cooperation.

C.4. PRO BONO: Possess knowledge and understanding of the lawyer's professional and civic responsibility to advance the mission of community service.

C.5. PROFESSIONAL INTEGRITY: Uphold a strong sense of honor and conduct affairs with honesty, dignity, and care, while treating others with civility, fairness, and respect.

D.1. JUDGMENT: Recognize the importance of relevant non-legal considerations when advising clients regarding available outcomes and avenues, such as moral, emotional, economic, social, and political considerations.

D.2. RESPECT FOR OTHERS: Practice in a diverse society and world by engaging competently with persons from a variety of backgrounds and holding a variety of views.

D.3. REFLECTION AND SELF-EVALUATION: Develop an ability to critically evaluate the performance of self and others when performing legal tasks including recognizing, evaluating, and understanding one's own roles in resolving ethical dilemmas.

D.4. SELF-CARE: Seek and use resources when necessary to address personal challenges including managing workload and stress; recognize common causes of lawyer misconduct and be aware of sources of support for lawyers.

Prepared for Success

At our Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University, we strive to impart complex law and leadership skills on tomorrow's trailblazers.

Teaching Leadership

Collaborative and Interdisciplinary Learning

Recognizing the rapidly changing landscape unfolding before us, we are committed to equipping our lawyers for modern law practice. As part of our Vision, we are integrating critical skills such as financial fluency and business acumen along with a sophistication and command of emerging technology trends that are transforming our society and global economy.

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Principles of Leadership

The world we occupy is in demand of ethical professionals who will dutifully serve society according to the constitutional and moral obligations of the law. Our Spiritan mission is a vocation of that honor-and we take our calling one step further by offering our students leadership development opportunities. Our goal is to place within them the necessary tools to step into the world as well-rounded individuals who are similarly poised to lead as conscientious citizens.

Leadership Fellows Program

Community Well-being

Our academic law community is based on guiding principles that truth is paramount and that our Catholic and Spiritan foundations are ever critical complimentary aspects of the law. We model our studies on the guide that all people are equal and as such, are deserving of respect and reverence. We realize that law instruction is demanding. That is why we dedicate part of what we do to incorporating sustainable life habits that center on healthy and fulfilled living.

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Group shot at bar swearing in 2022

Policies and Procedures

As an ABA-accredited law school, Duquesne Kline School of Law is subject to the ABA Standards for Approval of Law Schools. The official listing of all policies and procedures for students of the Duquesne Kline School of Law is accessible via the link below.