Two-Year Accelerated J.D. - SCALE
Welcome to SCALE – A Groundbreaking Path to Your J.D. in Just Two Years
SCALE at Southwestern is the nation’s first ABA-accredited, two-year accelerated J.D. program. SCALE is designed for driven students who are ready to fast-track their legal careers. The program combines an immersive, hands-on curriculum with real-world legal training, ultimately equipping graduates to become practice-ready attorneys in a fraction of the time.
In SCALE, you’ll join a smaller, highly interactive cohort where personalized support and close mentorship from faculty are standard. The collaborative environment fosters deep connections among students, professors, and staff, creating a community where you are supported at every step of your journey.
The SCALE curriculum has been thoughtfully developed since its inception in 1975 to provide experiential learning without sacrificing any part of the traditional law school experience. SCALE students have access to a range of electives, honors programs, externships, and clinics, allowing them to gain hands-on legal experience across diverse areas of interest.
Due to SCALE’s unique curriculum and the pace of the program, our admissions process includes a personal interview to ensure compatibility. This one-on-one conversation allows you and your interviewer to discuss your goals and determine if SCALE aligns with your aspirations.
SCALE is a registered trademark owned by Southwestern Law School
Small Class Sizes
SCALE cohorts and class sizes are intentionally smaller and more interactive than traditional three-year J.D. programs, allowing for a unique learning environment where students receive close, personalized attention. With the small size of our cohorts, students build professional and personal relationships with their peers, faculty, and supporting staff, creating a tight-knit community that enhances learning and collaboration. The small SCALE class size allows for more in-depth discussions and faculty guidance, ensuring students develop the skills and confidence they need for their legal careers. This intimate setting allows students to engage more deeply with their faculty and peers, fostering an environment that mirrors real-world legal practice.
Flexible and Hands-On Curriculum
In SCALE, students participate in unique hands-on experiences throughout their two years in law school. All SCALE students participate in Evidence labs and Civil Procedure simulations where students take on roles as attorneys and engage with realistic legal scenarios in a guided environment. SCALE also offers extensive experiential learning through externships that place students directly in legal settings, experiential electives that build practical skills, and honors programs that provide opportunities for advanced, hands-on projects. Additionally, SCALE students have the flexibility to take non-SCALE electives, allowing them to explore areas of law that align with their personal interests. The combination of hands-on learning, personalized course options, and professional externship placements equips SCALE graduates with extensive preparation for legal practice while offering them the flexibility to shape their own law school journey.
Guaranteed Externships
Practical education lives at the heart of the SCALE curriculum, and every SCALE student receives a guaranteed full-time externship in Quarter 8 of the program. Recent placements include ACLU of Southern California, CHIRLA, HBO, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, NBCUniversal, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, the Supreme Court of California, the United States Copyright Office, and the United States District Court.
What is SCALE?
SCALE is the country’s first ABA-accredited and longest-running two-year J.D. program, with its first class graduating in 1977.
What is the typical SCALE class size?
The SCALE first-year class has consisted of 50-60 students in recent years.
When does the first year of SCALE start for the 2025-2026 academic year?
SCALE Orientation will take place on Monday, June 16, 2025. SCALE I (first-year) classes will begin on Tuesday, June 17, 2025. More of our 2025-2026 dates are on the Academic Calendars website.
Can SCALE students live on campus?
Despite our earlier start date, SCALE students are still about to lease from the Residences at 7th. SCALE-specific lease dates are available to ensure students are situated in the Residences before the start of the program. Students interested in on-campus housing may contact the Housing Leasing Office (housing@swlaw.edu or 213-738-5500) or visit The Residences at 7th website for more information.
What is the cost of the SCALE Program?
The cost of the SCALE Program is comparable to all other programs at Southwestern. A detailed breakdown of the program’s cost can be found on our Tuition & Fees website.
When do applications open?
Applications to Southwestern for the upcoming academic year opened in September 2024. While there is no separate application for the SCALE Program, through the LSAC application, applicants can rank the programs at Southwestern in order of preference. We will still consider an applicant for SCALE even if the program is not their first choice. For more information, please contact Admissions (admissions@swlaw.edu or 213-738-6834) or visit our Admissions – J.D. website.
Are scholarships available for SCALE?
All entering students, regardless of program, are eligible to receive a scholarship pending an admission decision. Scholarship amounts do not differ from program to program and are based on merit. It is strongly recommended that students submit their application as soon as possible if they wish to be considered for a scholarship.
If I receive admission and a scholarship award for my first-choice program, would the scholarship transfer over if I ultimately decide to make SCALE my first choice?
Yes, the scholarship amount would transfer to the SCALE program if you decide to switch and make SCALE your first choice.
Is it more competitive to be accepted into SCALE compared to other Southwestern programs?
Like all Southwestern programs, SCALE considers whether applicants are a good fit for the program based on a holistic review of their application. Students will be prompted to rank their preference of Southwestern program. Ranking the SCALE Program as your first choice does not negatively impact your chances of acceptance into Southwestern. If an applicant is not the right fit for SCALE’s unique curriculum and pace, the applicant will be considered for Southwestern’s other J.D. programs, regardless of the applicant’s ranking preference.
Why is there an interview process for SCALE?
All applicants must complete an interview before any decisions are made. Given the unique nature of the program, the interview is an opportunity for both the applicant and their interviewer to assess compatibility with SCALE. Interviews are typically held over Zoom with a member of the SCALE interview team, though in-person interviews may also be available. Applicants may request an in-person interview when responding to our invitation to interview. In-person interviews may be granted and scheduled pending interviewer availability.
Interviews are conducted from January to May.
How can I prepare for my SCALE interview?
Upon scheduling an interview, applicants will receive an in-depth video explaining the SCALE program. The video will provide details on the SCALE curriculum and class schedule. In addition to watching this video, we recommend that applicants review the SCALE website, write down any questions they may have about the program or Southwestern, and review their application.
What can I expect during the interview?
During the interview, a member of the SCALE interview team will get to know you through a series of questions and determine the level of compatibility between you and SCALE. You will also be given the opportunity to ask any questions you may have. Interviews typically last 30 to 45 minutes.
How long will it take me to hear back after my interview?
Interviewed applicants can expect to hear back in two to six weeks, depending on where their application is in the review process and how many applications are being processed at the time of their interview. Applicants can check the status of their application through the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) website.
How is the SCALE Program structured?
The SCALE Program follows a quarter system, each quarter lasting approximately 10 to 12 weeks. The curriculum is divided into eight quarters, with four quarters per academic year and a summer session between the first and second years. SCALE I comprises Quarters 1 through 4, and SCALE II comprises the SCALE Summer Session and Quarters 5 through 8.
How many hours of class are there in a day?
Students can expect to attend 2 to 3 classes daily, roughly 15 to 18 hours of class per week. Classes do not typically begin before 9 a.m. in the first year of SCALE, and typically end between 3 and 4 p.m.
Does SCALE require the same number of units as the traditional program?
SCALE requires 87 units for graduation, the same number of units as all other J.D. programs at Southwestern. SCALE students take 10 to 12 units per Quarter and approximately 6 units during the Summer Session.
Can a SCALE student take electives outside of those in the SCALE curriculum?
Yes, there is flexibility during the Summer Session and the second year of SCALE for a student to take electives outside the established SCALE curriculum. Typically, if a course is not in direct conflict with a SCALE-required course, a student will be able to enroll in the elective course(s).
Can SCALE students pursue a concentration?
Yes. SCALE Students have the same opportunity to pursue concentrations as students in the other Southwestern J.D. Programs. Southwestern currently offers seven concentrations:
- Civil Litigation & Advocacy
- Criminal Law & Advocacy
- Critical Race, Gender and Sexuality Studies
- Entertainment & Media Law
- Labor & Employment Law
- Public Interest Law
- Technology Law & Entrepreneurship
SCALE students who choose to pursue a concentration are typically able to satisfy the requirements with SCALE-required courses and elective courses. Students can meet with the Associate Dean, Senior Assistant Director, and/or concentration director to discuss ways to fulfill their desired concentration.
Does SCALE allow for externships?
All SCALE students participate in a guaranteed eight-to-ten-week externship during their last Quarter of the program. Many SCALE students also choose to pursue an externship during the Summer Session.
Can SCALE students participate in an honors program?
SCALE students in good standing may participate in an honors program, including the Advocacy Programs (Negotiation Honors Program, Moot Court Honors Program, and Trial Advocacy Honors Program) and/or Law Journal/Law Review.
