School of Law

The University of San Jose–Recoletos (USJ-R) School of Law stands as a beacon of excellence in legal education, dedicated to molding future lawyers into competent, ethical, and socially responsible professionals.

Grounded in the Augustinian Recollect tradition, the school offers a rigorous Juris Doctor program that blends academic rigor with values formation and real-world application. Through experienced faculty, dynamic legal training, and a strong commitment to justice and service, USJ-R prepares its students not only to pass the bar but to become effective advocates, leaders, and purveyors of justice in service of the Filipino people.

Looking back, USJ-R opened its College of Law during the Academic Year 1952 – 1953 with Atty. Juan Yap as the first dean. He later became Judge of the Court of First Instance of Sorsogon.

The College started with Freshmen and Sophomore classes. In the academic year 1955 – 1956, Junior and Senior classes were offered. The first graduates took the Bar Examination in 1956. 

Yap was followed by Atty. Eddy Deen in 1959. He was in turn succeeded in 1965 by Marcelo B. Fernan, who later on occupied the two highest positions in government namely the Legislative Department as Senate President and the Judiciary as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. Fernan was succeeded in 1987 by the Dean Atty. Alicia E. Bathan. Thereafter, in 2005, the deanship was passed on to Atty. Jonathan P. Capanas who leads the department to this day.

Under the leadership of Capanas, the department changed its name to the School of Law to accommodate the various programs in line with its academic objectives and legal advocacy.

In 2006, the School of Law of USJ-R established ties with San Sebastian College-Recoletos in Manila and opened the Recoletos Law Center. The center houses the Pre-Bar Review, Advanced Pre-Bar Review, and Mandatory Continuing Legal Education Program among others. To date, the Recoletos Law Review Center is one of the biggest of its kind outside Metro Manila.

Today, this School offers three programs namely Juris Doctor (formerly Bachelor of Laws), Law Enhancement-Refresher Program, and Law Pre-Bar Review Program. Its programs are tailored to fit the schedule of working professionals. 

Admission Requirements

• Transcript of Records
• Honorable Dismissal
• Certificate of Good Moral Character 
• 5 pieces 2x2 ID photo
• PSA Birth Certificate
• Entrance Exam (for non-USJ-R graduates)
  • Morning: 9:30AM
  • Afternoon: 1:30PM

To apply for admission and enrollment, visit edp.usjr.edu.ph and click POST GRADUATE.

For assistance, send a message to our official Facebook page.