Juris Doctor

Degree Offered

Juris Doctor (J.D.)

The University of New Mexico School of Law offers a full-time course of study leading to the degree of Juris Doctor (J.D.).

Dual Degree Programs

Juris Doctor and Master of Arts, Master of Science, or Doctor of Philosophy: The School of Law and Graduate Studies (along with a participating graduate unit) offer a Dual Degree Program leading to the J.D. and the Master of Arts (M.A.), Master of Science (M.S.), or Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in an academic field. See the Graduate and Professional Dual Degree Programs section of this Catalog.

Juris Doctor and Master of Arts in Latin American Studies: The School of Law and the Latin American Studies program in the College of Arts and Sciences offer a Dual Degree Program leading to the J.D. and the Master of Arts (M.A.) in Latin American Studies. See the Graduate and Professional Dual Degree Programs section of this Catalog.

Juris Doctor and Master of Accounting: The School of Law and the Anderson School of Management offer a Dual Degree Program leading to the J.D. and the Master of Accounting (M.Acct.). See the Graduate and Professional Dual Degree Programs section of this Catalog.

Juris Doctor and Master of Business Administration: The School of Law and the Anderson School of Management offer a Dual Degree Program leading to the J.D. and the Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.). See the Graduate and Professional Dual Degree Programs section of this Catalog.

Juris Doctor and Master of Public Administration: The School of Law and the School of Public Administration offer a Dual Degree Program leading to the J.D. and the Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.). See the Graduate and Professional Dual Degree Programs section of this Catalog.

Admission Requirements

Information about the procedure for applying to the School of Law is contained in the School of Law Catalog. All applicants for admission to the School of Law are required to take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT), to register for the Law School Data Assembly Service and to have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university before time of registration. Application material is available after September 1; the application deadline is February 1.

Beginning law students are admitted at the opening of the fall semester only. No part-time students are admitted.

Graduation Requirements

Detailed information about graduation requirements for the School of Law is contained in the School of Law Bulletin and Handbook of Policies. To be graduated from the University of New Mexico with a J.D. degree, a student must meet all of the following requirements:

Residence: The student must spend the equivalent of at least two full academic years in residence at accredited law schools.
Credit hours: The student must earn at least 86 credit hours of law.
Grade point average: The student must attain at least a 2.00 overall grade point average.
Required Courses:
First-year: The student must take the full first-year curriculum offered upon entrance.
Professional responsibility: The student must take and pass a professional responsibility course: LAW 750 Ethics.
Clinic: The student must participate satisfactorily in at least 6 credit hours of clinical law school courses, as prescribed by the faculty. No extern field experience courses or skills courses apply toward this requirement. There are prerequisites and/or corequisites for all clinical courses.
Legal Research: The student must take the course Legal Research in their second year.
Writing requirement: Students are required to complete the Writing Requirement by completing two classes: a writing seminar and a drafting class.

Transfer Procedures

The School of Law accepts a limited number of transfer students who have completed one full-time year at other ABA-approved law schools. Transfer applicants are considered for admission only if they: 1) have outstanding records at the law school previously attended, or 2) are in good standing at the law school previously attended; are residents of New Mexico and have a compelling reason to continue their legal education at the University of New Mexico.

Credit hours earned at other law schools that do not meet their minimum graduation requirements are not acceptable for transfer credit to the UNM School of Law. A maximum of 6 credit hours from law courses may be transferred to the M.S.L. program. Credit hours from a substantially equivalent, required M.S.L. introductory course also may be transferred.

The deadline for submitting transfer applications is June 15. The deadline for completing a transfer application file is July 15. If admitted to the J.D. with advanced standing, the student’s right to continue in the program depends entirely on coursework completed at UNM. Transfer students are ineligible for certain prizes and awards given by the UNM School of Law.

Keys and Symbols Reference