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.


Courses

LAW 500. Comparative and Historical Legal Perspectives. (1-3)



LAW 501. Introduction to Constitutional Law. (3-4)



LAW 502. Contracts I. (2-4)



LAW 504. Criminal Law. (3-4)



LAW 505. International Law. (2-3)



LAW 506. Elements of Legal Argumentation I. (1-4)



LAW 507. Practicum. (1-2)



LAW 508. Property I. (2-4)



LAW 510. Torts. (3-4)



LAW 512. Civil Procedure I. (2-4)



LAW 513. Elements of Legal Argumentation II. (3-4)



LAW 516. Entertainment Law. (2-3)



LAW 517. Trial Practice. (2-3)



LAW 520. Business Associations I. (2-3)



LAW 523. Secured Transactions. (1-3)



LAW 524. Community Property. (1-3)



LAW 526. Constitutional Rights. (1-4)



LAW 529. Criminal Procedure I-4th, 5th, 6th Amendments. (1-3)



LAW 531. Health Law. (1-5)



LAW 532. Evidence. (2-4)



LAW 533. Family Law I. (3-4)



LAW 534. Federal Income Tax. (3-4)



LAW 544. Oil and Gas. (1-3)



LAW 547. Water Law. (2-3)



LAW 550. Mediation. (2)



LAW 551. Family Mediation Training. (2)



LAW 552. Federal Jurisdiction. (2-3)



LAW 553. Financial Literacy. (1-2)



LAW 556. National Hispanic Moot Court. (1-2)



LAW 557. Wills and Trusts. (1-4)



LAW 558. Frederick Douglas Moot Court Competition. (1)



LAW 559. National Native American Moot Court. (1-2)



LAW 560. Introduction to U.S. Law, Procedure, and Legal Education. (4)



LAW 565. Natural Resources. (1-3)



LAW 567. National Mock Trial Competition. (1-3, may be repeated once Δ)



LAW 569. Natural Resources Journal IV. (2)



LAW 577. Spanish for Lawyers I. (2)



LAW 580. Environmental Law. (1-3)



LAW 581. Insurance. (2-3)



LAW 584. Indian Law. (2-3)



LAW 586. Tribal Law Journal IV-Editors. (2)



LAW 593. Topics in Law. (1-9, no limit Δ)



LAW 594. Independent Research. (1-3)



LAW 595. Tribal Law Journal I-Staff. (1)



LAW 596. Tribal Law Journal I-Editors. (1-2)



LAW 598. Tribal Law Journal II-Staff. (1)



LAW 605. Advanced Constitutional Rights. (2-3)



LAW 606. Civil Procedure II. (3-4)



LAW 607. Employment Law. (2-3)



LAW 608. Property II. (3-4)



LAW 614. Administrative Law. (2-3)



LAW 623. Sales of Goods. (2-3)



LAW 625. Supreme Court Decision-Making. (2-3)



LAW 627. Criminal Procedure II-Bail to Jail. (2-3)



LAW 628. Law of Indigenous People. (2-3)



LAW 629. Bankruptcy. (1-3)



LAW 631. Remedies. (2-4)



LAW 632. Evidence/Trial Practice. (3-6)



LAW 635. Land Use Regulation. (2-3)



LAW 639. New Mexico Law Review II. (2-3)



LAW 642. Sports Law. (2-3)



LAW 646. Environmental Law Moot Court Competition. (1)



LAW 663. Topics in Comparative Law. (1-3 to a maximum of 24 Δ)



LAW 665. First Amendment Rights: Church and State. (2-3)



LAW 667. Immigration Law. (2-3)



LAW 669. New Mexico Law Review IV. (2)



LAW 691. Intellectual Property Law. (2-3)



LAW 710. Pre-Trial Practice. (2-3)



LAW 718. Interviewing, Counseling and Negotiations. (1-3)



LAW 721. Law Extern Program. (2-3 to a maximum of 6 Δ)



LAW 726. Community Lawyering Clinic. (1-6)



LAW 727. Southwest Indian Law Clinic. (1-6)



LAW 729. Advanced Clinic. (1-3)



LAW 730. Criminal Law in Practice. (4-6)



LAW 744. Judicial Extern. (2-3 to a maximum of 6 Δ)



LAW 750. Ethics. (2-3)



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Office of the Registrar

MSC11 6325
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM 87131

Phone: (505) 277-8900
Fax: (505) 277-6809