The UNT Dallas College of Law is meeting our goal to widen access to legal education. We believe a community's lawyers should be as diverse as the communities they serve. We are committed to serving a wide range of students who have the potential to be successful lawyers.
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Juris Doctor degree
| Full-Time Division | Part-Time Division |
|---|---|
| Generally three years to complete degree | Generally four years to complete degree |
| 15 hours per semester (average) | 6-11 hours per semester (average) |
The J.D. program is an 90-hour curriculum culminating in the Juris Doctor degree. Students at UNT Dallas College of Law have two options for pursuing their degree in law: full-time division or part-time division. The full-time division is designed for students who plan to devote nearly all of their time to the study of law. The part-time division is especially suited for students who plan to work during law school. Applicants can designate in their application whether they are applying to the full-time division, the part-time division, or to both. Both divisions begin in the fall semester of each year. Admission in the spring or summer is not offered. Eligibility for admission to the J.D. program requires a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university.
Admissions Criteria for First Year Law Students
The UNTD College of Law seeks students with the desire and ability to become excellent legal professionals. The College of Law also seeks to enroll a diverse student body with a variety of perspectives, experiences, and viewpoints that will enhance the education of all its students.
To evaluate these qualities, we will review and consider all components of the applicant’s file: academic record, LSAT score, personal statement, resume, letter(s) of recommendation, and an optional interview. Applicants who have previously attended another law school are required to have an interview as part of the application process. The review takes into account factors such as the applicant’s background, honors and achievements, service to others, communication skills, talents relevant to the practice of law, hardships overcome, advanced degrees, work experience, leadership, and diversity. (Diversity includes racial and ethnic diversity as well as other differences, such as age, socio-economic background, educational and professional backgrounds, and military service or law enforcement experience.)
In reviewing the applicant’s academic record, considerations include the level of course work completed as an undergraduate, performance in courses involving critical and analytical thinking, demonstrated written and oral communication abilities, and trends in grades received throughout college.
As to the LSAT, the College of Law does not have a minimum LSAT score requirement. We agree with the Law School Admission Council’s Statement of Good Admission and Financial Aid Practices: “LSAT scores provide at best a partial measure of an applicant’s ability and should be considered in relation to the total range of information available about a prospective law student. Thus, the LSAT score should be used as only one of several criteria for evaluation and should not be given undue weight.”