Juris

Master of Laws (Juris) at The University of New Mexico is a comprehensive graduate program designed for legal professionals and graduates seeking advanced knowledge and specialization in various areas of law. This program offers students the opportunity to deepen their understanding of legal principles, improve their research and analytical skills, and prepare for careers in academia, public service, private practice, or specialized legal fields. The Juris program at UNM emphasizes the development of critical thinking, ethical reasoning, and effective communication within complex legal environments. Students may have the option to choose electives in diverse legal disciplines such as criminal law, civil rights, environmental law, intellectual property, and more, allowing for tailored educational experiences aligned with their career goals. The program combines rigorous coursework, practical training, and research opportunities, often involving participation in clinical programs, internships, or externships that provide real-world legal experience. Faculty members are experienced legal scholars and practitioners committed to mentoring students and supporting their professional growth. Graduates of the Juris program are well-equipped to succeed in legal practice, academia, government agencies, or non-profit organizations. The University of New Mexico’s location offers unique advantages for studying law, including access to regional legal issues and connections to diverse communities. Overall, the Juris program prepares students for the challenges of modern legal careers by fostering a thorough understanding of legal theories, substantive law, and procedural practices, combined with opportunities for specialization and professional development.

To graduate from UNM with a J.D degree, a student must meet all of the following requirements:

Credit Hours and Class Hours

The student must earn at least 86 hours of law credit. A class hour consists of 50 minutes. One class hour per week of recitation or lecture throughout a semester earns a maximum of one credit hour.

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 required first-year curriculum offered upon entrance.
• Second-Year. Students must take the two credit Legal Research course in their second year (effective with the class of 2013)  They also must take the Constitutional Rights class in the Fall of the second year.
• Professional Responsibility. Students must take and pass Ethics, a professional responsibility course. This requirement is a pre- or co-requisite with the clinic program.
• Clinic. The student must participate satisfactorily in at least six hours of clinical law school credit, as prescribed by the faculty. No extern field experience courses or skills courses apply toward this requirement. There are pre-requisites and/or co-requisites for some clinical courses. To be eligible for clinic courses, a student must have successfully completed 40 credit hours.

Writing Requirements

• Writing Seminar Requirement. Students may fulfill the writing requirement by enrolling in a designated "writing requirement seminar," normally in the second year, or the first semester of the third year.

  The criteria for an acceptable seminar will include: a single paper written by one student alone that requires research. The paper must represent at least 75% of the seminar grade. The course must be taught by a regular or emeritus faculty member.

• Drafting Course Requirement. There is a requirement to take a drafting course in the second or third year. If the writing requirement seminar is going to be done in the third year, the drafting course must be done in the second year.

  The criteria for a suitable drafting class will be: a substantial written product or series of products which are collectively substantial that require research (with the exception of well-conceived closed drafting classes). The written work is to be done by one student alone and the work will represent 75% of the course grade. The course may be taught by a regular, emeritus, or adjunct faculty member, or visiting faculty with comparable qualifications.

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 525. Conflict of Laws. (1-4)
• LAW 526. Constitutional Rights. (1-4)
• LAW 527. Business Planning. (2-4
• LAW 528. Legal Research I. (1)
• LAW 529. Criminal Procedure I-4th, 5th, 6th Amendments. (1-3)
• LAW 530. Federal Estate and Gift Tax. (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 535. Health Law Moot Court. (1-2)
• LAW 537. Labor Law. (1-3)
• LAW 538. Natural Resources Journal I. (2-3)
• LAW 540. Copyright Law. (2-3)
• LAW 541. Human Rights Law. (2-3
• LAW 544. Oil and Gas. (1-3)
• LAW 546. Antitrust Law I. (2-3)
• 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 554. Indian Water Law. (2-3
• LAW 555. Jurisprudence. (2-3)
• 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 563. National Moot Court Competition. (1-3)
• LAW 564. Indian Gaming. (2-3)
• LAW 565. Natural Resources. (1-3)
• LAW 566. Taxation of Business Enterprises. (2-3)
• LAW 567. National Mock Trial Competition. (1-3)
• LAW 569. Natural Resources Journal IV. (2 )
• LAW 570. Introduction to Alternate Methods of Dispute Resolution. (2-3)
• LAW 573. Computer Law. (2-3)
• LAW 577. Spanish for Lawyers I. (2)
• LAW 579. Tribal Courts. (2-3)
• LAW 580. Environmental Law. (1-3)
• LAW 581. Insurance. (2-3)
• LAW 582. Economic Development in Indian Country. (2-3)
• LAW 584. Indian Law. (2-3)
• LAW 586. Tribal Law Journal IV-Editors. (2)
• LAW 588. Legal History of New Mexico. (1-3)
• LAW 589. Information, Technology and Law. (2-3)
• 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 601. Art Law. (2-3)
• 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 613. Sexual Orientation and the Law. (2-3)
• LAW 614. Administrative Law. (2-3)
• LAW 622. Payment Systems. (1-3)
• LAW 623. Sales of Goods. (2-3)
• LAW 624. Mexican Legal Systems. (2-3)
• LAW 625. Supreme Court Decision-Making. (2-3)
• LAW 626. International Criminal Law. (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 633. Advanced Trial Practice. (2-6)
• LAW 634. Children's Law. (2-3)
• LAW 635. Land Use Regulation. (2-3)
• LAW 636. NAFTA: A Comparative Approach. (2-3)
• LAW 639. New Mexico Law Review II. (2-3)
• LAW 641. Overview of Mexican Business Law. (2-3)
• LAW 642. Sports Law. (2-3)
• LAW 643. Spanish for Lawyers II. (2)
• LAW 644. Specialized Legal Research. (1-2)
• LAW 646. Environmental Law Moot Court Competition. (1)
• LAW 650. Mental Health and Retardation Law. (2-3)
• LAW 654. State and Local Tax. (2-3)
• LAW 661. Williams Institute Moot Court Competition. (1)
• LAW 662. Mental Disability and Criminal Law. (1-3)
• 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 670. Animal Law. (2-3)
• LAW 679. International Business Transactions. (2-3)
• LAW 691. Intellectual Property Law. (2-3)
• LAW 710. Pre-Trial Practice. (2-3)
• LAW 714. Law Office Management. (1-3)
• LAW 718. Interviewing, Counseling and Negotiations. (1-3)
• LAW 720. Mexican Externship Program. (2-3)
• LAW 721. Law Extern Program. (2-3)
• LAW 725. Alternate Disposition Resolution Externship. (2-3)
• LAW 726. Community Lawyering Clinic. (1-6)
• LAW 727. Southwest Indian Law Clinic. (1-6)
• LAW 728. Business and Tax Clinic. (6)
• LAW 729. Advanced Clinic. (1-3)
• LAW 730. Criminal Law in Practice. (4-6)
• LAW 740. Law Practice Clinic. (1-6)
• LAW 744. Judicial Extern. (2-3)
• LAW 750. Ethics. (2-3)

• Currently hold, or will have earned by the time of matriculation, a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university or foreign equivalent
• Have taken, or plan to take this admission cycle, the Law School Admission Test (LSAT)
• A completed application form submitted through LSAC.org
• Nonrefundable $50 application fee
• Personal Statement
• Resume or Curriculum Vitae
• Credential Assembly Service (CAS) Report
  • An academic summary report
  • LSAT score(s) and writing sample(s)
  • All undergraduate, graduate, and law/professional transcripts
  • Letters of recommendation
• Demonstrate proficiency in English. If English is not your first language or if English is not the official language spoken in your country, you must submit results from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). The minimum acceptable score on the TOEFL is 600 on the paper-based test, 250 on the computer-based test, or 100 on the internet-based test. Please see TOEFL for more information.
• All international applicants will be required to submit documentation verifying adequate funding to meet study and living expenses while in the United States. An international applicant must provide proof of funding equivalent to at least one year’s cost of attendance for nonresident applicants (tuition + cost of living expenses).

Financing for the Juris program at The University of New Mexico is structured to support a diverse student body through a variety of financial aid options. Students enrolled in the Juris program may be eligible for federal and state financial aid programs, including grants, loans, and work-study opportunities. The university encourages prospective and current students to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine their eligibility for need-based aid. Additionally, the School of Law offers merit-based scholarships, which are awarded based on academic achievement, personal statement, and other criteria. These scholarships can significantly reduce the financial burden of law school attendance.

Students might also explore external funding sources such as private scholarships, fellowships, and loans from financial institutions. The university's financial aid office provides comprehensive guidance on applying for these resources, as well as information on loan repayment options and financial planning strategies. For international students, funding opportunities may be more limited, but some scholarships may be available based on citizenship and academic merit.

The Juris program's cost of attendance includes tuition, fees, books, living expenses, and personal costs. Tuition rates are published annually by the university, and students should refer to the official website for the most current figures. The university also offers payment plans to help students manage their expenses more flexibly over the academic year. Many students work part-time or participate in externships to supplement their income during their studies.

The university is committed to providing equitable access to legal education, and as such, it offers assistance in navigating financial aid applications and understanding the long-term implications of borrowing. Prospective students are advised to consult with the university’s financial aid counselors early in their application process to maximize available resources and to develop a realistic financial plan for their legal education.

The Juris program at the University of New Mexico is a comprehensive legal education designed to prepare students for successful careers in law. The program offers a rigorous curriculum that combines core legal principles with specialized courses, allowing students to develop a deep understanding of the law as it applies across various fields such as criminal law, civil rights, environmental law, and more. The University of New Mexico School of Law emphasizes practical skills through moot court competitions, internships, and clinics, providing students with real-world experience that complements their academic studies.

The program is structured to foster critical thinking, analytical skills, and ethical reasoning, essential qualities for effective legal practitioners. Students have access to a diverse faculty who are experts in their fields and dedicated to mentoring future lawyers. The university's location in Albuquerque offers unique opportunities for legal internships and engagement with local, state, and national legal issues, giving students practical exposure and potential employment pathways after graduation.

The Juris degree typically takes three years of full-time study to complete, with part-time options available for working students. The curriculum includes foundational courses such as Contracts, Torts, Constitutional Law, Property, and Civil Procedure, along with electives that allow students to tailor their legal education to their interests and career goals. The program also promotes a strong sense of community and encourages participation in student organizations, law journals, and public service activities.

Graduates of the UNM Juris program are well-prepared to take the bar examination and pursue various legal careers, including practicing law in private firms, government agencies, or non-profit organizations. The university's strong alumni network and career services support students in job placement and professional development after graduation. Overall, the JD program at the University of New Mexico is committed to developing highly competent, ethical, and socially responsible legal professionals.

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