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School of Law

Academics

Students may take relevant courses in other programs and apply credit toward the J.D.; a maximum of 12 hours credits may be applied. The following joint degrees may be earned: J.D./M.B.A. (Juris Doctor/Master of Business Administration), J.D./M.D. (Juris Doctor/Doctor of Medicine), J.D./M.P.A. (Juris Doctor/Master of Public Administration), J.D./M.S. (Juris Doctor/Master of Science in agriculture economics), J.D./M.S.A.C. (Juris Doctor/Master of Accounting), J.D./M.S.B.T. (Juris Doctor/Master of Science in biotechnology), J.D./M.S.E.T. (Juris Doctor/Master of Science in environmental toxicology), J.D./M.S.F.F.P. (Juris Doctor/Master of Science in family financial planning), J.D./M.S.P.F.P. (Juris Doctor/Master of Science in personal financial planning), and J.D./M.S.P.S.S. (Juris Doctor/Master of Science in crop science/horticulture).

The School of Law offers concentrations in corporate law, criminal law, environmental law, intellectual property law, international law, and litigation. We have certificate programs in Business Law, Health Law and Law and Science. Second- and third-year students may take clinics including Low Income Tax (2 credits), Civil Litigation (4 credits), and Criminal Justice (4 credits). There are numerous seminars for second- and third-year students who have completed prerequisites. A number of externships are available to second- and third-year students for credit. Independent research programs are available for advanced students and in conjunction with the 3 Centers of Excellence. There are various special lecture series including the Sandra Day O’Connor Lecture Series. There is a Summer Law Institute in Guanajuato, Mexico and an exchange program in Lyon, France, Sevilla, Spain, and Melbourne, Australia. There is an Academic Success Program available for students needing tutorial help. Minority student organizations regularly sponsor programs for their members and the larger community. There are more than 50 special interest student groups that sponsor programs. The most widely taken electives are Texas Pretrial Procedure, Texas Trial and Appellate, and Family Law.

To earn the J.D., candidates must complete 90 total credits, of which 55 are for required courses. They must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0 in the required courses. The following first-year courses are required of all students: Civil Procedure, Constitutional Law, Contracts, Criminal Law, Legal Practice I and II, Property, and Torts. Required upper-level courses consist of Business Entities, Commercial Law, Criminal Procedure, Evidence, Income Taxation, Professional Responsibility, and Wills and Trusts. The required orientation program for first-year students is 3 1/2 days. The program introduces students to professionalism and to basic legal skills, ethics and analysis.

In order to graduate, candidates must have a GPA of 2.0 and have completed the upper-division writing requirement.

Admissions

In the fall 2007 first-year class, 1774 applied, 758 were accepted, and 238 enrolled. Eleven transfers enrolled. The median LSAT percentile of the most recent first-year class was 65; the median GPA was 3.61 on a scale of 4.0. The lowest LSAT percentile accepted was 17; the highest was 97.

Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree and take the LSAT. The most important admission factors include LSAT results, GPA, and life experience. No specific undergraduate courses are required. Candidates are interviewed.

The application deadline for fall entry is February 1. Applicants should submit an application form, LSAT results, transcripts, a personal statement, TOEFL, if necessary, a nonrefundable application fee of $50, 2 letters of recommendation, and r

Financial Aid

About 97% of current law students receive some form of aid. The average annual amount of aid from all sources combined, including scholarships, loans, and work contracts, is $20,713; maximum, $45,918. Awards are based on need and merit. Required financial statement is the FAFSA. Special funds for minority or disadvantaged students includes private scholarships. Check with the school for current application deadlines. First-year students are notified about their financial aid application in March.

Students

About 43% of the student body are women; 11%, minorities; 2%, African American; 1%, Asian American; and 7%, Hispanic. The average age of entering students is 24; age range is 21 to 55. About 5% drop out after the first year for academic or personal reasons; 89% remain to receive a law degree.

Students edit the Texas Tech Law Review, Texas Tech Journal of Texas Administrative Law Journal, The Texas Bank Lawyer, Texas Tech Lawyer, and Estate Planning and Community Property Journal. Moot court competitions include the American Bar Association, Texas State Bar Association, and New York Bar Association. Other competitions include the ATLA Mock Trial, Tournament of Champions, John Marshall International Moot Court, American Bar Association Mock Trial, National Negotiations, and Client Counseling. Law student organizations, local chapters of national associations, and campus organizations include Women’s Caucus, Multicultural Law Students Association, Board of Barristers, Texas Tech Student Bar Association, Black Law Students Association, Criminal Trial Lawyers Association, Delta Theta Phi, Phi Alpha Delta, and Phi Delta Phi.

The law school operates on a traditional semester basis. Courses for full-time students are offered days only and must be completed within 3 years. There is no part-time program. New students are admitted in the fall. There is a 2-5 week summer session. Transferable summer courses are offered.

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