College of Law

Academics

Students may take relevant courses in other programs and apply credit toward the J.D.; a maximum of 6 credits may be applied. The following joint degrees may be earned: J.D./M.Acct. (Juris Doctor/Master of Accountancy), J.D./M.B.A. (Juris Doctor/ Master of Business Administration in cooperation with Washington State Univesity), J.D./M.S. (Juris Doctor/Master of Science in environmental science), and J.D./M.S./Ph.D. (Juris Doctor/Master of Science/Doctor of Philosophy in water resources management).

The College of Law offers concentrations in corporate law, criminal law, environmental law, litigation, and lawyering skills. In addition, third-year students may participate in one of 7 live clinics, including 9th Circuit Appellate, Tribal and Immigration, Small Business, Domestic Violence, Victims’ Rights, Tax, and General Practice, for a maximum of 8 credits. Upper-level students may choose from seminars in several subject areas, including corporate law, dispute resolution, and environmental law, for 1 to 3 credits. The College of Law offers an extensive externship program, awarding class credit for summer placements in various government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and judicial offices for 1 to 8 credits. Any student may perform directed research upon a professor’s approval for 1 to 2 credits. Third-year students may participate in the Semester-in-Practice program in Boise for up to 12 credits. The Sherman Bellwood Lectures bring learned individuals to the state of Idaho and the University of Idaho campus to allow students the opportunity to discuss, examine, and debate subjects related to the justice system. The speakers are prominent and highly regarded local, regional, and national leaders who cover a wide range of topics and have included several former United States Supreme Court justices. Students may transfer in study-abroad credits earned through any ABA-approved study-abroad program. The College of Law has an Office of Academic Support run by a licensed attorney to assist students with their academic needs. Student organizations dedicated to promoting and supporting legal education among underrepresented groups include the Multicultural Law Caucus, Sexual Orientation Diversity Alliance (SODA), Women’s Law Caucus, and Student Advocates for Hispanic/Latino Support and Awareness. The most widely taken electives are in the areas of natural resources and water law and trial practice skills/clinics.

To earn the J.D., candidates must complete 90 total credits, of which 39 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 I and II, Contracts I and II, Criminal Law, Legal Research and Writing, Property I and II, and Torts I and II. Required upper-level courses consist of an upper-division writing requirement, Constitutional Law I and II, and Professional Responsibility. The required orientation program for first-year students is a 4-day program covering study skills and case briefings and culminating with students participating as witnesses and jurors in the upper-level Trial Advocacy mock trials. The program also includes a half-day Professionalism Workshop where current lawyers and judges discuss ethical issues with new students in small groups.

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, 675 applied, 295 were accepted, and 104 enrolled. Five transfers enrolled. The median LSAT percentile of the most recent first-year class was 61; the median GPA was 3.36 on a scale of 4.0. The lowest LSAT percentile accepted was 7; the highest was 97.

Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree and take the LSAT. The most important admission factors include state or country of residence, GPA, and LSAT results. No specific undergraduate courses are required. Candidates are not interviewed.

The application deadline for fall entry is February 15. Applicants should submit an application form, LSAT results, transcripts, a personal statement, and a nonrefundable application fee of $50, Letters of recommendation are not required, but up to 3 are recommended, and LSDAS registration is required. Notification of the admissions decision is early April. The latest acceptable LSAT test date for fall entry is February in rare cases. The law school uses the LSDAS.

Financial Aid

About 94% 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 $24,000. Awards are based on need and merit. Required financial statements are the FAFSA and University of Idaho special forms. The aid application deadline for fall entry is February 15. Special funds for minority or disadvantaged students consist of scholarships. First-year students are notified about their financial aid application at time of acceptance.

Students

About 44% of the student body are women; 16%, minorities; 7%, Asian American; 7%, Hispanic; and 1%, Native American. The majority of students come from Idaho (60%). The average age of entering students is 26; age range is 22 to 53. About 3% drop out after the first year for academic or personal reasons; 97% remain to receive a law degree.

The Idaho Law Review is the primary law review. There is also the University of Idaho Journal of Critical Studies (“The Crit”) and inter alia (student satire). Teams compete in the McNichols Moot Court competition, Duberstein Bankruptcy, and Environmental Law. Other competitions include the American Association for Justice Mock Trial competition. The Student Bar Association is the umbrella student government organization and coordinates the College of Law’s 23 student organizations, including the Board of Student Advocates, Public Interest Law Group, and Environmental Law Society. Law student organizations, local chapters of national associations, and campus organizations include, among others, Phi Alpha Delta, American Civil Liberties Union, the Federalist Society, the Hunting and Fishing Club, Nontraditional Students Group, and Law School Support Association for spouses and partners of law students.

The law school operates on a traditional semester basis. Courses for full-time students are offered days only and must be completed within 84 months. There is no part-time program. New students are admitted in the fall. There is an 8-week summer session. Transferable summer courses are not offered.

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