新墨西哥大学

The UNM School of Law offers a full-time course of study leading to the degree of Juris Doctor (J.D.) 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 the time of registration. Beginning law students will be admitted at the opening of the fall semester only. The normal period for a full-time law student to complete requirements for a J.D. degree is three years.

First year law students enrolled in the full-time program may work no more than 15 hours per week. Second and third year law students may work no more than 20 hours per week.

Flexible Time Program

An expanded Flexible Time Program will be available to a limited number of first-year law students each year, beginning with the Fall 2008 entering class. Applicants who wish to be considered for the first-year Flexible Time Program may indicate their interest by checking the applicable box on the UNM law school application form. No more than 10 entering students per year will be offered admission to the first-year Flexible Time Program, and these students will be selected using the same criteria the Admissions Committee uses when admitting students to the full-time program. If the demand for the expanded Flexible Time Program produces more qualified applicants than can be accepted into the program, those qualified applicants not admitted into the first-year Flexible Time Program will be asked if they wish to be considered for admission to the full-time program.

Students enrolled in the expanded Flexible Time Program will be required to take 10 credit hours (3-4 classes) per semester during the fall and spring semesters of the first year. Fall 2008 classes will be Legal Reasoning, Research, & Writing; Contracts; Torts; and Practicum. Spring 2009 classes will be Advocacy, Property, and Constitutional Law. Whenever possible, the first-year Flexible Time classes will be scheduled in a "block" in order to maximize scheduling efficiency and best meet the needs of the students. After completion of the first year, Flexible Time students may take a minimum of 8 credit hours per semester, completing the JD degree in 5 years, including summers. Students enrolled in the Flexible Time Program are not bound by the "work rules" which limit the work hours of UNM's full-time law students. Students may transition from the Flexible Time Program to the full-time program by obtaining a Dean’s consent.

The Flexible Time Program is not a true part-time program, as classes are scheduled during daytime hours, Monday through Friday.