J.D. Admissions and Courses
Priority application deadline is April 1, but the school will review all applications on a rolling basis after that date. The school does not charge an application fee. Admission is only for the fall of each year, and only a full-time program is offered.
The School of Law prefers that prospective students apply online. The school may request more information than is listed below, but please do not send additional materials unless requested. Each file will be reviewed when it is completed.
The School of Law accepts applications throughout the year (beginning September 15) and offers admission on a rolling basis, so long as space remains in the incoming class.
Admission is only for the fall of each year, and only a full-time program is offered.
The School of Law requires J.D. and transfer applicants to apply online via Law School Admission Council. We may request more information than is listed below, but please do not send additional materials unless requested. Your file will be reviewed when it is completed.
Prerequisites
Except for students in the 3/3 programs, applicants must have completed all requirements for a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution prior to the date of enrolling in the School of Law.
CAS
Applicants must participate in the Credential Assembly Service (CAS) and be registered with CAS during the application year. Through CAS, you are required to send the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) official transcripts from all higher education institutions you have attended.
LSAT
Applicants also must take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) before the end of June of the year for which they seek admission. Applications to the School of Law may be submitted prior to taking the LSAT. Applicants must have taken the LSAT during the five years preceding the date of application.
The LSAT is given four times per year in Fayetteville and at other locations throughout Arkansas and in other states. Registration may be arranged online at www.lsac.org. Applicants for admission are urged to take the test at least nine months prior to expected entrance in the School of Law.
Transfer Students
A law student who has completed one year of legal studies with satisfactory academic performance in a law school accredited by the American Bar Association is eligible to be considered for transfer to the University of Arkansas School of Law. The amount of transfer credit to be granted will depend on the quality of performance and the relation of completed courses to this school’s program. A maximum of 30 credits may be accepted for transfer credit. Credit or units only (not grades) are transferable. Credits will not be accepted for any course or other work in which a grade below 2.00 or equivalent is given at another law school. Failure to disclose attendance at another college or law school or expulsion or suspension is sufficient grounds to require withdrawal from the School of Law.
3/3 Program – Arts and Sciences
The School of Law and the Fulbright College of Arts & Sciences offer a program that enables outstanding students to enter the School of Law after their third year of college. Students in the Fulbright College are eligible to begin at the School of Law after the completion of at least 94 hours of college work if they have:
- Completed all university, college, and major course requirements for their undergraduate degree;
- Earned a cumulative GPA of at least 3.50; and
- Received an LSAT score of at least 159.
Such students will receive a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree after the completion of sufficient hours of School of Law work to meet the regular requirements of the Fulbright College. These students will then receive a J.D. degree after completing the required number of hours of School of Law coursework.
3/3 Program – Agriculture
Exceptional students in the pre-law concentration in the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences may enroll in the School of Law in their fourth year provided that all requirements have been met. Students must have:
- Completed all university, college, and major course requirements for the pre-law concentration;
- Completed 12 hours in the specialization list for pre-law;
- Earned a cumulative GPA of at least 3.50 without grade renewal; and
- Received an LSAT score of at least 159.
A student admitted to this program may substitute School of Law course work for the remaining total hours required for the bachelor’s degree in agricultural business.
It is a requirement of the School of Law’s accrediting standards that no student be admitted to the School of Law until they have completed at least three-fourths of the work necessary for the baccalaureate degree. The requirements embodied in the 3/3 programs satisfy this requirement.
J.D./M.A. Program
The Department of Political Science, the Graduate School, and the School of Law cooperate in offering a dual degree program that allows a student to pursue the M.A. in Political Science and the J.D. degrees concurrently.
The program described below requires 36 hours as follows: the student selects:
- Seminars in political science or equivalent courses in other departments approved by the graduate adviser in political science (total of 24 hours including — 3 hours of methods and 21 hours other graduate seminars six hours of which may be thesis credit; and
- Twelve hours of elective courses taken in the law school in an area of concentration approved by the director of the M.A. program.
Students must be admitted to the M.A. program and the School of Law. If a student seeks to enter the dual degree program after enrolling in either the law school or the M.A. program, he or she must obtain admission to the other degree program during the first year of study.
The School of Law accepts 9 semester hours of M.A. courses to satisfy requirements for the J.D. degree, which can be chosen from the following courses:
| PLSC 52003 | Seminar in American Political Institutions | 3 |
| PLSC 52103 | Seminar in American Political Behavior | 3 |
| PLSC 52503 | Politics of Race and Ethnicity | 3 |
| PLSC 55003 | Comparative Political Analysis | 3 |
| PLSC 58003 | Seminar in International Politics | 3 |
| PLSC 58303 | International Political Economy | 3 |
The Associate Dean for Academic Affairs of the School of Law may approve new or alternative courses proposed to satisfy the requirements of the program for J.D. credit.
Students admitted to the dual degree program may commence their studies in either the law school or the M.A. program but must complete first year course requirements before taking courses in the other degree program. If they do not maintain the academic or ethical standards of either degree program, students may be terminated from the dual degree program. Students in good standing in one degree program but not in the other may be allowed to continue in the other program in which they have good standing and must meet the degree requirements of that program. If for any reason a student admitted to the dual degree program does not complete the M.A. degree, he or she cannot count nine hours of M.A. courses toward the J.D. degree. Likewise, M.A. students may not be able to count certain law courses if they decide to discontinue their studies in the law school. The J.D. will be awarded upon completion of all degree requirements; the M.A. will be awarded upon completion of the comprehensive examination and all required coursework, as well as the successful defense of a master’s thesis, if applicable.
Mandatory Comprehensive Exam: All students will be required to take a written comprehensive examination covering their M.A. program or a six-hour thesis. The comprehensive exam will be graded by at least a three-person faculty committee selected by the M.A. Program Director. Students pursuing the thesis option are not required to take a written examination. Successful defense of their thesis satisfies this requirement.
In addition to the successful completion of all course requirements and a passing grade on the written comprehensive examination (if taken), each student must present a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 3.00.
Thesis Option: Students pursuing the thesis option should consult the graduate coordinator of the political science department. The thesis committee must be composed of faculty members from both the School of Law and the Department of Political Science. Thesis credit is 6 hours.
Internship Option: Students may pursue an internship. Internship credit is variable and depends on the number of hours worked. Students in this option must consult with their J.D. and M.A. advisers. An internship work plan and expected academic work products will be developed.
J.D./M.B.A. Program
For students interested in obtaining both the M.B.A. and J.D. (law) degrees, the M.B.A./J.D. dual degree program is available. This program allows the student to receive both the M.B.A. degree and the J.D. degree. The program requires separate application and admission to both the School of Law and the Graduate School of Business and the M.B.A. degree program. Interested students should obtain bulletins and applications from both the School of Law and the Graduate School of Business. If the student is accepted into both programs, a maximum of twelve hours of approved law core courses may be used as duplicate credit toward the M.B.A. degree. These 12 hours of law core courses shall be applied to the 12 hours of career track courses within the M.B.A. degree plan. Likewise, a maximum of 12 hours of approved M.B.A. core courses may be used as duplicate credit toward the J.D. degree, thus reducing the total time necessary for the completion of both degrees.
J.D./M.P.A. Program
The University of Arkansas department of political science, the Graduate School, and the School of Law cooperate in offering a dual-degree program that allows students to pursue the Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.) and J.D. degrees concurrently. Students must be admitted to the M.P.A. program, the School of Law, and the dual-degree program. If a student seeks to enter the dual-degree program after enrolling in either the School of Law or the M.P.A. program, he or she must obtain admission to the other degree program and the dual program during the first year of study.
The School of Law accepts a maximum of nine hours of M.P.A. courses to satisfy requirements for the J.D. degree. To qualify for J.D. credit, the M.P.A. courses must come from a set of core courses and must be approved by the School of Law. For purposes of the M.P.A. degree, 15 hours of elective courses may be taken in the School of Law, subject to approval by the director of the M.P.A. program. Students must earn a grade of B or higher in any M.P.A. courses offered for credit toward the J.D. degree.
Students admitted to the dual-degree program may commence studies in either the School of Law or the M.P.A. program but must complete first-year course requirements before taking courses in the other degree program. If they do not maintain the academic or ethical standards of either degree program, students may be terminated from the dual-degree program.
Students in good standing in one degree program but not the other may be allowed to continue in the program in which they have good standing.
J.D./M.S.W. Program
The Juris Doctor/Master of Social Work dual degree is awarded after completion of a four-year integrated course of study. This eliminates approximately one year of study, while meeting all accreditation requirements of the American Bar Association and Council on Social Work Education.
Upon completion of the dual degree, students have earned a total of 135 credit hours (as opposed to 153 credit hours if the degrees are earned separately). A total of 12 hours credit earned in the M.S.W. program count toward completion of the J.D. degree. A total of 6 hours credit earned in the J.D. program count toward completion of the M.S.W. degree. In order to receive dual credit, minimum grade standards for each program must be met.
Students who do not maintain the academic or ethical standards of either degree program may be terminated from the dual degree program. Students in good standing in one degree program but not the other may be allowed to continue in the program in which they have good standing and must meet the degree requirements of that program. If for any reason a student admitted to the dual degree program does not complete the M.S.W. degree, the student cannot count the 12 hours of M.S.W. courses toward the J.D. degree. If for any reason a student admitted to the dual degree program does not complete the J.D. degree, the elective policy for the School of Social Work applies.
To be eligible for admission to the J.D./M.S.W. Dual Degree Program, students must apply separately and be admitted to the master’s program at the School of Social Work, to the juris doctor program at the School of Law, and to the joint program. As such, applicants must meet all of the requirements for admission to each program. Upon application to the J.D./M.S.W. dual degree, the applicant shall provide a statement of intent for admission that includes a brief explanation of the reasons for pursuing this dual degree program as well as goals upon completion of the program. Each degree will be conferred when the student has met all the requirements of that degree.
Should a student enter one program and later become aware of the availability of the joint program, the student must be admitted to both programs and to the joint program during his or her first year of class work in the program of original enrollment.
J.D. Courses
The first year at the School of Law consists of a rigorous course of study that you and all your classmates will follow. Starting at new student orientation and continuing throughout your first year, you will begin to learn, write, and think about the law.
The first-year courses are as follows:
Required First-Year Courses
| LAWW 41004 | Civil Procedure | 4 |
| LAWW 40204 | Contracts | 4 |
| LAWW 40704 | Criminal Law | 4 |
| LAWW 40103 | Legal Research & Writing I | 3 |
| LAWW 41103 | Legal Research & Writing II | 3 |
| LAWW 40504 | Property | 4 |
| LAWW 41404 | Torts | 4 |
| LAWW 51104 | Constitutional Law | 4 |
Required Upper-Level Courses
| LAWW 50103 | Professional Responsibility | 3 |
In addition, before graduation, each student is required to complete:
- a course for at least two credit hours that has been certified by the law faculty as an Upper Level Writing Course;
- a minimum of six credit hours of experiential learning courses as designated from time to time by the Dean; and
- a non-credit training session based on the Arkansas Mandatory Child Maltreatment Reporter law.
Electives
Most of the curriculum in the second and third year is composed of electives. This elective system allows students to choose courses that interest them and that will be useful in the types of careers they choose. Students are required to consult a faculty adviser before registering for upper-level courses.
Brief descriptions of the courses generally offered at the School of Law are set out below. Credit hours occasionally vary when a course is offered during the summer session.
The curriculum at any good law school is always in the process of being studied and revised. Experimentation in the educational program is necessary to meet the needs of the future. The following pages describe recently offered elective courses at the University of Arkansas School of Law. For the most accurate list of course offerings, please visit law.uark.edu.
Elective Courses
| LAWW 4000V | Entertainment Law | 1-6 |
| LAWW 41703 | Criminal Procedure: Investigations | 3 |
| LAWW 42904 | Business Organizations | 4 |
| LAWW 44402 | Law & Accounting | 2 |
| LAWW 5000V | Special Topics | 1-18 |
| LAWW 50103 | Professional Responsibility | 3 |
| LAWW 5020V | Remedies | 3-4 |
| LAWW 50703 | Family Law | 3 |
| LAWW 50803 | First Amendment | 3 |
| LAWW 5100V | Law: Study Abroad | 1-6 |
| LAWW 51303 | Real Estate Transactions | 3 |
| LAWW 51603 | Administrative Law | 3 |
| LAWW 52103 | Business & Transactional Skills | 3 |
| LAWW 53103 | Payment Systems | 3 |
| LAWW 5500V | Wills, Trusts, and Estates | 1-4 |
| LAWW 55103 | Labor Law | 3 |
| LAWW 5990V | Debtor-Creditor Relations | 3-4 |
| LAWW 6020V | Independent Legal Research | 1-3 |
| LAWW 6030V | Federal Courts | 1-3 |
| LAWW 60903 | Evidence | 3 |
| LAWW 6110V | Interschool Competition Team | 1-2 |
| LAWW 61303 | Antitrust Law | 3 |
| LAWW 61403 | Oil and Gas | 3 |
| LAWW 6143V | Board of Advocates Credit | 1-4 |
| LAWW 6150V | Elder Law | 1-2 |
| LAWW 6160V | Law Review Credit | 1-4 |
| LAWW 6180V | Journal of Food Law & Policy Credit | 1-5 |
| LAWW 61933 | Workplace Legislation | 3 |
| LAWW 62003 | Trial Advocacy | 3 |
| LAWW 6210V | Products Liability | 2-3 |
| LAWW 62303 | Federal Income Tax of Individuals | 3 |
| LAWW 62503 | Federal Income Taxation of Business Entities | 3 |
| LAWW 62602 | Estate Planning | 2 |
| LAWW 63403 | Conflict Resolution | 3 |
| LAWW 63604 | Legal Clinic: Immigration | 4 |
| LAWW 63704 | Legal Clinic: Bankruptcy | 4 |
| LAWW 63903 | Legal Clinic: Nonprofit | 3 |
| LAWW 64003 | Land Use | 3 |
| LAWW 6480V | Special Topics (Skills) | 1-3 |
| LAWW 65203 | Employment Law | 3 |
| LAWW 6540V | Public Interest Externship | 1-3 |
| LAWW 6610V | Bankruptcy | 2-3 |
| LAWW 66303 | Criminal Procedure: Adjudication | 3 |
| LAWW 6710V | Judicial Externship | 1-3 |
| LAWW 68202 | Patent Law | 2 |
| LAWW 69103 | Environmental Law | 3 |
| LAWW 69204 | Legal Clinic: Civil Litigation and Advocacy Clinic | 4 |
| LAWW 69403 | Public International Law | 3 |
| LAWW 6970V | Legal Clinic: Advanced Bankruptcy | 2-3 |
| LAWW 7060V | Sports Law | 2-3 |
| LAWW 70703 | Mediation in Practice | 3 |
| LAWW 72403 | Health Law | 3 |
| LAWW 76102 | Advanced Consumer Bankruptcy | 2 |
| LAWW 76602 | American Indian Law | 2 |
| LAWW 7700V | Advanced Writing in Agricultural and Food Law | 1-4 |
| LAWW 7710V | Independent Research in Agricultural and Food Law | 1-2 |
| LAWW 7960V | Agriculture and the Environment | 1-3 |
| LAWW 77703 | Water Law | 3 |
| LAWW 7780V | Agricultural Labor Law | 1-2 |
| LAWW 7860V | Food Law and Policy | 1-3 |
| LAWW 4060V | Upper Level Writing | 1-3 |
| LAWW 4450V | Mastering Legal Analysis | 1-2 |
| LAWW 41802 | Upper Level Writing - Business Drafting | 2 |
| LAWW 50401 | Oil and Gas Title Examination | 1 |
| LAWW 50503 | Energy Law | 3 |
| LAWW 51202 | ABOTA Trial Practice Lecture Series | 2 |
| LAWW 51901 | Deposition Practice | 1 |
| LAWW 52502 | International Commercial Arbitration | 2 |
| LAWW 5270V | Law and Economics | 2-3 |
| LAWW 52903 | Cyber Crime | 3 |
| LAWW 5670V | Nonprofit Organizations | 2-3 |
| LAWW 5360V | Securities Regulation | 3 |
| LAWW 53901 | Effective Corporate Compliance | 1 |
| LAWW 54501 | Environmental Torts | 1 |
| LAWW 5470V | State and Local Government | 2-3 |
| LAWW 56000 | Law Research Assistant | 0 |
| LAWW 6290V | Public Corporations | 2 |
| LAWW 6310V | Interschool Competition Team | 1-2 |
| LAWW 63203 | Poverty Law: Theory and Practice | 3 |
| LAWW 6600V | Government Externship | 1-3 |
| LAWW 6730V | Criminal Defense Externship | 1-3 |
| LAWW 6830V | Criminal Prosecution Externship | 1-3 |
| LAWW 6860V | Corporate Counsel Externships | 1-4 |
| LAWW 7140V | The Right to Food | 1-3 |
| LAWW 6760V | Capstone Externship | 1-12 |
| LAWW 7940V | Business, Human Rights, & Corporate Social Responsibility | 1-3 |
| LAWW 64103 | Legal Clinic: Advanced Criminal Practice | 3 |
| LAWW 56902 | Rule of Law Colloquium | 2 |
| LAWW 57001 | Baseball and the Law | 1 |
| LAWW 58801 | Arkansas Landlord Tenant Law | 1 |
| LAWW 6070V | Conflict of Laws | 2-3 |
| LAWW 61703 | Introduction to Intellectual Property Law | 3 |
| LAWW 6350V | Arkansas Law Notes Credit | 1-4 |
| LAWW 64204 | Legal Clinic: Criminal Practice Clinic | 4 |
| LAWW 6460V | Student Coordinating Attorney | 1-3 |
| LAWW 65602 | Legal Clinic: Advanced Immigration | 2 |
| LAWW 67002 | Copyright Law | 2 |
| LAWW 68403 | Legal Clinic: Advanced Civil Litigation and Advocacy Clinic | 3 |
| LAWW 68703 | Legal Clinic: Advanced Nonprofit Clinic | 3 |
| LAWW 56202 | Essential Legal Research | 2 |
| LAWW 56602 | Mergers and Acquisitions | 2 |
| LAWW 50301 | Basic Title Examination | 1 |
| LAWW 7410V | Food, Farming and Sustainability | 1-3 |