Texas Tech University School of Law
The information on this page was provided by the law school.
Official Guide to ABA-Approved JD Programs
Founded in 1967, Texas Tech University School of Law is accredited by the ABA and the Supreme Court of Texas, and the school is a member of the selective Association of American Law Schools. In addition, a chapter of the Order of the Coif was established in 1974, a distinction accorded to only one-third of American law schools. Texas Tech Law is known for its value, which provides students with an exceptional legal education at a reasonable cost. In fact, Texas Tech Law has been nationally recognized for providing one of the state’s best values in legal education.
Texas Tech Law is located in Lubbock on the main campus of Texas Tech University, and thus students enjoy the benefits of being a part of a larger university system. With a population of more than 310,000, the Lubbock metropolitan area is home to Big 12 sports, award-winning wineries, museums, and more.
At Texas Tech Law, our goal is to create a welcoming, student-centered environment. For example, Texas Tech Law’s Office of Academic Success is dedicated to helping every student achieve academic success by providing tutoring services, study-aids, and workshops throughout the year. Additionally, two full-time professors direct our bar exam preparation efforts, offering students many opportunities for practice and study beyond commercial bar preparation courses.
Our faculty embraces an open-door policy, enabling students to engage in continuing dialogue beyond formal class hours. Indeed, Texas Tech Law has a long and proud tradition of graduating students who are more prepared to practice law. In this regard, we provide students with an opportunity to develop their skills and knowledge through our nationally recognized advocacy program, robust clinical programs, the regional externship program, and our Legal Practice program. These programs, coupled with our curriculum and commitment to student learning, help Texas Tech Law continue to excel in its bar passage and employment rates.
The JD Program
Texas Tech School of Law requires a minimum of 90 hours to complete the JD degree. As part of the first-year curriculum, students are introduced to a variety of skills in Legal Practice. This two-semester, six-credit course introduces students to skills training in the areas of legal research, objective and persuasive writing, client interviewing and counseling, professionalism, alternative dispute resolution, and oral advocacy. In addition to the required first-year curriculum and the advanced curriculum, students may choose from a wide variety of electives to further develop their skills and knowledge.
To enhance its curriculum, Texas Tech Law offers concentrations in Business Law, Law and Science (with specialties in fields like Energy Law), and Criminal Law and Innocence. Students also have opportunities to pursue knowledge and experience beyond the law program through 10 dual-degree programs, including a JD/MS Agricultural and Applied Economics, JD/MBA, JD/MS Personal Financial Planning, JD/MS Sport Management, and JD/MD.
Texas Tech Law is also committed to serving others, as demonstrated by being the first law school in Texas to implement the public-service graduation requirement. Over three years, students contribute 30 hours of pro bono/public service work that helps indigent clients, fosters a sense of community, and gives students valuable hands-on experience.
Legal Publication and Research Opportunities
Texas Tech has several publications that allow students to hone their research and writing skills.
The Texas Tech Law Review publishes articles written by students and leading jurists, practitioners, and academics. The Estate Planning and Community Property Law Journal is the only legal journal committed to community property law and only the second in the nation devoted to estate planning. The Texas Bank Lawyer publishes articles about banking and commercial law. The Journal of Biosecurity, Biosafety, and Biodefense Law offers both a legal and scientific perspective on current issues concerning bioterrorism, public health and safety, and national security.
In addition, the school is home to the Center for Water Law and Policy, the Center for Military Law and Policy, and the Center for Biodefense Law and Policy, which all provide research and scholarship opportunities.
Advocacy Program
The Texas Tech School of Law Advocacy Program produces champions. As of late 2021, we have won 49 national and international titles, 112 state and regional championships, and 126 individual Best Advocate and Best Brief awards. causing some to dub Lubbock and the law school “Titletown, Texas.” Recent championships have come in a variety of competitions, including winning the National Moot Court Competition (the nation’s oldest and most prestigious competition) (2011, 2012, and 2016, 2021); the Annual National Appellate Advocacy Competition 2021, the National Health Law Moot Court Competition 2017 and 2021; and the ABA Arbitration Competition in 2012, 2014, 2017, and 2020.
All students can participate in intramural competitions tailored to each student’s skill set, while advanced students can try out for teams that compete regionally, nationally, and internationally. Intramural competitions offer a great and fun way for students to gain advocacy experience in a simulated practice. The Lanier Center for Professional Development provides an ideal setting for learning, featuring a courtroom with state-of-the-art technology as well as several practice rooms used by students to develop the skills needed to practice in the courtrooms of the future.
Clinical Programs
With a range of live-client clinics, our clinical program provides third-year students with the opportunity to represent clients and participate in real cases guided by full-time, tenure-track faculty. The Civil Practice Clinic handles a wide range of civil matters. The Criminal Defense, Caprock Regional Public Defender, and Capital Punishment Clinics provide unique opportunities for law students to represent clients in state criminal courts. The Innocence Clinic allows students to engage in post-conviction proceedings to establish actual innocence. Tax Clinic Students represent taxpayers in disputes with the IRS. The Family Law and Housing Clinic takes cases concerning those issues from Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas.
Second-year students also have the opportunity to participate in our Alternative Dispute Resolution Clinic, which focuses on resolving legal issues without litigation through mediation and other methods of dispute resolution.
Regional Externship Program
Texas Tech Law offers full-semester, for-credit externship placements in Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Lubbock, and San Antonio. Select third-year students live in one of several major Texas cities for a full semester and extern with legal aid providers, corporations, government agencies, or state and federal judges. Living and learning about law practice in some of the largest legal markets in the country gives students exposure to sophisticated legal work, provides networking opportunities and events, and creates an unparalleled educational experience.
The program offers 12 hours of academic credit—10 credit hours for completing 500 hours of study at an externship placement and 2 additional credit hours for successfully completing the contemporaneous Regional Externship Support Course. Students may participate either in the fall or spring semester.
Student Life
Student Life
Students at Texas Tech Law can get involved in any of our more than 30 student organizations. These groups are very active and enrich the law school experience by organizing symposia, bringing guest speakers to campus, conducting service projects, and hosting social functions. Students have the opportunity to meet veteran attorneys, judges, members of Congress, and business leaders at the many community events that occur throughout the year.
Career Placement and Bar Passage
Learn more about career placement at
Texas Tech University School of Law
Tuition and Aid
The School of Law offers merit-based scholarships to entering students. Competitive scholarships are awarded to many nonresident applicants, making them eligible for in-state tuition. Additional scholarships are available for second- and third-year students.
Grants, as well as federal and private loans, are available to students who qualify. Please visit Financial Aid for more information.
Admission Decisions: Beyond the Numbers
Texas Tech Law seeks to admit a diverse student body with a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. While an applicant’s LSAT and GPA figure significantly in the admission process, the Office of Admissions considers other factors such as participation in extracurricular activities, volunteer activities, previous employment, and leadership qualities. An applicant’s letters of recommendation and personal statement are also important aspects in the admission process.
The Office of Admissions reviews applications on a rolling basis beginning in early November. The application deadline for our priority notification and scholarship consideration is March 1. Applications will be accepted until early May.