The University of Texas School of Law
The information on this page was provided by the law school.
Official Guide to ABA-Approved JD Programs
The School of Law is located at The University of Texas at Austin. This location in the heart of the capital city provides ready access to the state legislature, the Supreme Court of Texas, the federal trial and appellate court, the offices of state and federal agencies, and the libraries and other main campus facilities. Recognized for its distinguished faculty and rich academic program, the Law School has been a member of the AALS since 1907, was approved by the ABA in 1923, and is fully accredited.
Situated on the banks of the Colorado River, Austin is an eclectic city noted for its politics, scholars, rolling hills, film industry, and live music and restaurant scene. The University of Texas plays an important role in this metropolitan area of over one million people, and many entertainment and cultural activities cater to the student population. Last but not least, given the immense talent pool the university produces, it’s no surprise that technology companies such as Amazon, Apple, Dell, Google, IBM, National Instruments, Oracle, and Tesla have established major operations here in Austin. The city is also becoming atop destination for entrepreneurs and was recently named one of the best startup cities in the country.
The JD Program
All first-year students are required to take a full course load in contracts, property, torts, civil procedure, criminal law, constitutional law, and legal analysis and communication. After the first year, the only required courses are professional responsibility, a writing seminar, and six hours of experiential learning courses. In addition, students must choose an upper-level course in either advanced constitutional law, criminal procedure, or capital punishment. A student may design their course of study from an array of course offerings in many fields of law. These offerings include interdisciplinary and advanced public and private law courses.
Experiential Learning
The School of Law has one of the most extensive arrays of experiential learning opportunities of any law school. We prepare our students to succeed in varied professional paths by offering numerous courses and programs that bridge the classroom and the practice of law. Students gain hands-on experience through advanced training in simulated settings via the advocacy and legal writing programs, and they step into the lawyer role as they work on real-world cases and projects through clinics, internships, and pro bono work. Most of our students become deeply involved in experiential learning, working closely with faculty to learn by putting the law into action.
Student-Edited Journals
The School of Law offers an unbeatable set of student-run journals that enhance the law students’ regular studies by providing opportunities to perfect their research, writing, and editing skills. Student-edited journals include:
- American Journal of Criminal Law
- Journal of Law and Technology at Texas
- Texas Environmental Law Journal
- Texas Hispanic Journal of Law and Policy
- Texas Intellectual Property Law Journal
- Texas International Law Journal
- Texas Journal of Oil, Gas, and Energy Law
- Texas Journal on Civil Liberties and Civil Rights
- Texas Law Review
- Texas Review of Law and Politics
- The Review of Litigation
Dual Degree Programs
The School of Law offers dual degree programs with several different graduate schools’ programs at The University of Texas. These programs offer the simultaneous award of two graduate degrees in four years or less, rather than the five years it would normally require to complete two graduate degrees. These include:
- JD/Master of Arts in Latin American Studies
- JD/Master of Arts in Middle Eastern Studies
- JD/Master of Arts in Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies
- JD/Master of Business Administration
- JD/Master of Global Policy Studies
- JD/Master of Public Affairs
- JD/Master of Science in Community and Regional Planning
- JD/Master of Science in Information Studies
- JD/Master of Science in Social Work
To be admitted into any of the dual degree programs, students must apply to, and be accepted by, both schools independently. Under most of the dual degree programs, a student takes the first year of coursework in the Law School and the second year of coursework in the other school. The following years comprise a mixture of courses from each school.
International, Study Abroad & Exchange Programs
The School of Law recognizes the value of an international component to legal education. As the world becomes increasingly interconnected very few legal issues are exclusively domestic. Exposure to different legal systems equips our students with the skills needed to recognize and handle the complexity of international legal matters. Further, exposure to foreign cultures and languages enhances students' personal development, prepares them to work with clients from diverse backgrounds, and deepens their understanding of the U.S. legal system from a comparative perspective. These programs are open to third-year law students.
Student Life
The Society Program
Created in 2004, the Society Program helps build community at the Law School and provides students with greater access to faculty, administration, and upper-class students. First-year students are assigned to one of eight societies during Orientation, and remain in the same society throughout their years in law school. Each society has a Faculty Advisor, a Society Coordinator, and two Dean's Fellows who plan activities for their groups in an effort to ease the adjustment, both academically and socially, to law school. The eight societies carry the names of people closely associated with the Law School, e.g., Gloria Bradford, the first African-American woman to graduate from the Law School. Throughout the year, the Societies engage in a wide range of public service, social, professional, and athletic activities.
Student Organizations
Student organizations at the Law School are an important part of our vibrance, culture, and community. With nearly 40 organizations to choose from based on social, political, religious, cultural, identity, or interest affiliations, students are able to join like-minded students and strengthen their leadership skills while advancing important causes and raising awareness to legal issues.
Housing
Approximately 95 percent of all law students live off campus. Students have a vast array of choices when it comes to housing. The centralized location of The University of Texas campus along the UT Shuttle System and Capital Metro service allows convenient access to many communities in the Austin area. All UT students may ride Capital Metro mainline buses free of charge by presenting a valid UT photo ID. Regardless of your preference, Austin’s diverse neighborhoods ensure that you will find a right fit for you.
Career Placement and Bar Passage
Learn more about career placement at The University of Texas School of Law
Tuition and Aid
| Expense | Resident | Nonresident |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition |
$38,236.00
|
$56,822.00
|
| Fees |
$0.00
|
$0.00
|
| Expected Cost of Attendance |
$63,410.00
|
$81,996.00
|
Please note that the chart above only reflects the tuition and cost of attendance for resident applicants. For detailed tuition information for all students, please visit our website.
In general, over 90 percent of students receive some form of financial aid. Financial support is available to students in the following three forms:
- Federal Educational Loans (need-based)
- Grants (need-based)
- Scholarships (merit- and need-based)
Criteria for scholarship selection include standardized test scores, cumulative undergraduate GPA, leadership experience, extracurricular activities, community service, and other performance criteria. Scholarship awards for entering law students range from $1,000 per year to full tuition and fee awards for all three years of enrollment. Some awards include a Nonresident Tuition Exemption (NRTE) that entitles a nonresident student to pay resident tuition rates. Scholarships awarded to incoming students are automatically renewed for the second and third years of law school enrollment provided the student remains in good academic standing. To apply for federal educational loans and grants, applicants must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). It is strongly encouraged that students submit a FAFSA by the University’s priority deadline of January 15.
The Law School has dedicated financial aid counselors that are committed to providing every student with important information on their financial aid options and helping them navigate the processes to obtain financial support that fits their educational and professional goals.
Admission Decisions: Beyond the Numbers
Admission to the JD program is competitive. There are no presumptive numbers for admission. Every completed application is reviewed in its entirety and holistically. Each applicant must take the LSAT or GRE and have earned a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university with a minimum grade-point average of 2.2 as calculated by LSAC, or have completed the equivalent of six semesters and expect to graduate during the current academic year. Each candidate must complete all application forms and fulfill all required attachments as described in the application.
Admitted Applicant Profile
