Mar 28, 2024  
2016-2017 Undergraduate and Graduate Catalog 
    
2016-2017 Undergraduate and Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

School of Law


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Richard Rosen, J.D., Interim Dean

1802 Hartford Ave. | Lubbock, TX 79409-0004
T 806.742.3791 | F 806.742.4617
www.law.ttu.edu | admissions.law@ttu.edu

About the School of Law

With a consistently high pass rate on the State Bar Exam, the School of Law at Texas Tech University has always been a leader among Texas law schools. A small student body, a diverse faculty, and a high level of faculty interaction are only a few of the factors that promote learning and encourage interaction between law students and professors.

Texas Tech School of Law was named one of the Top 20 “Best Value Law Schools” in the nation for five consecutive years by pre-Law magazine. Recognizing that Texas Tech has one of the nation’s best first-year legal skills programs, U.S. News & World Report has twice ranked the law school’s Legal Practice Program among the 25 best law school legal writing programs.

The School of Law offers two degree programs:

  • Doctor of Jurisprudence (J.D.)
  • Master of Laws in United States Legal Studies (LL.M.)

Because Texas Tech is the only campus in the state that is home to a major university, law school, and medical school, law students also can pursue any of the following 12 dual degree or concentration programs:

  • J.D./Doctor of Medicine
  • J.D./Master of Business Administration
  • J.D./Master of Engineering
  • J.D./Master of Public Administration
  • J.D./Master of Science in Agricultural and Applied Economics
  • J.D./Master of Science in Accounting (Taxation)
  • J.D./Master of Science in Biotechnology
  • J.D./Master of Science in Environmental Toxicology
  • J.D./Master of Science in Personal Financial Planning
  • J.D./Master of Science in Sport Management (pending THECB approval)
  • J.D./Law and Science Concentration Program
  • J.D./Business Law Concentration Program
  • J.D./Health Law Concentration Program

The Texas Tech School of Law has a strong reputation for being practical in its approach to legal education, and its students consistently perform at a high level of achievement. Its moot court program is one of only four in the nation that has ranked in the top ten of the Blakely Advocacy Institute’s list of the best moot court programs each of the past four yearsThe law school has been in the top-10 of the University of Houston’s Blakely Advocacy Institute’s rankings of best Moot Court programs for six consecutive years. Some of the advocacy program’s impressive accomplishments include the following:

  • National Champions, National Pretrial Advocacy Competition, 2015, 2014, 2012, 2010.
  • National Champions, ABA Arbitration Competition, 2014, 2012.
  • National Champions, ABA National Appellate Advocacy Competition, 2013.
  • National Champions, National Moot Court Competition, 2012, 2011.
  • National Champions, National Energy & Sustainability Moot Court Competition, 2015, 2013.

Applying for Admission

An applicant for admission to the School of Law must have received or completed all requirements for a baccalaureate degree from a college or university of approved standing prior to beginning study at the School of Law (unless enrolled under the “3+3” program described in the Honors College section of this catalog). An applicant’s record must be of sufficiently high quality to demonstrate the applicant is qualified for the study of law.

An applicant also must take the Law School Admission Test, which is administered by the Law School Admission Council four times a year throughout the United States and in many foreign countries.

The School of Law cooperates with the Texas Tech University Honors College and the College of Visual and Performing Arts to provide special admission programs for exceptional undergraduates. Consult the Honors College section of this catalog or visit www.depts.ttu.edu/honors for more information.

The School of Law does not prescribe a specific pre-law curriculum for its applicants. The wide range of lawyer tasks and the difference in offerings from school to school preclude such an approach. However, all students should strive toward the following goals when planning their college program: acquire the ability to read, write, and speak the English language well; gain a critical understanding of human values and institutions—political, economic, and social; and develop the power to think creatively.

Applications should be submitted to the School of Law at the earliest opportunity after September 1. The deadline for the Early Decision Program is November 1, and the deadline for the Regular Decision Program is March 1.

Pre-Law Academy for Undergraduates

The Pre-Law Academy is a program designed for undergraduate students who are interested in attending law school and pursuing a career in the legal field. Students accepted into the Pre-Law Academy will take three undergraduate courses (PLAW 3101  and PLAW 4301 ; COMS 3314 ) that were developed to prepare them for the competitive law school admissions process and the demands of law school, while also helping them create a vision for themselves as law students and lawyers.

As part of the Academy, students will learn about legal rhetoric, legal analysis, and legal advocacy. In this regard, students will research contemporary legal controversies and write an objective legal memorandum, which will help them improve their critical thinking and writing skills. Students also will participate in roundtable discussions with law students, practicing lawyers, and law faculty, and they will be exposed to different practice areas by taking law-related tours. In addition, students will learn about the law school admissions process, including how to write a personal statement, prepare for the LSAT, and understand rankings and the cost of law school. Students also have the option to complete an internship in the legal profession.

Students who complete the Pre-Law Academy will have a better understanding of law school and the practice of law, and they will gain a competitive edge when applying for law school. To apply for the Pre-Law Academy, students must have completed a minimum of 45 credit hours. A limited number of students will be accepted into the Pre-Law Academy so students are encouraged to apply early. Students also are encouraged to consult their advisors.

Applications for the Pre-Law Academy are ordinarily considered during the fall semester. Additional information is available online at www.depts.ttu.edu/advising/prelaw/academy. Students also may contact the co-directors for more information, Professor Wendy Adele Humphrey at wendy.humphrey@ttu.edu or Dr. Katie Langford at katie.langford@ttu.edu.

Courses

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