The School of
LAW
Paul A. LeBel, Dean

HISTORY AND MISSION

The School of Law, established in 1899, is a graduate professional school of the University which awards the Juris Doctor degree. The curriculum is designed for the full-time student and covers a period of three academic years. The School of Law is a member of the Association of American Law Schools and is accredited by the American Bar Association’s Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar. The mission of the School of Law is: 1) to educate students for professional service in the law and law related professions; 2) to explore legal issues of special significance to North Dakota and the region; 3) to attract a well-qualified and diverse student body and to assist students in making career decisions; 4) to promote improvements in the law and legal system, the legal profession, and the administration of justice; and 5) to further the overall goals and objectives of the University of North Dakota. Graduates are entitled to admission to the bar in the jurisdiction of their choice upon successful completion of that jurisdiction’s bar examination.

PRE-LAW STUDIES

There is no prescribed pre-law curriculum. The law school student body typically includes representatives of nearly every undergraduate field of study. The faculty of the School of Law strongly recommends a broad and liberal undergraduate program which combines rigorous and creative thinking, careful and thorough analysis and substantial oral and written communication opportunities. The major should be a subject area which interests and stimulates the student.

ADMISSION

Applicants for admission to the School of Law must be candidates for or have received a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and must have taken the Law School Admission Test. Admission is competitive. Applicants accepted for the 2006-2007 entering class had a median undergraduate Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.35 and a median LSAT score of 151.

The School of Law has a rolling admissions policy: although the deadline for application and all supporting documentation is April 1 of the spring preceding entry, if the applicants’ file is completed before deadline, it will be sent to the Admission Committee for consideration. Applications will be accepted after the April 1 deadline, but will be reviewed in the context of the number of students already admitted.

Because a diverse student body provides the best medium for education, the School of Law encourages applications from all regions and all economic backgrounds, as well as from women and members of racial, ethnic, and religious minorities.

Students wishing to enter the School of Law should request an application packet from the Office of the Dean, School of Law, University of North Dakota, P.O. Box 9003, Grand Forks, ND 58202-9003. The University of North Dakota School of Law is a participating law school in the Law School Data Assembly Service. In order for the admission process to be completed by April 1 of each year, the applicant is strongly urged to make application directly to the School of Law the preceding fall.

Applicants for advanced standing may be admitted and given credit for satisfactory work completed in other accredited law schools, provided they otherwise comply with the admission requirements of the School.

STUDENTS IN OTHER COLLEGES OR SCHOOLS ELECTING LAW COURSES

The School of Law permits non-Juris Doctor degree candidates to enroll in law school courses on a limited basis. Undergraduate UND students will generally not be permitted to enroll in law school (JD curriculum) courses. UND graduate students may be permitted to enroll in law school courses rarely and only with the permission of the dean upon appropriate petition. Interested students should contact the School of Law for further information.

LIBRARY

The Thormodsgard Law Library of the School of Law has more than 312,000 volumes and equivalents, including 155,000 microform volumes and over 2,400 serial subscriptions. The facility is a research library designed to serve the legal resource needs of the students and faculty of the School of Law and of the University. In addition, the law library serves the practicing bar and citizens throughout the state of North Dakota and the northern plains region. The library subscribes to LEXIS® and WESTLAW® computer assisted legal research services.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

A separate catalog for the School of Law describing degree requirements, course offerings, financial aid and scholarships, student organizations and activities, faculty biographies, placement and other miscellaneous information may be requested from the office of the Dean, School of Law, University of North Dakota, P.O. Box 9003, Grand Forks, ND 58202.