UMass Law Viewbook 2016

Pursue Justice

At the University of Massachusetts School of Law you do more than learn the law. You learn to apply it in the pursuit of justice for your clients.

UMass Law teaches you the principles and rules of law, as well as the theoretical frameworks that shape the structure and vocabulary of legal arguments. In our simulation courses, clinics, and field placements, you develop the skills, values, and habits that enable you to solve your clients’ problems and advance their rights effectively and creatively.

Join our community Building a community of learners who will contribute to the legal profession is a core value and a reality at UMass Law. You’ll form relationships with your classmates, your professors, our alumni, and members of the bench and bar. You will be challenged to develop your professional identity and be supported as you do so.

Our student body is small and collaborative. It is broadly diverse by age, gender, race, background, sexual orientation, and life/ work experience. While many of our students come from Massachusetts, the entering class included students from 17 different states.

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Your degree options UMass Law offers three programs leading to the JD: •

Full-time day program

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Part-time day program

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Part-time evening / weekend program

UMass Law also offers two joint degree options: JD/ MBA and JD / MPP.

Faculty scholars and mentors UMass Law faculty members are practiced lawyers, gifted teachers, supportive mentors, and respected scholars. They joined the faculty because they love the law and the practice of law. They love to teach, and they want to participate in shaping the next generation of lawyers.

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Prepare for the profession You’ll learn the fundamentals of statutory and case law in the core curriculum, and be exposed to specialized and emerging areas of law through your choice of elective courses.

UMass Law’s three-semester Legal Skills Program focuses on essential legal skills such as fact gathering, interviewing witnesses, legal research and writing, counseling, oral advocacy, and negotiation. Your work on pending legal matters and with simulation exercises will enhance those skills.

During your 30 hours of pro bono service, you’ll assist lawyers representing clients and organizations that otherwise could not afford a lawyer. Finally, you’ll take the lead during your required clinic or placement (externship) course as you handle cases under the guidance of a faculty member or supervisor.

UMass Law has two on-site clinics – the Immigration Law Clinic and Community Development Clinic – and partnerships with other legal organizations and clinics.

Find your path to practice At UMass Law, developing your professional identity and finding your career path begin when you enter our doors. You are introduced to the various practice options in your classes, where professors speak from personal experience about what lawyers do. Your skills courses, clinics, and internships help you discover your strengths and career preferences.

The pro bono experience and your externship put you in the middle of the practice of law with role models and mentors to observe and to learn from.

Our rich co-curricular experiences include practice panels and programs that expose you to lawyers from an array of specialties and give you the opportunity to network.

The Career Services Office helps with résumé writing and identifying job opportunities.

Experienced counselors will mentor you as you pursue your career goals.

A law school for the people Access to law school means access to power – the power to understand, interpret, enforce, and make the law. At UMass Law, we’re committed to providing access to law school for all those with the desire and the potential to be lawyers. That means we keep tuition low; create a welcoming and supportive learning community; and embrace, respect, and celebrate the rich diversity of people and ideas.

A law school that’s affordable UMass Law School tuition is half of what many private law schools charge.

In addition to state and federal financial aid, UMass Law offers scholarships and fellowships to those who qualify. The financial aid staff are trained to help you make law school financially feasible.

Public Interest Fellowship Program Each year, up to 20 first-year students are accepted into the Public Interest Fellowship Program. As a Fellow, you’ll commit to serving underrepresented populations and addressing public and social issues. Throughout law school, you’ll perform pro bono service and attend special programs focused on public interest issues. After graduation, you commit to practice public interest law for four years. In exchange, Fellows receive a 50 percent reduction in tuition and mandatory fees.

Our history The University of Massachusetts School of Law is the only public law school in the Commonwealth and was established in 2010. The University of Massachusetts School of Law - Dartmouth is provisionally approved by the Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar of the American Bar Association, 321 North Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60654, 312-988-6738 .

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Bangor

Join us at UMass Law

Maine Ve r m o n t

Portland

New Hampshire

Concord

If you are interested in attending the University of Massachusetts School of Law, the application deadline is June 30. For more information about

Portsmouth

applying, tuition and fees, and financial aid, visit: Massachusetts

Boston

Springfield New Yo r k

www.umassd.edu/pursuelaw

UMass UMas Dartmouth Da

Providence Connecticut

New Haven Rhode Island

or call 508.985.1110.

UMass Law is conveniently located 30 miles from Providence, RI,

NYC

and 60 miles from Boston, MA.

University of Massachusetts School of Law 333 Faunce Corner Road 508.985.1110

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Dartmouth

Dartmouth, MA 02747-2300

lawadmissions@umassd.edu

www.umassd.edu/ law