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The University of Montana School of Law offers a broad array
of elective courses, in addition to its required curriculum.
The School of Law also provides opportunities for obtaining
a certificate, acknowledging in-depth study in the areas
of American Indian Law, Environmental and Natural Resources
Law, or Alternative Dispute Resolution. The following provides
an overview of our curriculum opportunities and information
on registration.
Fall Semester Registration Information
Required Courses
Bar Exam Subjects
Elective Courses
Joint Degree Programs
Certificate Programs
Areas of Concentration
SPRING 2012 SEMESTER REGISTRATION INFORMATION
Spring Registration on CYBERBEAR
- CYBERBEAR
opens for Class of 2012 on Monday, November 15
- CYBERBEAR
opens for Class of 2013 on Tuesday, November 16
- CYBERBEAR
opens for Class of 2014 on Wednesday, November 17
Make sure your Pin Number is working before pre-registration. Also, please keep your mailing address current on CYBERBEAR.
Refer to the Law
School 2011-2012 academic calendar for other
important dates.
REQUIRED COURSES
The first year curriculum focuses on foundational legal
concepts, and is a fully required curriculum. It combines
theory and practice. For example, students learn the elements
of negligence in Torts, and implement those concepts by briefing
and arguing a summary judgment motion in Legal Writing and
Pre Trial Practice. Our Law Firm Program affords a
small group venue that allows 1L students to learn concepts
through simulated practice.
Students continue to learn foundational concepts as part
of the 2L required curriculum and to apply those concepts
in Business Transactions,
a course that simulates lawyering skills used in a business
practice, and Trial Practice,
a course that simulates trial skills. During
the second year of law school, students may select additional
courses from a selection of elective
offerings.
During the third year of law school, students
move from skills simulation to the representation of clients
as part of our clinic program. Students generally tailor
third year courses to reflect their interests by choosing
from our elective
offerings.
FIRST-YEAR REQUIRED COURSES:
| Fall Semester (16 credits) |
Spring Semester (13 credits) |
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* Elective (3 credits) |
SECOND-YEAR REQUIRED
COURSES:
| Fall Semester (12 credits) |
Spring Semester (10 credits) |
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THIRD-YEAR REQUIRED COURSES:
Clinic (4 credits)
During the 2L or 3L year, law students must also complete
an Advanced Writing Requirement.
ADVANCED WRITING REQUIREMENT
Students must satisfy the Advanced Writing Requirement by
the time of graduation. Students may complete the
Advanced Writing Requirement on a topic of their choice. The
classes eligible for satisfaction of the Advanced Writing
Requirement are listed on the Fall and Spring Class schedules,
and are subject to change from year to year. Students
may also satisfy the requirement through either Law Review
or through an Independent Study as provided in the Student
Handbook. In
all cases, each written and oral component of the Advanced
Writing Requirement must be satisfied as set forth in the
Student Handbook.
BAR
EXAM SUBJECTS
Bar exams are State specific. Some states use the tests
prepared by the National
Conference of Bar Examiners. The
National Conference of Bar Examiners prepares the Multistate
Professional Responsibility Exam, the Multistate Bar Exam,
the Multistate Essay Exam and the Multistate Performance
Test. Montana has opted to use these examinations
in part as indicated on the Montana
State Bar web site,
Board
of Bar Examiner’s Rule 103.
The following required and elective course offerings cover
subjects generally tested on bar examinations:
ELECTIVE COURSES
During the second and third year of law school, students
may take elective courses. Some
elective courses are offered only in alternate years as
indicated below. Please
note that an elective course may not be offered in a particular
year if the instructor who teaches the course is not available
or if a sufficient number of students do not register for
the course. Notice of a course cancellation will
be provided as soon as feasible.
ALTERNATE
YEAR ELECTIVE COURSES:
| 2010 – 2011 |
| Fall Semester |
Spring Semester |
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| 2011 – 2012 |
| Fall Semester |
Spring Semester |
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JOINT DEGREE PROGRAMS
We offer the following joint degree programs:
CERTIFICATE
PROGRAMS
We offer the following certificate
programs:
AREAS OF CONCENTRATION
If you have an interest in an area of law,
you might consider a series of related courses. The
following lists certain practice areas of law and provides
suggestions for courses important to each area. Faculty
advisors are also available to help you select courses
that match your interests.
GENERAL PRACTICE
Course Advisors:
Professors Larry Howell, Kristen Juras, and Hillary Wandler
Required
Courses:
Core
Courses:
Additional
Recommended Courses:
ENVIRONMENTAL AND RESOURCE LAW
Course Advisors: Professors Ray Cross, and Michelle Bryan
Mudd
Core
Courses:
Suggested
courses:
INDIAN LAW
Course Advisors: Professors Ray Cross
and Maylinn Smith
Core
Courses:
Suggested
Courses:
The University of Montana American
Indian Law Summer Program offers study in specialized areas
of Indian Law, and the courses offered are recommended for
a broad understanding of the area of Indian Law.
BUSINESS AND COMMERCIAL LAW
Course Advisors: Professors Martin Burke, Elaine Gagliardi,
Kristen Juras, Sally Weaver, and Chuck Willey
Required
Courses:
Business practice in Montana largely involves the representation
of closely held businesses owned by a small number of investors. Students
who intend to represent closely held businesses should consider
the following elective courses in addition to the required
courses:
Core
Courses:
Additional
Recommended Courses:
PERSONAL PLANNING (involves assisting clients
with financial planning and family issues):
Course Advisors: Professors Martin Burke, Ed Eck, Elaine Gagliardi,
Kristen Juras, and Chuck Willey
Required
Courses:
Core
Courses:
Additional
Recommended Courses:
CIVIL LITIGATION AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION
Course Advisors: Professors Bari Burke, Eduardo Capulong, Bill Corbett, Cynthia
Ford, Larry Howell, and Greg Munro
Core
Courses:
Suggested
Courses:
CRIMINAL LAW
Course Advisors: Professors Jordan Gross, Andrew King-Ries, and Jeff Renz
Core
Courses:
Suggested
Courses:
PERSPECTIVES ON LAW
Course Advisors: Professors Bari Burke and Eduardo Capulong
Suggested
Courses:
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