The J.D. program is a 90 hour curriculum culminating in the Doctor of Jurisprudence degree. Students at UHLC have two options for pursuing their degree: full-time program or part-time program. The full-time program is designed for students who plan to devote nearly all of their time to the study of law while the part-time program is designed for students who plan to work during law school. Applicants must designate in their application which program they are applying to. Both programs begin in the fall semester, and spring/summer admission is not offered.
| Full-time Program | Part-time Program |
| Generally three years to complete degree | Generally four years to complete degree |
| 15 hours per semester | 6-10 hours per semester |
| Employment is limited to no more than 15 hours per week during first year, and no more than 20 hours per week during remaining years. | No limit on employment while enrolled part-time. |
To be eligible for admission to the J.D. program, all applicants must:
| FULL TIME | ||
| Early Decision | ||
| Regular Decision | ||
| PART TIME | ||
| Early Decision | ||
| Regular Decision |
We recommend that applicants to the full-time program take the LSAT no later than the December administration. However, full-time applicants who take the February and June LSAT will be considered on a space-available basis.
Applicants to the part-time program are encouraged to take the LSAT no later than the February administration. However, June LSAT scores will be considered on a space-available basis.
Applicants who require a student visa must take the LSAT by the December administration. Applicants must take the LSAT no later than October to receive early decision consideration. Early decision is non-binding.
Any application received after the regular decision deadline will be considered at the end of the process on a space-available basis.
*Any application received after the regular decision deadline will be marked as "late" and will be considered at the end of the process on a space-available basis.
Your application to the UH Law Center must include the following items, which should be submitted electronically:
Your application file must also include a complete CAS report which must include:
Please note that no application will be reviewed without the CAS report. It is the applicant's responsibility to make sure that his/her CAS report is complete; your CAS report will not become complete until you have a valid LSAT score, transcripts from all undergraduate institutions, and two letters of recommendation. You may review your CAS report status by accessing your LSAC online account.
Qualifications for J.D. enrollment are based upon factors relevant to the legal profession and to enrolling a diverse student body with a variety of perspectives, experiences, and viewpoints that will enhance the educational experience of all students. Demonstrated academic ability as demonstrated by undergraduate grade point average and LSAT scores are important criteria for admission. However, it is university policy, consistent with Texas statutes, that no single criterion can be utilized as the sole determiner of admission status, nor can fixed weights be applied to any one criterion during the admission process; therefore, the personal statement, letters of recommendation, resume, and optional statements are extremely important in the decision-making process. All files receive a full-file review, and consideration is given to many factors. Additional factors include, without limitation, the applicant's background; race and ethnicity; honors and achievements; service to others; communication skills; talents relevant to the practice of law; hardships overcome; advanced degrees; work experience; leadership; and other relevant factors.
Starting January 2012, Texas law requires all students under the age of 30 to be immunized against bacterial meningitis (SB 1107). Entering students will need to provide a certificate signed by a health care provider, or an official immunization record, verifying that the student has been vaccinated against bacterial meningitis or has received a booster during the 5 years prior to registration. Please check your shot records to ensure you are in compliance with this new law. The University has placed a hold on your student account that prevents registration for classes until this requirement is met.
For additional information, including a list of frequently asked questions, please visit http://www.uh.edu/academics/courses-enrollment/policies/immunization/.
Interviews are not granted, but an appointment may be scheduled to discuss the admissions process with an admissions counselor. All decisions of the Admissions Committee are final, and applications will be reconsidered only under very compelling circumstances.
For further information, you may contact the Office of Admissions directly at:
University of Houston Law Center
Office of Admissions
100 Law Center
Houston, TX 77204-6060
Telephone: (713)743-2280
Email: lawadmissions@uh.edu