Admissions
Admissions Process
- The J.D. Program
- Eligibility for Admission
- Application Deadlines
- Application Requirements
- Admissions Criteria
- Interviews
- Contact Us
The J.D. Program
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: the full-time day program or the part-time evening 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 |
| Day classes, Monday through Friday, between 9:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m. |
Evening classes, Monday through Thursday, between 6:00 p.m.- 9:00 p.m. |
| 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. |
Eligibility
To be eligible for admission to the J.D. program, all applicants must:
- Hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university;
- Have a recent score on the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT);
- Register with the Law School Data Assembly Service (LSDAS).
In addition to taking the LSAT and registering with LSDAS, applicants who have earned their baccalaureate degree outside of the United States must also register for the JD Credential Assembly Service (JDCAS) and submit their foreign transcripts to JDCAS.
Application Deadlines
| 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 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 for applicants to the part-time program.
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 marked as "late" and will be considered at the end of the process on a space-available basis.
Application Requirements
Your application to the UH Law Center must include:
- Completed application form;
- Non-refundable $70 application fee;
- Personal Statement (no longer than 3 pages, double-spaced);
- Resume;
- Two letters of recommendation;
- Immigration Documents (for international applicants requiring a student visa).
Please note that no application will be reviewed without the LSDAS report. It is the applicant's responsibility to make sure that his/her LSDAS report is complete; your LSDAS 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 LSDAS report status by accessing your LSAC online account.
Admissions Criteria
Demonstrated academic ability and strong LSAT scores are not the only criteria for admission. Consideration is also given to the following factors:
- Your background;
- Honors and achievements;
- Extracurricular activities;
- Service to others;
- Unique abilities;
- Hardships overcome;
- Advanced degrees;
- Employment;
- Demonstrated leadership abilities.
Interviews
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.
Contact Us
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