Founded in 1891, the University of Nebraska College of Law offers an excellent legal education at a reasonable cost. Large enough to offer a diverse curriculum, yet small enough to ensure that students are not lost in the crowd, Nebraska Law is a charter member of the AALS and is accredited by the ABA. It is located on the University of Nebraska Lincoln’s East Campus in the state’s capital, Lincoln. The capital city has a population of approximately 260,000 and offers a vibrant array of opportunities.

Curriculum

Nebraska Law’s academic year runs from late August to early May. Orientation before the beginning of the fall semester introduces first-year students to the college. Each incoming student is assigned a faculty advisor who can answer questions about law school, course selections, and career goals. The first-year curriculum is 18 credit hours the first semester and 15 credit hours the second semester. It includes international law, civil procedure, contracts, criminal law, legal writing, property, and torts. Courses in the second and third years are elective, with the exception of required courses in constitutional law and professional responsibility, a research seminar, and 6 credit hours of professional skills coursework. The curriculum encompasses a broad range of subjects, and offers particular depth in the areas of litigation; alternative dispute resolution; taxation; environmental law; employment; international law; space, cyber, and telecommunications; and corporate and commercial law. Students who wish to focus on a particular area of the law may pursue a program of concentrated study in litigation skills, IP, business transactions, or solo/small-firm practice. Students may also develop an individualized program of concentrated study in areas of law that are of particular interest.

The College of Law provides an Academic Resource Program for first-year students to assist them in developing and improving fundamental skills such as note taking, briefing cases, legal analysis, outlining, and writing examinations. The program provides weekly skills classes as well as individual academic counseling and a series of lectures.

Although completing the requirements for a JD degree normally takes three academic years (six semesters), it is possible to graduate in two and a half years by attending summer school. The college does accept part-time students but does not have a night program. Students receiving the JD degree are qualified to practice in any state upon passage of that state’s bar examination.

Successful lawyers use a wide array of skills—from analytical thinking to networking to writing. Nebraska Law’s core curriculum is designed to teach you many of these skills through doctrinal, clinical, and other skills-focused courses. Nebraska Law’s Build Your Character (BYC) program is designed to help you continue to build these skills through your participation in various opportunities available outside the classroom. Whether you choose to take advantage of our externship program, lead a student organization, participate in a competition, or attend a lecture, these opportunities complement what is taught in the classroom and allow you to enhance your strengths and build the skills you need to become a complete lawyer. Students identify potential growth areas and set goals, then use the BYC tags when considering whether to take advantage of an opportunity presented.