Curriculum
Courses
The University of Idaho College of Law follows an engaging form of teaching that involves the case method – a study of the actual decisions made by appellate courts. We supplement this with selected readings that provide key insights into the nature of judicial and legislative processes.
Many of our advanced courses also provide students with simulated exercises and problem solving. We emphasize techniques that foster student initiative so they can develop analytical and communication skills.
Your First Year
Students will have the option to complete all three years in either Moscow or Boise. This lets students study law in the community of their choice. All students take the following course work their first year.
Fall Semester Credits
| Course | Credit |
|---|---|
| Civil Procedure and Introduction to Law | 4 |
| Torts | 4 |
| Contracts | 4 |
| Legal Research | 1 |
| Legal Writing and Analysis | 2 |
| Academic Skills Lab I | 1 (P/F) |
Spring Semester Credits
| Course | Credit |
|---|---|
| Criminal Law | 3 |
| Constitutional Law | 4 |
| Property | 4 |
| Written and Oral Advocacy | 3 |
| Academic Skills Lab II (required for fourth quartile students; optional for other students) |
1 (P/F) |
First Week
From the first day of new student orientation, our students grapple with the meaning of the law and the challenges of being a lawyer through our Professionalism Workshop. Students have the first of many opportunities to meet with distinguished members of the bench and bar from all over the Northwest who donate their time to this innovative program. In small groups, judges and lawyers engage first-year students in examining factual scenarios designed to produce thoughtfulness and introspection on topics such as civility, truthfulness and fairness in litigation; fiduciary obligations to clients; reasonableness of attorney fees; conflicts of interest; and pro bono service for clients in need.
Professionalism in Law Education (PLE)
The PLE program is designed to provide students with a professionalism education program that addresses the following topics:
- cultural competencies,
- civility and appropriate professional behaviors,
- law practice management,
- bias and thought processes, and
- other topics related to the development of a student’s professional conduct and identity.
The PLE program is designed to prepare students for the challenges and realities of legal practice.
Professional Development
Experiential learning and professional development are woven into the fabric of our curriculum, and you will find our commitment to public service evident in everything the College of Law offers. We believe this is essential in providing our students with a legal education relevant in today’s world.
Graduation Requirements
Students must complete six semesters of full-time study in residence, earn 90 semester hours of credit, and maintain a minimum 2.30 grade point average.
- Students must pass all first-year courses as well as Constitutional Law II, Evidence, Advanced Advocacy, and Professional Responsibility.
- Students must earn at least six credits in experiential learning courses designed to teach professional legal skills and write a major paper to satisfy an upper-division writing requirement.
- Because the College of Law, like the legal profession, places a high value on public service, all students must complete at least 50 hours of law-related pro bono service before graduation.
All graduation requirements must be completed within six years from the time the student first matriculates into law school.