The Academic Program

The UM School of Law provides a strong foundation in substantive law, legal reasoning and legal writing. Its academic program is designed to foster an understanding of the development of law, legal institutions and ethical issues and to afford opportunities for research and writing, participation in small group seminars and simulation experiences.

First-year students complete a set curriculum that focuses on the development of analytical skills and a foundation of substantive knowledge. All first-year students are assigned to one of three sections, with class sizes in the substantive courses averaging about 60 students. In the yearlong research and writing course, students are taught in very small sections to enhance the learning experience.

Second- and third-year students are free to select their own courses of study and emphasis. Students may select from approximately 100 elective courses, including seminars and trial-advocacy courses. The elective curriculum offers generous opportunities for students to pursue special interests such as constitutional and individual rights, business and commercial transactions, federal taxation, international law and environmental law.

Programs of Study

Juris Doctor (J.D.)

The School of Law awards the Juris Doctor degree to students who complete six semesters of resident study. The program encompasses the successful completion of 90 credit hours of law courses (75 of which must be graded credit hours), including the courses specifically required for graduation. To graduate, students must earn a cumulative grade-point average of 2.0 (C) or better on all attempted hours.

Juris Doctor/Master of Business Administration (J.D./MBA)

The Graduate School, School of Business Administration and the School of Law jointly offer programs for students who desire training in law and business.

Juris Doctor/Master of Taxation (J.D./M.Tax.) and Juris Doctor/Master of Accountancy (J.D./ M.Accy.)

The Patterson School of Accountancy, the School of Law, and the Graduate School jointly offer programs for students who desire training in law and accountancy or taxation.

By allowing students to meet requirements for two degrees simultaneously, students are able to earn the MBA, M.Tax. or M.Accy. degree and the J.D. degree in a shorter length of time than would be the case if each degree were pursued separately. In general, certain courses are used in partial satisfaction of the requirements for each of the three degrees.

*Selected from those courses designated each semester by law faculty

Elective Courses

Administrative and Legislative Process

Administrative Law

Federal Indian Law

Legislation

Local Government Law

Business Organizations

Corporations

Corporate Finance

Securities Regulation

Business Planning

Agency and Partnership

Antitrust

Business Regulation Externship

Commercial Law

Commercial Paper

Secured Transactions

Bankruptcy

Bankruptcy Reorganization Seminar

Banking Law

Constitutional Law and Individual Rights

Bioethics

Constitutional Law Seminar

Political and Civil Rights

Sex Discrimination

Employment Discrimination

Supreme Court Practice

Legal Problems of Indigence

Constitutional Law II

Power and Structure of the U.S. Constitution

Criminal Law and Procedure

Criminal Procedure I

Criminal Procedure II

Sentencing

Prosecution Function

Criminal Appeals Clinic

Criminal Trial Practice

Capital Punishment and the Individual Process

Cybercrime

Gaming Law

Domestic Relations Law

Family Law

Family Law Seminar

Children in the Legal System

Youth Court Seminar

Environmental and Resource Law

Environmental Law

International Environmental Law

Oil and Gas

Coastal and Ocean Law

Admiralty Law

U.S. Aviation Law

Field Placement Programs

Prosecution Externship

Public Service Internship

History, Theory and Interdisciplinary Study of Law

Jurisprudence

Legal History

Law and Economics

Law and Literature

Concepts and Theories of Comparative Political Analysis

Formulation of American Foreign Policy

International and Comparative Law

International Law

European Communities Law

International Trade

International Environmental Law

Comparative Law

International Aviation Law

International Security Law and Policy

International Trade and Commercial Policy Space Law

Coastal and Ocean Law

International Finance

Formulation of American Foreign Policy

International Conflict in the Nuclear Age

International Human Rights

Labor and Employment Law

Labor Law I

Labor Law II

Employer-Employee Relations

Employment Discrimination

Labor Arbitration Seminar

Employee Benefits

Practice and Procedure

Advanced Legal Research

Advanced Legal Writing

Pretrial Practice

Federal Trial Practice

Appellate Advocacy

Federal Jurisdiction

Supreme Court Practice

Mississippi Civil Practice

Criminal Trial Practice

Lawyering Skills

Alternative Dispute Resolution

Interviewing and Counseling

Youth Court Seminar

Conflict of Laws

Problems in Evidence

Civil Procedure II

Evidence

General Practice

Property

Internet Law

Land Finance

Land Planning

Estate Planning

Future Interests and Trusts

Wills and Trusts Drafting

Housing Law

Eminent Domain

Eminent Domain Seminar

Intellectual Property

Intellectual Property

Patent Law

Copyright Law

Entertainment and Sports Law

Communications Law

Law and Computers

Taxation

Income Taxation of Individuals

Advanced Individual Income Taxation

Income Taxation of Corporations and Shareholders

Partnership Taxation

Federal Taxation of Gratuitous Transfers

International Taxation

Torts and Compensation Systems

Insurance Law

Workers’ Compensation

Admiralty

Recent Special Topics Courses

Corporate Criminal Liability

Health-Care Law

International Intellectual Property

White Collar Crime

Wetlands Law

Independent Work

Individual Study

Mississippi Law Journal

Moot Court Board

Journal of Space Law

Pro Bono Service