Program Overview
University of Colorado Law School Programs
The University of Colorado Law School offers various programs for students, including the JD Program, Master of Laws (LLM), and Master of Studies in Law (MSL).
JD Program
- The JD Program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive education in law.
- The program includes courses in various areas of law, such as American Indian Law, Civil Rights & Racial Justice, Constitutional Law, and more.
- Students can also participate in experiential learning opportunities, including clinics, externships, and competitions.
Master of Laws (LLM)
- The LLM Program is designed for students who have already earned a law degree and want to specialize in a particular area of law.
- The program includes courses in various areas of law, such as Health Law and Policy, International Law, and more.
Master of Studies in Law (MSL)
- The MSL Program is designed for students who want to gain a deeper understanding of law, but do not want to become lawyers.
- The program includes courses in various areas of law, such as Ethics and Compliance, Health Care, and more.
- Students can also participate in experiential learning opportunities, including externships.
Ethics and Compliance Curriculum
The MSL in Ethics and Compliance trains students to become compliance and ethics officers at large corporations, as well as at nonprofit entities.
Course Schedule
- Introduction to U.S. Law for MSL Students (3 credits): This course helps MSL students begin to "think like lawyers" by providing the necessary vocabulary and skills to use legal resources and legal reasoning in academic and professional environments.
- Communications for Compliance Professionals (2 credits): This course introduces the fundamental writing skills necessary for professionals to communicate effectively and appropriately to their intended audience, both in writing and orally.
- Compliance (3 credits): This course surveys the sources and nature of American compliance law, focusing on the legal incentives and obligations of businesses and other organizations to comply with the laws, ethics, internal policies, and other public and private norms applicable to their business operations or other organizational conduct.
- Ethical Organizations and Professionals (3 credits): This course examines ethical cultures in organizations and investigates the qualities, factors, and structures that promote ethical cultures, as well as the leadership traits that foster and inspire an ethical mindset in team members.
- Electives: Students can choose from a variety of elective courses, including Cybersecurity/Privacy, Health Care, Financial Services, and more.
Additional Requirements
- Accounting for Lawyers (1 credit): This course is required for students who do not have prior coursework in accounting.
- Special Topics in Compliance - Investigations (Wintersession: 1 credit): This course is required for students who do not have prior coursework in investigations.
Externships
- MSL students have the opportunity to work in approved externships for course credit, providing a valuable hands-on, real-world experience.
- Previous students have externed in fields including higher education, health care, and the financial industry.
Areas of Study
The University of Colorado Law School offers various areas of study, including:
- American Indian Law
- Civil Rights & Racial Justice
- Constitutional Law
- Criminal Law
- Dispute Resolution
- Entrepreneurial and Business Law
- Health Law and Policy
- Immigration and Citizenship Law
- International Law
- Juvenile and Family Law
- Labor and Employment Law
- Legal Theory
- Legal Writing
- Litigation
- Natural Resources, Energy, and Environmental Law
- Public Service Law
- Technology and Intellectual Property Law
Research Centers
The University of Colorado Law School has several research centers, including:
- Byron R. White Center for the Study of American Constitutional Law
- Silicon Flatirons
- Getches-Wilkinson Center for Natural Resources, Energy, and the Environment
Faculty and Scholarship
The University of Colorado Law School has a diverse and accomplished faculty, with expertise in various areas of law.
- Faculty Directory: The law school has a faculty directory that lists all faculty members and their areas of expertise.
- Scholarship: The law school has a strong commitment to scholarship, with faculty members publishing articles and books in various areas of law.
- Research Centers: The law school has several research centers that focus on specific areas of law, such as constitutional law, natural resources law, and technology law.
About the Law School
The University of Colorado Law School is a public law school located in Boulder, Colorado.
- History: The law school was founded in 1892 and has a long history of providing high-quality legal education.
- Leadership: The law school is led by a dean and has a faculty that is committed to teaching and scholarship.
- Inclusiveness and Diversity: The law school is committed to inclusiveness and diversity, with a diverse student body and faculty.
- Resources: The law school has a variety of resources available to students, including a library, career services, and academic support.
Career Opportunities
The University of Colorado Law School provides students with a variety of career opportunities, including:
- Career Services: The law school has a career services office that helps students find jobs and internships.
- Private Practice Careers: Many graduates of the law school go on to work in private practice, either as solo practitioners or as part of a law firm.
- Public Sector Careers: The law school also provides opportunities for students to work in the public sector, including government agencies and non-profit organizations.
- Judicial Clerkships: The law school has a strong reputation for placing graduates in judicial clerkships, both at the state and federal level.
- Business and Entrepreneurial Careers: The law school also provides opportunities for students to work in business and entrepreneurship, including startup companies and venture capital firms.
- Nontraditional Career Paths: The law school also provides opportunities for students to pursue nontraditional career paths, including careers in technology, healthcare, and education.
Employment Outcomes
The University of Colorado Law School has a strong track record of placing graduates in jobs, with a high employment rate for graduates.
- Graduates' Employment Data: The law school provides detailed data on the employment outcomes of its graduates, including the types of jobs they take and the salaries they earn.
- Career Services: The law school's career services office provides support to graduates as they navigate the job market, including resume review, interview preparation, and job search strategy.
Academic Support
The University of Colorado Law School provides a variety of academic support services to students, including:
- Academic Support: The law school has a variety of academic support services, including tutoring, academic advising, and study skills workshops.
- Calendars and Schedules: The law school provides detailed calendars and schedules for students, including course schedules, exam schedules, and deadlines for assignments and projects.
- Clinics: The law school has a variety of clinics that provide students with hands-on experience in different areas of law, including civil litigation, criminal law, and environmental law.
- The Colorado Law Experience: The law school provides a unique and comprehensive educational experience that includes a variety of academic and extracurricular activities.
- Courses and Registration: The law school provides detailed information on courses and registration, including course descriptions, schedules, and registration deadlines.
- Daniels Fund Ethics Initiative Collegiate Program at Colorado Law: The law school has a strong commitment to ethics and provides a variety of resources and programs to support students in developing their ethical skills and knowledge.
- Degrees: The law school offers a variety of degree programs, including the JD, LLM, and MSL.
- Exam Procedures & Technology: The law school provides detailed information on exam procedures and technology, including exam schedules, formats, and software.
- Executive Education: The law school provides executive education programs for working professionals, including courses, certificates, and degree programs.
- Experiential Learning: The law school provides a variety of experiential learning opportunities, including clinics, externships, and simulations.
- Graduation Requirements and Credit Caps: The law school provides detailed information on graduation requirements and credit caps, including the number of credits required for graduation and the maximum number of credits that can be taken per semester.
- Honor Code: The law school has a strong honor code that promotes academic integrity and honesty.
- Learning Outcomes: The law school provides detailed information on learning outcomes, including the skills and knowledge that students are expected to acquire in different areas of law.
- Mini Law School: The law school provides a mini law school program for non-law students, including courses and certificates in different areas of law.
- Public Service: The law school has a strong commitment to public service and provides a variety of resources and programs to support students in pursuing careers in public service.
- Rules of the Law School: The law school provides detailed information on its rules and regulations, including academic policies, student conduct, and disciplinary procedures.
- Study Abroad: The law school provides study abroad programs for students, including courses and internships in different countries.
- Transcripts and Forms: The law school provides detailed information on transcripts and forms, including how to request transcripts and complete forms for different purposes.
MSL Externships
The University of Colorado Law School provides MSL students with the opportunity to participate in externships, which provide hands-on experience in different areas of law.
- Emily Penning, MSL Class of 2017: "I've learned that concepts and theory learned in the classroom are necessary to succeed; however, education coupled with real world experience is the epitome of success."
- Mandi Martin, MSL Class of 2017: "My externship with HealthONE has been an invaluable experience. There is only so much you can learn from studying textbooks, and gaining hands-on experience with the largest health care network in Denver has brought my studies to life in ways I could only imagine."
News and Events
The University of Colorado Law School provides news and events for students, faculty, and staff, including announcements, updates, and calendars.
- Donate: The law school provides opportunities for donors to support its programs and activities, including scholarships, research centers, and public service initiatives.
- University of Colorado Boulder: The law school is part of the University of Colorado Boulder, which provides a variety of resources and programs for students, faculty, and staff.
- Consumer Information (ABA Required Disclosures): The law school provides detailed information on consumer information, including admissions, tuition, and employment outcomes.
- Privacy: The law school has a strong commitment to privacy and provides detailed information on its privacy policies and procedures.
- Legal & Trademarks: The law school provides detailed information on its legal and trademark policies, including copyright, trademark, and intellectual property.
- Campus Map: The law school provides a campus map, including locations of buildings, parking, and other facilities.
- University of Colorado Boulder: The law school is part of the University of Colorado Boulder, which provides a variety of resources and programs for students, faculty, and staff.
- Regents of the University of Colorado: The law school is governed by the Regents of the University of Colorado, which provides oversight and guidance on its programs and activities.
