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At St. Mary’s University, we combine our tradition of excellence in legal education with new programs and methodologies that prepare our students for the practice of law in a changing world. St. Mary’s teaches its students the practical skills that enable them to become advocates of legal and social justice.

Full time Day Program

The study of law is not only dynamic, it also is integrated and interwoven with layers of knowledge from a broad range of specific fields and disciplines. As a successful lawyer, you will need a solid foundation in those areas to skillfully navigate the complex daily issues that arise in a professional legal setting. At St. Mary’s, you will gain a comprehensive foundation in six key areas upon which everything else you do will be built. These include:

• Persons and property
• Employment and business
• Public and international law
• Dispute resolution
• Research and writing
• Philosophy of law

Curriculum Options

The hallmark of a St. Mary’s education is personalization and excellence in achievement. Through small class sizes, compelling instruction, and a highly gifted and engaging faculty, you will become a valued member of a tradition of excellence that spans more than 80 years.

At St. Mary’s today, this excellence continues with your opportunity to concentrate in some of the most enlightening fields of 21st-century law, including...

• Advocacy Law (Certificate Available)
• Alternative Dispute Resolution
• Criminal Law (Certificate Available)
• International and Comparative Law (Certificate Available)
• Public Interest Law
• Terrorism Law

Evening Program

St. Mary's University School of Law offers a demanding Evening Law Program accessible to men and women who are unable to attend day classes for a variety of reasons.

Evening law students will begin their legal education with considerably more responsibilities at work and at home - than day students. These responsibilities require an evening student to embark on their time in law school committed and dedicated to succeed. St. Mary's is committed to offering evening students an excellent education and a range of services for evening students, including advice on career counseling through its Career Services office. St. Mary's prides itself on student access to the members of the faculty and evening division students will find their teachers readily accessible. Graduation requirements are the same for students in both programs.

First-year law students in the evening program attend classes Monday through Thursday during evening hours. The first-year course schedule is mandated for both evening and day students. Evening students will complete their first year of law school in three semesters, including one class taught in a summer session. After completion of the first year of law school, students should be able to obtain their degrees in four years, including some summer school study. However, should an evening student wish to accelerate their program, they may transfer into the Full-Time Day Program after completion of their first 31 credits. All students must successfully complete 90 credit hours, so a student taking an average of 10 hours per semester will complete his or her degree in four and one-half years without taking any summer school classes after the first year is completed.

Evening division students may move to the day program and day students to the evening program after the first year of law school is complete (completion of 31 credits). All students must finish their degrees in seven years, including summer.

Summer Skills Enhancement Program

The Summer Skills Enhancement Program creates an opportunity for a very limited number of applicants, who otherwise might not be admitted, to gain acceptance, at the same time that it helps them prepare for the rigors of legal education.  Each summer fewer than twenty applicants attend St. Mary's for one month, and those who successfully complete this challenging and intensive program are offered a place in the first-year class.

How do I apply for this program?
Do I need to submit a separate application?

There is no formal or separate application to be considered for this program.  During its normal deliberations on applicant files, the Admissions Committee votes to recommend a very limited number for participation in this program.

Can I somehow request consideration for this program?

An applicant may include a statement with their application requesting consideration for participation in this program, and their reasons for doing so.

If I ask for consideration for this program, will that hurt my chances for regular acceptance?

No. Requests for consideration in the Summer Skills Enhancement Program in no way detract from full and complete consideration for regular acceptance into the fall.

Joint Degree Programs

The Law School, in cooperation with other departments of St. Mary's University, has established several joint-degree programs.  Once enrolled in a joint degree program, a law student usually may earn six hours of credit toward the doctor of jurisprudence by successfully completing a master of arts in communication studies, a master of science in computer science, a master of arts in English language and literature, a master of science in industrial engineering, a master of arts in international relations, a master of arts in public administration or a master of arts in theology.

Students who successfully complete a master of business administration will earn nine hours of credit toward the doctor of jurisprudence. The students will also earn credit toward the selected master's degree by satisfying the requirements for doctor of jurisprudence.

The Law School's joint-degree programs are offered in coordination with the Graduate School of St. Mary's University. These programs allow students at St. Mary's to complement their training in the law with advanced study in another discipline. The first year of academic work for a law student pursuing a joint degree consists entirely of law courses. During the second and third year, law and master's-degree courses are taken. Depending on the specific requirements of the master's program, a student ordinarily can earn both a law degree and a master's degree in three or four years.

An interested applicant must gain admission to both the Law School and the Graduate School, which make separate admissions decisions. Application to the Graduate School may be made after the student begins law school.

Information may be obtained from the faculty advisors designated for the various programs.

Following are brief descriptions of some of the joint-degree programs offered by St. Mary's University.

Doctor of Jurisprudence
Master of Business Administration (JD/MBA)

The JD/MBA program is designed for students who wish to acquire a broad knowledge of business to complement their legal training.  Federal, state and corporate taxation, estate planning, banking and finance, accounting and corporate management are but a few of the areas in which law and business overlap.  Students who wish to serve as counsel to corporations, or specialize in business and commercial law, would benefit from an advanced degree in business.  Professor Mark W. Cochran is the JD/MBA advisor.

Among the courses offered in the MBA program are Taxation for Corporations, Estate and Gift Taxation, Multinational Management, Advanced Managerial Accounting, International Banking and Financial Management, and Investment and Portfolio Analysis.

Doctor of Jurisprudence
Master of Arts in International Relations (JD/IR)

The JD/IR program is for law students who wish to gain specialized knowledge of issues related to international affairs.  Due to the internationalization of relations among the countries of the world, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), and the globalization of the world's economy, there is an increased need for lawyers who have an international perspective on the practice of law. 

Among the courses offered in the IR program are Current Problems in International and Public Affairs, Politics in Developing Areas, Politics of World Economic Problems, Comparative Political Systems, United States Foreign policy, Studies in Latin Inter-American Affairs, and 20th Century Political Thought.

Doctor of Jurisprudence
Master of Arts in Public Administration (JD/MPA)

The JD/MPA program is designed to provide interested law students with a broad knowledge of issues that arise in the public sector.  Controversies concerning the utilization of natural resources, land use (zoning, planning, and economic development), labor relations, the administration of justice, and civil rights all illustrate the importance of law in the public sector.  Associate Professor Emily Fowler Hartigan is the JD/MPA advisor.

Among the courses offered in the Master's in Public Administration program are Social Responsibility and Business Environment, Financial Policies, Management and Organization Development, Organizational Behavior and Urban Political Institutions and Processes.

Doctor of Jurisprudence
Master of Arts in Theology (JD/MT)

The JD/MT program immerses students in the study of both the laws of society and the law of God.  The program is especially suited for students who wish to pursue a legal career as a form of ministry.  Professor Michael S. Ariens is the JD/MT advisor.

Among the courses offered in the Master/s of Theology program are Foundational Moral Theology Ethics, Ecology and Christian Ethics, Dynamics of Spiritual Life, Marriage and the Family, Theology of Human Sexuality, and Principles of Theological Method.

How to apply

• Applicants may apply to either the Evening Program or the Day Program, but not to both. Admissions standards are the same for both programs.
• Applicants must possess a bachelor's or higher degree from an accredited college or university prior to beginning their legal education.
• Applicants must register for and take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT).

Application Process

1. Applicants must submit a St. Mary's University School of Law application for admission online or by mail.
2. Applicants must also subscribe to the Law School Data Assembly Service (LSDAS) and take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). Contact Law Services at (215) 968-1001 or via the Internet at www.LSAC.org to register for the LSAT and subscribe to the LSDAS. The LSDAS prepares a report containing vital admissions information, such as an undergraduate academic summary, copies of all undergraduate, graduate and law/professional school transcripts, LSAT scores and writing samples.

First-year admission occurs only in the fall of each year. You may submit the School of Law application before or after taking the LSAT and before subscribing to the LSDAS, but early application is encouraged.

Important Information on the LSAT: The LSAT is offered four times a year (September or October, December, February and June) at locations across the United States. It is not a test of accumulated knowledge, but rather a test of logical and analytical reasoning. Preparing for the test requires time and dedication and it is recommended you take it only after adequate preparation.

If you would like further information about the admissions process, preparing for the LSAT or would like an application bulletin mailed to you, please send an e-mail message to lawadmissions@stmarytx.edu.

Graduation Requirements

Graduation requirements will be the same for students in both programs. All programs and offices, including the Clinical Program, will be available to evening students as well.

Students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better to graduate. Faculty may add additional requirements at any time.