University of New Hampshire-Franklin Pierce School of Law

What is the accreditation of University of New Hampshire-Franklin Pierce School of Law?

The University of New Hampshire is institutionally accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education, or NECHE. UNH Franklin Pierce School of Law is also an American Bar Association-approved law school. These are different forms of oversight: NECHE accredits the university as an institution, while ABA approval addresses standards for its legal education program.

Institutional accreditation is relevant to recognition of the university and eligibility for federal student aid when other federal conditions are met. ABA approval is particularly consequential for JD students because states commonly use graduation from an ABA-approved law school in their bar-admission rules. Neither status alone guarantees admission to a bar: jurisdictions may impose examination, character-and-fitness and other requirements. Graduate legal degrees such as an LLM should not be mistaken for a JD or assumed to qualify their holders for licensure.

What are the admission requirements at University of New Hampshire-Franklin Pierce School of Law?

Admission to UNH Franklin Pierce School of Law is graduate-level admission, not freshman admission based on high school grades, SAT scores or ACT scores. A typical JD applicant needs a bachelor's degree before enrollment and applies through the law-school process, which includes academic records and materials used to assess readiness for legal study.

JD applicants should consult the school's current application instructions for its accepted admission tests, personal-statement prompt, résumé, recommendation requirements and deadlines. Law schools commonly use the Law School Admission Council's Credential Assembly Service to collect and transmit transcripts and recommendations, but applicants should follow this school's instructions for their particular program and application cycle. International applicants may face additional transcript-evaluation or English-proficiency requirements.

Admission standards and application procedures can differ for the residential JD, hybrid JD and graduate law degrees. A published minimum, when one applies, should not be confused with the profile of students who ultimately enroll. Likewise, eligibility to submit an application does not imply admission.

What are the application fees and waivers at University of New Hampshire-Franklin Pierce School of Law?

Applicants should distinguish any UNH Franklin Pierce School of Law application fee from charges imposed by outside application services. In particular, Law School Admission Council account, test and Credential Assembly Service charges are separate from a fee the law school might assess or waive.

Before submitting, check the current instructions for the exact JD or graduate program and application route being used. Fee policies and waivers can differ by program or applicant circumstance, and a waiver generally needs to be arranged according to the application system's instructions before payment. An enrollment deposit, if required after admission, is a different charge.

What types of ROTC programs are available at University of New Hampshire-Franklin Pierce School of Law?

UNH Franklin Pierce School of Law does not operate a law-school ROTC unit in Concord. ROTC opportunities associated with the wider University of New Hampshire should not be treated as automatically available through enrollment at the law school.

ROTC is principally a route for students preparing to commission as military officers and normally involves coursework, training and service commitments. A prospective law student interested in military service should ask the relevant ROTC program or military recruiting office whether their degree, campus location and enrollment status permit participation. Military legal careers, including the Judge Advocate General's Corps, have separate selection and qualification processes.

What are the requirements for transfer students at University of New Hampshire-Franklin Pierce School of Law?

A student seeking to move into the UNH Franklin Pierce JD program from another law school needs a law-school-specific transfer review. Undergraduate transfer-credit practices at UNH do not establish whether JD credits will count toward a law degree.

A prospective JD transfer applicant should be prepared to provide an official transcript from the current law school and the materials specified in the current transfer instructions. Admission and credit acceptance are separate decisions: the school may admit someone without applying every previously completed course to its JD requirements. Course content, grades, the prior school's status and limits on credits earned elsewhere can all matter.

Before committing to a transfer, request a written assessment of how prior credits would apply and how many terms remain. Students hoping to practice in a particular state should also check whether a change of law school affects that jurisdiction's bar-eligibility rules.

What types of study abroad programs are available at University of New Hampshire-Franklin Pierce School of Law?

Law students should distinguish a law-school-approved international opportunity from UNH study-abroad programs designed for undergraduates on the Durham campus. Availability depends on the JD or graduate law curriculum, the term and the school's approval rules.

International coursework or experiences can be particularly relevant to students interested in comparative law, international business or cross-border intellectual property. Before relying on such an option for degree progress, students need confirmation of credit approval, scheduling, costs and any effect on required law courses. Immigration status and financial-aid eligibility can also affect participation.