Law
Juris Doctor
Overview
Related Topics
Transform your passion into practice
The Juris Doctor degree equips you with a broad legal education and professional skills for a career in law, business or public service.
Through the study of appellate court decisions, advanced readings, simulations and real-world practice, you will learn to analyze, interpret and apply the law to meet the diverse legal needs of your future clients. You'll also receive intensive training in legal research, writing, oral arguments and other skills essential to the practice of law.
The College of Law offers valuable practical experiences representing real clients. You’ll have the opportunity to apply the core concepts you learn in your law school courses to the actual practice of law through externships, a rigorous pro bono program and the college’s six legal clinics.
A law degree from University of Idaho opens the door to a diverse range of opportunities, both in the courtroom and outside the courtroom. Graduates pursue careers as private practice attorneys, prosecutors, defense attorneys, judges and judicial law clerks, while others apply their legal training in business, government and nonprofit organizations through roles in corporate law, compliance, public policy and leadership.
Highlights of this degree include:
- One ABA-accredited college with two unique campus lifestyles: Moscow, a classic college town nestled in the Palouse Hills or Boise, in the heart of Idaho’s capital city. Schedule a campus tour now.
- A curriculum focused on experiential learning and practical training. Get on-the job experience with six legal clinics, trial advocacy training and moot court competitions, the student-led Idaho Law Review, pro bono program, internships and externships. Learn more about practical training opportunities at Idaho Law.
This program could be a good fit if you:
- Want to practice law
- Have a strong interest in public service and helping others through advocacy
- Have solid skills in negotiation, project management, writing and communication
- Can think critically and analytically about complex problems
Training for public service
Curriculum and research opportunities
The J.D. in law is a 90-credit program combining coursework and applied learning experiences. Students build technical expertise while gaining hands-on experience in the field.
Explore program courses in the University Catalog
Enhance your J.D. with a certificate
Customize your legal education with a certificate from the College of Law. Certificates provide focused study in specialized areas of legal practice, allowing you to build deeper knowledge, strengthen your professional credentials and explore fields aligned with your interests and career goals. There is no extra fee to complete a J.D. legal specialization certificate. Available certificate options include:
Career outcomes
Current job openings
1,574 in ID, WA, OR, MT and HIPotential careers and mid-career salaries
- Lawyers
$133,639 - Judicial Law Clerks
$68,309 - Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers
$98,760 - Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators
$95,623 - Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates
$146,907
* Career data provided by Lightcast.
Costs and funding
Pursuing your law degree at University of Idaho offers exceptional value and a nationally respected education. No matter where you’re from, you’ll pay in-state tuition your first year of law school. And through the Western Regional Graduate Program, you’ll continue to pay in-state tuition all three years. Even if you’re not WRGP-eligible, you’ll still pay in-state tuition your first year and can establish Idaho residency to continue paying in-state for years two and three.
Explore current annual costs for earning your J.D. at Idaho Law — including tuition, housing, meals and personal expenses.
See law scholarships and financial opportunities to make your legal education even more accessible.
Contact information
Have questions about the J.D. program, in-state-tuition for all, experiential learning opportunities or the law student experience in Moscow or Boise? Connect with our College of Law Admissions team for personalized guidance about curriculum, employment outcomes, law school application requirements and scholarship opportunities.
Program contact:
Renee Harrison
Director of Admissions
208-885-0143
rrharrison@uidaho.edu
Lundyn Jared
Assistant Director of Admissions – Moscow campus
208-885-2300
lundynj@uidaho.edu
Noe Sanchez
Assistant Director of Admissions – Boise location
208-885-8620
noesanchez@uidaho.edu
Interested in practice areas or finding a faculty mentor? Explore faculty expertise, research interests and advising opportunities on the faculty page.
Application information
University of Idaho College of Law requires electronic applications via the LSAC Online Services website. The application is available after Labor Day each year.
Explore admission requirements and apply on our Law Student Admissions webpage.
Information session information
Meet our Idaho Law J.D. admissions team at these upcoming events
Have questions?
Our admissions team is here to help you explore Idaho Law. Connect with the assistant director of admissions for your preferred location to learn more about the J.D. program, ask questions and receive personalized guidance.
It was just such a supportive community.
Alyxis Cederstrom
3L, University of Idaho College of Law
Lundyn Jared
Assistant Director of Admissions
M.S. in Adult Organizational Learning and Leadership, University of Idaho
B.S. in Business Administration, Lewis-Clark State College
Noe Sanchez
Assistant Director of Admissions
M.Ed. in Student Personnel in Higher Education, University of Florida
B.S. in Communication Disorders and Sciences, University of Oregon
Build your experience beyond the classroom
At Idaho Law, learning extends beyond casebooks and lectures. Through clinics, externships, competitions, pro bono service and student organizations, you'll gain practical experience, develop professional skills and build connections within the legal community.
Involvement opportunities and hands-on learning
- Semester-in-practice
- Moot court competitions
- Trial advocacy training
- Serve real clients through one of our six legal clinics
- Externships with courts, government agencies, nonprofits and private firms
- Pro bono service opportunities that support communities across Idaho
Student organizations
- Student Bar Association
- Criminal Law Society
- Federalist Society
- Business Law Society
- Agricultural Law Society
- Women’s Law Caucus
Practice law before you graduate
Gain hands-on experience representing real clients, advocating in cases and developing the skills you need for your legal career through College of Law legal clinics.
Why earn your JD at U of I?
- Rigorous legal education grounded in theory, analysis and practice
- Small class sizes and personalized faculty mentorship
- Extensive experiential learning through clinics, externships, advocacy competitions and pro bono service
- Strong connections to the legal community across Idaho and the Northwest
- Preparation for careers in private practice, public service, business, government and the judiciary
- Opportunities to build professional skills, practical experience and a strong legal network from your first year through graduation
- A supportive learning environment that prepares graduates for an evolving legal profession
Lead in law and business
Earn your J.D. and M.B.A. concurrently and broaden your career opportunities.
First-gen student, police dispatcher finds career path in law
Twin Falls native Alyxis Cederstrom balanced work, family and law school at the University of Idaho before accepting a position with Boise firm Hawley Troxell