Native American law

Certificate, graduate

University of Idaho Moscow commencement 2022

Overview

College:

College of Law

Duration:

12 credits

Locations:

Moscow

Where tribal, federal and state law intersect

With more than 500 federally recognized tribes and at least 35 states with sovereign tribal nations, there is an ever-growing demand for legal professionals with specialized knowledge in tribal law.

Through the Native American law certificate, J.D. students study three core areas of Native American law: tribal law, federal Indian law, and the intersection of state law. You'll explore a variety of topics, including tribal civil jurisdiction, criminal jurisdiction, sovereignty, natural resources management, tribal economic development and many others.

Native American law students choose a track in economic development, family law, governance or natural resources management.

The college offers valuable practical experiences through externships, the rigorous pro bono program, the Native American Law Student Association and the Native American Law Emphasis Externship program. You could work with a tribal nation or tribal court, assist a private law firm with a native law related case, or spend a summer in a federal agency working on Native American issues.

Read how Idaho Law student and Shoshone-Bannock Tribal Member Dosa Nappo found a voice in politics and law at University of Idaho.

Offering free legal services to tribal citizens, tribal governments, tribal agencies and tribal-led nonprofits, the college’s Tribal Law clinic helps you develop essential lawyering skills while engaging in community-centered and collaborative legal work.

This law certificate could be a good fit if you:

Are interested in Native American rights
Have a strong work ethic and are detail-oriented
Have solid negotiation and communication skills (written and oral)
Have a strong academic background
Can think critically and analytically about complex problems

Moscow-based graduate students may request to pursue this certificate, but enrollment preference will be given to students already pursuing a J.D.

Lead the future in Native American law

Curriculum

The Native American law certificate is a 12-credit program included as part of your J.D. combining coursework and applied learning experiences. Students build technical expertise while gaining hands-on experience in the practice area.

Explore program courses in the University Catalog

Hands-on learning

Tribal Law Clinic
Native American Law Summer Externship program
University of Idaho Indian Estate Planning Project
Pro bono program

Student organizations

Native American Law Student Association (NALSA)
See all Idaho Law student organizations

Career outcomes

Current job openings

1,871 in ID, WA, OR, MT and HI

Potential careers and mid-career salaries

Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers
$98,760
Lawyers
$133,639
Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates
$146,907
Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators
$95,623
Postsecondary Law Teachers
$87,482

Career Services

* Career data provided by Lightcast.

Costs and funding

Pursuing your law degree and embedded certificate 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.

Students pursuing a Juris Doctor

Learn how the Idaho Heritage Project – Rural Scholarship Fund can provide financial support to Idaho Law students to obtain summer internships in rural communities throughout Idaho.

Graduate students not pursuing a J.D.

Students pursuing a graduate certificate as a standalone program are not eligible for financial aid. However, students enrolled in a separate U of I graduate degree program may apply their financial aid or graduate funding toward a graduate certificate if they are pursuing both simultaneously.

For more information or to explore funding options, visit Financial Aid or contact the Financial Aid Office at finaid@uidaho.edu or call 208-885-6312.

Contact information

Have questions about the J.D. Native American law certificate program or the law student experience in Moscow? Connect with our College of Law Admissions team for personalized guidance about curriculum, law school application requirements and law school scholarship funding 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

Law Student Admissions

Find Native American law program faculty advisors

Application information

J.D. law certificate pathway

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, application deadlines, required materials and other information to help you prepare your application on the College of Law admissions website. 

Non-J.D. law certificate pathway

Applicants interested in pursuing a graduate level certificate as a standalone program are encouraged to submit a graduate application. A bachelor’s degree earned with a minimum 3.0 GPA in a similar or generally related field or a master’s degree is required for admission. Applicants who do not immediately meet the criteria above may still be admitted upon review by the academic program. The graduate application requires transcripts from post-secondary education (bachelor’s and master’s if applicable), a resume and a $30 application fee.

International graduate certificate applicants must meet the graduate admission English language proficiency requirement. International students admitted to a graduate certificate program as a standalone program are not eligible for F-1 or J-1 visa status.

Visit Graduate Admissions to learn more and start your application.

Graduate certificate application process for current U of I undergraduate students

Current undergraduate students who wish to earn a graduate academic certificate must be eligible to participate in graduate level courses (minimum requirements — senior standing and an overall GPA of at least 3.0). If the course is not being used for the undergraduate degree, the student should file a Course Level Adjustment form to reserve the course for the graduate transcript (maximum of 12 credits may be reserved for the graduate transcript). Once the student earns their bachelor’s degree they may apply as a graduate certificate seeking student and complete the certificate program.

Contact your academic advisor for additional information and support.

Graduate certificate application process for current U of I graduate students

Current graduate degree seeking U of I students will be required to fill out a Change of Curriculum form adding the graduate certificate as an additional curriculum. Students should obtain the proper signatures from the department and return this form to the College of Graduate Studies for processing.

U of I students who earned a master’s or a doctoral degree and wish to apply for a graduate certificate must submit a graduate Readmission application.