Planning Your Academic Program

The guides that follow are for students who have an interest in a particular area of practice. They identify courses and other resources in the following areas:

Antitrust Law
Bankruptcy Law
Business and Corporate Law
Civil Litigation & Dispute Resolution
Commercial and Consumer Law
Criminal Law
Energy, Environment and Natural Resources
Estate Planning
Family Law
Health Law
Immigration Law
Intellectual Property
International and Comparative Law
Labor and Employment Law
Real Estate Law
Tax Law

The information within each section (listed in the above links) should help you select courses and other activities that will help you develop expertise in the relevant practice area. It will also suggest a logical sequence of courses, so that you can build from foundational courses that provide an overview of the area to those that require a high degree of knowledge and sophistication. Each section lists any clinical courses that are especially appropriate for practice in those areas. Note that students generally should not take all of the courses listed, as that could result in a kind of over-specialization that deprives you of the broad foundation described above.

The guides also suggest related courses that can provide information and skills that can enhance your practice. In addition, the guides identify externships (field experiences for law school credit), and public service opportunities (that satisfy your public service requirement for graduation) to enhance your skills and understanding. In addition to the pre-approved public service placements, students can seek approval of new placements that meet the program’s requirements. 

The guides also identify opportunities to get involved with others who share your interests. When there are student organizations for those interested in a particular area, those are listed as well. Students can also network with attorneys who practice in their fields of interest by becoming involved with the relevant sections of the Dallas Bar Association and Tarrant County Bar Association. See both the Dallas Bar Association and the Tarrant County Bar Association for association and activities information. 

View the Juris Doctor - Academic Advising Guide