Essential Information
In Colorado, students can pursue a Juris Doctor, among other law degrees. Programs may offer general legal instruction or training in a specialized sub-field such as workplace law, commercial law or environmental law. Additionally, a Juris Doctor degree may be offered in combination with another complementary degree, such as a Master of Business Administration or Doctor of Medicine. Advanced Master of Laws degree programs are also available. One school also offers a master's degree in legal administration.
University of Colorado - Boulder
The University of Colorado at Boulder is the state's main school. The school opened in 1877, and the university's law school was established in 1892. Five hundred and nine students are enrolled in the University of Colorado law school. The law school's Juris Doctor (J.D.) program requires 89 credits and can be completed in the traditional three years; there's also a 2.5-year option, allowing students to graduate a semester earlier than most law schools.
The university offers students the opportunity to earn one of eight dual degrees, for instance a J.D. and Bachelor of Laws, J.D. and Doctor of Medicine, or J.D. and Master of Business Administration. Students can also opt to earn a J.D. with an emphasis on taxation by completing 95 credit hours, 18 of which must focus on taxation. The University of Colorado also offers three Master of Laws (LLM) degree programs. In addition to academics, the law school provides three student run journals and three research centers.
University of Denver
The University of Denver is a private college founded in 1864 that serves more than 11,000 students annually. The university offers law degrees through its Sturm College of Law. J.D. students can specialize in one of five areas: environmental and natural resources law, international legal studies, workplace law, corporate/commercial law, constitutional rights and remedies, or intellectual property law certificate. Sturm Law School students can gain real world experience working at the Student Law Office, the college's clinical program, which is believed to be one of the country's oldest clinical law programs. In addition to the J.D. program, Sturm College of Law administers several graduate programs, including a graduate tax program, environmental and natural resources law & policy graduate program, Master of Science in Legal Administration degree program, Master of Laws in International Business Transactions, and Master of Laws in American Law Practice.
Career Requirements
In the state of Colorado, attorneys must be licensed. To become licensed, prospective attorneys must complete an American Bar Association (ABA)-accredited professional law degree program, complete the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination, complete a six-hour professionalism course, and pass the bar exam. Only two universities offer Colorado students ABA-accredited law degree programs, the University of Colorado - Boulder and the University of Denver, and they are documented below.
School Comparison: At a Glance
School Comparison: At a Glance
| School Name | School Type & Setting | Law Degree Programs Offered | Law School Tuition and Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Colorado - Boulder | 4-year, public; small city | Juris Doctor, Master of Laws | JD: $31,836 in-state, $38,622 out-of-state (2019-2020) LLM: $36,075 in-state (2018-2019)* |
| University of Denver | 4-year, private, not-for-profit; large city | Juris Doctor, Master of Laws in International Business Transactions, Master of Science in Legal Administration | $52,922 (2019-2020)** |
Sources: *University of Colorado - Boulder, **University of Denver.