Programs of Study
The Law School's programs of study are available for students who want to concentrate on a particular area of the law.
Students are not required to choose one of these programs, and none of them has an application process. The programs simply serve as guides to help students identify courses and experiential learning opportunities that align with their interests.
Business Law
Study the constantly changing legal puzzles that face businesses, with a special emphasis on transactional practice.
Criminal Law
Prepare to uphold the rule of law by learning the procedures lawyers must follow to prosecute and defend criminal charges.
Energy & Environmental Law
Develop expertise in the law of natural resource use and protection — from land and water, to oil and gas, to climate change.
Global Law
Confront the increasingly transnational nature of today's legal problems through a deeper study of international and comparative law.
Intellectual Property & Technology Law
Learn core IP doctrines — patents, copyrights, trademarks, and unfair competition — and study fields such as cyberlaw and antitrust.
Law, Ethics & Public Policy
Understand and analyze the standards by which we can gauge the value of laws. This program focuses on critical moral evaluation.
Public Law
Learn about the area of law that regulates the structure of government and its relations with individuals and foreign nations.
Real Estate Law
Build a foundation to address various real estate issues in legal practice, including development, finance, land use, and transactions.
Course Catalog
Academic Calendar
Experiential Learning
Experiential learning is a core component of the Notre Dame Law School curriculum. Experiential programs complement the analytical training of the traditional classroom. Hands-on learning allows students to develop practical skills, to explore potential career paths, to reflect on their professional identity, and to observe how the justice system functions. NDLS offers a wide range of opportunities for students to learn by doing, both in the classroom and beyond.
International Studies
Notre Dame Law School recognizes that effective legal practice requires lawyers to have a global perspective and understand how legal issues may transcend borders. That’s why the Law School started the Notre Dame London Law Programme in 1968 and, since then, added exchange programs at law schools in Chile, China, Germany, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Kenya, and Switzerland.
Journals
Notre Dame Law School is home to six academic journals. It's an honor to serve on the staff of these publications, which publish work from leading legal minds across the nation.
Moot Court
The Law School's Moot Court is a student-run organization that competes in appellate and international divisions. The annual Moot Court Tournament is a highlight of 1L year.