The Who
1. What is an intellectual property or technology professional?
More than 40 years ago, UNH Franklin Pierce pioneered the study of law for the information age. Intellectual Property law is the study of how the results of human creativity are treated in the legal system—how they are used, owned, bought, sold, and so much more. It also looks at how that treatment impacts individuals and institutions both personally and professionally. Without a doubt, IP is now the primary driver of the global economy.
Especially in the digital age, human creativity intersects with technology. And understanding how to protect its creation, governance, security, and privacy is more important than ever. IP and technology professionals are a diverse and dynamic group, including but not limited to those working in education, healthcare, engineering, entertainment, licensing, technology development, new ventures, finance, and other industries.
2. Who are the instructors in this program?
Our professors are world experts in IP and technology law. They draft legislation, advise global leaders on IP valuation, launch startups, analyze the latest sports law issues, help emerging economies transition to an information economy, and lead scholarship on privacy and data. Oh, and did we mention: They help inventors change the world.
In addition to our full-time faculty, you will also have the opportunity to learn from industry experts from around the world (many who are alumni themselves). Like learning patent strategy from Microsoft’s Chief Patent Counsel or learning how branding can transform an industry from Pepsi’s Chief Counsel for Global Trademarks.
The What
Our curriculum consists of both standard law school 1L topics to ensure a solid and fundamental understanding of the law along with focused curriculum on intellectual property, technology and information law. Please see the 'curriculum' fold above for further details.
The When
1. When are the residential/in-person components to the program?
The program follows the UNH Franklin Pierce academic calendar. Residential time is limited to one or two on-campus (or other locations) visits each semester. While not participating in in-person learning, Hybrid JD students are consistently engaged in virtual education and collaborative learning.
The residential/in-person periods will be the same each semester:
- Fall semester residential session:
- 5 days in August
- 4 days in October
- Spring semester residential sessions:
- Summer semester residential session:
- Each residential day will contain roughly 9 hours of class time, as well as time for non-classroom activities, such as individual sessions with Career Services staff. Students should expect to be in class from 8 AM on the first day of immersion until 5 PM on the last day of immersion.
2. Am I responsible for my own travel and hotel costs?
You are responsible for arranging your own travel (e.g. airfare). We are able to help with planning and recommendations. You are responsible for hotel and transportation costs, although we have negotiated hotel room blocks so students can take advantage of the best rates.
3. When must I pay my tuition and fees?
For payment and tuition information, please visit our Business Services website: https://www.unh.edu/business-services/billnpay
The Where
1. Where are the in-person immersion period courses held?
Presently, all residential/in-person immersion period courses are held at our law school building, 2 White St, Concord, NH 03301. Other locations will be scheduled for future immersion periods.
Online asynchronous courses are accessible at any time via our Learning Management System. These courses are designed to open by module and most allow you to complete your work at any time during the week. Some courses may have a limited number of synchronous online components, which will be timed carefully according to various time zones.
2. Where will I be eligible to sit for the bar exam after graduation?
The State of New Hampshire Supreme Court has concluded that graduates of the Hybrid Program are eligible for admission to the bar. We are aware of one state, New York, where graduates of the Hybrid JD Program would not be eligible to sit for the state bar exam due to that state's cap on the number of distance education credits that can be earned during law school. Prospective students are encouraged to discuss any questions they might have about their likely bar exam plans post-graduation with our admissions team. Students applying to the Hybrid JD Program should check with the jurisdictions in which they may seek admission to the bar to ensure that graduation from this program will make them eligible for taking the bar exam and being admitted to the bar in those jurisdictions.
The Why
1. Why should I consider a JD focused on intellectual property and technology?
IP is relevant across multiple industries today. In a comprehensive report from 2016, “Intellectual Property and the U.S. Economy,” the Commerce Department found that IP-intensive industries support at least 45 million jobs— that’s roughly 30% of all jobs in the United States and contributes more than 38.2% of Gross Domestic Product. This report also found that IP-intensive industries comprise 81 of the 313 total industries nationwide, from healthcare to cybersecurity, software to music, big data to marketing. Earning a JD focused on IP and technology enables students to deep dive into a particular subject matter that is substantially relevant in more than one-quarter of all industries nationwide.
There is an increasing need for legal education related to IP and technology as new and emerging digital technologies transform the private and public sectors at lightning speed, raising questions such as:
- How does one navigate the regulatory landscape for inventions in the healthcare space
- How can attorneys help their clients protect information in an era of big data?
- How do clients launch a business (or innovate an existing business) in an economy based on information and content?
- How can crypto-currencies be used safely and legitimately?
- How can attorneys shepherd clients through the transformation of entire industries like sports, from rights of publicity to the explosion of new industries, such as eSports?
These are all questions people are asking everyday—and our program helps build your unique IP path in an ever-changing legal landscape.
2. Why should I attend UNH?
We are a consistently top-ranked IP law school and our graduates run a significant part of the intellectual property infrastructure around the world. They are heads of IP at companies like Microsoft, Bayer, Pepsi/Frito Lay, Samsung, and WeWork. They are managing partners of top IP firms. They run governmental IP offices around the world, including in Taiwan, Argentina, and Nigeria. In sum, our graduates lead IP practice and policy in more than 80 different countries globally.
The How
1. How long will it take me to complete the program of study?
The program will take you 10 semesters (3.5 years) to complete.
2. How will my instructor know that I attended the online class?
Your attendance is automatically tracked each time you log into your course.
3. I’ve never participated in an online degree program before. What should I expect? How should I prepare?
Our program features a full online orientation session where we walk you through how to use the learning management system and familiarize yourself with all the tools. You’ll discover how to interact with other students in the class, how to engage with your professor, and how to navigate assignments. You will also have access to complete 24/7 technical support in case any issues arise — our goal is for you to have the most dynamic and engaging experience possible.
4. What technology is required to participate in the online courses?
Students should have reliable access to a high-speed, broadband Internet connection. A minimum download speed of 5 mbps and minimum upload speed of 2 mbps is recommended. Students are encouraged to use a laptop or desktop computer rather than a tablet or smartphone to watch and access course content, though viewing via tablet or smartphone is permissible.
5. How can I apply for the Hybrid JD?
UNH Franklin Pierce only accepts applications through LSAC. Please visit http://lsac.org to get started with your application. To learn more about our application process, please visit https://law.unh.edu/admissions/jd-admissions/how-apply. Students applying to the Hybrid JD Program should check with the jurisdictions in which they may seek admission to the bar to ensure that graduation from this program will make them eligible for taking the bar exam and being admitted to the bar those jurisdictions.
6. What is the application deadline?
UNH Franklin Pierce is now accepting applications for the Fall 2023 semester. The priority deadline in March 15, 2023. The final application deadline is July 15, 2023. We encourage you, however, to submit your application as early in the application cycle (which officially begins in October) as you can for optimum opportunity for limited space in each new class.
7. Is there a fee for applying?
UNH Franklin Pierce does not charge an application fee, though some fees may apply for LSAC registration and fees.
8. If I am admitted, am I required to pay a deposit to hold my place?
For payment and deposit information, please visit our Business Services website: https://www.unh.edu/business-services/billnpay
9. Am I required to interview for admission?
An interview is not required, but the admissions team, faculty, and UNH Franklin Pierce leadership team welcome the opportunity to speak with you at your convenience to answer any questions and explore how the hybrid JD program could fit your professional goals.
10. How much is tuition?
Degree program fees and current tuition information at UNH Franklin Pierce is available here.
11. Are scholarships available?
Partial scholarships are available for qualified applicants. Please contact our admissions team directly for more information.
12. Would other law schools accept transfer credits from the Hybrid JD Program if I were to apply to transfer to another school?
Please be aware that some law schools may not accept transfer credits from the Hybrid JD Program.