Your employees receive a premier JD education in IP while they continue working full-time at your firm.
Expand your firm's IP roster with the Hybrid JD in Intellectual Property, Technology, & Information Law from a top IP law school
Members of your team can now earn their JD in Intellectual Property mostly online while staying in their job and continuing to help the day-to-day success of your firm. Our ABA-approved Hybrid JD in Intellectual Property, Technology, and Information Law provides the same rigor, curriculum, faculty, resources, and support services as our traditional residential JD program — with the added benefit of flexibility through mostly online course delivery.
UNH Franklin Pierce has consistently been top-ranked in IP law. Now your staff, and ultimately your firm, can benefit from this legacy when they earn a heralded JD from the IP Powerhouse.
The Hybrid JD allows students to keep their regular work commitments during the day while they opt to complete online coursework when it is convenient for them, such as evenings and weekends. Hybrid JD students can time-shift their coursework to continue to meet the needs of your office, and ensure the needs of your office can come first.
Most local part-time and evening JD programs require students to come to campus daily, demanding additional time to be factored in to an employee's day for commuting. This can negatively impact the scheduled and unplanned needs of your office. Additionally, our one-of-a-kind Hybrid JD program allows students to complete required coursework mostly online with minimal residential requirements (only four weekend immersion periods on-campus per year, which equates to minimal time away from the office).
This isn’t online education of the past. Our Hybrid JD was carefully designed to deliver the same quality legal education from the same IP faculty as our residential JD program. The fact that it is delivered in a flexible, mostly online format does not mean we sacrificed curriculum, engagement, or results. Our Hybrid JD graduates will earn the same JD as our residential students and enter the workforce practice-ready.
This program was created for professionals working in IP, technology, and related fields, and especially for those working in law firms, who aspire to earn their JD but have been unable or unwilling to step away from their day-to-day commitments. Supported by an internationally recognized faculty, this program is meant to prepare students for legal careers in the modern global economy and can directly impact the future stability and success of your firm.
Hybrid and residential JD students alike receive the same key opportunities, including:
- devoted full-time faculty resources
- student services and bar preparation training
- curriculum
- academic support
- admissions standards
The Hybrid JD program maintains ABA Standards. Students applying should check with the jurisdictions where they plan to seek admission to the bar to ensure their eligibility; graduates of the hybrid JD program will be eligible to take the bar in New Hampshire.
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Contact
We are available to answer your or your staff's questions, as well as admissions requirements and discuss group discounts. Additionally, we are happy to coordinate a virtual or in-person information session for your team.
Email: Hybrid.JD@law.unh.edu
Phone: (603) 945-1802
Curriculum & Requirements
Curriculum Maps:
Class of 2024 Class of 2025 Class of 2026
To graduate, students must take the following:
- Experiential Classes – minimum 6 credits
- Advanced Writing – minimum 2-3 credits
- Bar Readiness Classes – minimum 6 credits
Immersion Requirements:
- Fall – 2 required immersions
- Spring – 1 required immersion
- Summer – 1 required immersion
*Curriculum maps may be updated with a minimum of one semester notice to students.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The Hybrid JD Program allows students to remain in their jobs and homes while earning their JD because the curriculum will require them only to come to campus or other Learn-on-Location destinations for select and well-planned periods of residency each term (fall term—two periods of 3-5 days each, spring & summer terms—one period of 3-5 days).
The balance of the curriculum—as well as other crucial areas of student engagement, such as career services and academic support—will be done remotely, either synchronously or asynchronously.
Online instruction and coursework will include:
- live and pre-recorded video lectures
- reading and writing assignments
- assessments
- discussion board contributions
Learning management system orientation and 24/7 tech support will be provided, as well as virtual office hours and 1-to-1 real-time engagement opportunities with faculty and fellow students.
The curriculum is designed to be year-round, 10 semesters total, lasting 3.5 years. Additionally, Hybrid JD students will have the opportunity to participate in UNH Law’s legal residency program during their final year in the program.
At all times, whether on-campus or on-line, as a member of UNH Law, students will experience the same high-caliber JD experience that generates practice-ready attorneys that our residential JD students enjoy.
IP law examines how human creativity, and new digital technologies, are developed and deployed. Through this program students are given the tools and resources needed to support the inventors and technologists, startups and corporations building the future. Legal experts in this field are in hot demand, and UNH Law will set you up to be those industry leaders.
We are the IP powerhouse in legal education. UNH Law’s Franklin Pierce Center for Intellectual Property has been top-ranked for more than 30 years. Our students graduate ready to hit the ground running. In 2019, UNH Law’s first-time bar passage rate was 87.09% across 12 jurisdictions (100% first-time bar passage in seven jurisdictions: NY, MA, CT, DC, NJ, PA, TX). Additionally, 94.5% of UNH Law 2018 JD graduates were employed within 10 months of graduation (number 13 in the country for open-market job placement)
The Who
1. What is an intellectual property or technology professional?
More than 40 years ago, UNH Law 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 'curriculum' fold above for further details.
The When
1. When are the residential/on campus components to the program?
The program follows the UNH Law academic calendar. Residential time is limited to one or two campus (or other select locations) visits each semester. While not on campus, Hybrid JD students are consistently engaged in virtual education and collaborative learning.
The residential periods will be the same each semester:
- Fall semester residential session:
- 5 days in August
- 4 days in October
- Spring semester residential sessions:
- 4 days in March
- Summer semester residential session:
- 4 days in May
- 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.
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 UNH Student Accounts.
The Where
1. Where are the in-person immersion period courses held?
Presently, all residential/in-person immersion peroid courses are held at our law school building, 2 White St, Concord, NH 03301. Alternative Learn-on-Location destinations will be announced each year.
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?
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 Law 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 Law is accepting applications for the fall cohort start. The deadline is July 15.
7. Is there a fee for applying?
UNH Law 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 Student Accounts 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 Law 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. Contact us for information about group discounts for multiple enrollments from the same law firm, company, or organization.
11. 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.
