Judicial Studies, M.J.S.

Program Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to:

• identify and analyze judicial problems using techniques from the social, behavioral, and natural sciences.
• integrate technical and academic knowledge to critically assess judicial functions and processes.
• contribute to policy and practice improvements within their judicial jurisdictions through research and applied learning

Contact Information

Shawn Marsh, Ph.D., Director
(775) 682-7987
shawnm@unr.edu

National Judicial College Building, Room 114
1664 N. Virginia Street
Reno, NV 89557-0311
jsp@unr.edu

Graduate Handbook

Admissions Requirement

Prospective students who are full-time sitting judges, graduates of an ABA accredited law school, and meet the general requirements of the University of Nevada, Reno, Graduate School, will be considered. 

Exceptions may be made for full-time sitting international judges, full-time judges who graduated from recognized foreign law schools or non-accredited American law schools and have been admitted to the Bar. 

Admission to the UNR Graduate School requires an undergraduate grade-point average of at least 2.75 on a scale of 4.0, or an average of at least 3.0 for courses taken during the last half of the undergraduate program, and a completed baccalaureate degree from an appropriately accredited institution.

If the undergraduate GPA does not meet this criteria, admission to graduate standing on a prescribed program may be considered.

Standardized test scores such as the GRE are not required for application to the Judicial Studies Program. 

Application Process: 

STEP ONE: Apply to the UNR Graduate School online.  Link: www.unr.edu/grad/admissions/how-to-apply

After completing your application, request ONE official transcript from the Registrar’s Office at EACH post-secondary school you’ve attended (community college, university, etc.). Official transcripts are those sent directly from the institution attended; personal copies or “issued to student” are not acceptable even if they are in sealed envelopes.

Transcripts can be submitted by the institution electronically through the application system or sent to:

University of Nevada, Reno
Graduate School/326
Reno, NV   89557-0326

STEP TWO:  Additional information sent to Judicial Studies Program.

• Provide a personal statement, not exceeding 500 words in length, indicating why you desire to enroll in the JS program, what you believe you will derive from participation, and what contributions to the judiciary you expect to make as a result of participation.
• List year and state of each Bar admission.
• List in reverse chronological order all significant work experience (dates, position held, office/firm/agency name and location).
• List any disciplinary actions as attorney and/or judge.
• List names, dates, and sponsoring institutions for judicial/continuing legal education lasting four or more days.
• List topic, dates, and sponsoring institutions for all legal/judicial related courses which you have presented (faculty, panelist, discussion leader, etc.)
• Indicate when present term of office expires.
• List and present copies of published writings other than judicial opinions.
• List the names, positions, and addresses of three professional colleagues sufficiently familiar with your professional work to provide meaningful letters of recommendation. The letters should be sent directly from the persons writing the letters to the address below. However, recommendations may be submitted online via the Graduate School’s website.

Mail, fax, or email the additional information to:

Judicial Studies Program/311
University of Nevada, Reno
Reno, NV 89557
Fax: (775) 784-6273
E-mail: jsp@unr.edu

I. Program Requirements

II. Program Total Hours

Minimum of 32 unit hours for either Master of Judicial Studies degrees. 

Note(s):

Curriculum requirements in the catalog supersede the Graduate handbook.