University of New Hampshire (UNH) - Franklin Pierce School of Law

The University of New Hampshire Franklin Pierce School of Law offers post-graduate degrees for lawyers (LL.M.) and non-lawyers (Masters) in three specialized areas of the law: Intellectual Property, Commerce & Technology and International Criminal Law and Justice. These degrees can be completed in either a residential, online, or limited residential format, depending upon the degree selected.

The LL.M in Commerce & Technology available in residential format only is designed to enrich your career in the emerging areas of business created by rapid technological changes and globalization. 

The LL.M in Intellectual Property available in residential, limited residential, and online formats has been ranked among the top 10 in the country for more than 25 years. The UNH Law library includes the only academic IP library in the western hemisphere and is designated as an official Patent and Trademark Resource Center. 

The LL.M. in International Criminal Law and Justice  available online only is an excellent fit for practicing lawyers, professionals, students, and scholars in diplomatic, criminal justice, military, and law enforcement communities around the world. You will study transnational law, focused on domestic crimes with international implications. 

Please see our website for information about which program and format best suits your needs. 

The University of New Hampshire was founded in 1866. The University of New Hampshire combines the living and learning environment of a New England liberal arts college with the breadth, spirit of discovery, and civic commitment of a land-grant research institution.

UNH spans all fields of study and unites them through interdisciplinary programs, labs, research centers, libraries, internships, and fieldwork. Warmly supported and encouraged by their faculty mentors, students participate directly in assisting in the University's historic mission of enriching society through the creation and application of new knowledge. With more than 14,000 students from across the country and globe, UNH embodies the diversity that symbolizes the finest in U.S. education.
The University of New Hampshire is fully accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges and UNH Law is fully accredited by the American Bar Association.

The University of New Hampshire Franklin Pierce School of Law has a long-standing global reputation for teaching legal professionals in an academically rigorous, supportive, and collaborative learning environment. The practice-based approach to legal education, along with our extensive and innovative curriculum, ensures that students graduate ready to become leaders in their field.

In the 2019 edition of America's Best Graduate Schools by U.S. News & World Report, UNH Law was ranked #85. This places UNH Law among the top 100 law schools in the nation. In the US News specialty rankings, UNH Law has again been named a top 10 law school for the study of intellectual property law. The school has been ranked among the nation's top IP schools each and every year since specialty law school rankings began in 1992.

Renowned in their areas of expertise, UNH Law faculty are scholars, teachers, and mentors focused on preparing our students to lead the next generation of lawyers. Visit our website for a listing of our faculty.   

Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and a J.D. degree from a law school prior to matriculation in any UNH School of Law LL.M. program. 

International applicants must hold a baccalaureate law degree from a foreign law school or have credentials that demonstrate equivalent qualification through relevant professional experience. 

Candidates for admission to our residential programs may submit their applications through the Law School Admission Council (LSAC). Candidates for admissions to our online programs may submit their applications through the LSAC or through our website. Please visit our how to apply page and application checklist for more information.  

The application requirements include a completed application form; official academic records; two letters of recommendation; a personal statement and a résumé or CV. International applicants must also submit proof of English language proficiency. 

Information about tuition and fees is available here. 

UNH Franklin Pierce School of Law offers scholarships to qualified students. Applicants to our residential programs are considered for scholarships based on the review of their application for admission. There is no separate application process for scholarships.  

The University of New Hampshire Franklin Pierce School of Law is located in Concord, New Hampshire. The city is approximately one hour from downtown Boston, and less than an hour from New Hampshire's seacoast, White Mountains, and picturesque Lakes Region.

Montreal and New York City are under five hours away by car. Manchester Boston Regional Airport (MHT), located approximately 20 miles from the law school, offers jet service to national and international destinations on most major airlines. Buses leaving almost hourly can connect you with Boston and Logan Airport.

US News and World Report ranked New Hampshire the #2 state to live and the #3 safest state in the United States.

Most students find housing within walking distance to campus and downtown. UNH Franklin Pierce School of Law has partnered with 
Places4Students.com, a company that specializes in providing Off-Campus Housing solutions for students. This service is FREE for anyone to use as an effective method of finding a place to live off-campus or finding a roommate. Students can search rental listings in the Concord area here. Students can register to post a Roommate or Sublet listing here.

Many students live near the campus in quaint, older homes divided into one and two bedroom apartments. A variety of housing types and arrangements are available within close proximity to the school. Over 60 percent of our students live within walking distance, 75 percent live in the greater Concord area, while 25 percent commute. Concord is a compact, livable city. New Hampshire is consistently identified as one of the most livable states in the country.

Students at UNH Franklin Pierce School of Law are involved in an array of organizations that enhance the day-to-day life at the school. Groups include academic and professional organizations, wellness initiatives, sports and more. To find an organization that suits your interests, visit our listing of student organizations.

Students can enjoy the four seasons by leaf peeping and apple picking in the fall, skiing, sledding, or ice skating in the winter, watching the flowers bloom in the spring, hiking in the White Mountains, and spending a day at the beach in the summer. Concord’s newly revitalized downtown offers activites for lovers of food, books, theatre, and the arts, and is the center of several special events throughout the year, such as Market Days, Halloween Howl, and Midnight Merriment. Students looking to connect with young professionals from the greater Concord community can participate in free, monthly networking events hosted by the Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce.