Graduate study in judicial matters has long been pursued by supreme court justices, family court judges, court administrators and others interested in the court system.
The University of Nevada, Reno offers two graduate degrees specifically designed for sitting judges. UNR awards credits for some courses taken at The National Judicial College and the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges:
- MJS in Judicial Studies
- Ph.D. in Judicial Studies
Judicial Studies Degree courses qualify for credits toward the Master’s of Judicial Studies Degree Program and Judicial Studies Doctoral Program at the University of Nevada, Reno upon successful completion of the course and passing the course exam.
Graduate study in judicial matters has long been pursued by supreme court justices, family court judges, court administrators and others interested in the court system.
Many NJC courses qualify for credit toward the Master’s of Judicial Studies Judicial Studies Doctorate upon successful completion of the course and passing the course exam. Check out our current judicial education offerings to find courses that apply. Applicable courses have a “JS” next to the course title.
Admissions into Judicial Degree Programs
Admission to the University of Nevada, Reno Judicial Studies program is limited to graduates of ABA-accredited law schools. Upon acceptance, judges may continue to participate in the program if they retire or are not re-elected. Exceptions may be made for full-time sitting judges who are graduates of recognized foreign law schools or graduates of non-accredited American law schools who have been admitted to the Bar and when it appears that the applicant is otherwise qualified and would, if accepted, contribute to the success of the program. Applications are accepted throughout the year.
The curriculum focuses on judges and their roles and contributions to American society, and on the improvement of services rendered by judges in a free society. The curriculum encourages students to become more proficient in the diagnosis and analysis of problems through the use of techniques developed by the social, behavioral and natural sciences, as well as by the humanities. Also, the curriculum requires the study and assimilation of research techniques used by professionals who testify in court. These same techniques will be used by students to study issues important to the advancement of the discipline of judicial studies.
Judicial Degree Timeline
A student has up to six years to complete the master’s program, but it is designed so it can be completed in three to four years.
There is also time required for completion of NJC or NCJFCJ courses, depending upon course schedules and the qualifications of a candidate for retroactive credit. Please see the JS advisor listed below for “Retroactive Credit by Examination” eligibility.
Coursework can be completed online, however judges are strongly encouraged to complete NJC resident-sessions. This includes the General Jurisdiction or the Special Court Jurisdiction: Advanced course and specified one-week courses, including Judicial Writing.
Flexible Schedule for Judicial Degree Courses
To accommodate the trial schedules of students, the program is designed to provide considerable flexibility as well as maximum use of time spent on campus. Students will take online courses (and are stongly encouraged to take in-person courses) from UNR and either/both the NJC and the NCJFCJ.
Students should expect to spend non-classroom time reading or preparing for end-of-course examinations or projects, both before and after course attendance. The completion of the thesis requirement will be accomplished outside of classes. To receive course credit, students should expect to attend each course in its entirety and schedule travel plans accordingly.