The university of Northern California, Lorenzo Patiño School of Law, offers a four-year, evening program leading to the Doctor of Juris Prudence. Graduates of the program are eligible to take the California State Bar. Exam.

UNC's program utilizes the traditional "Socratic" method of study to develop the future lawyer's analytical and reasoning skills.

UNC's goal is to provide an affordable, high quality legal education in a professional atmosphere. All of UNC's faculty are respected judges and highly qualified, practicing attorneys, who provide "real-world" perspectives and current knowledge of the law and legal system.

Now that the State of California’s Council For Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education is no longer in existence, the UNC Law Program, is under the oversight of the State of California Department Of Consumer Affairs. UNC entered into a Voluntary Agreement for an Educational Institution, on July 7, 2007, with the Director of the Department of Consumer Affairs. Under this agreement, UNC hereby agrees to comply with all of the following: state statutes, rules, and regulations pertaining to a private postsecondary institution or pertaining to a non-WASC regionally accredited institution as defined in section 94740.5 of the Education Code, as it existed on June 30, 2007, in effect as of the close of business on June 30, 2007, that had a valid approval to operate or authorization pursuant to Section 94905 of the Education Code, as it existed on June 30, 2007, for the purpose of ensuring continued student protection after Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 94700) of Part 59 of Division 10 of Title 3 of the Education Code became inoperative. This agreement is effective retroactively to July 1, 2007. UNC is authorized to grant certificates upon completion of the entire program.

The University Of Northern California, Lorenzo Patiño School of Law’s Paralegal Program was established to provide affordable, vocational training for those students seeking entry into the legal field as legal assistants, and to meet the demand for qualified, legal personnel who are able to effectively assist within the governmental, corporate, and legal communities.

Our courses of study concentrate on the practical aspects of the legal system and of the law office. The administrative staff and the instructors comprise a supportive unit, which is readily available for counsel or assistance to any student.

Small classes (approximately 15 to 25 students) allow more personal interaction between students and instructors. Classroom instruction is conducted in an atmosphere of actual, hands-on-day-to-day law office procedures. The instructors are attorneys and paralegals working in the field daily.

The UNC curriculum follows the guidelines of the American Bar Association, which recommends the collegiate training of attorney assistants. Our program consists of 12 subjects totaling 300 hours of instruction and a 60-hour internship, the equivalent of 24 semester units.