Montemorelos University opens new undergraduate law degree program

First group of students enrolled in the new law degree at Montemorelos University pose with their mallet as a symbol of the values that should guide them during their career and profesional work. Image by Montemorelos University

November 14, 2015 | Montemorelos, Nuevo Leon, Mexico | Hilen Chagoya/IAD Staff

Montemorelos University, an institution operated by the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Inter-America, opened its new law degree this school year, becoming the third Adventist university in the world to offer such a degree.

University leaders congratulated faculty for their efforts in ensuring the career is up and running with nine students during a recent ceremony on campus.

“It’s not easy to live in this world in which we live,” said Ismael Castillo, president of the university, as he addressed students and teachers. “We see many injustices and it is necessary for us to have persons who can have a clear understanding to be able defend those who need it most.”

Myrna Garcia Barrera, Director of Gender Equality and Protection of Vulnerable Groups in Mexico’s state of Nuevo Leon, congratulated the institution for its success in opening the law degree and encouraged students to continue to learn and grow.

Rocio González, coordinator of the law degree, said there was a need for the career in the institution. “Many thought the career was not going to open this 2015-2016 school year, so we expect a lot more next year,” said González.

The institution expects not only students from Mexico but from other countries since the career not only covers the judicial system in Mexico but judicial models from around the world, she added.

The program has been coordinated with the Sao Paulo Adventist University in Brazil which offers the law degree as well. Babcock Adventist University in Nigeria also offers a law degree. The program takes five years to complete, including social service and professional practice, said González.

“Our church needs lawyers committed to the truth and justice and the law school at Montemorelos University will provide that,” González said.

Brandy Moreno from California is happy to have enrolled in the new law degree. She began studying dentistry but when she heard that the university would offer a law degree, she registered as soon as she could.

“It’s hard to study law in a school where the Bible is not taught, so I have learned this semester how law and biblical principles are linked,” said Moreno. “Our teachers are preparing us in a more spiritual way so that when we begin our professional life we can be a blessing to the less fortunate and defend those who have been treated unjustly.”

Diego Martínez of Mexico also enrolled in the new program. He was studying international business but also registered for the law degree program as soon as he could. “I have heard many from the Adventist community that going into such a law career can go against our beliefs in the church but I have found out that the Bible rich in cases of injustice and we sometimes ignore that,” said Martinez. “We wouldn’t need any lawyers if we followed what the Bible says.”

The new law degree becomes the 30th such undergraduate degree taught in Montemorelos University, which is located in the state of Nuevo Leon in North Mexico North Mexico.