Accreditation & Standards

As some jurisdictions consider bar exam alternatives, ABA Legal Ed section again looks at bar pass standard

Language for a controversial law school standard, which states that at least 75% of a law school’s graduates pass a bar within a two-year period, is being examined by the ABA Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar—in light of some jurisdictions considering alternative paths to law licensure.

Aug 19, 2022 2:53 PM CDT

Law students want more distance education classes, according to ABA findings

A recent survey of 1,394 students in their third year of law school found that 68.65% wanted the ability to earn more distance education credits than what their schools offered.

Jul 21, 2022 1:28 PM CDT

Judge blocks no-contact orders against Christian law students who discussed opposition to same-sex marriage

A federal judge has ordered the University of Idaho to rescind no-contact orders against three Christian law students who expressed their views against same-sex marriage at an LGBTQ event and a meeting concerning ABA accreditation.

Jul 7, 2022 12:24 PM CDT

After repeat failures to meet bar pass standard, ABA gives Cooley Law School extension

Western Michigan University’s Thomas M. Cooley Law School continues to not meet the 75% bar passage rate required under Standard 316, and the council of the ABA’s Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar recently gave the school an extension to come into compliance.

Jun 6, 2022 3:18 PM CDT

ABA Legal Ed council seeks comment on proposed revision to law school admissions test requirement

Should the LSAT stay or go? A suggested revision to remove the requirement for law school entrance exams will be going out for notice and comment, following a Friday vote by the council of the ABA Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar.

May 20, 2022 3:20 PM CDT

ABA Legal Ed council asked again to remove requirement for entrance exams

A suggestion to eliminate the accreditation standard requiring entrance exams for law school admissions has been made to the council of the ABA Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar.

May 9, 2022 3:21 PM CDT

ABA’s new CLE policy appears to comply with state ban on diversity ‘quotas,’ Florida Bar says

The ABA Board of Governors on Tuesday revised the association’s diversity policy for continuing legal education programs after the Florida Supreme Court banned course credit in the state for programs with panel “quotas.”

Apr 6, 2022 2:38 PM CDT

Here’s what could have been behind the shake-ups in US News rankings, say some deans

The University Oregon School of Law moved up the U.S. News & World Report rankings this year, from No. 72 to No. 67, while the University of Wisconsin Law School moved down, from No. 29 to No. 43. Deans at both schools advised potential applicants to take the rankings with “a grain of salt.”

Mar 31, 2022 12:28 PM CDT

Florida mayor commits $5M in public funds to help open new law school

The mayor of Jacksonville, Florida, has committed to contribute $5 million in public investment to help open a new law school in the city.

Mar 2, 2022 4:08 PM CST

Law school recently dinged for bar passage rate comes into compliance

The Western New England University School of Law has demonstrated compliance with an ABA accreditation standard that requires a bar passage rate of at least 75% within two years, according to notice posted Monday.

Mar 2, 2022 8:47 AM CST

ABA legal ed section plans to send another diversity standard, revisions for remote learning requirements to HOD

A law school accreditation standard requires full opportunities for underrepresented groups, and on Friday the council of the ABA's Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar approved a proposed revision to clarify that the standard does not allow schools to engage in “racial balancing” or limit representation of individuals from any group.

Feb 22, 2022 2:21 PM CST

As law schools admit more students, will there be enough jobs?

Following a reported 13% increase in law school applications, five of 196 ABA-accredited law schools expanded their first-year classes by more than 50% for the 2021 admissions cycle, and 36 saw growth between 20% and 41%.

Jan 6, 2022 1:45 PM CST

2 law schools found to be out of compliance with ABA’s bar passage standard

The Golden Gate University School of Law in San Francisco and the Western New England University School of Law in Massachusetts recently received notices that they are out of compliance with the ABA’s bar exam passage standard for law schools.

Dec 20, 2021 12:43 PM CST

With GRE restrictions lifted for law schools, some urge caution

As of November, ABA-accredited law schools can accept the Graduate Record Examination from applicants in lieu of the Law School Admission Test, and some wonder if those with the financial resources will purchase test prep classes for both and submit their best score.

Dec 16, 2021 11:56 AM CST