ABA Journal

Accreditation & Standards

103 ABA Journal Accreditation & Standards articles.

How can law schools comply with faculty diversity accreditation standards? Some deans have questions

It’s been almost a month since ABA notice was posted that the University of Oregon School of Law was out of compliance for a diversity accreditation standard, and Marcilynn Burke, the dean, still hasn’t figured out why. She’s in the process of finding out, and in the meantime, is getting a report ready to demonstrate compliance.

February bar scores decrease for repeaters and first-time test-takers

For the multiple-choice section of the February 2023 bar exam, there was a decrease of 1.5 points in the national mean scaled score, according to the National Conference of Bar Examiners.

Entrance exams like the LSAT remain an accreditation requirement after proposed change is voted down

A proposed revision to a law school accreditation standard that would remove an entrance exam requirement was rejected by the ABA House of Delegates on Feb. 6 at the organization’s midyear meeting in New Orleans.

How can law schools with history of bar pass issues get their rates above 75%?

For law schools that fall below the bar pass rate required for ABA accreditation, there are many avenues for change. We spoke to three schools that have improved their numbers.

Law school gets extension to meet Standard 316; ABA Legal Ed council posts additional notice on faculty diversity

Updated: The Golden Gate University School of Law, which has not had a two-year bar pass rate at or above 75% since its class of 2017, has received an extension to come into compliance with Standard 316, which requires a bar passage rate of at least 75% within a two-year time period.

Finance-related notice for Kentucky law school posted by ABA Legal Ed Section

The University of Kentucky J. David Rosenberg College of Law is not in compliance with an accreditation standard focused on financial resources, the council of the ABA’s Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar recently found.

3 law schools dinged on bar pass rates see improvement; another back in compliance with diversity standard

Updated: Three law schools have come into compliance with an ABA accreditation standard requiring two-year bar passage rates of at least 75%, the council of the ABA’s Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar recently announced.

Another law school dinged on accreditation standard regarding diversity of faculty and staff

Updated: The Baylor University School of Law is noncompliant with an accreditation standard that requires schools to demonstrate “concrete action” showing a commitment to having a diverse and inclusive faculty and staff, according to an ABA notice posted Wednesday.

US News extends rankings survey deadline; which law schools will file?

Updated: The ABA Journal asked all ABA-accredited law schools whether they planned to submit the survey. Out of the 117 schools that responded, 30 said they would not, and 23 were undecided.

There are fewer JD students this year and increases in non-JD programs, new ABA data says

There is a slight decrease in JD enrollment for the fall 2022 term, according to data released Monday by the ABA’s Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar.

Hofstra University law school gets criticism from ABA about faculty diversity

The Hofstra University Maurice A. Deane School of Law is noncompliant with an accreditation standard that requires law schools to demonstrate “concrete action” by showing a commitment to having a diverse and inclusive faculty and staff, according to an ABA notice posted Wednesday.

3 law schools dinged for low bar pass rates

Updated: On Tuesday, the ABA posted notice that the Ave Maria School of Law, the University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law and Vermont Law School are out of compliance with Standard 316, which requires a bar passage rate of at least 75% within a two-year time period.

More top law schools boycott US News rankings, but some lower-ranked institutions are reluctant to withdraw

Updated: More law schools have announced that they are pulling out of rankings by U.S. News & World Report because of concerns that they discourage programs to support public-interest careers.

ABA Legal Ed council advances proposal to make law school admissions tests optional

Updated: The council of the ABA Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar has advanced a proposal to make standardized admissions tests optional at accredited law schools.

New law school will charge only $24K in full-time tuition

Wilmington University is opening a new law school in Delaware that will charge $24,000 in tuition for full-time students, the lowest price of any law school in the region.

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