Class Profile/Consumer Data

Location

Western New England University School of Law is located in Springfield, Massachusetts, in the heart of the Pioneer Valley. With a population of 152,000, Springfield is the third largest city in the Commonwealth, and is only 20 minutes from Hartford, Connecticut.

History

Founded in 1919, the School of Law was originally part of Northeastern University and was incorporated with Western New England University when it received an autonomous charter in 1951.

Professional Affiliations

The School of Law is fully accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA).  For more information, please contact:

Office of the Consultant on Legal Education/ Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar
American Bar Association
321 N. Clark Street, 21st Floor
Chicago, IL 60654
Phone: 312-988-6738
Fax: 312-988-5681
legaled@americanbar.org

The School of Law is a member of the Association of American Law Schools (AALS).  For more information, please contact:

Association of American Law Schools
1201 Connecticut Avenue, N.W. Suite 800
Washington, D.C. 20036-2717
Phone: 202-296-8851
Fax: 202-296-8869
aals@aals.org

Programming

Western New England University School of Law offers many ways to earn a law degree. In addition to our three-year full-time program, the School of Law also offers four-year part-time evening and part-time day programs. Students may earn advanced law degrees (LL.M.) in Estate Planning and Elder Law and Closely Held Businesses.

Combined Degree Programs

Western New England University School of Law offers four combined degree programs. These programs include the JD/MBA (Masters in Business Administration)  and the JD/MSA (Masters in Accounting) with Western New England University, the JD/MRP (Masters in Regional Planning) with the University of Massachusetts, and the JD/MSW (Masters in Social Work) with Springfield College.

Practical Lawyering

Western New England University School of Law affords students the opportunity to merge theory with practice. Students take advantage of clinical coursework, a wide variety of simulation courses, and participation on a number of moot court teams in order to hone their lawyering skills. Our moot court teams have gained national prominence for excellence. Recent national titles include the the 2008 American Bar Association Law Student Tax Challenge, and 2009 August A. Rendigs Jr. National Products Liability Moot Court Competition, the 2009 American Bar Association Law Stduent Tax Challenge, and the 2011 Transactional Lawyer Meet.

Faculty

Our 33 full-time faculty members have been educated at the nation’s most prestigious law schools. All have practiced law before joining our faculty and several hold additional graduate degrees in other disciplines. The School of Law also has 37 adjunct faculty members who bring their current legal practices into the classroom setting.

School of Law Facilities

The Blake Law Center is a three-story building that houses our extensive law library, faculty offices, administrative and student support service offices, and classrooms wired for laptop use. The entire Law Center has wireless Internet capabilities. It also houses our attractive and camera-equipped moot-courtroom. An adjacent building serves as a base for our clinical programs. All our facilities are surrounded by ample parking. The Law Library contains 400,000 volumes and offers students access to Lexis-Nexis, and Westlaw legal database systems.

Publications

  • Western New England Law Review–the University’s scholarly legal journal.
  • Lex Brevis–a student newspaper which provides timely news and a forum for student opinions.
  • Lytae–the School of Law's yearbook and journal of record for graduating seniors.

 

2012 Entering Class 

LSAT median 150 
(25th percentile: 147; 75th percentile: 152)
GPA median 3.14
Average age 25
Age range 21-55
Students of color 23%
States represented 17

Tuition/Financial Aid

In 2012-2013, tuition for full-time students is $38,116; part-time students pay $28,588 which includes both the academic year and five credits of summer study. The School of Law has a vigorous merit scholarship program consisting of both partial and full-tuition scholarships.

Scholarship Data

Western New England University School of Law applicants are automatically considered for merit scholarships including the Oliver Wendell Holmes Scholarship.  Other scholarships available to applicants include our Public Interest Scholarships and scholarships associated with our Centers and Institutes (Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Center for Gender and Sexuality Studies, and Legislative Institute).  Additional scholarships are available to upper level students based on law school performance.  For more detailed information on scholarships please click here.

 

 

# of Conditional Scholarships Offered

# of Conditional Scholarships Reduced or Eliminated

2009-2010

87

17

2010-2011

106

20

2011-2012

80

14

 

The American Bar Association (ABA) defines a conditional scholarship as any financial aid award, the retention of which is dependent upon the student maintaining a minimum grade point average or class standing, other than that ordinarily required to remain in good academic standing.

Employment Survey

Last year, the average for students being employed or enrolled in a graduate program nine months following graduation was 72.5 percent.  For additional placement data, please review the links below:

Employment Statistics Class of 2009
Employment Statistics Class of 2010
Employment Statistics Class of 2011

General Consumer Information

For more general consumer information, please refer to the Standard 509 Info Report, found here. 

Transfer and Visiting Students

Information regarding Transfer and Visiting student applications can be found on our Apply Now page.

Alumni

Our more than 7,000 alumni live and practice in all 50 states including the District of Columbia and several U.S. territories, with some residing in Europe, Canada, and Asia. Most importantly our alumni serve as career advisors, assist in recruiting new students, and participate as legal career panelists and moot court judges.

For more information, please contact:

Western New England University School of Law
Office of Admissions
1215 Wilbraham Rd.
Springfield, MA 01119
800-782-6665 or 413-782-1406.
Email: admissions@law.wne.edu