The University of Akron School of Law
The information on this page was provided by the law school.
Official Guide to ABA-Approved JD Programs
The excellent legal education, affordable tuition, low student debt, and strong placement rates offered at Akron Law make us one of the best value law schools in the nation and the best value law The University of Akron (UA) is a comprehensive research and teaching university with degree programs ranging from the associate to the doctoral level. Founded in 1870, UA has celebrated more than 140 years of academic excellence while forging ahead to meet the complex needs of today’s students.
The Akron School of Law was founded in 1921 and merged with UA in 1959. More than 8,000 students have graduated from the law school. Akron Law alumni practice throughout the United States and abroad. With strong bar passage and employment rates, flexible degree options, state-of-the-art facilities, and global connections, Akron Law will prepare you for success in the modern legal world.
Law Library
In addition to the physical collection of the Akron Law Library, you have access to a wealth of databases including those for research, study aids, and other subject-specific resources. You also receive free access to LexisNexis, Westlaw, and Bloomberg Law and have access to millions of library items through UA Libraries and OhioLINK.
The law library has also been conscientious about thinking outside of the box to support different types of learners. This began with simple efforts such as providing monitors throughout library study spaces so that you have the ability to plug in your laptop and have two screens while studying. More recently, the library has introduced different types of furniture including dry-erase collaboration tables, a walking pad desk and an exercise bike desk for those who need to let out additional energy while they work, and standing desks for those who prefer to stand and study.
Physical Facilities
Unveiled in 2017, the fully renovated C. Blake McDowell Law Center offers students a beautiful backdrop to their legal studies. The major renovation included the addition of state-of-the-art technology throughout, additional student spaces, practice areas for our award-winning mock trial and moot court teams, and a modern law library. Additionally, a new wing features the 125-seat Brennan Courtroom, which includes judges’ chambers, a jury box, and a deliberation room. The McDowell Common on the main level features a central gathering area, complete with café and a fireplace along with group study rooms. Many more group study rooms are available throughout the Law Library.
Akron Law students have access to the law school building, law library, and other beautiful facilities across campus. The Student Union houses a wide variety of dining options, and the Student Recreation and Wellness Center offers everything you would expect from a gym – and more! Approximately 30 acres of green space allows campus to feel more park-like than most down-town campuses. The law school is within a few blocks of the Akron Municipal Court, the Court of Common Pleas, and the Ninth District Court of Appeals and the federal court is just a short walk from campus.
Visiting Akron Law
Several programs are offered throughout the year for prospective and admitted students to interact with law students, alumni, faculty, and administration at Akron Law. In addition, prospective and admitted students are welcome to schedule an appointment to visit Akron Law for a building tour and meet with an admissions representative. For those unable to visit Akron Law, our representatives will also be available at numerous recruiting events throughout the country each year.
The JD Program
We offer a dynamic curriculum with many opportunities for specialization. Our two-semester introductory course in legal analysis, research, and writing is delivered in small sections to ensure individualized contact with our full-time writing professors. Upper-division writing courses provide further opportunities for our students to hone their skills.
We believe in preparing our graduates for practice as completely as possible, which is why we not only offer numerous skills development electives but also weave skills development into the core curriculum. Thus, while our professors do teach theory, they teach with a mind toward practical application, as well.
All law students are eligible to participate in the programs offered and the services provided by the Academic Success Office. The director of academic success programs counsels students on study techniques, learning styles, time management, and other topics related to academic success. In addition, a group of high-performing, upper-division law students, known as ASP fellows, lead weekly guided review sessions for first-year students and are available for individual tutoring and review sessions.
Flexible Scheduling
Akron Law offers a traditional full-time JD program, which you may complete in an accelerated course of study, or a traditional three-year schedule. Akron Law also offers a flexible part-time program, which allows you to attend classes during daytime or evening hours. Part-time students may complete the JD program in as few as three and one-half years or as many as six years, though the typical length is four years. The part-time evening program is hybrid online, which means that for the first two years of the program, you will take two courses per semester in person and one course per semester online. In the second two years, it is likely that you will be in person for all three courses per semester.
Students may begin their legal studies in the fall (August), spring (January), or summer (late May/early June).
International JD Program
In addition to the traditional JD program, Akron Law also offers a two-year JD degree program for students with a foreign law degree. This program enables foreign lawyers or applicants who have earned a first degree in law outside of the United States to
- transfer up to 29 credits from a law degree obtained outside of the United States toward a JD degree at Akron Law. Students in the two-year JD program then need only an additional 59 credits (the equivalent of four semesters of full-time study) at Akron Law to obtain a JD.
- gain transfer admission to Akron Law without taking the LSAT.
- save substantial time. Typically, it takes three years to obtain a JD degree. By transferring credits from their first law degree, students will acquire the same degree as American or foreign non-law graduates that takes three years or 88 credits to acquire.
- sit for the bar examination in all US states (an LLM degree only allows access to the bar examinations in very few states).
Specialized Studies
We give you the instruction, tools and expertise you need to excel in many areas of study, including Business Law, Constitutional Law, Criminal Law, Family Law, Health Law, Intellectual Property Law, International Law, Litigation, Social Justice Law, Public Interest, and Trial Advocacy & Dispute Resolution.
Joint Degrees
Akron Law offers joint degree programs in business, applied politics and intellectual property law.
JD/LLM in Intellectual Property
Our joint JD/LL.M. in Intellectual Property degree program enables you to obtain two degrees in streamlined fashion. To earn a JD degree, you need to obtain 88 credits. If you want to focus on intellectual property law, you can earn a master's degree in intellectual property by taking only 12 additional credits (total 100 credits).
Akron Law’s JD/LLM in Intellectual Property (IP) Law program may be completed in three years on a full-time basis or in four years on a part-time basis, including summer enrollment for both programs. Akron Law’s IP program is one of the most extensive in the nation. More than two dozen IP courses are offered either every year or every other year.
Joint Degrees with the College of Business
These programs provide an unparalleled opportunity for both J.D. and MBA students. The programs include the J.D./MBA, the J.D./M.Tax in legal and taxation studies, and the J.D. and Master of Science in Accountancy (J.D./M.S.A.) in financial forensics or financial reporting and compliance. These programs prepare students for careers in a wide range of areas, from business management and corporate and commercial law, to wealth management, accounting, tax accounting, financial reporting and legal practice in government.
Individuals with undergraduate degrees in any field of study are eligible to apply for these joint programs. The programs permit students to transfer courses between the law school and the business school to reduce the total amount of time and credits required to complete both degrees. Students can transfer up to 10 credits of business to fulfill law requirements and up to nine credits of law to fulfill business requirements, thus reducing total credit requirements for completing both degrees by 19 credits.
JD/MAP (Master of Applied Politics)
The Master of Applied Politics (MAP) program at The University of Akron is one of the few professional master's degree programs in the United States focusing on practical politics and efforts to influence political decisions. This includes winning elections, influencing legislation and strengthening political organizations.
Certificate Programs
You can earn a certificate in Business Law, Constitutional Law, Health Law, Intellectual Property, or Litigation.
LLM Graduate Law Degree: Intellectual Property Law
The University of Akron School of Law Center for Intellectual Property Law & Technology is nationally-respected and renowned for:
- Providing one of the most comprehensive IP programs in the country — over 20 courses in IP Law
- Course credit with a United States Patent & Trademark Office trademark clinic every semester (including summer)
- Hosting distinguished speakers, including regular “Lunch & Learn” speakers to discuss career insights with the student body
- The annual Akron Law IP Scholars Forum – gathering IP law professors from around the country
- The Oldham Lecture Series on current IP issues
- Annual Akron Law IP Symposium – a Midwestern IP conference leader for over 20 years
- Our Intellectual Property Advisory Council – Akron Law’s advisory board of IP leaders from around the globe
2-Year International JD Program for foreign-trained attorneys
Foreign lawyers or applicants who have earned a first degree in law outside of the United States can transfer credits to acquire a US JD degree in only two years. Our two-year International JD program enables foreign students who qualify to transfer up to 29 credits from a law degree obtained outside of the United States toward a JD degree at Akron Law and to gain transfer admission to Akron Law without taking the LSAT examination.
Masters of Studies in Law
A fully online one-year, advanced degree designed for accomplished professionals in other disciplines who are seeking to enhance their careers by expanding their knowledge of legal principles and the US legal system.
Legal Clinics
Akron Law students can experience the real practice of law before graduation in a variety of supervised settings by working with courts, attorneys, and clients in actual cases through our clinical programs. Ohio allows you to essentially practice law after your first year of law school under the supervision of our clinical professors. We realize that client contact with faculty supervision is key to your future and vital for the community. As such, it is our goal to provide unparalleled opportunities to all of our students. In addition to a wealth of internships and externships, our law school offers a number of clinical opportunities involving start-up businesses, trademarks, rehabilitation, and civil practice.
The Small Entrepreneur and Economic Development (SEED) Clinic provides low-cost legal and business assistance to small and emerging local businesses that would otherwise be unable to hire outside counsel, with a special focus on businesses owned by women and minorities.
In the Trademark Clinic, students assist businesses and individuals in protecting their trademark rights under the supervision of a licensed trademark attorney. The Trademark Clinic is one of a handful of clinics throughout the country that has been specially designated by the US Patent and Trademark Office to allow law students to prosecute trademark applications. In the clinic, students gain valuable skills sought by employers, such as interviewing clients, conducting trademark searches, drafting opinion letters, preparing and filing trademark applications, and responding to office actions.
The Reentry Clinics, named one of the top innovative clinics in the country, offer an opportunity for all law students to participate in one of four clinics:
- Expungement/Sealing Clinic—serves low-income Akron residents who seek to have their convictions sealed by the court. Students volunteering with this clinic may participate in an outreach event. Clients also may contact the clinic directly for assistance. The law students assist the applicants with completing the application for judicial sealing and expungement.
- Certificate of Qualification for Employment (CQE)—assists those with criminal convictions in applying to the court for a Certificate of Qualification for Employment. In circumstances where the law had previously prohibited those with convictions from holding certain types of employment or professional licenses, the certificate allows the prospective employer or the licensing authority, in its discretion, to employ or license the person who holds the certificate. Law student volunteers assist eligible applicants in completing the online CQE application.
- Students participating in the Civil Practice Clinic represent clients in civil matters in local municipal courts, primarily in tenant/landlord proceedings, referred from the local legal aid organization. Students learn how to prepare for litigation and manage a caseload, just as they will in practice.
- The University of Akron School of Law operates the Ohio Governor’s Expedited Pardon Project in partnership with The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law and the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction. Law students screen potential pardon candidates to ensure that they meet the project’s requirements. The students also assist the project’s clients with preparing a pardon petition to the governor.
Externships
In addition to the clinics, there are opportunities for students to work in externship placements throughout the community for law school credit. In judicial externship placements, students do research for judges and assist with the work of the court.
In other public externship placements, Akron Law students work with local prosecutors, public defenders, and legal aid organizations, or with supervising attorneys in other nonprofit or government agencies or organizations. Our Assistant Dean for Career Services works with each student to find appropriate opportunities to explore career goals.
Study Abroad
Akron Law students have the opportunities to study abroad to:
- Botswana/South Africa
- Ireland
- Peru
- Vietnam
Student Life
Student Organizations and Competition Teams
Our more than 20 law student organizations include the Akron Law Review, Black Law Students Association, Asian-Latino Law Students Association, Law Association for Women, Outlaws (formerly Gay/Straight Law Alliance), Intellectual Property and Technology Law Association, International Law Society, Student Bar Association, and more. Elections for leadership positions are held each year for day and evening students.
Students have many opportunities to sharpen their practical skills by participating in regional and national mock trial, moot court, negotiation, and client counseling competitions. Our competition teams have had tremendous success in competitions throughout the United States, earning over 20 national or regional trial advocacy titles.
Career Placement and Bar Passage
Tuition and Aid
Please visit the link below for our current tuition and fees. Note that nonresident students pay an annual surcharge of just $100 per year, meaning that out-of-state students effectively pay the same rate for tuition and fees as in-state students.
Admitted applicants are automatically considered for merit-based scholarships. In a typical year, more than 90 percent of entering students will receive a scholarship. Scholarships awarded to entering students are guaranteed for the duration of their enrollment at Akron Law, so long as the student is not academically dismissed. Upper-division students may apply for merit-based and need-based scholarships. Students also have access to Federal Direct Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, and alternative loans, as well as federal work-study funds (summer term only).
Admission Decisions: Beyond the Numbers
In order to be considered for admission, you must submit the application, personal statement, and résumé. You must also take the LSAT or GRE and register for LSAC’s Credential Assembly Service before your file may be sent to the Admissions Committee. Please note that if you choose to take the GRE you will need to arrange for ETS to send your score to Akron Law.
Optional items include letters of recommendation and a statement on why you chose to apply to Akron Law. You may apply during your final year of undergraduate studies. The bachelor’s degree coursework must be completed prior to law school matriculation, unless participating in a 3+3 program. Decisions are made on a rolling basis as soon as the files are complete. The priority deadline to apply for fall admission is March 31. The deadline to apply for spring admission is November 30. The deadline to apply for summer admission is March 31.
Students already enrolled in an American Bar Association (ABA)-accredited law school may apply for transfer or transient status. A law student who has completed neither more nor less than one year (not more than 30 semester credit hours) and is in good academic standing may apply for transfer. A law student who has the dean’s permission to visit for one or two semesters may apply for transient status.