Florida A&M University College of Law

A Unique History

The College of Law is proud to be a part of Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU), which enrolls nearly 10,000 students hailing from across the United States and more than 70 countries, including several African countries, the Bahamas, Brazil, Indonesia, China, and the United Arab Emirates, to name a few. The student body includes representatives from all ethnic, socioeconomic, and religious backgrounds. Founded in 1887, FAMU is a comprehensive, public, coeducational, and fully accredited land-grant university offering a broad range of instruction, research, and service programs at the undergraduate, graduate, and professional levels. Located on the highest of seven hills in the capital city of Tallahassee, FAMU is the third oldest of the nine institutions in the State University System of Florida. The College of Law’s rich tradition of excellence dates back to its original founding in 1949. Between 1949 and 1968, the College of Law graduated 57 students. In 2002, the FAMU College of Law reopened in downtown Orlando, Florida, as the only public law school in Central Florida. In 2006, the College of Law moved into its brand-new permanent building at 201 Beggs Avenue. The College of Law offers a quality legal education at an affordable price in state-of-the-art facilities and has been nationally recognized for its diverse student body and its clinical programs. The College of Law received full accreditation from the American Bar Association in July 2009 and was reaccredited in 2014.

The College of Law is located in Orlando, considered to be one of the most beautiful and dynamic cities in Florida. A racially and culturally diverse community, Orlando is considered not only one of the fastest growing metropolitan areas in Florida but also one of the best employment markets in the nation. Orlando offers affordable housing, great weather year-round, and easy access to cultural and recreational activities such as Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, and various professional athletic teams. Located in the heart of downtown, the College of Law is within walking distance of government buildings, courthouses, law firms, and a wide variety of cultural, educational, and recreational opportunities.

An Active and Multicultural Student Body

Since reopening in the fall of 2002, FAMU College of Law has admitted 16 entering classes and has a current student enrollment of nearly 500 students. The College of Law has consistently received national recognition as one of the most diverse law schools in the nation, making for a classroom experience unduplicated elsewhere. The College of Law is committed to helping its students further develop their talents, professional skills, and goals. To that end, we offer cocurricular and extracurricular activities, including our award-winning writing and advocacy teams. These cocurricular and extracurricular programs enhance not only the study of the law, but students’ leadership and professional abilities and oral and written communication skills. FAMU College of Law students are very active within the law school and in the Central Florida community. As students at a recently reestablished law school, they have taken on the challenge of establishing organizations that will serve current and future students for years to come. The FAMU College of Law Student Bar Association supports and governs all student activities and organizations at the College of Law. Since 2002, students have founded the Jesse J. McCrary Jr. Chapter of the National Black Law Students Association; the Women’s Law Caucus; the Entertainment, Arts, and Sports Law Society; the Hispanic Law Students Association; the Federalist Society; the Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity; and many other student organizations.

Programs of Study

The FAMU College of Law offers both a full-time day program and a part-time evening program of study. Full-time day program students must successfully complete six semesters or three academic years in order to fulfill their degree requirements. Enrollment in the day program represents a commitment to the full-time study of law. Part-time evening program students must successfully complete their degree requirements in four years consisting of eight regular semesters and three summer semesters. Part-time evening classes typically meet Monday through Thursday beginning at 6:00 pm. The part-time evening program is designed for students who are unable to attend school on a full-time basis and want to earn a law degree while working full time. Courses in both programs demand the same standards of performance by students and are taught by full-time faculty members as well as by adjunct faculty who are practicing attorneys or judges.

Curriculum

The law school offers a rigorous traditional curriculum of required and elective courses that are complemented by extensive skills training that includes an intensive three-year writing program and a strong clinical program. The College of Law’s curriculum is designed to provide students with both the intellectual and practical skills necessary to meet the demands of the modern practice of law by combining theoretical coursework with clinical and practical experiences. Through the use of elective courses and leading practitioners as adjunct faculty, students are introduced to emerging trends and developments in the law.

A Commitment to Public Service

At the core of the College of Law’s mission is a commitment to public service. As such, all students are required to engage in public service by participating in and satisfactorily completing one of several available clinical offerings or by completing at least 20 hours in a pro bono experience. The Clinical Program educates students in the practical art of lawyering, while providing quality legal representation to underserved individuals and organizations. Additionally, the Clinical Program helps students explore career potential by exposing them to a broad spectrum of legal opportunities. Via a combination of in-house clinics and externships, the Clinical Program includes the following practice areas:

• Criminal Defense
• Mediation
• Field Placement

Substantial Professional Skills Requirement

All students are required to obtain substantial instruction in professional skills. A student may satisfy this skills requirement by participating in and satisfactorily completing one of several available clinical offerings or by successfully completing two of the courses designated as professional skills. The list of courses designated as professional skills courses is below.

• Contract Drafting
• Domestic Violence Workshop
• Interviewing, Counseling, and Negotiation
• Law Office Management
• Mediation Theory and Practice
• Pretrial Practice Workshop
• Trial Practice

Amazing Affordability

Tuition rates at FAMU College of Law are consistently the most affordable among Florida law schools, and nationally. FAMU Law tuition rates offer a tremendous value. For the 2015–2016 academic year, full-time tuition for Florida residents was $14,131.66 per year, and full-time tuition for non-Florida residents was $34,034.59 per year. Part-time tuition was $10,028.92 for Florida residents and $24,153.58 for non-Florida residents. Approximately 90 percent of law students are receiving some form of financial aid, including federal loans and merit-based scholarships. Merit-based scholarships are awarded to a select number of entering full-time and part-time students who have excelled academically and who possess other outstanding qualifications for the study of law. All admitted students are automatically considered for these awards, which vary from $1,000 to full tuition.

The Admission Process

Admission to the College of Law has become increasingly competitive. Accordingly, applicants are strongly encouraged to apply early in the process to maximize their chances for admission. The law school seeks diligent, hardworking students with a broad array of talents and experiences who demonstrate both an exceptional aptitude for the study of law and a strong history of, or commitment to, public service. Selection for admission is based on a thorough evaluation of all factors in an applicant’s file. While an applicant’s academic record and LSAT performance are weighted heavily in the evaluation process, the Admissions Committee considers other factors, including writing ability, as evidenced by the LSAT writing sample and the personal statement; community and public service; academic honors and awards; work experience; leadership ability; extracurricular activities; letters of recommendation; and character and motivation. In making its decision, the Admissions Committee aims to enroll an entering class of students with the strongest combination of qualifications and the greatest potential to contribute to FAMU College of Law and to the legal profession.