Liberty University School of Law

Introduction

Distinctively Christian, Liberty Law has attracted national attention for its innovative program of legal education, competitive teams, and practice opportunities for its students. The law school combines a unique blend of the theoretical study of law with the practical skills training needed for its law students to become exceptional advocates and counselors. Liberty Law alumni, faculty, and staff believe the practice of law is a calling and are dedicated to serving others in their pursuit of legal education.

Scholarship and Financial Aid

• All admitted students are awarded a merit-based scholarship, which can cover up to the full cost of tuition.
• The average grant received by the 2015–2016 first-year class was $21,622.
• A competitive stipend program is available for top performers.
• Tuition has remained consistent for three years.
• Student borrowers (Class of 2015) averaged less than $69,000 in total law school loans.
• Liberty University, in conjunction with the US Department of Veterans Affairs, offers the Yellow Ribbon Program scholarship to students with 100 percent eligibility under the Post-9/11 GI Bill.

Lawyering Skills Program

Liberty Law provides the next step in the continuum of legal education by offering a wide variety of experiential learning opportunities through its expansive Lawyering Skills Program.

• The innovative practical skills program offers a minimum of six courses of real-world training through our Center for Lawyering Skills that equips students to graduate practice ready.
• In-depth legal skills training is integrated into the entire law school experience.
• The Academic Support Program assists students in achieving their full academic potential, helping them with class preparation, class participation, and exam strategies. Our new student orientation program, Systematic Approach to Integrated Legal Studies (SAILS), provides practical instruction for law school success.
• The externship program provides a diverse range of experiential placements that include judicial clerkships, prosecution, public defense, private practice, legal aid, and the Offices of the US Attorney and Attorney General, as well as many more.
• Supervision for the externship program is provided through a partnership with judges, practicing attorneys, and law school faculty.

Clinical opportunities are also offered. Current clinics and centers include

• Center for Prosecution
• Center for Trial Advocacy
• Constitutional Litigation Clinic
• Liberty Center for International Human Rights
• Liberty Center for Law and Policy
• Prosecution Clinic

Degree Programs

In conjunction with Liberty University, the law school offers the following dual degrees to qualified applicants:

• Business (MBA)
• Master of Education in Teaching and Learning (MEd)
• Education Specialist (EdS)
• Doctor of Education (EdD)
• Human Services Counseling (MA)
• Public Policy (MAPP)
• Religion (MAR)
• Divinity (MDiv)
• History (MA)

Juris Master (JM) and Master of Laws (LLM) degrees include

• JM—American Legal Studies
• JM—International Legal Studies
• LLM—International Legal Studies (anticipated launch, spring 2016)

Career Services

The Center for Career & Professional Development (CCPD) offers employers numerous tools and resources to assist in recruiting Liberty University School of Law students.

Liberty University School of Law alumni are represented in 38 states and are employed in judicial clerkships (federal and state), government, the public sector, private practice, business and industry, public interest, public policy, and education.

National and State Recognition

• Among all Virginia law schools, Liberty University School of Law’s bar passage rate of 93.3 percent was the highest Virginia bar passage rate for the July 2015 Virginia Bar exam for first-time exam takers (as defined by the Virginia Board of Bar Examiners).
• Our Moot Court program is nationally renowned.
• The law school’s experiential training is rated among the nation’s best.
• ABA Alternative Dispute Resolution competition results are consistently high.

Student Life and Organizations

Liberty University offers a wide variety of recreational facilities including the LaHaye Recreation and Fitness Center with its indoor basketball courts, soccer fields, Olympic-size pool, rock-climbing wall, and cardio and weightlifting facilities. Indoor and outdoor tennis courts, as well as an ice rink, are also available.

Liberty has more than 30,000 military students.

While many large campus activities are available to Liberty’s 14,500 residential students, law students also enjoy the comradery and intimacy of small classes with a student to faculty ratio of 8:1.

Law school second- and third-year prayer mentors assist students with emotional, spiritual, and physical issues.

Student organizations within the law school include the following:

• Black Student Law Society
• Business and Transactions Law Society
• Child Advocacy Law Society
• Criminal Law Society
• Federalist Society
• Friends of the Second Amendment
• Health Law Society
• International Law Society
• Law Students for Life
• Liberty Counsel Student Organization
• Liberty Legal Journal Editorial Board
• Student Bar Association (SBA)

Facilities

The 330-seat Supreme Courtroom features a nine-seat bench, an exact replica of the US Supreme Courtroom bench. The courtroom is used for mock trials, law convocations, and special law events.

Two mock trial courtrooms, all classrooms, and the law library feature current technologies. Classes and competitions in these courtrooms simulate experiences in a municipal or local city/county courtroom.

Students enjoy attending a wide range of events on the 7,000-acre campus and enjoy the sociability of the law school community. Law students have access to the university’s many recreational facilities, including the year-round Snowflex synthetic ski slope (the first of its kind in North America), 112-acre lake, miles of hiking and biking trails, and an equestrian center.

The law school, including the vast Ehrhorn Law Library, is located almost entirely on one level in Green Hall, which is an over one-million square-foot complex. It houses study rooms, a computer lab, individual carrels, and comfortable seating areas that provide an environment conducive to legal research and study.

A Strong University

Liberty University is the largest private, nonprofit four-year university in the country, the nation’s fifth largest university, the largest university in Virginia, and the largest Christian university in the world.

Total residential enrollment is currently over 14,500 with more than 522 unique programs of study (some available both residentially and online).

Liberty University is home to 20 NCAA Division I athletic programs and has won 6 NCAA Division I individual national championships.

A $500 million campus improvement plan continues with the addition of the Landmark Tower (tallest structure in Lynchburg), Science Hall, The Center for Music and the Worship Arts, student center expansions, residential buildings, and a state-of-the-art indoor track and field facility.

Location

• Located in Lynchburg, Virginia, Liberty University is surrounded by the natural beauty and rich history of Central Virginia, including the homes of Thomas Jefferson (Monticello and Poplar Forest), the National D-Day Memorial, and Appomattox.
• BestPlaces.net reports that Lynchburg has a cost-of-living index that is 9.4 percent lower than the US average.
• Lynchburg is ranked one of the best small cities in which to live by Money Magazine.
• Lynchburg is centrally located with convenient access to major cities including Richmond, Virginia Beach, Raleigh/Durham, Charlotte, and Washington, DC.
• Lynchburg’s highly successful Amtrak passenger rail service provides direct, easy service to Boston, New York, and Washington, DC.
• National Geographic ranks Lynchburg one of the best adventure towns in the United States.

Admission

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis from September 1 through July 1.

The faculty admission committee takes a holistic, multi-dimensional approach to the application review process by evaluating each applicant’s entire file.

A completed applicant file includes the following: personal statement, Credential Assembly Service (CAS) report, two letters of recommendation, and an optional résumé.

The application fee for the 2016–2017 academic year admission is waived.

To schedule a visit or talk to an admission counselor, call 434.592.5300, email lawadmissions@liberty.edu, or register for an Experience Law event.