The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law
The information on this page was provided by the law school.
Official Guide to ABA-Approved JD Programs
The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law is an integral part of one of the world’s great educational institutions. Founded in 1891 and consistently the top-ranked law school in the State of Ohio, the Moritz College of Law has grown into one of the nation’s pre-eminent public law schools and one of the most respected law schools in the world.
A collegial community of approximately 570 students and more than 50 faculty members, Moritz is known for its rigorous academic program, the pioneering research of its world-class faculty, a deep commitment to teaching and professional training, and the development of future leaders.
The college’s more than 11,000 alumni are central to its national reputation. Graduates include justices of the Supreme Court of Ohio, federal appeals and district court judges, U.S. senators, U.S. representatives, governors, managing partners in law firms of all sizes, chief executive officers of Fortune 500 corporations, professors at law schools across the country, and prominent attorneys in private practice, government service, and public interest law firms.
The JD Program
Our programs are designed to give you meaningful learning experiences that will reinforce lessons inside the classroom, deepen your interests, allow you to connect with your peers, and provide you with the tools you need to excel beyond the classrooms of Drinko Hall. As one of the nation’s premier public law schools, The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law offers a stimulating, diverse community that ignites and supports the passionate pursuit of students’ interests inside and outside of the classroom.
Clinical Opportunities
With origins dating back to 1935, Ohio State was an early pioneer in clinical legal education. Faculty members of the College have long recognized that problem-solving, factual investigation, counseling, negotiation, mediation, transactional, and litigation skills are best learned by combining the practice of law with classroom education. In the College’s clinical courses, J.D. students represent diverse clients and conduct in-depth legal work, accompanied by an intensive academic experience in the classroom.
Clinic students work closely with faculty who provide expertise in the theory and practice of a particular area of law and help students navigate a hands-on legal experience. Students benefit from an average ratio of one faculty member to eight students, offering a level of learning possible only through close supervision and collaboration.
Clinics are a critical component to developing key and foundational lawyering skills and the formation of a professional identity. Alumni regularly rate clinical courses as their most rewarding and valuable law school experiences.
Student Life
Columbus, OH
Columbus is a thriving and diverse metropolis, positioning Moritz perfectly to give you a vibrant law school experience that extends beyond the classroom. The 14th largest city in the United States is the perfect setting for the next big chapter in your story. Columbus holds the distinction as Ohio’s capital and its largest city, ahead of both Cleveland and Cincinnati. Ohio is home to 25 Fortune 500 companies, with five headquartered in Columbus: Nationwide Insurance, Cardinal Health, American Electric Power, L Brands, and Big Lots.
Student Organizations
Students are encouraged to take part in one or more of the Moritz College of Law’s many student organizations and committees. Through involvement, students develop both personally and professionally and become acquainted with students in other sections and in other classes at Moritz, as well as with students and faculty who have common interests and backgrounds. Student organizations range from those that emphasize public interest advocacy and professional development to those that serve the particular interests of the members.
Career Placement and Bar Passage
Tuition and Aid
The decision to attend law school is, in part, a decision to invest in one’s future. As with any investment, we advise that you seek financial guidance and make informed decision about debt load. The Moritz College of Law’s financial aid philosophy reflects the desire to provide meaningful financial assistance to a broad range of students including through who are likely to excel in their legal studies, who have a record of community/public service, who will contribute to the diversity of the student body, who have demonstrated potential for leadership, or have a significant financial need.
Most of our students pay for law school by drawing from some combination of funding sources: scholarships and grants from the Moritz College of Law and the university; loans, facilitated by Moritz, from the federal government and private lenders; part-time employment during the academic year and summers; and personal and family savings.
Admission Decisions: Beyond the Numbers
Law school is the most intellectually challenging and rewarding period of one’s educational career. The Moritz College of Law curriculum is intense, and our students are serious about their studies. We look not only for those who have a record of academic accomplishment but those who have the capacity to thrive in a rigorous learning environment such as ours. We consider each application holistically, and there is no single profile most suitable for admission. Instead of looking for an “ideal” candidate, we invite applicants who bring a variety of skills, accomplishments, and aspirations to contribute to our dynamic community.
The Admissions Office evaluates a variety of factors when considering applicants for admission: academic potential, personal experience and goals, and personal qualities and characteristics. Every part of the application matters. In the end our goal is to find the students who are the best fit and who we can help to become outstanding lawyers and leaders.