Western State College of Law at Westcliff University
The information on this page was provided by the law school.
Official Guide to ABA-Approved JD Programs
About Western State
Founded in 1966, Western State College of Law at Westcliff University is the longest-running law school in Orange County, California, and is a fully ABA-approved private law school. Noted for small classes and personal attention from an accessible faculty focused on student success, Western State maintains bar pass rates consistently in the top half of California’s ABA-approved law schools.
Western State’s 11,000+ alumni are well represented across public and private sector legal practice areas, including 150+ graduates who have gone on to serve as California judges and judicial officers. In addition, the law school’s graduates represent roughly 15 percent of Orange County’s deputy public defenders and district attorneys.
Student exposure to real-world legal settings, practical experience and invaluable contacts with alumni practitioners set WSCL graduates up for a smooth transition to the job market and success throughout their professional careers.
The JD Program
Full-Time and Part-Time Programs Available
The program of study for the Juris Doctor degree requires a minimum of 87 units. Some core courses are required (including all the courses in the first year), while others are electives. The program is designed to be completed in as little as 3 academic years (2 semesters per year) of full-time study, or in 4 years of part-time study. Full-time students typically enroll for 15 units per semester and are not required to take summer classes. Part-time students take 9 or 10 units per semester and also 3 to 5 units in the summer to complete the program in 4 years. It may be possible to take additional units in the summer session.
Starting Law School in the Fall
Students who start in the Fall have the option for full-time, part-time day or part-time evening study. Classes begin in mid-August. Entering students participate in a mandatory Orientation and one-credit first semester “Introduction to Legal Methods” course which begins one week prior to the mid-August main session.
Starting Law School in the Spring
Students who start in the Spring term (early January) have the option for full-time or part-time evening study. Classes begin in the first week of January. Entering students participate in a mandatory Orientation and one-credit first semester “Introduction to Legal Methods” course which begins one week prior to the mid-January main session.
Faculty of Excellent Professors
Western State prides itself on a faculty of excellent professors whose first priorities are teaching and student success. Most faculty members have extensive professional legal experience as well as impressive academic credentials; they bring real-world knowledge and skills to the classroom. The full-time faculty is supplemented by an outstanding adjunct faculty of practicing attorneys and judges. A student-to-faculty ratio of approximately 8:1 allows students to benefit from individual attention and mentoring.
At Western State College of Law, our faculty and staff take an active interest in your personal professional development. We provide individual guidance and access to a wide range of exciting opportunities in the field to help you find your legal niche. Our goal is to help you develop your skills and strengths, build your resume, and prepare for placement.
Insights from Legal Practice in the Classroom
Western State seeks to foster law students’ development as legal professionals throughout law school. When faculty bring examples from their practical legal experience into the classroom, they engage their students and illustrate how theory comes together in practice. These exercises provide a lens outside of the standard case method of instruction to help students understand the law and its application and to help students prepare for the day-to-day reality of practicing law.
Student Life
Career Placement and Bar Passage
Tuition and Aid
Scholarships & Financial Aid
Western State offers generous merit-based scholarships and diversity scholarships. In the most recent entering class, a majority of new students received scholarships. No separate application is required to be considered for scholarships; admitted students are automatically considered for merit scholarships based on academic records (undergraduate GPA and academic standing, and LSAT score) and diversity scholarships based on applicants' backgrounds and experiences. Diversity statements are optional and will also be considered. After the first year, students may be eligible for scholarships based upon their performance in the classroom at Western State.
Many loan programs are available to help students meet their financial needs, including Stafford loans, Graduate PLUS loans and private loans. All students receiving scholarship funds or loans should plan to file the FAFSA and a preliminary financial aid application.
Admission Decisions: Beyond the Numbers
The Faculty Admission Committee makes each admission decision based on its estimation of an applicant's potential for academic success, upon a full and careful review of all information provided at the time of the review. The members of the Committee consider the required elements, including the standardized test score(s), undergraduate record, personal statement and letters of recommendation, as well as optional items such as a current resume or other addenda. As the Faculty Admissions Committee reviews applications, it considers each applicant’s prior academic, work, and life accomplishments which may demonstrate a potential to succeed in our rigorous J.D. program. Especially important elements of the application include undergraduate academic performance, difficulty of coursework and grades, college major(s), competitiveness of the college(s), and the time taken to complete the degree. LSAT scores and/or GRE scores are viewed as key predictors. Significant weight is also given to an applicant's writing ability, which includes grammar, conciseness, and organization of thoughts. Submission of an addendum is encouraged if there are special circumstances or issues requiring further explanation. No single item in an applicant's file defines the outcome of an admission decision. Every element of the application is reviewed and duly considered in making a decision.
When there are multiple LSAT or GRE scores, more weight will generally be given to the highest scores. However, all of an applicant's scores will be taken into account, and particular attention will be paid to the trend and recency of the scores.
Western State reviews applications and communicate decisions on a rolling basis from the time applications open until the deadline, as they are received. The deadline for fall is July 15, and the deadline for spring is December 1, but applying on or before the priority deadline (April 1 for fall or October 1 for spring) is highly recommended. Admission to the law school becomes more competitive after the priority deadline has passed. In addition, those who apply on or before the priority deadline will receive first consideration for scholarship awards.
It usually takes 3 to 6 weeks from the time the application is complete to receive a decision.
All applicants work with an admission advisor who assists in the admission process. During the application period, Western State's advisors are happy to conduct a personal or telephonic informational interview, as well as arrange for visits to the campus and contact with professors, students, or alumni.
Admitted Applicant Profile
