College of Law

Western State University-College of Law-Argosy, College of Law History

Western State University College of Law was established in 1966 and is a private institution. The 4-acre campus is in a suburban area midway between Los Angeles and San Diego. The primary mission of the law school is to provide the highest quality legal education, based on an innovative program of studies designed to develop the tools of careful legal analysis and to foster a broad understanding of law, law practice, and legal theory. Students have access to federal, state, county, city, and local agencies, courts, correctional facilities, law firms, and legal aid organizations in the Fullerton area. Facilities of special interest to law students include county, state, city, and federal agencies, courts, correctional facilities, law firms, and legal aid organizations. Housing for students is widely available in a university environment adjacent to Western State and California State University of Fullerton. About 98% of the law school facilities are accessible to the physically disabled.

Western State University-College of Law-Argosy, College of Law Academics

The College of Law offers concentrations in corporate law and criminal law. In addition, all students are eligible for Legal Clinic (3 credits) once prerequisites have been met. Research programs are available to all students for up to 2 credits. All students are eligible for externships (worth 5 to 8 credits) once prerequisites have been met. Study abroad is available to all students for a maximum of 6 credits. Non-credit tutorial and remedial programs are available to all students. There is a wide array of academic support programs available to all students.

To earn the J.D., candidates must complete 88 total credits, of which 60 are for required courses. They must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0 in the required courses. The following first-year courses are required of all students: Civil Procedure I and II, Contracts, Criminal Law, Evidence I and II, Professional Skills I and II, and Torts I and II. Required upper-level courses consist of Advanced Professional Skills, Constitutional Law, Criminal Procedure, Professional Responsibility, Property I and II, and Remedies. The required orientation program for first-year students is a 2 week program called Introduction to Legal Methods.

In order to graduate, candidates must have a GPA of 2.0, have completed the upper-division writing requirement, and an Advanced Professional Skills course for 6 credits and foundation law points.

Western State University-College of Law-Argosy, College of Law Unique Programs

Library

The law library contains 200,536 hard-copy volumes and 98,470 microform volume equivalents, and subscribes to 2948 serial publications. Such on-line databases and networks as CALI, DIALOG, Infotrac, Legal-Trac, LEXIS, NEXIS, WESTLAW, Wilsonline Indexes, and Hein Online are available to law students for research. Recently, the library was expanded to include 27,176 square feet and wireless network. The ratio of library volumes to faculty is 8719 to 1 and to students is 517 to 1.

Special Consideration

The law school recruits minority and disadvantaged students through diversity recruiting and scholarships. Requirements are not different for out-of-state students. Transfer students must have a minimum GPA of 2.0 and good standing at an accredited law school.

Western State University-College of Law-Argosy, College of Law Admissions

In the fall 2007 first-year class, 1652 applied, 727 were accepted, and 129 enrolled. Three transfers enrolled. The median GPA of the most recent first-year class was 3.14.

Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree and take the LSAT. Minimum acceptable GPA is 2.0 on a scale of 4.0. The most important admission factors include LSAT results, GPA, and writing ability. No specific undergraduate courses are required. Candidates are interviewed.

The application deadline for fall entry is May 1. Applicants should submit an application form, LSAT results, transcripts, a personal statement, a nonrefundable application fee of $50, 2 letters of recommendation, and additional items are required for transfer and international applicants. Contact WSU for details. Notification of the admissions decision is 2 weeks after file completion. The latest acceptable LSAT test date for fall entry is June. The law school uses the LSDAS.

Western State University-College of Law-Argosy, College of Law Financial Aid

About 93% of current law students receive some form of aid. The average annual amount of aid from all sources combined, including scholarships, loans, and work contracts, is $32,054; maximum, $52,077. Awards are based on need and merit. Required financial statements are the FAFSA and an institutional application. The aid application deadline for fall entry is March 2. First-year students are notified about their financial aid application at time of acceptance.

Western State University-College of Law-Argosy, College of Law Students

About 49% of the student body are women; 31%, minorities; 4%, African American; 17%, Asian American; 4%, Hispanic; 1%, Native American; and 5%, Mexican-American. The average age of entering students is 25; age range is 19 to 49.

Students edit the Western State University Law Review. Moot Court competitions include the Roger J.Traynor California Moot Court Competition (Sponsored by Witkin Institute), National Juvenile Law Moot Court Competition (Whittier Law School), and Herbert J. Wechsler National Criminal Law Moot Court Competition (SUNY Buffalo School of Law). Law student organizations, local chapters of national associations, and campus organizations include Business Law Association, Black Law Students Association, Student Bar Association, The Federalist Society, Phi Alpha Delta, Criminal Law Association, Asian-Pacific Law Student Society, and Christian Legal Society.

The law school operates on a traditional semester basis. Courses for full-time students are offered normally day only, some electives are offered in the evening and must be completed within 5 years. For part-time students, evening courses are always available; day course by special request, and must be completed within 6 years. New full-time students are admitted in the fall; part-time, fall and spring. There is an 8-week summer session. Transferable summer courses are offered.