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Howard University Law School

Academics

In addition to the J.D., the law school offers the LL.M. and master’s specialization in international law and comparitive law. Students may take relevant courses in other programs and apply credit toward the J.D.; a maximum of 30 credits may be applied. The following joint degrees may be earned: J.D./M.B.A. (Juris Doctor/Master of Business Administration).

Clinics in a wide range of areas are available to third-year students; 4 to 12 credits are offered for each clinic. Second and third-year students may take seminars for 3 credits. Internships are available to third-year students for 3 credits. Third-year students may also participate in research for 2 credits. All students may attend tutorials and special lectures for no credit. After the first year of study, students may undertake a study-abroad program. ABA-approved courses worth 2 credits each are offered at HUSL/University of Western Capetown, South Africa. The most widely taken electives are Federal Tax; Wills, Trusts, and Estates; and Administrative Law.

To earn the J.D., candidates must complete 88 total credits. They must maintain a minimum GPA of 72.0 in the required courses. The following first-year courses are required of all students: Civil Procedure, Constitutional Law I, Contracts, Criminal Law, Legal Method, Legal Research and Writing, Property, and Torts I & II. Required upper-level courses consist of Constitutional Law II, Evidence, Legal Writing II, Legal Writing III, Professional Responsibility, and Skills. The required orientation program for first-year students is two weeks long, and includes an introduction to legal methods.

In order to graduate, candidates must have completed the upper-division writing requirement.

Admissions

Ten transfers enrolled in a recent year. Figures in the above capsule and in this profile are approximate.The median LSAT percentile of the most recent first-year class was 50; the median GPA was 3.2 on a scale of 4.0.

Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree and take the LSAT. Minimum acceptable LSAT percentile is 35 and minimum acceptable GPA is 3.0 on a scale of 4.0. The most important admission factors include general background, GPA, LSAT results, and social commitment. No specific undergraduate courses are required. Candidates are not interviewed.

Applicants should submit an application form, LSAT results, transcripts, a nonrefundable application fee, 2 letters of recommendation, a personal statement, and the Dean’s survey. Notification of the admissions decision is on a rolling basis. Check with the school for current application deadlines. The law school uses the LSDAS.

Financial Aid

In a recent year, about 95% of current law students received some form of aid. The average annual amount of aid from all sources combined, including scholarships, loans, and work contracts, was $18,000; maximum, $36,000. Awards are based on merit. Required financial statement is the FAFSA. Check with the school for current application deadlines. First-year students are notified about their financial aid application at time of acceptance.

Students

About 60% of the student body are women; 94%, minorities; 87%, African American; 4%, Asian American; 4%, Hispanic; and 5%, Caucasian. The majority of students come from the Northeast (39%). The average age of entering students is 25; age range is 21 to 48. About 80% of students enter directly from undergraduate school, 7% have a graduate degree, and 20% have worked full-time prior to entering law school. About 5% drop out after the first year for academic or personal reasons; 94% remain to receive a law degree.

Students edit the Howard Law Journal and the newspaper, the Barrister. Other law reviewa include the Social Justice Law Review. Moot court competitions include ABA National Appellate Advocacy-Northeast Regional, Frederick Douglass National, and Huver I. Brown. Law student organizations, local chapters of national association, and campus clubs and organizations include ABA, Phi Alpha Delta, NBLSA, Student Bar Association, Entertaiment Law Association, International Law Society, Black Law Students Association, and Public Interest Law Society.

The law school operates on a traditional semester basis. Courses for full-time students are offered both day and evening and must be completed within 5 Years. For part-time students, courses are offered both day and evening. New students are admitted in the fall and spring. There is no summer session. Transferable summer courses are offered.

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