James E. Beasley School of Law

Academics

In addition to the J.D., the law school offers the LL.M. and S.J.D. Students may take relevant courses in other programs and apply credit toward the J.D.; a maximum of 12 credits may be applied. The following joint degrees may be earned: J.D./LL.M. (Juris Doctor/Master of Laws in taxation), J.D./LL.M. (Juris Doctor/Master of Laws in transnational law), and J.D./M.B.A. (Juris Doctor/ Master of Business Administration).

The James E. Beasley School of Law offers concentrations in corporate law, criminal law, environmental law, family law, international law, juvenile law, litigation, securities law, tax law, torts and insurance, trial advocacy, public interest law, technology law, intellectual property law, constitutional and civil rights law. In addition, extensive clinics worth 3 or 4 credits per semester, are offered to third and fourth year students in the areas of civil litigation, criminal litigation, transactional work and mediation. There is an extensive number of writing seminar courses, each of which is worth 3 credits per semester. All students are required to take 2 upper-level writing courses. Three writing seminars include Race & Ethnicity, Constitutional Law and Foreign Policy, and the Law of Electronic Commerce. Dean’s Invitational Forums, Honorable Clifford Scott Green Lecture, Herbert H. Kolsby Lecture, Friel-Scanlan lecture, Institute for International and Comparative Law lecture series, and numerous other lectures offered by faculty members and guests of the law school. Summer sessions, worth from 2 to 6 credits, are available in Rome, Italy; Athens, Greece; and Tel Aviv, Israel. A full semester abroad is offered in Tokyo, Japan; Beijing, China; and Cork, Ireland. All these sessions are open to students after their first year. Students also have the option of designing an individualized study abroad program at a law school throughout the world. Some faculty conduct guided research in a tutorial format, which is worth a maximum of 3 credits per semester. There is a faculty mentoring program for students who are having academic difficulty. Special interest group programs include the Public Interest Scholars Program, which provides a comprehensive plan of coursework, mentoring, and tuition support. The most widely taken electives are Evidence, Business Associations, and Taxation.

To earn the J.D., candidates must complete 87 total credits, of which 40 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, Constitutional Law, Contracts I and II, Criminal Law I, Legal Decision Making, Legal Writing and Research, Property, and Torts. Required upper-level courses consist of 2 writing requirements and Professional Responsibility. The school offers, but does not require, participation in an extensive selection of clinical opportunities. The required orientation program for first-year students consists of a 5-day program that provides an overview of academic requirements, faculty regulations, university and law school services, financial aid, general placement information, and social activities.

In order to graduate, candidates must have a GPA of 2.0, have completed the upper-division writing requirement, and Professional Responsibility.

Admissions

In the fall 2007 first-year class, 5243 applied, 1544 were accepted, and 323 enrolled. Figures in the above capsule and in this profile are approximate. Eight transfers enrolled in a recent year. The median LSAT percentile of the most recent first-year class was 84; the median GPA was 3.35 on a scale of 4.0. The lowest LSAT percentile accepted was 20; the highest was 99.

Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree and take the LSAT. Minimum acceptable GPA is 2.35 on a scale of 4.0. No specific undergraduate courses are required. Candidates are not interviewed.

Applicants should submit an application form, LSAT results, transcripts, TOEFL (when English is not a student’s primary language), 3 recommended letters of recommendation, and a personal statement. 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 87% 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 $21,958; maximum, $43,382. Awards may be based on merit only, need only, or a combination of need and merit. Required financial statement is the FAFSA. Special funds for minority or disadvantaged students include a limited number of partial tuition scholarships that are awarded to students admitted through the Sp.A.C.E. program (the discretionary admissions process) who have outstanding performance records and demonstrated financial need. First-year students are notified about their financial aid application after admission, and when their financial aid forms are received and processed. Check with the school for current financial deadlines.

Students

About 48% of the student body are women; 24%, minorities; 8%, African American; 11%, Asian American; 4%, Hispanic; and 4%, Native American. The majority of students come from Pennsylvania (65%). The average age of entering students is 26; age range is 19 to 52. About 26% of students enter directly from undergraduate school, 16% have a graduate degree, and 74% have worked full-time prior to entering law school. About 3% drop out after the first year for academic or personal reasons; 97% remain to receive a law degree.

Students edit the Temple Law Review, Temple International and Comparative Law Journal, Temple Environmental Law and Technology Journal, Temple Journal of Science, Technology, and Environmental Law, and the newspaper Class Action. Moot court competitions include the I. Herman Stern and Samuel J. Polsky Moot Court competitions held annually at the school; students also attend other competitions throughout the country. Outside competitions include the Jessup International, ABA National Negotiation, National Invitational Tournament of Champions, National Trial Competition, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and American Trial Lawyers Association Competition. More than 30 different student organizations flourish at the law school. The Student Bar Association acts as the students’ representative in the law school administration, and is the umbrella organization that oversees the many diverse student activities and organizations. There are local chapters of the Black Law Students Association, Moot Court, National Lawyers Guild.

The law school operates on a traditional semester basis. Courses for full-time students are offered days only and must be completed within 3 years. For part-time students, courses are offered both day and evening and must be completed within 4 years. New full- and part-time students are admitted in the fall. There is a 6 to 8-week summer session. Transferable summer courses are offered.

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