Standard 509 of the American Bar Association Standards and Rules of Procedure for the Approval of Law Schools requires Concordia University School of Law to make available certain consumer information on its website. This information is available for your review below.
ABA Full Approval Decision Letter
Effective February 21, 2019, Concordia University School of Law is fully approved by the ABA.
ABA Standard 509 Information Report
The report satisfying the basic consumer information requirement of Standard 509 of the ABA's Standards and Rules of Procedure for Approval of Law Schools.
Learning Outcomes - ABA Standards 301(b) and 302
Learning Outcomes established and published in compliance with ABA Standards 301(b) and 302.
Qualifications for Admission to the Bar - ABA Standard 504
In addition to a bar examination, there are character, fitness, and other qualifications for admission to the bar in every U.S. jurisdiction. Applicants are encouraged to determine the requirements for any jurisdiction in which they intend to seek admission by contacting the jurisdiction. Addresses for all relevant agencies are available through the National Conference of Bar Examiners.
Bar Passage Data - ABA Standard 509(b)(8)
The report including Ultimate Bar Passage and First Time Bar Passage.
Employment Summary Reports – ABA Standard 509(b)(7)
The reports (current and at least past two years) satisfying the employment outcomes requirements of Standard 509(b)(7).
Tuition and Fees - ABA Standard 509(b)(2)
Conditional Scholarships – ABA Standard 509(b)(3)
Concordia University School of Law’s scholarships are not conditional scholarships. Scholarships are awarded as a per credit amount up to 90 credits (or remaining credits for transfer students). The amount received each term is based on the number of credits a student takes at Concordia Law in that term. Concordia Law does not reduce or revoke scholarships unless the student is academically dismissed or withdraws from the institution.
Refund Policies – ABA Standard 509(c)(1)
The last date to drop from any fall or spring course(s) and receive a tuition refund is the 10th day of the course term. If enrolled in a summer term, please refer to the academic calendar for dates. Although a tuition refund is not available after the 10th day of any term, students may be able to replace a dropped or withdrawn class with another class in the same term, without additional tuition assessment. See Student Handbook 7.8.2
Curricular Offerings – ABA Standard 509(c)(2)
Titles and descriptions of courses offered as of the current semester.
Academic Calendar – ABA Standard 509(c)(2)
Important dates for the previous, current, and next semesters.
Academic Requirements - ABA Standard 509(c)(2)
- Juris Doctor Qualification
- Legacy Mentor Program
- Pro Bono Service Requirement
- Advanced Writing Requirement
- Experiential Course Requirement
See Student Handbook Section 2 - "Juris Doctor Program"
Transfer of Credit Policies – ABA Standard 509(c)(3)
Transfer students are admitted by the Admissions Committee. The Associate Dean of Academics will determine the number of credits accepted and the curriculum required for an admitted transfer student to graduate from the School of Law in accordance with this policy.
Concordia Law allows a maximum of 39 credits to transfer in from an ABA-approved law school towards a student's program of study. Students who attend ABA-approved foreign or domestic law schools/programs must obtain a 2.0 (“C”) grade or better for transfer of credit to be granted. Transfer of credit does not apply to courses taken on a pass/fail basis or other ungraded legal experiences. The faculty may consider petitions for exceptions from this policy on a case by case basis.
In determining the curriculum needed to graduate, the Associate Dean of Academics shall allow course(s) taken at the transferor school to satisfy Concordia’s JD Program requirement(s) on a determination that the content of the course(s) substantially overlaps and that the course(s) credit is eligible and will be transferred.
Course grades received from other law schools and/or legal programs are not included in Concordia School of Law’s Grade Point Average (3.9.6) computation.
Articulation Agreements
Concordia University School of Law has entered into an agreement with Concordia University - Portland to participate in a 3+3 program for students completing majors in the College of Theology, Arts, and Sciences. Learn more here.
Concordia University School of Law has entered into an agreement with Concordia University - Texas to participate in a 3+3 program for students completing a Political Science Degree.
Concordia University School of Law has entered into an agreement with Concordia University - Saint Paul to participate in a 3+3 program for students completing a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Sciences in any discipline.
Concordia University School of Law has entered into an agreement with Boise State University to participate in a 3+3 program for students completing a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Sciences in any discipline.
Concordia University School of Law has entered into an agreement with Concordia University - Chicago to participate in a 4+3 program for students completing a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Sciences in any discipline.
Concordia University School of Law has entered into an agreement with Wisconsin Lutheran College to participate in a 3+3 program for students completing a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Sciences in any discipline.
Credit Hour Definition - ABA Standard 310
A “credit hour” at Concordia University School of Law requires over a 13-week semester: (i) not less than 780 minutes of classroom or direct faculty instruction[1]; and (ii) not less than two hours of out-of-class work by students per 50 minutes of classroom or direct faculty instruction. At least an equivalent amount of work is required for experiential learning courses or other academic activities leading to the award of credit hours.
[1] Concordia Law’s 780 minutes of classroom or direct faculty instruction does not include time spent sitting for final exams.
Accreditation Statement
Concordia University School of Law is provisionally approved by the Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar of the American Bar Association, 321 North Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60654, 312-988-6738.
ABA Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar
321 N. Clark Street, 21st Floor
Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 988-6738
Fax: (312) 988-5681
legaled@americanbar.org