Santa Clara University’s School of Law was again named one of the top 100 law schools in the country by U. S. News & World Report. The annual graduate school ranking also ranked the law school as one of the five most diverse programs in the country.
“I am extremely pleased that the law school is once again ranked as a top-tier program,” said Donald Polden, dean of the Santa Clara University School of Law.
“The high ranking is a reflection of our outstanding faculty, which includes many nationally-recognized legal scholars, dedicated staff, and our intellectually rigorous program,” Polden added. “Moreover, our consistent high ranking is reflected in the more than 5,300 applications to the 2004 entering class.”
Applications to the SCU School of Law have more than doubled since 2001.
The survey also found that 93 percent of SCU law school students were employed nine months after graduation– an increase of three percent over 2003 employment figures.
“The synergy created by our location, our well-connected alumni, and our close association with the technology and business communities in the valley is invaluable for our graduates– especially in this economy,” Polden said.
The magazine also reported that the SCU School of Law is one of the most racially and ethnically diverse in the U.S. Out of 200 nationally accredited law schools, only three were considered as having a more diverse student body. The magazine’s diversity index is based on the total proportion of minority students, not including international students, and the mix of racial groups in 2003-04.
“We are committed to increasing diversity in the legal profession,” said Polden. “As a part of the Jesuit tradition in education and our commitment to increased diversity in the legal profession, we are providing access and opportunity to historically underserved communities.”
The survey also ranked SCU’s intellectual property and high technology law program as one of the top 15 in the country. The SCU intellectual property program offers specialty certificates in high tech law and international high tech law, as well as a master’s program in intellectual property law.
“We are in great company in the top 15, and the rankings are indicative of our position as one of the nation’s leaders in intellectual property law education,” said Alexandra Horne, assistant dean, law and technology and executive director of the High Tech Law Institute.
In addition to its juris doctorate (J.D.) program, the law school offers three specialty certificates in high tech law, international law, and public interest law, as well as master’s degrees in intellectual property and international law. The University also offers a joint J.D./MBA degree.
Other California schools in the top 100 were Stanford University, University of California, Berkeley, University of California, Los Angeles, University of Southern California, University of California, Davis, University of California (Hastings), Loyola Law School, University of San Diego, and University of San Francisco.
The rankings were published this week in the magazine, on the Web, and in a special annual “Best Graduate Schools” publication. According to U.S. News & World Report, the ranking takes into account median LSAT scores, median undergraduate GPA, and the proportion of applicants accepted for fall 2004; employment rates at graduation and nine months later; as well as bar passage rates of first time test takers compared with average rates.
The magazine has been publishing the rankings since 1994.
