From the School
Stetson University College of Law, Florida's first law school, offers full and part-time J.D. and LL.M. programs in Tampa Bay. Recognized by U.S. News as No. 1 for Trial Advocacy and No. 4 for Legal writing, Stetson routinely wins international, national, regional and state competitions for alternative dispute resolution, mock trial and moot court.
Overview
From The School
Stetson University College of Law admits full-time and part-time students each fall. As a prerequisite to enrollment, applicants are required to have earned a baccalaureate degree from a college or university that is accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. A final, official transcript evidencing the conferral of the degree must be submitted before enrollment. All applicants are required to take the LSAT and register with LSAC's JD Credential Assembly Service (CAS). One letter of recommendation is required, and a maximum of three letters will be accepted. The personal statement is also required. More details are available at www.law.stetson.edu/admissions. An equal opportunity educational institution, Stetson is fully accredited by the American Bar Association and has been an Association of American Law Schools member since 1931.
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From The School
Degrees Offered
In addition to the Juris Doctor degree, Stetson offers joint and dual-degree programs for the J.D./LL.M. in Advocacy and J.D./M.B.A.. Stetson also offers an on-campus LL.M. in International Law and online LL.M. programs in Advocacy and Elder Law. Stetson now offers Master of Jurisprudence degrees in International and Comparative Business Law (live), Healthcare Compliance (online) and Aging, Law and Policy (online). Stetson's international exchange dual-degree options include: J.D./MINTEC (in France), J.D./M.I.E.B.L. (in Spain), and J.D./LL.M. (in England/Ireland).
Programs and Curriculum
Stetson's curriculum combines a strong foundation of legal doctrine and theory with a nationally ranked program in the practical advocacy, legal research and writing skills required to become a successful attorney.
Stetson allows students the opportunity to specialize their legal education through a variety of programs. J.D. students may earn certificates of concentration in advocacy, elder law, environmental law, international law and social justice advocacy. High-achieving students may be invited to participate in Stetson's Honors Program based on several factors including excellent performance in the required curriculum.
Stetson's extensive international offerings include a semester in London; exchange programs with law schools in France, Australia, Ireland, England, and Spain; summer programs in England, The Netherlands, South Africa, and Spain; and a winter break course in the Cayman Islands and a rotating spring break course.
Stetson also has centers for excellence and institutes in the fields of advocacy, biodiversity law, Caribbean law, elder law, higher education law, international law, legal communication, and veterans law. Stetson is home to the Stetson Law Review, the Journal for International Aging Law and Policy, the Journal for International Wildlife Law and Policy, and the new Stetson Journal of Advocacy and the Law.
Faculty
Stetson's full-time regular faculty of 48 professors engage in projects of regional, national, and international prominence, and they make teaching and working with students their top priority. More than 50 practicing attorneys and judges serve as adjunct professors.
Special Programs
Recognized by U.S. News as No. 1 for trial advocacy and No. 4 for legal writing, Stetson routinely wins international, national, regional and state competitions for alternative dispute resolution, mock trial and moot court.
Stetson offers upper-level students a wide variety of opportunities to work closely with attorneys and judges, and, in some cases, actually represent clients and try cases. Hundreds of students are placed annually into more than 35 different clinic and externship programs, including competitive opportunities to intern with the Florida and Georgia Supreme Courts, the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, and organizations in Washington, D.C.
Faculty Information
Students Say
Professors are "absolutely top flight," "consistently get involved on campus with students with their classwork and events," "engaging in class," and "are never out to embarrass anyone." "Teaching is their top priority," and there is "nobody on campus that [a student] can't send an email to and get an appointment within a few days." The faculty as a whole "very much believes that Stetson is an excellent school" and that creates "strong professional pride both in professors and students." There is "a lot of reading, but no busy work," and "as long as you have good study habits and self-discipline, the workload won't be an issue." The school provides students with "a great education and also gives students the opportunity to learn a good work-life balance, which is a crucial skill." Librarians are extremely helpful and "happy to answer any questions you may have about research," and there are also training sessions on the different legal research databases on campus given throughout the semester. "Stetson Law sets the standard for how professionalism, kindness, ethical practices, and justice should be integrated together," sums up a student.
Career overview
From The School
Stetson's commitment to helping students achieve their goals is reflected in its strong career development program. An accessible career development staff supports students' professional choices through individual coaching sessions and group workshops on subjects ranging from interviewing techniques to resume writing. Stetson also offers a comprehensive program of bar preparation services, including custom study plans, individual counseling, bar-prep seminars, and sample exam grading by a former bar exam grader. Stetson Law alumni reside in 48 states and 55 countries, and most recent graduates practice in Florida.
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Overview
From The School
The cost of a legal education includes tuition, fees, books, room and board, transportation, and personal expenses. The Office of Student Financial Planning develops student budgets that estimate an individual student's projected educational expenses for the academic year. These budgets govern the total amount of aid (loans or a combination of scholarships and loans) that are available to a student in any given year. Students who have federal loans in their package may not borrow in excess of the approved budget.
Many students have found that their expenses are lower than the maximum amount included in the budget. Living on less than the maximum budget allows students to borrow less and reduce overall debt. For example, if you do not need to borrow for car insurance because you are covered under a family plan, you should plan to accept a lower amount of loan aid. We are committed to helping students borrow wisely. Please contact us at finaid@law.stetson.edu if you wish to meet with a counselor.
2017-2018 full-time tuition (fall/spring): $42,326
2017-2018 part-time tuition (fall/spring): $29,244
Scholarships ranging from partial to full tuition are offered on a competitive basis, and need and merit scholarships are offered for continuing students. There is no financial aid deadline, and a completed FAFSA is the only required form. Stetson also participates in the Veterans Affairs Yellow Ribbon Program, offering tuition assistance to student veterans or eligible dependents.
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From The School
Stetson offers cultural programs, experiential education trips, community service opportunities, leadership workshops, and around 45 active student organizations. The ABA Law Student Division has recognized Stetson with numerous regional and national awards, and Stetson's Student Leadership Development Program was awarded the ABA's prestigious E. Smythe Gambrell Award for excellence in professionalism. Stetson students donate more than 30,000 hours of pro bono service annually to more than 150 organizations.
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Campus Life
Students Say
Stetson's Student Bar Association is in charge of socials, and they always have "the greatest events planned at the perfect time to have fun with your fellow classmates." There are "tons of student socials and networking events that involve prominent community members" and almost every day around lunch time there are different clubs having a meeting or presentations on various topics being given ("and most of the time lunch is provided"); students "can go to the meetings and just listen, or can run for board positions if you want to be more involved." There are many kinds of clubs: "areas of law (such as environmental, employment, and property), political organizations, Bible study, cultural clubs," and more.
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Admissions Office Contact
From The School
Campus and Location
Stetson's main law campus is located in Gulfport, a suburb of St. Petersburg. A satellite campus near downtown Tampa hosts evening classes, conferences, and the Tampa branch of Florida's Second District Court of Appeal. Tampa Bay is the second-largest metro region in Florida with magnificent beaches, pro sports teams, a vibrant cultural scene, and numerous options for recreation and entertainment.
Facilities
Stetson's main law campus features technologically advanced classrooms, five courtrooms, recreational facilities and the Dolly and Homer Hand Law Library, culminating in an idyllic environment for legal study. The Tampa Law Center includes two courtrooms, fully equipped classrooms and seminar rooms, study rooms, and a satellite law library. The law libraries contain more than 419,000 volumes, 750,000 titles and 50 group study rooms. There is a laptop requirement for all students, and high-speed wireless access is available throughout both campuses.
Director of Admissions
Gulfport, FL 33707