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List of Applications for Substantive Change

Applications for Substantive Change

Applications for Substantive Change
(other than Non-J.D./Post-J.D.)

Applications and Council decisions on Substantive Change Applications (other than applications for programs other than the Non-J.D./Post-J.D. Degree) prior to 3 years ago can be found on the Accreditation Archives page.

November 2024

The Council acquiesced in the application of the University of Maine School of Law to modify its institutional relationship with its parent institution to change its legal status to an independent law school in the University of Maine System.

The Council acquiesced in the application of Pennsylvania State University Dickinson Law and Pennsylvania State University Penn State Law to merge into a unified law school with two locations.

The Council acquiesced in the application of Western New England University School of Law to establish a part-time distance education J.D. program.

October 2024

University of Detroit Mercy School of Law submits application to establish a part-time distance education J.D. program.

St. Thomas University Benjamin L. Crump College of Law submits application to establish a part-time hybrid distance education J.D. program.

Arizona State University Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law submits application to establish a part-time distance education J.D. program.

September  2024

University of Maine School of Law submits application to modify its institutional relationship with its parent institution to change its legal status to an independent law school in the University of Maine System.

 July 2024

Pennsylvania State University Dickinson Law and Pennsylvania State University Penn State Law submit applications to merge into a unified law school with two locations.

Western New England University School of Law submits application to establish a part-time distance education J.D. program.

February 2024

The Council acquiesced in the application of the University of New Hampshire School of Law to continue its hybrid distance education J.D. program.

The Council acquiesced in the application of Ohio Northern University Claude W. Pettit College of Law to establish a part-time distance education J.D. program.

The Council acquiesced in the application of Charleston School of Law to convert to a non-profit law school.

November 2023

The Council acquiesced in the application of Mitchell Hamline School of Law to exceed 50% Thresholds for Distance Education (enrolls at least 50% of its students in at least one course offered though distance education or offers at least 50% of its courses though distance education).

The Council acquiesced in the application of Elon University School of Law to establish a separate location in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The Council acquiesced in the application of the University of Dayton School of Law to continue its hybrid distance education J.D. program.

October 2023

University of New Hampshire School of Law submits application to continue its hybrid distance education J.D. program.

Charleston School of Law submits application to convert to a non-profit law school.

Ohio Northern University Claude W. Pettit College of Law submits application to establish a part-time distance education J.D. program.

September 2023

Mitchell Hamline School of Law submits application to exceed 50% Thresholds for Distance Education (enrolls at least 50% of its students in at least one course offered though distance education or offers at least 50% of its courses though distance education).

August 2023

The Council acquiesced in the application of Southwestern Law School to exceed 50% Thresholds for Distance Education (enrolls at least 50% of its students in at least one course offered though distance education or offers at least 50% of its courses though distance education).

The Council acquiesced in the application of Duquesne University Thomas R. Kline School of Law to establish a part-time hybrid distance education J.D. program.

The Council acquiesced in the application of Southwestern Law School to establish a full-time and part-time distance education J.D. program.

The Council acquiesced in the application of Albany Law School to establish a part-time hybrid distance education J.D. program.

July 2023

Southwestern Law School submits application to exceed 50% Thresholds for Distance Education (enrolls at least 50% of its students in at least one course offered though distance education or offers at least 50% of its courses though distance education).

Elon University School of Law submits application to establish a separate location in Charlotte, North Carolina.

University of Dayton School of Law submits application to continue its hybrid distance education J.D. program.

May 2023

The Council acquiesced in the application of Touro University Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center to establish a branch campus in New York City, New York.

The Council acquiesced in the application of Case Western Reserve University School of Law to establish a part-time distance education J.D. program.

April 2023

Southwestern Law School submits application to establish a full-time and part-time distance education J.D. program.

Duquesne University Thomas R. Kline School of Law submits application to establish a part-time hybrid distance education J.D. program.

March 2023

Albany Law School submits application to establish a part-time hybrid distance education J.D. program.

February 2023

The Council acquiesced in the application of Lincoln Memorial University Duncan School of Law to establish a part-time hybrid distance education J.D. program.

January 2023

Case Western Reserve University School of Law submits application to establish a part-time hybrid distance education J.D. program.

Touro University Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center submits application to establish a branch campus in New York City, New York.

November 2022

The Council acquiesced in the application of The University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law to establish a branch campus in Sydney, Australia.

The Council acquiesced in the application of University of Hawai’i William S. Richardson School of Law to establish a part-time hybrid distance education J.D. program.

The Council acquiesced in the application of Cleveland State University College of Law to establish a part-time hybrid distance education J.D. program.

The Council acquiesced in the application of the University of Maine School of Law to relocate the Law School.

October 2022

Lincoln Memorial University Duncan School of Law submits application to establish a part-time hybrid distance education J.D. program.

University of Maine School of Law submits application to relocate the Law School.

August 2022

The Council acquiesced in the application of Syracuse University to continue its hybrid distance education J.D. program.

July 2022

Syracuse University submits application to continue its hybrid distance education J.D. program.

Cleveland State University Cleveland-Marshall College of Law submits application to establish a part-time hybrid distance education J.D. program.

University of Hawai’i William S. Richardson School of Law submits application to establish a part-time hybrid distance education J.D. program.

May 2022

The Council acquiesced in the application of Mitchell Hamline School of Law to establish a “Prison to Law” distance education J.D. program.

The Council acquiesced in the application of Northeastern University School of Law to establish a part-time hybrid distance education J.D. program.

The University of Arizona submits application to establish a branch campus in Sydney, Australia.

March 2022

Mitchell Hamline School of Law submits application to establish a “Prison to Law” distance education J.D. program. 

February 2022

The Council acquiesced in the application of Loyola Law School (Los Angeles) to modify its existing part-time J.D. program into a hybrid/online program.

The Council acquiesced in the application of Vermont Law School to establish a part-time hybrid distance education J.D. program.

The Council acquiesced in the application of South Texas College of Law-Houston to establish a part-time hybrid/online J.D. program.

January 2022

Northeastern University School of Law submits application to establish a part-time hybrid distance education J.D. program.

October 2021

University of California-Davis School of Law submits application to establish a part-time distance education J.D. program. - Withdrawn

Loyola Law School (Los Angeles) submits application to modify its existing part-time J.D. program into a hybrid/online program.

South Texas College of Law-Houston submits application to establish a part-time hybrid/online J.D. program.

Vermont Law School submits application to establish a part-time hybrid distance education J.D. program.

August 2021

The Council acquiesced in the application of Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School to relocate the Law School.

May 2021

The Council acquiesced in the application of St. Mary’s University School of Law to convert its existing part-time program into an online program.

February 2021

The Council acquiesced in the application of the Northeastern University School of Law to add a part-time J.D. program.

The Council acquiesced in the application of the Seattle University School of Law application to convert its existing part-time program into a hybrid/online program.

Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School application to relocate the Law School.

January 2021

St. Mary’s University School of Law application to convert existing part-time program into an online program.

December 2020

Northeastern University School of Law Application to add a part-time J.D. program.

October 2020

Seattle University School of Law application to convert existing part-time program into a hybrid/online program.

August 2020

The Council acquiesced in the application of the Suffolk University Law School to add a hybrid J.D. program.

May 2020

Suffolk University Law School Application to add a hybrid J.D. program.

The Council acquiesced in the application of Concordia University School of Law to be acquired by Concordia University, St. Paul.

March 2020

Concordia University School of Law
Application to be acquired by Concordia University, St. Paul

November 2019

The Council acquiesced in the application of Atlanta's John Marshall Law School to convert to a non-profit law school.

The Council denied the application of Florida Coastal School of Law to convert to a non-profit law school.

The Council acquiesced in the application of the Western State College of Law to be acquired by Westcliff University.

October 2019

Florida Coastal School of Law
Application to convert to a non-profit law school

University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law
Application for a Branch Campus in Sydney, Australia

August 2019

The Council denied the application of Florida Coastal School of Law to convert to a non-profit law school.

The Council acquiesced in the application of Michigan State University College of Law to fully integrate into Michigan State University as one of its constituent colleges.

June 2019

Western State College of Law
Application to be acquired by Westcliff University

May 2019

Atlanta's John Marshall Law School
Application to convert to a non-profit law school

The Council acquiesced in the application of Cornell Law School to establish a separate location in New York City, New York.

March 2019

Michigan State University College of Law
Application to fully integrate into Michigan State University as one of its constituent colleges

February 2019

The Council acquiesced in the application of University of New Hampshire School of Law to establish a part-time program

Florida Coastal School of Law
Application to convert to a non-profit law school

Cornell Law School
Application for a Separate Location in New York City

November 2018

Council Acquiesces in Application of The John Marshall Law School to be acquired by the University of Illinois at Chicago

September 2018

The Council acquiesced in the application of Arizona State University Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law to establish a separate location in Washington, D.C.

University of New Hampshire School of Law
Application to add a part-time program 

August 2018

The Council acquiesced in the application of WMU Thomas M. Cooley Law School to establish a branch campus in Kalamazoo, Michigan

July 2018

The John Marshall Law School
Application to be acquired by the University of Illinois at Chicago

May 2018

The Council acquiesced in the application of University of Dayton School to establish a part-time program

March 2018

Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University
Application for a Separate Location in Washington, D.C.

February 2018

University of Dayton School
Application for a part-time program

September 2016

WMU Thomas M. Cooley Law School
Application for a branch campus in Kalamazoo [Standard 105(a)(9)]

Third-Party Comments on Law Schools Undergoing Site Visits

Consistent with Internal Operating Practice 4(a), written comments related to current compliance with the Standards for Approval of Law Schools may be submitted to the ABA Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar. 

Submit Third-Party Comments

Law School Site Visit Schedule

Applications for Acquiescence in a Program other than the J.D. Degree

Applications and Council decisions on Substantive Change Applications (other than applications for programs other than the J.D. Degree) prior to 3 years ago can be found on the Accreditation Archives page.

Standard 105(a)(15)

To confirm whether the Non-J.D. programs listed below have received acquiescence, visit the list of Non-J.D. Programs by School.  New programs are added to this list following review by the Council.

2024

November 

University of Baltimore
Taxation, M.S.

University of Florida
Master of Studies in Law, M.S.L.

Florida International University
Law of Technology, M.S.

Suffolk University
Legal Innovation and Technology, LL.M.

Villanova University
U.S. Law for Foreign-Trained Attorneys, LL.M.

August

Mississippi College
Civil Law, LL.M.

May

Boston College Law School
Doctor of Juridical Science, S.J.D.
Cybersecurity Policy and Governance, M.L.S.

Drexel University
Global Financial Regulation, LL.M.

University of Southern California
Business Law, LL.M.
Media and Entertainment Law, LL.M

February

University of Denver
Forensic Engineering, M.L.S.

University of Miami
Master of Legal Studies, M.L.S.

Temple University
International Business Law, LL.M.

2023

August

University of Missouri-Kansas City
Master’s in Legal Studies, M.L.S.

William and Mary Law School
Master in Legal Studies, M.L.S.

Yeshiva University
Labor and Employment Law, M.S.L.

May

University of Arizona
Undergraduate Legal Paraprofessional Certificate

Brooklyn Law School
M.S.L. in Financial Technology and the Law
M.S.L. in Sustainability, Future Cities, and the Law

Loyola University-Chicago
Certificate in Privacy Law

Vermont Law School
LL.M. in Animal Law
Master of Legal Studies

February

Indiana University-Bloomington
Graduate Certificate in Cybersecurity and Information Privacy Law

Lewis & Clark Law School
S.J.D. in Animal Law

University of Maine
Master of Legal Studies

St. John’s University
LL.M. in Real Estate

Seattle University
Doctor of Juridical Science

University of South Carolina
Master of Legal Studies in Health Systems Law
Certificate in Health Care Compliance

2022

November

Seton Hall University
LL.M. in American Legal Studies

Texas A&M University
LL.M. in Cross-Border Advocacy

August

The George Washington University
LL.M. in Environmental and Energy Law
LL.M. in National Security and Cybersecurity Law

Vanderbilt University
Masters of Legal Studies
 

May

Chicago-Kent College of Law, IIT
Certificate in Privacy

University of Georgia
Certificate in Alternative Dispute Resolution

Golden Gate University
B.A. in Law
Master of Legal Studies

Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico
LL.M. in Tax Law
M.L.S. in Tax Law

University of Southern California
B.S. in Legal Studies
 

February

University of Arizona
Tribal Courts and Justice Administration, Undergraduate Certificate

Lewis & Clark Law School
Animal Law, M.L.S.

Mitchell Hamline School of Law
ICWA “Gold Standard” Certificate

University of San Diego
Diploma in Taxation

University of Southern California
Law, Social Justice, and Diversity, Graduate Certificate
Social Work Administration, Graduate Certificate

2021

November

University of Miami
Doctor of Juridical Science, S.J.D.

New York University
Health Law and Strategy, M.S.

University of San Diego
Paralegal Studies, Post-Baccalaureate Certificate

Texas A&M University
Law and Policy, Certificate

August

University of Connecticut
Governance, Risk Management, and Compliance, LL.M.

University of Georgia
International Law, Graduate Certificate

University of Michigan
Global Capital Markets, Certificate
Global Transactions, Certificate

Regent University
Law, B.A.

Villanova University
Taxation, Masters

May 

Chicago-Kent College of Law, IIT
Cybersecurity, Certificate

University of Cincinnati
Master of Legal Studies, M.L.S.

Hofstra University
Bioethics, M.A.

University of Pittsburgh
International Business Law and Dispute Resolution, Graduate Certificate

February

Arizona State University
Human Resources and Employment Law, Masters

University of Arkansas at Little Rock
Master of Studies in Law, M.S.L.

Case Western Reserve University
Compliance and Risk Management, Masters
Compliance and Risk Management, Certificate
Compliance and Risk Management, Specialty Certificate

Drexel University
Law, B.A. and Minor

University of Georgia
Law, Jurisprudence, and the State; Undergraduate Minor

University of Oklahoma
Energy and Natural Resources, LL.M.
Healthcare Law, LL.M.
Indigenous Peoples, LL.M.
International Business, LL.M.

Pace University
Health Law and Policy, Advanced Certificate

2020

November

University of Buffalo, SUNY
Doctor of Juridical Science, J.S.D.

University of Southern California
Master’s in International Trade Law and Economics

August

University of Missouri
Certificate in Dispute Resolution for Non-Lawyers

Northeastern University
Graduate Certificate in United States Law

Pennsylvania State University, Dickinson Law
Master of Legal Studies

Pennsylvania State University, Penn State Law
Master of Legal Studies

Pennsylvania State University, Penn State Law
Certificate in Legal Studies

May

University of California-Hastings
Certificate of Studies in Law

Chicago-Kent College of Law, IIT
Certificate in International Law and Practice

Chicago-Kent College of Law, IIT
Intellectual Asset Management Certificate

Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico
LL.M. in Health Law

University of Puerto Rico
Online LL.M. in Oral Adversarial Criminal System

University of Tennessee
Graduate Certificate in Legal Studies

Tulane University
Masters of Jurisprudence in Energy Law

Tulane University
Masters of Jurisprudence in Environmental Law

February

American University
LL.M. in Legislation

George Mason University
LL.M. in Cyber, Intelligence, and National Security Law

Georgetown University
LL.M. in Technology Law and Policy

Georgetown University
Master of Law and Technology

Loyola University, New Orleans
Master’s in Environmental Law

Loyola University, New Orleans
Master’s in Health Law and Administration

Pennsylvania State University, Dickinson Law
Doctor of Juridical Science, S.J.D.

St. Mary’s University
Certificate in Compliance, Business Law & Risk
Certificate in Health Care Compliance
Certificate in Legal Studies

Suffolk University
Certificate in Intellectual Property Law Basics

Syracuse University
Doctor of Juridical Science in Law, S.J.D.

Wayne State University
Master of Studies in Law  

January

American University
LL.M. in Legislation

George Mason University
LL.M. in Cyber, Intelligence, and National Security Law

Georgetown University
LL.M. in Technology Law and Policy

Georgetown University
Master of Law and Technology

Loyola University, New Orleans
Master’s in Environmental Law

Loyola University, New Orleans
Master’s in Health Law and Administration

Pennsylvania State University, Dickinson Law
Doctor of Juridical Science, S.J.D.

St. Mary’s University
Multiple Certificates

Suffolk University
Certificate in Intellectual Property Law Basics

Wayne State University
Master of Studies in Law  

2019

November 

Suffolk University
Master of Science in Law: Life Sciences

Western State College of Law
Master of Laws, LL.M.

August

University of California-Los Angeles
Master of Legal Studies

University of Memphis
Healthcare Compliance Certificate

Nova Southeastern University
Paralegal Studies Program

Oklahoma City University
Master in Legal Studies

University of Pittsburgh
Certificate in Human Resources Law

Washington University
Master of Legal Studies in Taxation

February

Albany Law School
Advanced Certificate in Legal Studies

American University
LL.M. in International Business and Trade Law

American University
LL.M. in Gender, International, and Comparative Law

American University
LL.M. in International Arbitration and Business Law

Boston University
M.S.L. in Taxation

University of Idaho
Certificate in Natural Resources and Environmental Law

The University of Montana
Master of Public Administration

University of Oklahoma
Master of Legal Studies in International Business Law

Samford University
Financial Services Regulatory Compliance Certificate

Samford University
Health Law and Policy Certificate

Samford University
Higher Ed Law and Compliance Certificate

Samford University
Legal Project Management Certificate

Santa Clara University
Master of Legal Studies in Corporate Compliance

May 

University of Buffalo-SUNY
B.A. in Law

Chicago-Kent College of Law
Master of Science in Taxation

Fordham University
LL.M. in Real Estate Law

Mississippi College
LL.M. in Military and Veteran’s Law

St. Thomas University
LL.M. in Cybersecurity and Policy

University of Southern California
Certificate in Privacy Law and Cyber Security

University of Southern California
LL.M. in Privacy Law and Cyber Security

2018

November

Florida Coastal School of Law
Corporate Compliance Certificate

Georgia State University
Master of Jurisprudence

Loyola University, Chicago
LL.M. in Compliance and Enterprise Risk Management

University of Mississippi
Certificate in Air and Space Law

University of New Hampshire
Blockchain, Cryptocurrency, and Law Certificate

University of New Hampshire
Sports and Wagering Integrity Certificate

Seattle University
Master of Legal Studies in Compliance and Risk Management

University of Tennessee
Master of Legal Studies

September 

Drexel University
LL.M. in Cyber Law and Data Privacy

Drexel University
LL.M. in Health Care and Pharmaceutical Compliance

University of Kansas
Graduate Certificate in Homeland Security Law and Policy

Mitchell | Hamline
Elder Law and Chronic Care Certificate

Mitchell | Hamline
Trauma-Informed Advocacy in Legal Systems Certificate

2016

April

January