The State Bar seeks public comment for proposed rules governing the accreditation of California law schools not otherwise approved by the American Bar Association.
Deadline: February 15, 2021
Comments should be submitted using the online Public Comment Form. The online form allows you to input your comments directly and can also be used to upload your comment letter and/or other attachments.
Accredited law schools are regulated through application of the State Bar’s Rules for Accredited Law Schools. Accredited schools provide opportunities for those who intend to practice law in California to obtain a JD degree at a modest cost at locations throughout the state or online. A list of accredited law schools is located here.
These proposed rules would fully replace the current Rules for Accredited Law Schools, Title 4, Division 2 governing the accreditation of California accredited law schools. The Board of Trustees requested such a proposal be created in consultation with the Committee of State Bar Accredited and Registered Schools (CSBARS), and that it adopt best practices in accreditation and provide a means to recognize institutional accreditors approved to accredit the first degree in law, noting the additional requirements that law schools accredited through these organizations must meet to operate in California.
The proposed rules focus regulation in the areas of: (1) consumer protection and transparency; (2) student success; (3) diversity, equity, and inclusion; and (4) preparation for licensure and professionalism. Each rule directly relates to one of these purposes in a meaningful way that can be measured. The proposed rules also create the requested framework for recognizing law schools accredited by regional and national institutional accreditors approved to accredit the first degree in law, directing law schools accredited by these organizations to maintain compliance with the core requirements identified in rule 4.147(C) of the proposed rules, such as the minimum, cumulative five-year bar exam passage rate.
At its November 19, 2020, meeting, the Board of Trustees directed that this proposal be circulated for a 60 day public comment period.
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Committee of Bar Examiners
February 15, 2021