Explore The University Of Oklahoma's Undergraduate Law Program

what is the university of oklahoma undergraduate law

The University of Oklahoma College of Law, established in 1909, is the only public law school in Oklahoma. The college has a strong reputation, ranking 59th out of 195 in the Best Law Schools category. It offers a comprehensive curriculum, including courses such as Energy and Natural Resources Law, Indigenous Peoples Law, and Healthcare Law. The college boasts a diverse range of student groups, including the First-Gen Law Students Association, and provides extensive support for first-generation students. OU Law also stands out for its early entry program, allowing undergraduate students to begin law school before obtaining their Bachelor's degree. The college is committed to serving the community through initiatives like the OU College of Law Civil and Criminal Defense Clinics, which offer legal services to underserved clients.

Characteristics Values
Name University of Oklahoma College of Law
Year Established 1909
Ranking No. 59 out of 195 Best Law Schools
Student-Faculty Ratio 10.3:1
Tuition Fee (In-State) $23,554
Tuition Fee (Out-of-State) $37,819
Application Fee $50
Application Deadline March 15
Entrance Exam LSAT or other graduate school admission test
Early Entry Program Available for select OU and OSU undergraduate students
Digital Initiative First law school to launch a college-wide initiative in 2014
Bar Exam Pass Rate 88.77% (first attempt for 2024 graduates)
Job Placement 92.7% (long-term positions for Class of 2024)
Pro Bono and Public Service Pledge 100% of the Class of 2020 signed the pledge

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Application process and fees

The University of Oklahoma College of Law is one of the nation's great public law schools, enrolling more than 500 students annually in its Juris Doctor (JD) and Master of Laws (LLM) degree programs. The admissions process is highly competitive, and the university utilizes a rolling admissions process.

To apply, applicants must take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) or Graduate Record Examination (GRE). OU Law will use a student's Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning scores to calculate their predicted LSAT score. The university suggests a minimum of 10-12 weeks of preparation before taking the LSAT. Applicants must also register with the Law School Admission Council Credential Assembly Service (CAS) by June of the year they are seeking admission.

Other requirements include submitting undergraduate and graduate transcripts directly to LSAC, a personal statement, two letters of recommendation, and a professional resume. The personal statement should be no longer than three to four double-spaced pages and should include information about the applicant's personal and career ambitions, as well as their reasons for wanting to attend law school. The application fee is $50, although fee waiver requests can be made.

Once admitted, students are automatically considered for Merit Scholarships by the Admissions Committee. Additionally, all first-year students can complete a scholarship questionnaire to be considered for merit and need-based scholarships. The university is committed to providing a high-quality legal education at an affordable cost and is ranked 10th in the nation for Best Value Law School.

Students may also apply for transfer to the University of Oklahoma College of Law if they are in good standing at their current institutions. To secure a seat in the incoming class, admitted students must pay a non-refundable seat deposit of $500 by the date indicated in the offer of admission.

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Student support

The University of Oklahoma College of Law offers a range of student support services and opportunities for students to gain practical legal experience.

Student Associations

The University of Oklahoma College of Law has a number of student associations that provide social, academic, and professional support. These include the First-Gen Law Students Association, which offers support and guidance to first-generation law students, and the Organization for the Advancement of Women in Law (OAWL), which supports and advances women in law school and the legal profession. Other student associations include the Military Law Society (MLS), the Native American Law Student Association (NALSA), and the University of Oklahoma College of Law Golf Club.

Digital Initiative

The University of Oklahoma College of Law was the first law school in the nation to launch a comprehensive college-wide Digital Initiative in 2014. The initiative is built around three core elements: providing students with iPads at no cost, implementing a digital training curriculum, and redesigning facilities to connect students with each other and the wider community. The Digital Initiative also includes the Inasmuch Collaborative Learning Center and the Chickasaw Active Learning Classroom.

Pro Bono and Public Service Work

The University of Oklahoma College of Law has a strong tradition of students performing pro bono and public service work. In the 2017-2018 academic year, students completed a record-breaking 24,024 hours of pro bono and public service. Each year, the law school recognizes over 100 students who have completed 25 or more hours of pro bono and public service during the academic year. Students can also choose to pledge 50 or 100 hours of pro bono and public service work over their law school career.

Clinical and Externship Programs

The University of Oklahoma College of Law offers clinical and externship programs that provide students with practical legal experience. In the Civil and Criminal Defense Clinics, students represent real clients and confront challenges they will face as practicing attorneys. Through the Externship Program, students earn course credit for legal work in the field.

Student Legal Services

The University of Oklahoma offers Student Legal Services, providing legal assistance and support to students.

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Digital initiatives

The University of Oklahoma College of Law launched its Digital Initiative in 2014, becoming the first law school in the nation to launch a comprehensive college-wide digital programme. The initiative is built on three core elements:

  • The common platform of the iPad: Each incoming student is provided with an iPad loaded with essential legal and productivity software, free of cost.
  • A digital training curriculum: This pushes students to use technology for productivity and practice in the modern legal landscape.
  • Redesigned facilities: Dedicated spaces such as the Inasmuch Collaborative Learning Center and the Chickasaw Active Learning Classroom connect students with each other and the wider community they will serve.

The Digital Initiative is designed to prepare students for the modern practice of law, ensuring they are proficient in using the technology essential to today's competitive legal industry. In May 2017, OU Law celebrated the first class to collectively complete the school's Digital Initiative, marking another first for the college. In November of the same year, OU Law launched the OU Law Center for Technology and Innovation in Practice, expanding the elements of the college's Digital Initiative. OU Law was named an Apple Distinguished School for 2017-2019 in recognition of its Digital Initiative, and remains the only Apple Distinguished Law School in North America.

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Course combinations

The University of Oklahoma College of Law offers a variety of course combinations for undergraduate students. The college was established in 1909 and has been accredited by the American Bar Association's Section on Legal Education since 1923. It is the only public law school in Oklahoma.

The college offers a Juris Doctor (JD) program that can be started even before students graduate with their undergraduate degree. This early entry program allows undergraduate students from the University of Oklahoma or Oklahoma State University to begin law school early and, upon successful completion of the first year, they will also qualify for a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Sciences degree at their respective universities. To be considered for this program, applicants must have completed 98 hours of undergraduate credit, including at least 30 semester credit hours at their undergraduate institution.

In addition to the JD program, the college also offers an LL.M. Program, which allows students to pursue a unique combination of courses. The OU College of Law is the first law school in the nation to launch a comprehensive college-wide Digital Initiative, which includes providing all students with an iPad Pro and Apple Pencil at no cost, a digital training curriculum, and technology for productivity in law school and practice.

The college also has a strong focus on public service and pro bono work. Every year at orientation, OU Law asks incoming 1L students to sign a voluntary Pro Bono and Public Service Pledge, with students choosing to pledge either 50 or 100 hours of service over their law school career. The college also provides a variety of clinical programs, such as the Civil Clinic and Criminal Defense Clinic, where students can gain hands-on experience representing clients from Cleveland and McClain counties who cannot otherwise afford counsel.

With a variety of course combinations, early entry programs, and a focus on public service, the University of Oklahoma College of Law offers a robust and flexible legal education for undergraduate students.

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Career prospects

The University of Oklahoma College of Law offers a range of opportunities for students to develop their legal careers. The college is ranked No. 59 out of 195 in the best law schools in the US. The college has a strong record of academic achievement, with 88.77% of students graduating in 2024 passing the bar exam on their first attempt. Furthermore, 92.7% of the same class obtained long-term positions for which bar passage was required or for which a J.D. was advantageous within nine months of graduation, which is above the national average of 88%.

The University of Oklahoma College of Law has a comprehensive college-wide Digital Initiative, which provides students with an iPad Pro and Apple Pencil to hand-write notes and annotate documents. The initiative also includes a digital training curriculum that educates students on using technology productively in law school and in practice. The college also offers an Early Entry Program, allowing undergraduate students to begin law school before graduating with their undergraduate degrees. Upon completing the first year, students will also receive a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree.

The University of Oklahoma College of Law has a robust support system for its students, with guidance from deans, faculty, and staff. There are also student groups such as the First-Gen Law Students Association, which provides support and community for first-generation law students. The college's Academic Achievement team assists students in transitioning to law school and provides resources such as study groups and individual academic counselling.

The college offers a Juris Doctor program, which prepares students to work with lawyers in public and private law practice, the judiciary, corporations, and government. The college's Civil Clinic and Criminal Defense Clinic provide practical experience, allowing students to represent clients from Cleveland and McClain counties who cannot otherwise afford legal counsel. Students gain real-world experience under the supervision of faculty attorneys, facing the same situations and demands they will encounter as attorneys.

The University of Oklahoma College of Law has a strong alumni network, with notable graduates such as Oklahoma Attorney General Mac Q. Williamson. The college also boasts the Donald E. Pray Law Library, which is open to the public and has the largest law collection in the state. With a comprehensive curriculum, practical opportunities, and a supportive community, the University of Oklahoma College of Law provides its students with a strong foundation for their legal careers.

Frequently asked questions

The University of Oklahoma is ranked No. 59 among America's Best Law Schools.

The total cost of attendance for the 2023-2024 academic year is $23,554 for Oklahoma residents and $37,819 for non-residents.

The application deadline for the College of Law at the University of Oklahoma is March 15.

The student-faculty ratio at the College of Law is 10.3:1.

The University of Oklahoma College of Law was established in 1909 and is the only public law school in Oklahoma. It offers a comprehensive college-wide Digital Initiative and an Early Entry Program that allows undergraduate students to begin law school before graduating with their undergraduate degree. The College of Law also has a strong focus on public service, providing legal aid services for the needy and offering a Pro Bono and Public Service Pledge that students can choose to sign.

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