Texas A&M University Acquires Wesleyan University Law School

Texas Wesleyan School of Law was acquired by Texas A&M University on August 12, 2013, for $73 million, becoming the Texas A&M University School of Law. The sale was marked by a press conference where President Frederick G. Slabach spoke about the benefits of the transaction for all parties involved. The law school, located in downtown Fort Worth, Texas, was established in 1989 and began as the Dallas/Fort Worth School of Law in Irving, Texas. It then became the Texas Wesleyan University School of Law in 1992.

Texas Wesleyan University School of Law sale

Texas Wesleyan University School of Law was established in 1989 as the Dallas/Fort Worth School of Law in Irving, Texas. In 1992, it became the Texas Wesleyan University School of Law. Twenty-one years later, on June 26, 2012, Texas A&M University reached an agreement with Texas Wesleyan University to take over ownership and operational control of the law school. The sale was finalised on August 12, 2013, with Texas A&M purchasing the school and all its physical and licensing assets for $73 million. The law school was renamed the Texas A&M University School of Law.

The $73.2 million agreement included $54 million for the law school as a going concern and $19.2 million for the lease/purchase option for the building and real estate. The sale allowed Texas Wesleyan to focus on its mission of student success and the $32 million East Rosedale Street Improvements project.

Texas A&M University School of Law is located in downtown Fort Worth, Texas, with easy access to both I-30 and I-35W. The school is a member of the Association of American Law Schools (AALS) and offers the Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree. Students can also pursue a Master of Laws (LL.M.) or Master of Legal Studies (M.L.S.) degree either online or in residence. The school has been ranked among the nation's top 30 law schools.

Texas A&M confers the Juris Doctor degree upon students who complete 90 credit hours and meet rigorous writing, experiential, and pro bono requirements. The school offers concentrations in Business Law, Criminal Law, Justice & Policy, Dispute Resolution, Estate Planning, Family Law, Intellectual Property, and more. The school also offers a variety of legal clinics, including the Community Development Clinic, Criminal Defense Clinic, and the Immigrant Rights Clinic, among others.

The transition from Texas Wesleyan University School of Law to Texas A&M University School of Law has brought about positive changes, such as increased faculty size, reduced class sizes, and an expanded scholarship budget. The school has also maintained its commitment to excellence and service, advancing the future of legal education with innovative and collaborative teaching.

Texas A&M University acquisition

Texas A&M University School of Law was established in 1989 as the Texas Wesleyan University School of Law. It was formerly the law school of Texas Wesleyan University until it was acquired by Texas A&M University on August 12, 2013.

The acquisition of the law school by Texas A&M University was the result of a 22-month negotiation process between the two universities. The sale of the downtown Fort Worth law school, now known as the Texas A&M University School of Law, was finalised on August 13, 2013, with Texas A&M purchasing the school and all its physical and licensing assets for $73 million. The law school began operations under the new ownership on the same day, fully accredited by the American Bar Association.

The agreement provided $54 million for the law school as a going concern and $19.2 million for the lease/purchase option for the building and real estate. The name change from Texas Wesleyan University School of Law to Texas A&M University School of Law reflected the transfer of ownership and operational control to Texas A&M University.

Since the acquisition, Texas A&M University School of Law has undergone several changes and improvements. The faculty size has been increased by 30%, while the size of incoming classes has been reduced, resulting in an improved student-faculty ratio. The scholarship budget has also been boosted by 65%. The law school continues to offer a range of degree programs, including the Juris Doctor (J.D.), Master of Laws (LL.M.), and Master of Legal Studies (M.L.S.) degrees, with a strong focus on academic excellence and real-world application.

The Texas A&M University School of Law is strategically located in one of the largest and fastest-growing legal markets in the country, the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. This provides students with easy access to firms, courts, and government agencies, as well as a dynamic legal market in close proximity. The law school is committed to advancing the future of legal education and equipping service-oriented lawyers and industry leaders to address the legal, economic, and social issues facing Texas and the global community.

Texas A&M University School of Law establishment

The Texas A&M University School of Law was established in 1989 as the Dallas/Fort Worth School of Law in Irving, Texas. Three years later, in 1992, it became the Texas Wesleyan University School of Law. This institution was located in downtown Fort Worth, Texas.

Texas A&M University reached an agreement with Texas Wesleyan University on June 26, 2012, to take over ownership and operational control of the law school. The deal was finalised on August 12, 2013, with Texas A&M purchasing the school and all its physical and licensing assets for $73 million. The law school was then renamed the Texas A&M University School of Law.

The law school is a member of the Association of American Law Schools (AALS) and offers the Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree. Students may also pursue a Master of Laws (LL.M.) or Master of Legal Studies (M.L.S.) degree either online or in-residence. Texas A&M University School of Law is ranked among the nation's top 30 law schools.

Texas A&M University School of Law ranking

Texas A&M University School of Law, formerly known as the Texas Wesleyan University School of Law, was established in 1989 and is located in downtown Fort Worth, Texas. The law school became part of Texas A&M University on August 12, 2013, after a $73 million deal that saw the university acquire the school and all its physical and licensing assets.

Since its acquisition, Texas A&M University School of Law has enhanced its academic offerings and resources. The school has increased its faculty size by 30%, reduced incoming class sizes, and boosted its overall scholarship budget by 65%. The student-faculty ratio is currently 5:1.

The law school offers a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree, as well as Master of Laws (LL.M.) and Master of Legal Studies (M.L.S.) degrees, with concentrations in various legal fields. It also provides a range of legal clinics and an Advocacy Program, allowing students to gain practical experience in moot court, mock trial, and alternative dispute resolution.

In terms of rankings, Texas A&M University School of Law has made significant strides in recent years. In the 2023-2024 edition of the U.S. News Rankings of Best Law Schools, the university was ranked tied for 29th nationally, a substantial increase from being unranked in 2015. Its overall U.S. News ranking has been steadily climbing, reaching its highest position to date.

Texas A&M University School of Law has also been recognised for the quality of its academic programs. In 2023, it was ranked 6th for its Intellectual Property Law program and 4th for its Dispute Resolution program. The law school was also ranked 37th nationally in a 2019 24/7 Wall St. ranking, which considered overall acceptance rate, median LSAT scores, and median undergraduate GPA.

The university's first-time bar exam pass rate has been strong, although it has varied slightly over the years. In 2020, the school had an 89.89% pass rate, and in 2019, it achieved a 90.32% pass rate. The ultimate bar passage rate for 2018 graduates was impressive, with 94.78% of Texas A&M law graduates ultimately passing the bar exam within two years of graduation.

Texas A&M University School of Law's rapid rise in the rankings and strong academic performance reflect its commitment to providing a high-quality legal education. The school's focus on academic excellence, practical experience, and student support contributes to its positive reputation and makes it a competitive choice for prospective law students.

Texas A&M University School of Law degrees

Texas Wesleyan School of Law transitioned to Texas A&M University School of Law in 2013, following a $73 million agreement. The law school is located in downtown Fort Worth, Texas, and offers the following degrees:

Juris Doctor (J.D.)

The Juris Doctor degree is conferred upon students who complete 90 credit hours and meet rigorous writing, experiential, and pro bono requirements. Concentrations include:

• Business Law
• Criminal Law, Justice & Policy
• Dispute Resolution
• Estate Planning
• Family Law
• Intellectual Property
• Workplace Law
• Energy Law
• Environmental Law
• Water Law

Master of Laws (LL.M.)

The Master of Laws degree can be pursued online or in-residence.

Master of Legal Studies (M.L.S.)

The Master of Legal Studies degree can also be pursued online or in-residence.

Joint Degree Programs

Texas A&M School of Law also offers several joint degree programs:

• 3+3 bachelor's/JD degree with West Texas A&M University
• Collaborative JD/MBA with TAMU Mays Business School
• Early admission to the professional degree program for TAMU undergraduate students
• Joint JD/MBA with the University of Texas at Arlington
• Joint JD/MBAA Maritime Business Administration with TAMU Galveston
• Joint JD/MPH degree with TAMU School of Public Health
• Joint JD/MST with the University of Texas at Arlington
• Joint bachelor's/JD degree with TAMU College of Engineering

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