College of Law
Dean: Donald J. Weidner; Associate Deans: Donna R. Christie, Mark B. Seidenfeld; Assistant Deans: Nancy L. Benavides; Stephanie L. Williams; Director of Law Library: Edwin M. Schroeder
The College of Law educates students for the practice of law and develops in them the breadth of vision and qualities of character necessary for meeting the full responsibilities of the legal profession. Its aim is excellence in the preparation of students so that they will acquire the knowledge, comprehension, skills, and judgment essential to the performance of legal services in a complex and rapidly changing society.
Prelegal Education
The services in which a law graduate may become engaged are so diverse that no uniform prelegal undergraduate course is prescribed. A broad cultural background has been considered a desirable preparation for law study. A committee of the Association of American Law Schools has suggested these basic objectives of prelegal education: comprehension and expression in words; critical understanding of the human institutions and values with which the law deals; and creative power in thinking. A broader perspective rather than a too-detailed specialization is generally preferred. Students intending to pursue international law are encouraged to have knowledge of a foreign language as well as a familiarity of the history and culture of that nation. Other areas of law, particularly environmental law and intellectual property, are enhanced by a solid background in science or engineering.
Students from all majors have completed programs in law school. Regardless of major, however, the potential law student should have extensive writing experience. Analytical writing, particularly involving original research, is a critical element of both legal education and the practice of law. In addition, it is valuable for students to have a broad background in the liberal arts and sciences. Such fields as history, economics, philosophy, and literature figure prominently in legal analysis and ideally would be part of a rounded pre-legal education. In particular, knowledge of American history, microeconomics, and work in philosophy (whether courses in logic or various branches of philosophical thought) provides both the background and the habits of mind desirable in legal education. Some undergraduate majors lend themselves particularly well to this broad-based, writing-intensive model of education. Students whose majors do not provide many opportunities to write and to analyze texts critically should seek out elective courses that provide those opportunities. These courses are not prerequisite to a legal education, but students with strong undergraduate backgrounds are more likely to succeed in law school. The study required for a baccalaureate degree, a prerequisite to study at the College of Law, ordinarily provides a suitable background. As law study is interrelated with many disciplines, more emphasis is placed upon how well persons have done and their intellectual development than is placed upon the particular subjects studied. Undergraduate students who are thinking about law school are encouraged to visit the College of Law. Tours of the school and class visitations may be arranged through the College Admissions Office, 210 B.K. Roberts Hall, (850) 644-3787, admissions@law.fsu.edu.
Degree Program
The degree of juris doctor (JD) is conferred upon College of Law graduates. The requirements for graduation are the successful completion of eighty-eight (88) semester hours of law study, including required courses as determined by the faculty of the College of Law. Grade average must be "C" or above for graduation.
The College of Law provides students the oppurtunity to demonstrate their special expertise by earning certificates in environmental, natural resources and land use law or international law. Both certificate programs carry requirements for specific courses and activities and a choice of electives. The programs require students to take only three (3) semester hours in addition to those required for the juris doctor (JD) degree.
Requirements for Admission
All inquiries regarding admission should be sent to: Admissions Office, College of Law, The Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306-1601. All registrants are required to have a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university prior to commencing law study. Every prospective law student must take the Law School Admissions Test given by the Law School Admissions Services. Applications may be obtained from the College of Law or by writing: Law School Admissions Services, Box 2000, Newtown, PA 18940. Registration with the Law School Data Assembly Service is also required.
Applicants must furnish a transcript showing receipt of the baccalaureate degree prior to commencing law study. The Law School Admissions Test scores and the academic grade average are both considered among other factors in determining admission.
Interdisciplinary and Joint-Degree Programs
The College of Law offers joint-degree programs in cooperation with other colleges, schools and departments of the University. The joint-degree programs enable students to earn two degrees concurrently, the juris doctor and the master's. Generally, joint-degree students spend their first year in the College of Law.
A specific juris doctor-master of business administration dual degree program has been established for graduate students with the College of Business. Dual degree programs have also been established with the departments/programs of Economics, International Affairs, Urban and Regional Planning, the School of Public Administration and Policy, and with the School of Social Work.
Additional information regarding law programs is contained in the University's Graduate Bulletin and on the College of Law website: http://www.law.fsu.edu.
Summer Program in Law at Oxford
Director: Edwin M. Schroeder
eschroed@law.fsu.edu
The College of Law conducts the oldest summer program in Oxford sponsored by an American law school. Since its establishment in 1973, law students from the United States and Canada and a limited number of graduate students in related fields, lawyers, and others have been taught by tenured members of the Oxford University and The Florida State University law faculties. The five and one-half week program begins annually on the Tuesday following Oxford's Trinity term.
For information write or call: Director, The Florida State University Summer Program in Law at Oxford, Tallahassee, FL 32306-1600; (850) 644-4578; or log on at http://www.law.fsu.edu/academic_programs/international_law/oxford.
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