Legal education now got more convenient. Begin classes on Western Michigan University's main campus in Kalamazoo, then transition to the WMU-Cooley campus of your choice in Grand Rapids, Lansing, or Auburn Hills, Michigan, or Tampa Bay, Florida.
Take advantage of a top public research university and all it has to offer – great facilities, libraries, music, sports, student recreation, and campus activities.
What's the Plan?
We plan to expand beyond 15 credits at Kalamazoo.
- WMU-Cooley is offering up to 15 credits at its WMU-Kalamazoo location in Fall 2017.
- WMU-Cooley is seeking approval from its accrediting bodies, the American Bar Association (ABA) and the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), to expand its program at the Kalamazoo location to 60 credits beginning Fall 2017. Without approval, current ABA regulations allow us to offer up to 16 credits at the Kalamazoo location, while the HLC allows us to offer up to 44 credit hours. To expand beyond 16 credit hours, we must have ABA approval. To expand beyond 44 credit hours, we must have both ABA and HLC approval.
- The applications to both the ABA and the HLC remain under review. If we do not receive approvals in time for full implementation in the fall, we will repeat the fall schedule in Kalamazoo in the January 2018 semester. If ABA 60-credit approval is obtained, we will offer the full, 15-credit second semester in the January 2018 semester, and at least 14 more credit hours in September 2018. If HLC approval is timely received, we will offer the 60-credit program. If we do not receive approval from either body, we will continue to offer 15 credits at the Kalamazoo location, and students will have the opportunity to take their remaining classes at any of our other campuses.
- If the ABA approval is received without HLC approval in time for Fall 2017, the Law School will expand its program to 44 credit hours.
- All applicants selecting the Kalamazoo location will be eligible for financial aid. A separate request to the Department of Education is underway to offer financial aid for the full 60 credit-hour program.
September 2017 Course Offering
Take 6, 9, 12 or 15 credits at the WMU-Kalamazoo Location
First 15 credits
- Torts I (3 credits)
- Contracts I (3 credits)
- Criminal Law (3 credits)
- Property I (3 credits)
- Constitutional Law I (3 credits)
- Introduction to Law (no credit - no cost)
- Professional Development Series I (no credit - no cost)
Contact Us
Enrollment & Student Services Office
2352 Friedmann Hall
Kalamazoo, MI 49008
Phone: (517) 371-5140 ext. 5500
Email: [email protected]
Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday - 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Friday - 12 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Juris Doctor CurriculumOur curriculum is designed to help students master the knowledge, skills, and ethics needed to pass the bar exam and practice law successfully. Experiential Learning - Clinics and Externships Course Descriptions (pdf) |