We transform students into outstanding lawyers.

Our challenging academic programs include a blend of rigorous classes and practical legal experience that ready students for the bar exam, the courtroom, and the practice of law.

• Study law on your terms, with multiple campuses, night and weekend programs, and classes that start year-round, at your pace, in a way that meets your needs..
• Our faculty are mentors who combine their own experience practicing law with a love of teaching.
• Our student body mirrors a diverse world, and students learn in a welcoming, supportive environment that allows them to later practice law in all types of settings and communities.
• Our strong culture of service emphasizes giving back, and our legal clinics provide opportunities to learn the law while doing what you did before law school — working to make a difference in the lives of others.

Download our Viewbook »

See our latest updates: Attending Law School, Academics, Faculty, Diversity, Student Life, Externships, Career Planning, Scholarships and next steps.

Juris Doctor Curriculum »

Every student completes 90 credit hours, including 66 credit hours of required substantive and skills-based courses, plus 24 credit hours of elective course concentrations.

• Knowledge, Skills & Ethics
• Required Courses
• Concentrations
• Course Descriptions (required and elective)
• Academic Calendar

Experiential Learning

Your Professional Goals

LL.M. Masters of Law Graduate Programs »

Earn an LL.M. Without Interrupting your Family and Career

WMU-Cooley's Graduate Programs provide recent law graduates and practitioners an opportunity to develop excellence through a practice-oriented curriculum with expert faculty in a 100% online environment.

Graduate Programs

• Corporate Law and Finance (online)
• Homeland and National Security Law (online)
• Insurance Law (online)
• Intellectual Property Law (online)
• Joint Degree (JD/LL.M.)
• Self-Directed
• Tax (online)
• U.S. Legal Studies for Foreign Attorneys

Earn Your First 15 Credits at WMU

15 Credits - 2 Semesters at WMU campus

Legal education just became even more convenient - you can begin your classes on WMU’s main campus, in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

Take your first 15 credits at Kalamazoo as described below, then transition to a WMU-Cooley campus of your choice in Grand Rapids, Lansing, or Auburn Hills, MI or Tampa Bay, Florida. Perfect for current WMU students or others who wish the convenience of entering law school while being near the main campus.

Take advantage of what one of the nation’s top public research universities has to offer – great facilities, libraries, music, sports, student recreation, campus activities – while beginning law school.

Learn More about the Kalamazoo Option »

Start when it's right for you.

Our year-round calendar means you can start in September, January or May.

J.D. Program Options

Standard Schedule »

Attend part-time for three years (36 months). Designed to offer a manageable schedule for both working and nonworking students.

Weekend Schedule »

Complete your entire legal education through weekend classes. Classes start in September at the Lansing campus.

Extended Schedule »

Attend law school part-time for four years (48 months). If you must work while attending law school, consider using this schedule.

Terms-Off Schedule »

Attend full-time for almost three years (32 months), attending classes two terms per year and one term off per year. Take summers off for legal internships.

Accelerated Schedule »

Attend classes five days per week for two years (24 months). An intensive, full-time program if you are confident you can manage five classes (15 credits) per term.

Five Year Extended Schedule »

Attend law school part-time for five years (60 months). Students who must work full-time or have significant other time commitments while attending law school typically use this schedule.