Colleges of Law

The Colleges of Law
Established1969
School typePrivate law school
DeanJackie Gardina
LocationSanta Barbara and Ventura, California, United States
Enrollment200
Faculty38
Bar pass rate47%
(July 2023 Ventura 1st time takers)[1]
Websitecollegesoflaw.edu

The Colleges of Law[2][3] is a private law school in Santa Barbara and Ventura, California. It is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission and approved by the Committee of Bar Examiners of the State Bar of California.

History

The Ventura campus was founded in 1969 and the Santa Barbara campus was added in 1975. As of 2007, the colleges have over 1,600 alumni.[4] In 2010, The Colleges of Law joined The Community Solution,[5] an integrated nonprofit system of colleges and universities.[6] In 2016, Jackie Gardina was appointed Dean and Chief Academic Officer, succeeding Heather Georgakis, who served COL for three decades, including 15 years as Dean.[7]

Accreditation

The Colleges of Law is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission. Additionally, the Juris Doctor program has been approved by the Committee of Bar Examiners of the State Bar of California for more than 30 years. This approval applies to both campuses (Santa Barbara and Ventura). Neither campus is accredited by the American Bar Association. Upon graduation, students are eligible to take the California bar exam and practice law in California.

Academics

Juris Doctor

The Juris Doctor program is both full-time and part-time day and evening curriculum. Classes are generally held on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays in Santa Barbara and on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays in Ventura. The academic calendar consists of two 15-week semesters and a 10-week summer term. Typically, students complete the program within three to four years.[8]

In 2012, The Colleges of Law added a Master of Legal Studies (M.L.S.) degree to their course offerings. This program is available to students online, with an option to complete a campus residency. Upon entering the program, students choose between two concentrations: Frontiers in Law or Regulatory Compliance and Legal Risk Management. The M.L.S. degree can be completed in 18 months.[9]

Notable alumni

References

  1. ^ http://www.calbar.ca.gov/Portals/0/FEB2018_CBX_Statistics.pdf [bare URL PDF]
  2. ^ "Law Schools – The State Bar of California". The State Bar of California. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
  3. ^ "About The Colleges of Law". The Colleges of Law. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
  4. ^ "Colleges of Law Website".
  5. ^ "Santa Barbara and Ventura Colleges of Law Enter into Affiliation with TCS Education System". www.prnewswire.com (Press release). Retrieved February 5, 2024.
  6. ^ "The Colleges of Law" The Community Solution. Retrieved 2024-02-05.
  7. ^ "The Santa Barbara & Ventura Colleges of Law Names New Dean". www.prnewswire.com (Press release). Retrieved June 29, 2016.
  8. ^ Song, Jason (September 8, 2015). "Law school continues fight over minimum bar exam passage rate". Los Angeles Times.
  9. ^ "The Santa Barbara & Ventura Colleges of Law Opens Enrollment for its Updated Online Master of Legal Studies Program". www.prnewswire.com (Press release). Retrieved March 9, 2021.

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