Individual Attention

At SJCL, the study of law is an intense endeavor, but the skills and doctrines learned will benefit you professionally on a daily basis. Our small class sizes allow students to receive individual attention from faculty. At SJCL, the competition is against one’s self and high professional standards – not other students.

Objectives

SJCL strives to produce skilled legal professionals who contribute to the development of legal and social institutions, provide wise leadership and zealous representation, and promote the integrity of the legal system. The Law Program endeavors to:

• Encourage the uninhibited pursuit of truth
• Instill habits of intellectual inquiry and self-education
• Engender a commitment to the highest ethical and professional standards
• Teach the fundamental principles and processes of the law
• Develop critical thinking and analysis skills
• Refine oral and written communication skills
• Develop practical lawyering skills
• Foster a sensitivity to the many roles lawyers perform in society

Accreditation

San Joaquin College of Law is accredited by the Committee of Bar Examiners of the State Bar of California, as well as by the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, an institutional accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation and the U.S. Department of Education.

A Unique Student Body

SJCL students don’t fit a particular mold. They are simply motivated and ready to learn. Our students represent a variety of ages and backgrounds. If you’re seeking a legal career, looking for a change of pace, or wanting to enhance your professional skills – SJCL is for you. Our student body reflects SJCL’s progressive attitude:

Ages range from 22 to 56, averaging 32

• Approximately 70 percent are change-of-career students
• Approximately 50 percent are women
• Approximately 33 percent identify with a minority group

Retention and graduation

SJCL has, in the last 7 years, an average retention rate of 55%, ranging from 68% at the highest to 52% at the low end. These figures reflect the difficulty of successfully undertaking a legal education.  About a third of the students not retained withdraw during the first year of law school, unwilling or unable to devote the necessary time to succeed in the study of law. Some are academically excluded at the end of the first year as well. Of the students who successfully complete the first year, on average 94% go on to graduate. Of our graduates 85% have passed the bar exam.

Abundant Careers

The SJCL course of study combines theoretical knowledge with practical skills. Our clinical programs place students in a variety of legal settings, providing students with the stimulating job experience and professional contacts to facilitate a natural transition into the legal field. Most SJCL graduates find employment locally, while some venture into California’s most competitive markets. An SJCL education allows you to excel wherever you go.

Ensuring Success

The staff at SJCL understands that many students have responsibilities that extend beyond law school. Every effort is made to facilitate each student’s personal academic success. Dedicated faculty members regularly hold study and review sessions. Students are encouraged to organize study groups – building camaraderie that translates into professional contacts after graduation.