Prospective Students

San Joaquin College of Law (SJCL) is located in the San Joaquin Valley, home to one of the most diverse populations in the United States. Our mission is to educate and develop individuals into highly skilled attorneys and problem solvers who will positively impact the communities in which they live and serve.

"As a Hmong immigrant arriving from Laos, I became the first person in my family to graduate from college and attend law school. The professors and staff at SJCL are amazing, supportive, and inspiring."

- Yao Vang, Political Science, UC Merced

For more than 45 years, SJCL has been dedicated to educating and supporting its students. Through teaching, admissions, hiring, campus culture, community outreach, and governance, we continuously seek opportunities to enrich all facets of our academic community.

SJCL is deeply committed to serving and educating the Central San Joaquin Valley and beyond. This dedication is reflected in our student body, including our Fall 2025 incoming class, where 57% self-identify as first-generation college students. First-generation students come from families where neither parent or guardian has attained a college degree. In contrast, continuing-generation students have at least one parent or guardian with a college degree.

To support all students in their transition to law school, SJCL offers comprehensive guidance and resources, including:

Counseling on the value of a legal career
SJCL’s application process
Navigating LSAC website
LSAC application and CAS report
LSAT preparation and studying materials
GRE or LSAT as an entrance exam
Connecting applicants to faculty and staff
One on one admissions counseling
Campus tour and class visitations
Connect to students and student organizations
Networking Events (LS101, Career Panel, Dean’s Reception, Veterans to Law School, etc.)
Scholarship opportunities

At SJCL, we are committed to supporting you throughout your law school journey and ensuring your success.

In honor of Veterans Day, Clovis Veterans Memorial District and San Joaquin College of law have joined forces to bring together a panel of Veterans who are current law school students or graduates of San Joaquin College of Law who are practicing attorneys. Come meet other Veterans and learn how military experience provides the discipline needed to succeed in law school and beyond. Discover the diverse career opportunities a Juris Doctor degree can provide. We welcome you to invite your spouse, significant other, adult children or parent to attend with you to see if a career in law is a good fit for you and or your family members.

2019 Panelists

Andrea M. Chapman
Class of 2017
Civil Litigation, Hanford
United States Navy

Jeffrey T. Robinson
Class of 2016
Deputy District Attorney
Fresno County
United States Army Veteran

Jason Trupkin
Class of 2017
Criminal Defense, Fresno
United States Coast Guard

Students who are in good standing at either a state-accredited or ABA-accredited law school and are applying to SJCL for admission with advanced standing are considered transfer students. Transfer students are required to complete an application and submit official transcripts for all law school work. In addition, transfer students must provide a letter of good standing from the dean or registrar of the law school previously attended. The decision to admit a transfer student falls within the purview of the admissions committee.

Assessment Criteria for Transfer Credit

Upon admission to SJCL, the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, in cooperation with the Director for Student Services, will review a transfer student’s academic record to determine (1) how much credit for the student’s prior law school course work will be accepted and applied toward the SJCL degree, and (2) what SJCL degree requirements must be completed by the student after his or her matriculation at SJCL.

To determine whether course credit will be granted the Associate Dean assesses the substantive content of each previously taken course to determine if it is substantially similar to the content and rigor of a comparable course required for the degree by SJCL. Additional information, such as course descriptions and syllabi from the transfer student’s current law school, may be requested in order to assist in the assessment of possible transfer credit.

Transfer credit is limited to a maximum of half the credit required for graduation. As such, no more than 43 units of transfer credit may be applied to the SJCL degree. In addition, in no event will transfer credit be granted for any course in which the student received a grade below a “good standing” level or its equivalent.

If a transfer student believes that there exists a compelling reason upon which to base an appeal of the transfer credit determination or upon which to seek credit for units above the unit limit, he or she may appeal the determination via a petition to the Faculty Committee. The transfer student should include the rationale for the appeal and include course syllabi, outlines, or other supplemental material to be used for Faculty Committee Review.

Satisfactory Performance and Academic Standing after Admittance

Once admitted, in order for a transfer student to qualify for good academic standing at SJCL, the transfer student must achieve a cumulative grade point average of at least a 65 at the end of the first year in residence at SJCL. Only the cumulative grade point average for courses taken at SJCL will determine the transfer student’s academic status and good standing.

EECU Scholarship

Amount: $9,000 (in tuition)
Sponsored by the Educational Employees Credit Union and SJCL

Download Brochure/Application (PDF)

As an applicant, you are required to meet the following qualifications to be considered for this scholarship:

Submit an application to SJCL and be deemed admissible by the SJCL Admissions Committee.
Be a member of EECU as of the February 15th prior to the intended enrollment at SJCL.
Submit a resume showing an established record of community service.
Submit an essay of no more than 500 words explaining why the individual is interested in practicing law in the San Joaquin Valley.
Submit the EECU/SJCL Scholarship application no later than the May 15th prior to the intended enrollment at SJCL.

The Educational Employees Credit Union

Educational Employees Credit Union (EECU) was founded on April 21, 1934 as Fresno Teachers Credit Union, one of California’s first credit unions. In November, 1981, the Board of Directors of Fresno Teachers Credit Union elected to change the name of the credit union to Educational Employees Credit Union to better describe the common bond of the membership served by the credit union. This common bond now includes school employees, students, members of school organizations, and many of their family members in Fresno, Inyo, Kings, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, Monterey, San Benito, San Luis Obispo, and Tulare Counties.

Graduate Bar Pass Rates*

Grad Year	# of Grads Taking	First Time Pass	First Time Pass Rate	Pass Overall	Overall Passing for Grad Class
2024	38	28	74%	31	82%
2023	32	10	31%	24	75%
2022	36	18	50%	35	97%
2021	33	17	52%	29	88%
2020	35	24	69%	28	80%
2019	34	6	18%	23	68%
2018	38	12	32%	31	82%
2017	35	19	54%	27	77%
2016	45	15	33%	40	89%
2015	35	10	29%	29	83%
2014	51	27	53%	45	88%
2013	52	29	56%	48	92%
2012	43	24	56%	36	84%
2011	31	20	65%	29	94%
2010	43	24	56%	40	93%
2009	45	20	44%	37	82%

*Performance statistics for each administration of the California Bar Examination is available on the California State Bar website.

Retention and Graduation Rates

Year Enrolled	Enrolling	Academic Exclusions	Withdrawals	Retention Rate*	Grad Total	Grad Rate	Retained Grad Rate**
2023	57	30	4	40.35%
2022	44	16	4	54.55%
2021	53	14	7	60.38%
2020	78	28	11	50.00%
2019	68	24	3	60.29%	37	50.75%	90%
2018	74	24	9	56.76%	40	55.41%	98%
2017	70	24	12	48.57%	34	48.57%	100%
2016	56	15	7	60.71%	32	57.14%	94%
2015	67	24	5	56.72%	36	53.73%	95%
2014	67	21	7	58.21%	35	52.24%	90%
2013	76	22	10	57.89%	42	55.26%	95%
2012	69	25	3	59.42%	39	56.52%	95%
2011	80	21	10	61.25%	44	55.00%	90%
2010	94	36	11	50.00%	47	50.00%	100%
2009	101	30	19	51.49%	51	50.50%	98%
2008	80	25	16	48.75%	36	45.00%	92%
2007	90	27	23	44.44%	40	44.44%	100%

*Retention rate reflects those retained at the end of the first year of law school.
**Retained Grad Rate reflects the percentage of students that go on to graduate after their first successful year of law school.

Student Learning Outcomes

SJCL Graduates Will

Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the structures and processes of the U.S. legal system and foundational substantive law, including subjects tested on bar examinations.
Demonstrate proficiency in legal analysis and problem solving.
Demonstrate competence in written and oral communication in a variety of settings.
Demonstrate mastery of appropriate strategies and technologies to research legal issues effectively and efficiently.
Demonstrate the ability to recognize and resolve ethical issues and exhibit professionalism appropriate to the profession.

Employment Outcomes

The percentage of students graduating in 2019 who were employed in 2020, 2021, or 2022 in:

Jobs that require a J.D. degree OR
Jobs in which holding a J.D. degree is an advantage

Class of 2019
Total Number of 2019 J.D. Graduates:	34
Total number of Survey Responses Received:	26
Survey response rate:	76.5%

Employment Status of 2019 Grads in:	2021	2022	2023
J.D. Degree Required	81.80%	84.80%	84.8
J.D. Degree Advantage	15.20%	15.20%	15.20%

Subcategories

Why SJCL

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