Western State University College of Law
Encyclopedia
Western State University, College of Law (WSU) is a private
, for-profit
American law school
in Fullerton, California
. It was the first law school established in Orange County
and has over 11,000 alumni.
The WSU campus is located across the street from California State University, Fullerton
, but it is not affiliated with the State University.
. It is owned by Education Management Corporation
, a provider of private post-secondary education in North America. Western State's two buildings, the primary building and library, house classrooms and faculty offices, a mock trial courtroom, the admissions office, a student lounge, a student organizations room, the financial aid office, and the career services department. The library contains computer labs in addition to legal materials.
It is not a member of the Association of American Law Schools
(AALS), but has paid a fee to receive AALS services.
. Also, a number of alumni are engaged in the private practice of criminal law in Southern California. Because of the influence the law school has on the practice of criminal law in Southern California, the Criminal Law Practice Center was established to provide additional educational and practical opportunities for its students and alumni. The Practice Center offers a program that expands the teaching of criminal law beyond the traditional law school curriculum, bringing together legal scholars, judges, practicing criminal defense attorneys, prosecutors, legislators, law enforcement officers, and community leaders who contribute experience and diversity to the educational experience of students.
Private university
Private universities are universities not operated by governments, although many receive public subsidies, especially in the form of tax breaks and public student loans and grants. Depending on their location, private universities may be subject to government regulation. Private universities are...
, for-profit
For-Profit School
For-profit education refers to educational institutions operated by private, profit-seeking businesses....
American law school
Law school in the United States
In the United States, a law school is an institution where students obtain a professional education in law after first obtaining an undergraduate degree.Law schools in the U.S...
in Fullerton, California
Fullerton, California
Fullerton is a city located in northern Orange County, California. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 135,161.It was founded in 1887 by George and Edward Amerige and named for George H. Fullerton, who secured the land on behalf of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway...
. It was the first law school established in Orange County
Orange County, California
Orange County is a county in the U.S. state of California. Its county seat is Santa Ana. As of the 2010 census, its population was 3,010,232, up from 2,846,293 at the 2000 census, making it the third most populous county in California, behind Los Angeles County and San Diego County...
and has over 11,000 alumni.
The WSU campus is located across the street from California State University, Fullerton
California State University, Fullerton
California State University, Fullerton is a public university located in Fullerton, California. It is the largest institution in the CSU System by enrollment, it offers long-distance education and adult-degree programs...
, but it is not affiliated with the State University.
History
Western State University College of Law was founded in 1966 as the first law school established in Orange County, CaliforniaOrange County, California
Orange County is a county in the U.S. state of California. Its county seat is Santa Ana. As of the 2010 census, its population was 3,010,232, up from 2,846,293 at the 2000 census, making it the third most populous county in California, behind Los Angeles County and San Diego County...
. It is owned by Education Management Corporation
Education Management Corporation
Education Management Corporation is an operator of private for-profit post-secondary educational institutions, primarily in the United States. The company's institutions provide primarily career-focused educational programs...
, a provider of private post-secondary education in North America. Western State's two buildings, the primary building and library, house classrooms and faculty offices, a mock trial courtroom, the admissions office, a student lounge, a student organizations room, the financial aid office, and the career services department. The library contains computer labs in addition to legal materials.
It is not a member of the Association of American Law Schools
Association of American Law Schools
The Association of American Law Schools is a non-profit organization of 170 law schools in the United States. Another 25 schools are "non-member fee paid" schools, which are not members but choose to pay AALS dues. Its purpose is to improve the legal profession through the improvement of legal...
(AALS), but has paid a fee to receive AALS services.
Academic programs
Western State offers both full-time and part-time programs. Currently, the full-time program is only offered as daytime study, and the part-time program is only offered through evening study. However, part-time students can apply for spring admission, while full-time students can only do so for fall.Criminal Law Center
WSU alumni comprise almost one-third of over 250 deputy district attorneys and almost one-fourth of the deputy public defenders in Orange County, CaliforniaOrange County, California
Orange County is a county in the U.S. state of California. Its county seat is Santa Ana. As of the 2010 census, its population was 3,010,232, up from 2,846,293 at the 2000 census, making it the third most populous county in California, behind Los Angeles County and San Diego County...
. Also, a number of alumni are engaged in the private practice of criminal law in Southern California. Because of the influence the law school has on the practice of criminal law in Southern California, the Criminal Law Practice Center was established to provide additional educational and practical opportunities for its students and alumni. The Practice Center offers a program that expands the teaching of criminal law beyond the traditional law school curriculum, bringing together legal scholars, judges, practicing criminal defense attorneys, prosecutors, legislators, law enforcement officers, and community leaders who contribute experience and diversity to the educational experience of students.
Business Law Center
The Business Law Center at WSU offers students academic and practical preparation for legal careers advising corporate entities, small businesses and entrepreneurs in business law. Students develop legal knowledge and the skills, practical experience and networking contacts needed to represent business clients. As part of the Business Law Center, WSU offers a Certificated Course of Study Program with courses relevant to business law.Accreditation
The American Bar Association accredited WSU in 2005.Rankings
Western State was listed with a "B+" in the March 2011 "Diversity Honor Roll" by The National Jurist: The Magazine for Law Students.Post-graduation employment
Based on a 2004-2007 2 year average (2007 and 2004), 75.3% of Western State University Law graduates were employed 9 months after graduation.Notable alumni
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n Member of Parliament and Ambassador - George O. WoodGeorge O. WoodGeorge O. Wood is an American Pentecostal minister. Since August 2007, he has been the General Superintendent of the General Council of the Assemblies of God in the United States of America and has been Chairman of the World Assemblies of God Fellowship, the largest Pentecostal denomination in the...
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