University of Tennessee College of Law: Ranking, Programs, and Opportunities

Tennessee, a state celebrated for its rich cultural heritage and dynamic urban centers, is also home to several distinguished law schools. These institutions play a crucial role in providing high-quality legal education and preparing students for successful careers in the legal profession. This article focuses on the University of Tennessee College of Law, exploring its rankings, programs, and the opportunities it offers to aspiring legal professionals.

Overview of Tennessee Law Schools

Tennessee boasts a range of law schools, each with its unique strengths and contributions to the legal education landscape. Among the notable institutions are:

Vanderbilt University Law School: A top-ranked school known for its rigorous legal education and esteemed faculty.
University of Tennessee College of Law: Emphasizes practical legal training, innovative teaching, and ethics.
Belmont University College of Law: Offers a pragmatic legal education with hands-on experience.
University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law: Focuses on practical skills and a supportive learning environment.
Lincoln Memorial University Duncan School of Law: Dedicated to producing practice-ready graduates in a close-knit community.

University of Tennessee College of Law: A Detailed Look

Founded in 1890, the University of Tennessee College of Law is located in Knoxville, Tennessee. As a public law school, it is accredited by the American Bar Association and a member of the Association of American Law Schools. The college prioritizes practical legal training, innovative teaching, and a strong emphasis on ethics, aiming to prepare students for the realities of legal practice.

Campus and Facilities

The College of Law is housed in the 110,000-square-foot George C. Taylor Law Building, providing a modern and well-equipped environment for students and faculty.

Rankings and Recognition

The University of Tennessee College of Law has consistently received recognition for its quality and value. Recent accolades include:

U.S. News & World Report: In recent rankings, the College of Law rose four points to 56th among law schools nationwide.
PreLaw Magazine: Ranked as a top value law school, emphasizing bar passage and employment rates relative to tuition, cost of living, and indebtedness. The University of Tennessee College of Law was ranked as the sixth best value law school in the nation in the fall 2021 issue.
The National Jurist Magazine: Recognized as a top 20 Best Value law school.
Princeton Review: Featured in "The Best 172 Law Schools."

These rankings reflect the college's commitment to providing an excellent legal education at an affordable price.

Admissions and Student Profile

For the 2019 entering class, the College of Law received 1,042 applications, admitting 358 students, with 126 matriculating. The median LSAT score for this class was 159, and the median GPA was 3.65. The student-faculty ratio is 6.1:1, ensuring personalized attention and a supportive learning environment. The application deadline is August 8, with a $0 application fee.

Tuition and Financial Aid

The University of Tennessee College of Law offers competitive tuition rates, especially for in-state residents. As of recent data, the tuition is:

In-state: \$20,508 (full-time)
Out-of-state: \$39,252 (full-time)

The college also provides various scholarships and financial aid options, including scholarships at the University of Tennessee College of Law and other state programs. The average debt for 2015 UT Law graduates who took out loans was $66,939.

Programs and Courses

The University of Tennessee College of Law offers a wide range of programs and courses, encouraging intellectual engagement and preparing students for diverse legal careers. Programs/courses offered in clinical training, dispute resolution, environmental law, health care law, intellectual property law, international law, business/corporate law, constitutional law, contracts/commercial law, and criminal law. Students can pursue a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree and may also opt for joint degree programs combining law with other disciplines such as:

Read also: History of the Block 'M'

Business (J.D./M.B.A.)
Public Health (J.D./M.P.H.)
Public Policy (J.D./M.P.P.)
Social Work (J.D./M.S.W.)
Master of Arts (J.D./M.A.)

These joint degree programs allow students to gain expertise in multiple fields, enhancing their career prospects.

Practical Experience and Clinics

One of the distinguishing features of the University of Tennessee College of Law is its emphasis on practical legal training. The college's Advocacy Clinic is the longest continuously operating for-credit clinic in the country, providing students with real-world experience and the opportunity to serve the community. Students praise the practical skills classes that allow them to practice what they learn in theory. The clinic program allows for real-world experience and may be one of the greatest things about UT.

Additional opportunities for practical experience include:

Externships
Moot Court
Mock Trial
Tennessee Law Review

These experiences are invaluable in preparing students for the challenges of legal practice.

Career Opportunities and Job Placement

The University of Tennessee College of Law places a strong emphasis on career readiness, with an engaged and active career center and alumni network. According to employment statistics, a high percentage of graduates find employment within a short period after graduation.

Read also: Legacy of Fordham University

University of Tennessee College of Law: 92.85% of graduates found employment 10 months after graduation.

UT Law graduates have prime access to one of the top 10 metropolitan areas in the nation for new law school graduates. The school does a wonderful job of preparing students for practice, and they were invaluable in the job search process.

Notable Alumni

The University of Tennessee College of Law has produced numerous distinguished alumni who have made significant contributions to the legal profession, government, and public service. Some notable alumni include:

Victor Henderson Ashe II: Former United States Ambassador to Poland and former mayor of Knoxville, Tennessee.
Howard Henry Baker Jr.: Former U.S. Senator from Tennessee, Senate Majority Leader, White House Chief of Staff, and Ambassador to Japan.
Clifton B. Cates: 19th Commandant of the Marine Corps.
Joel A. Katz: Billboard magazine's number-one ranked entertainment attorney.
Ronald L. Schlicher: American diplomat and former ambassador to Cyprus.
John Ward: Former radio play-by-play broadcaster for the University of Tennessee.

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