NSU Shepard Broad College of Law
The Shepard Broad College of Law at Nova Southeastern University offers degree and certificate programs for law students, paralegals, practicing lawyers, and professionals expanding their law knowledge. The college equips its students with the skills they need for professional success – today, tomorrow, and in decades to come.
The college's traditional and innovative teaching methods provide a dynamic program that helps students transition smoothly from the classroom to the courtroom. The college's programs equip students with the knowledge, skills, and values at the heart of becoming a trusted, highly adept, professional lawyer.
The Shepard Broad College of Law provides students with the skills and knowledge they need to be successful lawyers. The law school has a top ranking for its legal research and writing program and is ranked #1 for its health law program in Florida. Additionally, the school is ranked among the top 50 best law schools for part-time law programs.
Contents
History
Shepard Broad College of Law was founded in recognition of the community leadership and generous financial support of Shepard Broad. The law school offers a variety of programs and courses to help students prepare for successful legal careers.
Shepard Broad was born in Pinsk, Russia, on July 8, 1906. He moved to the United States in 1920 and studied law at New York Law School before being admitted to the New York State Bar in 1928. Broad then worked as a lawyer in New York City until 1940, when he relocated to Miami Beach, Florida, and founded his law firm. Broad was also involved in several banking institutions, helping to establish the Bank of Hollywood Hills, the North Shore Bank of Miami Beach, and the American Savings and Loan Association of Florida. He also served as president of the Mercantile National Bank of Miami Beach. In addition, Broad helped found the Bank of Miramar, Florida.
Admissions
At NSU Law, the admissions team is here to help you through the application process and answer any questions you may have. NSU Law has faculty who are experienced and invested in student success and an academic community that is committed to helping you achieve your career goals.
Statistics
| Admissions Stats | ||
| Class of: | 2020-2021 | 2021-2022 |
| 25th - 50th - 75th percentile LSAT | 150 - 152 - 154 | 151 - 153 - 155 |
| 25th - 50th - 75th percentile GPA | 2.96 - 3.19 - 3.5 | 2.93 - 3.26 - 3.52 |
| Acceptance rate | 47.5% | 48.9% |
| Applications received | 1255 | 1382 |
| Acceptances | 596 | 676 |
| Matriculants | 37 | 37 |
At Nova Southeastern University, the 2022 application cycle saw 1,382 people apply, and 676 were offered admission. Of those admitted, 209 accepted, meaning the school had a yield of 30.92%. The LSAT median was 153, and the GPA median was 3.26.
Application Deadline
The application timeline for fall 2023 is as follows: September 1, 2022- The application becomes available online. February 15, 2023- The priority consideration deadline. July 1, 2023- The final deadline. They advise the applicants to submit their applications before the priority consideration deadline to increase their chances of admission and scholarship awards. You don’t pay an application fee for JD admission.
Application Requirements
The entrance requirements for seeking law school admission include earning an undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited college or university or the foreign equivalent. There is no specific pre-law undergraduate course of study. Still, you should consider challenging courses and help develop critical skills needed for success in law study and practice. These skills include reading and comprehending massive quantities of dense material, expressing thoughts clearly in writing, and reasoning analytically.
LSAT
The Law School Admission Test (LSAT) is required for law school admission. Preparing for the LSAT and taking it as early as possible is essential. The LSAC website has more information on the LSAT. To have your LSAT considered complete, you must have at least one writing sample on file - either from an earlier paper-and-pencil administration of the LSAT or from LSAT Writing.
Credential Assembly Service (CAS)
You must register for and complete the Credential Assembly Service (CAS) of LSAC. Official transcripts from all post-secondary educational institutions must be submitted to LSAC for the CAS report. This includes any dual enrollment (for example, courses taken during high school at a community college) or registered courses, whether completed or not. These transcripts must be sent by the institution(s) directly and not by the applicant. Your CAS subscription remains active for five years. Information on CAS is found at LSAC.org.
Two (2) Letters of Recommendation
Two letters of recommendation are required when you apply to law school through the LSAC Credential Assembly Service. These letters should come from professors who can attest to your ability to handle a competitive program in law school. If you are currently in college or have graduated within the past year, one of your required letters must be academic, meaning it must come from a professor. If you have been out of school for some time, letters from a work situation may be more helpful.
NOTE: If you are from Cuba, LSAC requires you to send official transcripts from your university to them. To do this, you must request Consultoria Juridica International (CJI) to send your transcripts in Spanish and a certified English translation to LSAC via DHL express mail. You will also need to send LSAC a copy of your original Certificacion de Notas y certificado de Titulo as initially issued by the university. NOTE: If you were educated in the People’s Republic of China, you must submit your official degree certificates and graduation diplomas in Chinese, along with a complete and literal English translation. Your issuing institution must also submit your official college or university academic record (transcript) in Chinese, showing all courses and grades for all years of study. The academic record must be issued by the institution’s central administrative office responsible for preparing and verifying official student records. Documents issued by an individual academic department or by a notary public are not considered official.
Personal Statement
The Admissions Committee at NSU Law considers various factors when considering applications for admission, including LSAT scores and undergraduate GPAs. However, the Committee also looks at other aspects of an applicant's background and experiences to determine whether they would be a good fit for the school and the legal profession.
In your personal statement, you should explain why you would be a valuable addition to NSU Law. You may want to discuss any significant personal experiences not reflected in your transcripts or resume. Additionally, you can explain why you are interested in pursuing a law degree and what you hope to accomplish with it. The Committee is also interested in your character and what you bring to the classroom. You should highlight unique qualities or experiences that make you stand out from other applicants.
In sum, your personal statement should demonstrate why you are an excellent candidate for NSU Law and showcase the many benefits you would bring to the school and the legal profession. For more information on personal statements and application essays, check out the TLS Guide to Personal Statements.
Resume
Your resume should list all the post-secondary degree/certificate-granting institutions you have attended, your majors, degrees received, and the dates attended. It should also list your employment history with dates, position titles, responsibilities, and accomplishments. Additionally, it should list any extracurricular activities, political involvement, public interest work, or community service you have done. Finally, it should list any honors, awards, publications, certifications, or licensures you have received.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Tuition and Fees
For the 2022-2023 Academic Year:
|
Full- Time (13 credits or more) |
Part-Time (8-12 credits) |
|
|
Annual Tuition |
$44,557 |
$33,411 |
|
Semester Student Services Fees* |
$600 |
$600 |
|
Computer Services Fee |
$250 |
$250 |
|
Materials Fee (one-time charge) |
$190 |
$190 |
The service fee for students taking 3 credits or fewer in a semester is $300 / $225. Tuition is charged in the preceding semester. Disclaimer: Tuition and Fees are subject to change.
Seat Deposit
If you are offered admission and wish to accept our offer, you must pay a nonrefundable seat deposit of $500. Your admission letter will provide the due date and instructions for paying the deposit online, by check, or in person.
Scholarship
Merit scholarships are determined by the Faculty Admissions Committee when admitting students. All admitted students are automatically considered for merit scholarships, which may be based on academic merit (including LSAT score and undergraduate GPA). Scholarship funds are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so you should apply early to ensure that funds are available.
The law school offers a variety of scholarships, which can range from $2,500 to $36,000. These scholarships are awarded to full-time and part-time students based on academic performance rather than LSAT scores or undergraduate GPA. If you did not receive a scholarship as a first-year student, you might be eligible for a scholarship as a rising 2L student.
Merit scholarships are renewable based on law school performance. To retain the scholarship, you must maintain a certain GPA each year. Most first-year students receive a merit award, and most of those who receive it keep their scholarships for all three years.
Other Scholarships
Several reputable scholarship search engines do not charge a fee. These search engines can be found at www.fastweb.com and www.finaid.org. It is never too early to begin exploring scholarship options, even if you have yet been admitted to law school or decided where to enroll. You should still apply - if successful, those awards can be used at any school.
NSU Law is expanding the financial planning resources available to all students. Managing student loans is critical to your long-term repayment plans and financial health. The MAX by AccessLex program is integrated into the first-year Legal Study Skills program and available for all students. Register at https://www.accesslex.org/maxonline for information on AccessLex Scholarship incentives.
Law School Culture
The Shepard Broad College of Law at Nova Southeastern University provides students with the opportunity to gain a practical understanding of the law and its impact on society. With a small community and a focus on experiential learning, the college provides an education that is both accessible and diverse. Students can expect to be more than just lawyers; they will be able to see the purpose behind the law and how it affects people from all walks of life.
The data collected for the entering first-year J.D. class on the first day of classes was to determine the class profile. This included information such as the number of transfer and visiting applications, which unfortunately had too small a sample size to be statistically significant.
| Gender | Full Time* | Part Time | Total Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| Women | 48% | 60% | 51% |
| Men | 51% | 40% | 49% |
*1% Did not indicate their gender.
| Age | Full Time | Part Time | Total Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Age | 25 | 34 | 26 |
| Age Range | 20 - 66 | 21 – 47 | 20 – 48 |
| Ethnic Identification | Full time | Part Time | Total Class |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Asian American |
4% | 0% | 4% |
|
Black/African American |
4% | 14% | 7% |
|
Caucasian/White |
54% | 37% | 50% |
|
Hispanic/Latino |
31% | 45% | 34% |
|
Two or More Races |
2% | 0% | 3% |
|
Did Not Indicate |
2% | 4% | 3% |
The states represented in this year's incoming law students are Military Abroad, Alabama, Arizona, California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. The countries represented are Brazil, Canada, Cuba, the Czech Republic, Ecuador, France, Haiti, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Russia, Spain, Syria, Ukraine, and the United States. There are also representatives from 47 colleges and universities. Approximately 8% of the class has already earned a graduate degree before beginning law school, and 7% comprises foreign attorneys completing the JD for bar admission in the US.
Academics and Curriculum
Nova Southeastern University's Shepard Broad College of Law offers a comprehensive J.D. program designed for students who want to advance their careers and improve their ability to make a difference. The program integrates traditional doctrinal offerings with courses focusing on specialized areas within the law, giving students a 360-degree experience that prepares them for success in the courtroom, boardroom, and beyond. Students can choose between the three-year full-time or four-year part-time program and specialize in areas of interest by selecting concentrations.
Faculty
The NSU Law faculty are noted leaders in the legal field, with a long tradition of teaching excellence and a passionate commitment to mentoring. The small classes and open-door policy provide opportunities for individualized attention, and you can also leverage the support of our vibrant alum network.
Law Concentration
Nova Southeastern University's Shepard Broad College of Law offers a concentration in health law to help J.D. students deepen their knowledge of this complex field and better serve their clients. Earning this designation on your transcript will set you apart as an expert in the health law arena and give you a strategic advantage in the job market.
- Health Law: This curriculum offers a diverse and dynamic learning experience for students who plan to become health law practitioners and policymakers.
- Intellectual Property, Technology, and Cybersecurity Law: Earn recognition and experience from NSU Law’s vast selection of privacy, data security, and patent law courses.
- International Law: Earn recognition and experience from NSU Law’s vast selection of courses in international and comparative legal studies.
The program curriculum comprises 90 credits, including classroom, research, activity, Clinical/Field Placement credits, and qualifying community service.
Clinical Programs
The clinical semester provides a chance to apply the theories learned in law school to real-world scenarios. Clinical education is an essential component of the NSU College of Law experience. They believe that clinical education is so important that every student who meets the clinic and field placement criteria and pre-requisite classes can participate in one of their clinics or field placements during their legal education.
Every opportunity is unique. At Nova University Law School, students receive quality training from experienced professors, practitioners, and distinguished guest lecturers. They also participate in individualized internships and externships where they receive in-depth, "hands-on" experience in the field and one-on-one mentoring from a supervising attorney. This ensures that they are well-prepared for their future careers.
At NSU College of Law, they offer excellent internship opportunities in their clinics, which award-winning faculty members direct. Part- students can also benefit from the clinical experience, as they have developed a dynamic program tailored to their demanding schedules. Once appropriate pre-requisite classes have been satisfied, students who wish to take multiple clinics or field placement semesters may do so as long as they do not exceed the appropriate number of credits.
- Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Law Clinic
- Children and Families Law Clinic
- Dispute Resolution Clinic
- Sharon and Mitchell W. Berger Entrepreneur Law Clinic
- Civil Field Placement Clinic
- Consumer Bankruptcy Clinic
- Consumer Protection Internship Clinic
- Criminal Justice Field Placement Clinic
Feild Placement
The Judicial Field Placement offers students an opportunity to serve as research clerks to state trial and appellate court judges, federal magistrates, or federal court judges. Through coursework, students learn about the U.S. courts, the goals and pressures of the judicial system, the function of juries, judicial powers and methods, and the judiciary's role in law reform. The clinic's Prerequisite is 28 Credits.
Public Interest Program
The Public Interest Programs at Shepard Broad College of Law was established in 1996 to provide students with opportunities to participate in public interest law. The program offers many ways to encourage students to dedicate their careers to the public good. These include opportunities to pursue public interest law while in law school and guidance and support for a lifelong commitment to the public interest.
Employment Prospects & Bar Passage
The median salary for JDs who graduate from Nova Southeastern University and work in the private sector is $70,000. If they go into the private sector, a grad can expect to make $50,500. 73.6% of law graduates from Nova Southeastern University go directly to work for law firms, while 1.6% clerk for a judge. 4.0% of graduates go into public interest. 64.5% of Nova Southeastern University graduates pass the bar on their first try.
Quality of Life
If you're looking to make the most out of your time in college, Nova Southeastern University can help. NSU students come from all over the country and world, so you'll build connections with people with similar interests and backgrounds. There's a lot to explore outside the classroom, so take advantage of the opportunities available and discover who you are. With NSU by your side, you're guaranteed an amazing college experience.
Living on campus puts you right in the middle of all the action at NSU. You can walk to different places to eat or meet with a study partner, and the beach is only 15 minutes away. Being close to all the excitement makes getting involved in various clubs, athletics, service projects, and work-study opportunities easy.
Campus or Resort?
It can be hard to tell the difference between a campus and a resort. Both offer opportunities to meet people from all over the world without leaving the premises. They are also filled with top-of-the-line features and accommodations, like labs, libraries, and private bathrooms in dorms. However, there are some key distinctions between the two. Campus is typically geared more towards learning and preparing for a career, while resorts focus more on leisure and relaxation. So, if you're looking for an immersive academic experience or simply a place to rest and rejuvenate, NSU has something for you.
Housing
The Commons is a great place for freshmen and sophomores to live. It's a coed, state-of-the-art living-learning community with more than 500 student beds, various classrooms and meeting spaces, 16 community living rooms, 16 study rooms, and plenty of indoor and outdoor common space. The Commons is a suite-style dorm at NSU. It has single or double occupancy bedrooms and two bathrooms. The living and learning spaces are dynamic, so residents can easily access them. See more Residential Halls
- 15 Minutes from the Beach and Only 3 Hours from Orlando’s Theme Parks
- 77°F Average Temperature for Most of the Year
- Top 100 Best Cities for Young Professionals in America (niche.com)
- #1 Start-Up Growth Nationally (Greater Fort Lauderdale)
Law Library
The law library at Nova Southeastern University is a large facility containing study space and the office for the International Law Students Association (ILSA) Journal and the Academic Success & Professionalism Department on the first floor. The second floor contains the Student Collection, Practitioner Collection, Core Collection, Faculty Reserve, General Collection, Reference, Circulation, and Interlibrary Loan. The third floor has the Burris Collection, Federal and New York law materials, and the Nova Law Review and Moot Court offices. The library continually adds new resources to its print and electronic collections. Copiers and student printers are located on the second and third floors.
At NSU, we take full advantage of our location in beautiful Fort Lauderdale. The city is known for its strong economy, diverse ecosystems and amazing amenities. You'll be able to enjoy plenty of sunshine and recreation while also having access to world-class education and entertainment. Fort Lauderdale has everything if you're looking for a great place to work, play or network.
Synopsis
The Shepard Broad College of Law offers a variety of degree and certificate programs that equip students with the skills necessary for a successful career in law. Whether you are a law student, a paralegal, or a practicing lawyer, the college offers programs that will help you expand your knowledge of the law and enhance your career prospects. With programs available online and on campus, the Shepard Broad College of Law is your trusted source for legal education. The NSU Law Mentoring Program allows current law students to connect with experienced law professionals to learn more about their chosen field of law. This program benefits law students as they can gain insight from professionals working in the field. In addition, the program helps build relationships between law professionals and law students, which can be beneficial when looking for a job after graduation.
Contact Information
Shepard Broad College of Law
Nova Southeastern University
Admissions Office
3305 College Avenue
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33314-7721
Phone: (954) 262-6119
Email: law-admissions@nova.edu
https://www.law.nova.edu/prospective/staff-members.html
Summary
| Established | 1974 |
| Location | FL |
| Dean | Dean Juárez |
| 2022 US News Ranking | 147 |
| LSAT Median Score | 153 |
| GPA Median Score | 3.26 |
| Bar Passage Rate | 65% (2022) |
| Employment Rate | 10% (2022) |
| Cost | $44,557 (full time) $33,411 (part-time) |
| Average Debt | $154,360 |
| Application Deadline | 1-Jul-2023 |
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Reference
LSD Law
Ranked 147
LSAC Guide
BCG Attorney's Advice for Associates
How to Learn to Do Well on a Law School Exam
Success in Law School - A Unique Perspective
The Guide to Law School Loans
Guide to Fee Waivers
