University of Missouri School of Law

The University of Missouri School of Law offers an excellent education enhanced by a strong traditional curriculum. Students can choose from many clinics and centers to gain practical experience in various areas of law. The law school has a nationally-ranked alternative dispute resolution program and a wide range of clinics catering to many interests. Mizzou Law students are highly prepared for success in any area of the legal profession.

History

The law department at the University of Missouri was founded in 1872. Since then, the law school has produced well-rounded, ethical lawyers ready to serve clients and be leaders in promoting justice. The University of Missouri School of Law has a long and impressive history, with countless individuals making significant contributions to the law school, the justice system, and the world. The new Mizzou Law Trailblazers timeline highlights some of these fantastic people and their outstanding achievements. Mizzou Law is a great place to get a degree. The community is tight-knit, and the staff is invested in your success. Affordable education allows you to focus on your passions and goals rather than loan payments. Mizzou Law alums are thriving in a variety of careers all over the world. The school prepares students for career opportunities in Missouri and beyond.

Admissions

The admissions committee is looking for candidates with both high ability and good character, so you must be completely candid and forthright when filling out your application. This information is used not only for admissions but also to determine if you are eligible to be admitted to the bar after graduation. If you are unsure about disclosing information regarding past legal transgressions, you should still disclose them.

Statistics

Admissions Stats
Class of:	2020-2021	2021-2022
25th - 50th - 75th percentile LSAT	155 - 158 - 160	154 - 159 - 161
25th - 50th - 75th percentile GPA	3.39 - 3.66 - 3.89	3.52 - 3.69 - 3.86
Acceptance rate	55.5%	51.7%
Applications received	492	665
Acceptances	273	344
Matriculants	64	51

The University of Missouri has a 1L class size of 138 and a yield of 38.95%. 134 out of 344 applicants who were offered admission were accepted, meaning that 38.95% of that offered admission ended up attending the school. The median LSAT at the University of Missouri is 159. The 25th percentile LSAT is 154, and the 75th percentile LSAT is 161. The median GPA is 3.69. The 25th percentile GPA is 3.52, and the 75th percentile GPA is 3.86.

Application Requirements

The following steps are required to apply to Mizzou Law:

1) Take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) 2) Register for the Credential Assembly Service (CAS) 3) Complete the Mizzou Law 2023 Application for Admission and pay the application fee 4) Submit a two-page personal statement, which should also briefly address why you are interested in Mizzou Law and how you expect to contribute to our community 5) Submit at least two letters of recommendation (up to four are permitted through CAS or directly to the Mizzou Law Admissions Office). At least one letter of recommendation MUST come from a professor who can address your academic abilities unless you completed your undergraduate work more than five years before your application. 6) Include your resume

Once your application is submitted online, they will request your CAS information from LSAC. If your LSAT and CAS are good, you can get started with the application process.

Application Deadline

The Admissions Committee reviews files on a rolling basis and will admit students until the class is full. To be considered for scholarships, your file must be completed by January 15. There are other programs with earlier decision deadlines.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Cost of Attendance

The tuition rates for Mizzou Law School for the 2022-2023 academic year are very affordable. If you are a Missouri resident, you will pay $760.60 per credit hour. You will pay $960.60 per credit hour if you are not a Missouri resident. Either way, this is an excellent value for legal education.

	Missouri Resident	Non-Missouri Resident
*Full-time first year students	$22,818	$28,818
Mandatory Fees	$1,471.28	$1,471.28

Estimated Living Expenses – Standard Mizzou Law Budget 2022-2023 The cost of attendance at Mizzou Law includes more than just tuition. Investing in living expenses is important when considering your financial aid options. These can include housing, transportation, and personal items. You may be able to cover some of these costs without borrowing money, so think about all your options before taking out student loans.

Books & Supplies	$1,800
Room & Board	$11,328
Personal & Transportation	$7,856
Total	$20,984

This estimate is based on nine months. The cost of attendance will vary depending on individual needs, such as housing and consumer debt. It is advised to get rid of any consumer debt before law school and to develop good spending habits. Expenses that are not related to MU are where you have control. By keeping costs low and borrowing only what is necessary, you can help manage your overall expenses.

The Mizzou Law Thrifty Budget 2022-2023 The Mizzou Law Thrifty Budget is designed to help reduce the amount students need to finance their law degree. The budget focuses on reducing room & board and transportation expenses by encouraging students to live with a roommate and use Columbia’s public transportation service. This can save students $5,400 per year or $16,200 over three years of law school.

Books & Supplies	$1,800
Room & Board	$10,376
Personal & Transportation	$2,776
Total	$14,952

The Mizzou Law Thrifty Budget is not required for students, but it is something to consider when creating a budget for living expenses during law school. If you want to opt out of the Thrifty Budget and use the Standard Budget, contact the Mizzou Law Financial Aid Office. First-year law students are awarded financial aid using the Thrifty Budget.

Financial Aid

Mizzou Law is an affordable option for students seeking a law degree. The Financial Aid Office offers support in the form of financial aid, financial literacy, and individual counseling. Law students can finance their education through scholarships, student loans, and work-study. Financial aid is allocated based on academic merit and financial need.

A legal education can be costly, and it's essential to take a realistic look at how you will pay for it. Nearly 80% of law school students rely on student loans as their primary source of financing, and the more you borrow, the longer the debt will impact your life after law school.

Financial Aid Package

After the MU Financial Aid Office receives your FAFSA results and other required forms, they will develop a financial aid package for you and send you an award notification via email. The email will include the financial aid you are eligible for and what you need to do to accept your award. For first-year law students, financial aid awards are usually available by mid-March. Continuing law students will receive their financial aid award notices in June.

Receiving Your Financial Aid

Most of the financial aid you receive will be applied directly to your MU account. The Cashier's Office sets up this account once you are registered for classes and includes tuition, fees, room and board (if you live in campus housing), books, and any other University charges. Usually, one-half of your aid is credited to your account for the fall semester, and the other half is credited for the spring. You can find more information about how funds are applied to your account on our website.

e-Consent

To view your financial aid online, you must grant e-consent in you. By granting e-consent, you can view and accept your financial aid online. If you are a new student at Mizzou, you will be able to provide consent when you receive your login information from the law school Office of Admissions.

Official Notice on Fees

The University reserves the right to increase or decrease the fees it charges for attendance and other services, depending on what the Board of Curators decides is in the University's best interest. Any fee increase must be approved by the Board of Curators at least 30 days before the start of an academic term, and any change in fees will be effective regardless of whether or not fees have been paid before the change.

Scholarship Programs

Mizzou Law is ranked as one of the best-value law schools in the country. Nearly 71% of Mizzou law students receive merit scholarships, and the median is $18,000. This makes Mizzou Law a very affordable option for students seeking a respected JD. If you are interested in scholarship consideration, apply by January 15. Awards are based on academic success, LSAT score, and other application materials.

Academics and Curriculum

The University of Missouri School of Law is a strong institution, with graduates who are well-prepared in several areas of law, especially criminal law, government services, and dispute resolution. One area in which the school excels is dispute resolution, with USNews ranking its program as one of the top three in the nation. Students can earn a certificate or LLM in the field. Location is also a strength for Missouri, as the state capital of Jefferson City is just a half hour away. This proximity offers students many opportunities for hands-on experience in the government and judicial sectors. There are some areas where Missouri could use improvement, however. Facilities in the Law building are outdated, and technology upgrades would be beneficial. The student-faculty ratio could be better, and Missouri's clinical program is severely lacking. Until these issues are addressed, the school may see stagnation or a drop in its rankings.

Students

At Mizzou Law, the first-year class is divided into two sections, with an average of fewer than 25 students in each section. The average age of their students is 24.7, and students come from a range of ages, from their 20s to their 50s. The first-year class enrollment was 140 for the 2021-2022 academic year, with 51 percent women and 17 percent underrepresented minority students. Students here experience small class sizes and have ready access to faculty scholars. The student-faculty ratio is currently 7:1.

Concentrations & Certificates

The concentrations and certificates listed below are only available to JD students at Mizzou Law. The additional programs under University Certificates are open to JD and non-JD students.

Criminal Justice (Concentration)
Dispute Resolution (Certificate)
Tax Law (Concentration)
Center for the Digital Globe (Certificate)
Community Processes (Certificate)
Education Policy (Certificate)
Health Ethics (Certificate)
Institutions and Organizations (Certificate)
Life Science Innovation and Entrepreneurship (Certificate)
Non-Profit Management (Certificate)
Organizational Change and Conflict Management (Certificate)
Personal Financial Planning (Certificate)
Dispute Resolution for Non-Lawyers Graduate Certificate

Law Journals

The Business, Entrepreneurship, and Tax Law Review (BETR) is a student-edited publication at the Missouri School of Law whose primary purpose is to provide a three-part publication offering: articles written by law professors, practicing attorneys, business experts and members of BETR’s staff; White Papers, which are concise, in-depth analyses of a complex legal issue within the scope of business, entrepreneurship, or tax law matters composed by subject matter experts; and Blog Posts, which are summary pieces highlighting a specific legal or news issue within the scope of business entrepreneurship or tax law matters composed by members of BETR’s staff and outside contributors.

Mizzou Law Clinics & Externships

Students who compete on behalf of the School of Law on select competitive mock trial and arbitration teams receive academic credit for their work. The teams for which students can receive credit are the Missouri Attorney General’s Cup, Labor and Employment, Arbitration, Thurgood Marshall Mock Trial, and National Trial Competition. Other competitions can be approved for credit by the faculty from time to time. Students should check with the competition coach to verify whether a credit is available. A student may receive a maximum of three credits for participation in competitions for which they are selected. While students are not prohibited from participating in numerous competitions, the number of credits counted and earned is capped at three. Students may not receive credit for participating in competitions during their first year.

Entrepreneurship Legal Clinic

The law school's Entrepreneurship Legal Clinic (ELC) allows students to work with small and start-up business clients. The clinic, directed by attorney Donald Seitz, provides supervised legal services involving entity planning and formation, governance issues, employee issues, intellectual property analysis, governmental regulations, and contract drafting.

Externship Program

The Externship allows students to develop the skills necessary to transition from law school to law practice. By working in an actual law office, students can apply the concepts learned in law school to the challenges of practicing law. This experience helps prepare students for “effective and responsible participation in the legal profession.”

Innocence Clinic

The University of Missouri System has partnered with The Midwest Innocence Project, a non-profit organization, to help wrongly convicted inmates prove their innocence. Students work with an experienced lawyer and clinical professor who directs the Innocence Project, handling cases of possible innocence from six states. They can review transcripts, gather documents and evidence, search for witnesses, and conduct interviews to prove the innocence of those who have been wrongfully convicted.

Mediation Clinic

The Mediation Clinic at the University of Missouri School of Law allows students to mediate disputes in various settings. This includes cases heard in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri and the Missouri Commission for Human Rights, as well as small claims court cases in Boone County. The clinic is run by James H. Levin, an experienced practitioner, and trainer in dispute resolution.

Semester-in-Practice Externship

The South Africa Externship allows students to work with a local nonprofit, governmental agency, or other entity. This allows students to apply the skills learned in the classroom to an international setting. Through the South Africa Externship, students can apply the core concepts learned in law school courses to the challenges presented in the actual practice of law in a foreign jurisdiction.

Veterans Clinic

The University of Missouri School of Law Veterans Clinic helps veterans and their families secure disability benefits. Student work is done at the Board of Veterans’ Appeals level before the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. Students are supervised by an experienced attorney at each step and will have the opportunity to work in a law firm atmosphere within the law school, serving real client needs. Law students interested in personal injury, civil litigation, or administrative law will benefit from the skills taught in this clinic.

Employment Prospects & Bar Passage

Mizzou Law is an excellent school for graduates looking to start their legal careers. The 2022 class has a 93% bar passage rate, higher than the statewide average. Additionally, our 2021 class had an employment rate of 97.6%, with 97% of those employed in jobs requiring an advantage law degree. And finally, their alum network is strong and far-reaching, with connections across Missouri and the U.S.

As is the case with most schools similarly ranked, Missouri is a regional school-meaning that most of its graduates will struggle to find work outside of Missouri. In fact, Missouri Law can be said to be one of the most regional schools at this rank, with 86% of its graduates finding work in-state. Prospective students should be aware of the limitations that a Missouri Law degree might place on their future career choices. But for those who know they want to practice in Missouri, there are few better schools to attend.

Quality of Life

Mizzou Law is located in the heart of Columbia, Missouri. They are close to many things, including 16 museums and galleries, 89 parks, 20 live music venues, 58 miles of trails, and more than 200 restaurants. Columbia is a great place to live, and Mizzou Law is in the perfect location.

A college town with a population of 100,000, Columbia is located in central Missouri, just between Kansas City and St Louis. Students will not enjoy the type of nightlife that they might find in New York or Los Angeles, but Columbia has plenty of its benefits to offer. The diverse population, the many cultural offerings, and the city's natural treasures make it easy for students to get out and enjoy themselves.

What's more, Columbia is a great city to be young in. With two other colleges in the city (Columbia College and Stephens College), there are plenty of social and intellectual opportunities. It is also a great city to grow old in for those who decide to build their career in Columbia after law school: the town was voted among the best places to raise a family in "50 Fabulous Places to Raise Your Family".

Simply put, Columbia is a nice place to live.

Synopsis

Missouri is a stubbornly regional school, and career prospects will be grim for those who want to leave the state. For those who are content to work in, Missouri however, the school's location and cheap tuition might just make it the best option around.

Contact Information

University of Missouri School of Law
Admissions Office
103 Hulston Hall
Columbia, MO 65211
p: 573-882-6042
p: 1-888-MULAW4U
f: 573-882-9625
e: mulawadmissions@missouri.edu

https://law.missouri.edu/admissions/

Summary

Established	1872
Location	Columbia, MO
Dean	Paul J. Litton
2022 US News Ranking	67th
LSAT Median Score	159
GPA Median Score	3.69
Bar Passage Rate	90% (2022)
Employment Rate	60% (2022)
Cost	$22,818 *Full-time first year students Missouri Resident
Average Debt	$62,627
Application Deadline	March 15, 2023

Forum and Discussion

University of Missouri School of Law Discussions
Law School Admissions Forums
Law Student Forums
Law School Class Forums

Reference

https://law.missouri.edu/
Rank #67
LSD Law
LSAC Guide
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

Interview: with Allen Rostron, Former Associate Dean for Students and the William R. Jacques Constitutional Law Scholar and Professor of Law, University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law
Forums: https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewforum.php?f=4