In a recent report released by The Board of Tennessee Examiners, The U of M law school graduates have a 92.2 percent first time pass rate on the bar exam, compared to an 83 percent pass rate for other law schools in the State of Tennessee.
Donald J. Polden, dean of The Cecil C. Humphrey School of Law, said the school has consistently surpassed the bar exam rate since 1990, with a pass rate of around 90 percent.
"I have been pleased with our pass rate," Polden said. "I think it's a combination of getting good students and having a very rigorous curriculum."
The law school is a three-year program. Two-thirds of the curriculum are required classes.
"Out of 90 hours, 56 hours are specific courses," Polden said. "The national average is 44 required classes."
Polden said in the 80s, The U of M law school graduates were experiencing problems passing the bar exam. The law school decided to increase the number of required courses and changed the grading method.
"Our prescription for a good bar pass rate is good students, exposing them to a rigorous curriculum and having good classroom instructors," Polden said.
Charles DeWitt, assistant dean for external relations, said he agrees with the law school's prescription for success.
DeWitt said the subjects the students study are on the bar exam, and said he feels other law schools do not do this.
"We are preparing them better for taking the bar exam by making them do the work up front," DeWitt said.
A second year law student, Brennan Lenihan, said one of the reasons he chose The U of M was the high pass rate.
"What they are teaching us is practical," Lenihan said. "They are preparing us to be lawyers."
Lenihan also praised the faculty accessibility and their willingness to help students. "They take care of us," he said.
DeWitt said the law school participates in a moot court -- which is a debate team forum. It has won many competition awards in various areas of law, ranging from environmental law to litigation.
DeWitt also said that 97 percent of U of M graduates get a job right out of law school, while the national average is in the mid-70 percent range.
Last year, the law school received approximately 850 applications. Only 160 were accepted. Applicants represent 69 colleges from 16 different states.
"It's getting tougher and tougher to get into law school," Polden said.
DeWitt and Polden are proud of the comments they hear from employers who have hired U of M graduates.
"I get comments all the time from employers," DeWitt said. "They say that students are ready to practice law quicker than other hires from other law schools."
DeWitt said the students are focused on their education, but they still know how to have a good time.
DeWitt also said he is pleased that The U of M law school was admitted to the Association of American Law Schools on Jan. 6, 2001.
"We had to jump through hoops to get in," DeWitt said.
DeWitt said the procedure is extremely rigid, and the AALS looks at every aspect of a school's program. He said it is comparable to a student getting into Phi Beta Kappa.
