Throughout history, Black Americans have been denied access to study in universities. Then the Historically Black Universities and Colleges (HBCUs) came into play and have given first-class education ever since. The critical mission of HBCUs is to fight injustice and uplift the community. More than any other degree, a law program has the power to safeguard the community against social injustice, so if you have planned to do your law degree at HBCUs, hats off to you. Here they are;
Howard University School of Law
Howard University School of Law, part of one of America’s most prestigious HBCUs, aims to provide top-tier education to those looking to use their law careers to advocate for the rights of people of color, especially African Americans. Howard University, ranked number 91 in best law schools in America by U.S. News, offers J.D., J.D./M.B.A, and Master of Law (L.L.M.) programs students can apply for.
North Carolina Central University School of Law
According to their website, North Carolina Central University School of Law’s mission is to “provide a challenging and broad-based educational program designed to stimulate intellectual inquiry of the highest order. The school ranks #147-193 on U.S. News’s Best Law Schools list. Founded in 1939, the school offers several programs, includingJ.D./M.B.A, J.D./M.L.S/M.I.S, J.D./M.P.A, and a J.D./M.P.
Southern University Law Center
Located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, the Southern University Law Center has helped several students achieve their law aspirations for the past 70 years. As mentioned in their mission, the school aims to provide top-tier legal education to eligible students from diverse backgrounds. Currently ranked as the second-best law school for African Americans, the school offers degrees such as a J.D., J.D./M.P.A, J.D./M.B.A., and certificate programs.
Florida A&M University College of Law
Located in Orlando, Florida, Florida A&M University College of Law is a first-class legal education institution whose primary focus is making students a transformative force for the public good. The school provides exceptional education and gives opportunities to the underprivileged population.
The highlight of studying here is the internship opportunities the students get while learning. These internships will help them get great hands-on experience on the subjects. In addition, the law school brings out famous law people like Arthenia Joyner, who graduated from FAMU Law in 1968. She is the Florida senate.
The University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law
The history of The University of the District of Columbia’s David A. Clarke School of Law is fascinating. When Antioch University decided to close its School of Law in 1986, a local grassroots campaign saved it, eventually merging with the University of Columbia in 1996. As a result, it is a first-class community to do your law degree.
Apart from the community, the school provides a fantastic education infrastructure. Moreover, UDC Law emphasizes hands-on experience. Students practice in one of the school’s eight public interest clinics which will help them gain knowledge through real-life cases.
Texas Southern University Thurgood Marshall School of Law
The Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University is one of the finest HBCU law schools. Located in Houston, it was named after Thurgood Marshall, who has done a lot of support for the civil rights movement for black Americans. The university has been offering great legal services for its students as well as downtrodden communities.
Moreover, The Thurgood Marshall Law Review has featured the work of legal minds across the world since the 1970s. The school of law is famous for its greatest legal clinics. One of them is. The Institute for International and Immigration Law provides specialized academic and practical legal training for students planning a career in international or immigration law.
With extensive years of providing access to legal education, HBCUs are one piece of the puzzle in diversifying the field of law and giving more opportunities to lawyers of color.
Wisdem USA helps students gain admission to colleges where they can pursue a pre-law track and go on to attend law school – either at an HBCU or elsewhere. For more information on Wisdem USA’s college admissions advising, contact us today.