LAS VEGAS - The part-time program at the William S. Boyd School of Law at UNLV was ranked among the top 25 programs in the U.S. according to the 2011 edition of the best graduate schools and specialty programs recently published by U.S. News & World Report. Established 12 years ago, the law school has maintained top rankings for its specialty programs and was ranked overall 78th out of 189 law schools.
"We have worked hard to maintain the strength of the law school, the top programs that define our unique approach to legal education and the top faculty that are responsible for our programs' success," said John Valery White, dean of the law school. "The U.S. News rankings of law schools are but one indication of our success at building a world-class faculty and innovative program of legal education.
The Boyd School of Law achieved impressive positions in the following specialty rankings:
- In a category ranking part-time law programs, UNLV's law school moved up 13 places and was ranked 21st out of 84 accredited law schools.
- Boyd's Lawyering Process Program was ranked fourth best program of its kind. The program emphasizes professionalism, the relationship between legal analysis and lawyering skills, including legal writing, research, oral advocacy, client interviewing, counseling and negotiation.
- UNLV's Saltman Center for Conflict Resolution ranked the nation's 10th best dispute resolution program.
- The Thomas and Mack Legal Clinic ranked 28th in clinical training.
"The success of our part-time program is a special recognition for us. The part-time ranking reflects our commitment to having very strong students in our part-time division taught by the same faculty that teaches in the full-time division," White said.
The Boyd School of Law and Legal Education Programs
The William S. Boyd School of Law has more than 450 students and offers three juris doctor degree programs: a full-time day program, a part-time day program and a part-time evening program. The school also offers three dual degree programs: a J.D./MBA, a J.D./M.S.W. and a J.D./Ph.D. It is fully accredited by the American Bar Association and a member of the American Association of Law Schools - accomplishments it achieved in record time.
Lawyering Process Program
The Lawyering Process program emphasizes professionalism and prepares students to enter the workforce proficient in the key language skills of legal practice.
Saltman Center for Conflict Resolution
Established in 2003, the Saltman Center for Conflict Resolution is dedicated to advancing education in the field of alternative dispute resolution and provides a venue for advanced study of the nature of conflict and the methods through which conflicts may be resolved. The Center is the 2008 recipient of the prestigious Ninth Circuit ADR Education Award.
Thomas and Mack Legal Clinic
The Thomas and Mack Legal Clinic represents clients in cases involving juvenile justice, immigration, education, post-conviction and criminal appeals.
The law school's externship programs offer students integrated academic and practice-based educational experiences. The programs teach students how to be reflective practitioners and multi-disciplinary professionals, how to improve the quality of and access to legal systems and how to provide service to communities in need of legal assistance in Nevada.
For more information about the William S. Boyd School of Law and its programs, visit law.unlv.edu. A complete list of rankings is available on the U.S. News & World Report Web site here: U.S. News & World Report.
