Summary: Valparaiso Law School has been looking for other options after its enrollment dropped drastically last fall, considering Middle Tennessee State University as a strong option.
Valparaiso University previously announced it was no longer admitting students into its law school after enrolling only 29 new students last fall. Since then Valparaiso Law School has been looking to merge with another university. Middle Tennessee State University may just be what the university they have been looking for.
MTSU received a non-binding letter of intent from the law school, according to Inside Higher Ed. MTSU President Sidney McPhee made it clear that they will not be purchasing or merging with the law school. Instead, the law school would be more like a gift.
McPhee said, according to the Daily News Journal, “Our exploration of this proposal is in keeping with MTSU’s tradition and strategic priority of pursuing innovative partnerships that create meaningful opportunities for our students, our region and our state.”
A move must still be approved by each university’s governing board and the Tennessee Higher Education Commission. Valparaiso Law School, located in northwest Indiana at the main campus, would be transferring to Murfreesboro should the move go through. A potential location could be the Andrew Woodfin Miller Education Center.
Tennessee already has six law schools, three of which are in Nashville. Tennessee state senator Bill Ketron believes the law school would be a good addition for the state, providing a more affordable option compared to the private law schools at Belmont University and Vanderbilt. Ketron said, “I think it would serve us well. If we can work out the logistics at the state level with the Tennessee Higher Education Commission, it would be a wonderful thing, and it would actually take Middle Tennessee State University to the next level by having the only public accredited law school in the mid-state area, including northern Alabama and southern Kentucky.”
Valparaiso Law School was founded in 1879. The American Bar Association accredited law school has roughly 235 students. The law school currently offers a juris doctorate program and seven dual degree programs emphasizing things like Chinese studies, sports management, and mental health counseling.
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To learn about other law school changes, read these articles:
- Law Schools Want to See Summer Associate Arbitration Agreements
- Law Schools and Judges Move to Change Clerkship Application Timeline to after Second Year
- LSAT Will No Longer Be Required for ABA-Accredited Law Schools
Photo: murfreesboropost.com