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American Bar Association approves Penn State’s law program to split into two schools

Beginning in the Fall of 2015–Penn State Law at University Park and Dickinson Law in Carlisle will operate as independent law schools, according to a stat...
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Beginning in the Fall of 2015–Penn State Law at University Park and Dickinson Law in Carlisle will operate as independent law schools, according to a statement posted on Penn State’s website.

The American Bar Association made the announcement Wednesday. Currently–the two campuses  have operated together as a single law school. All that will change beginning with the class admitted in the Fall of 2015. The two campuses will operate as two independent and fully-accredited law schools.

“The full approval of the ABA for operation as two law schools begins the next chapter of The Dickinson School of Law,” said Penn State Executive Vice President and Provost Nicholas P. Jones in a joint news release. “We believe that two law schools operating independently can more flexibly respond to the needs of law students entering a rapidly changing legal profession. Penn State is offering two quality alternatives to prospective students, who can gain an extraordinary law school experience and education, and stand out in the marketplace for those qualities.”

According to a news release, the change does not affect law students currently enrolled or those who will enroll in the Fall of 2014 semester.  Prospective students who will start in the Fall 2015 semester may apply to either or both schools, according to school officials.

Degrees and diplomas from the two law schools will be in the name of The Dickinson School of Law of The Pennsylvania State University but will clearly reflect their independent and separately accredited status. Both campuses will refer to their affiliation with Penn State and Dickinson School of Law, but in general the Carlisle school will be known as Dickinson Law and the University Park school will be known as Penn State Law.

Each school will have separate deans and separate administrations.

Gary S. Gildin will serve as interim dean for Dickinson Law in Carlisle; James W. Houck will continue to serve as interim dean for Penn State Law at University Park.

The University will move to appoint permanent deans in the 2014-15 academic year.

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