The Aspen Advisor Week in Review for July 20, 2018
This week’s articles feature several innovative programs designed to attract students to law school, offer creative ways to reduce the cost of law school, and introduce new specialty areas of study. Law schools are exploring ways to close the gap, making it easier and more attractive for students to go law school.
First, Cornell is piloting a program to allow students to submit their GRE or GMAT score instead of their LSAT score for consideration of acceptance. This pilot is limited to 20 students but is an important test to see if they receive an increase in qualified applicants. If implemented, Cornell would be the 21st law school to allow the GRE for admission and the 2nd to allow the GMAT.
Framingham State University in Massachusetts is partnering with University of Massachusetts School of Law to create a “3+3” program whereby students would complete their undergraduate requirements in three years and start law school in year 4. This would allow students to graduate in 6 years, rather than 7, saving students time and money. You can learn more about this program and the other institutions involved in the article, “Framingham State partnership offers six-year law degree program.”
Lastly, New York Law School and UCLA are introducing new areas of specialization in light of current market trends. NYLS is launching a Business of Law Institute to prepare students for the legal tech sector and UCLA is introducing a new certificate in environmental law.
Digital Textbooks and Other Classroom Technology
How Canvas Came to Unseat Blackboard as the Leading LMS
A recent analysis found that Canvas had surpassed Blackboard as the favorite learning management system in higher education. So where do the companies go next?
Google Introduces “Course Kit” for Improved Higher Ed Integration with G Suite
Google has created a tool that will embed Docs and Drive in learning management systems, giving new online capabilities to students and teachers.
Distance Education
Keeping Online Courses Fresh: Valuable, but Costly
The cost of maintaining an online course for several years can eventually outstrip the launch cost -- but the investment might just pay off.
Law School Students
Scammers Target Those with Outstanding Student Loans
“Congratulations! You can get your student loans forgiven -- it’s quick and easy!” If you think this sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Student loan debt affects more than 42 million Americans, with outstanding balances of more than $1.4 trillion. The Federal Trade Commission and Better Business Bureau are warning consumers of deceptive scammers.
Legal Education
Framingham State Partnership Offers Six-Year Law Degree Program
A new partnership with the state’s only public law school will give Framingham State University students the opportunity to finish their undergraduate studies and earn a law degree in six years.
New York Law School Launches Business of Law Institute to Prepare Law Students and Lawyers for Careers in the Burgeoning Legal Tech Sector
Institute Is Shaped by Data From Comprehensive Market Research Study
Ivy League Law School to Accept the GRE and the GMAT for Admission
Cornell gets in on some of that sweet, sweet GRE and GMAT action.
The Law Schools with the Most Diverse Graduates
What is your law school doing to promote diversity?
Good Time to Add a Law School? One University Says Yes
The University of Illinois at Chicago is poised to acquire the nearby John Marshall Law School after the University of Illinois Board of Trustees approved a plan Thursday that puts the transaction on track to close by next fall.
UCLA School of Law Offers New Specialization in Environmental Law
Students pursuing environmental law at UCLA benefit from clinical programs and scholarships
Other Legal News
$54,000 Worth of UD Law Textbooks Stolen; Police Seek Suspects’ Identities
Nearly 300 textbooks, worth over $54,000, have been stolen from the University of Dayton School of Law since March, according to Dayton police.
3 Thoughts on Thought Leadership
What makes someone a thought leader, and what doesn't? Mark Herrmann explains.
Publishing
Cengage Contributes Openly Licensed Content to OER Community
Part of Company's Ongoing Efforts to Increase Access to Quality Learning
The Aspen Advisor Week in Review is a collection of interesting articles from the past week that pertain to Legal Education. Some may be especially relevant to law professors and others to law students. Many stories focus on the pedagogical, technical, and financial innovation occurring in law schools today. We hope that these articles inspire you.
Nicole Pinard is the Executive Director of Market Development for the Legal Education division of Wolters Kluwer Legal and Regulatory Solutions U.S.