Touro Law School, Central Islip, New York

The school offers traditional J.D. (Juris Doctor) and LL.M. (Master of Laws) programs at both full- and part-time status and with both day and evening classes. The main undergraduate campus was founded to educate students in Jewish heritage and history with an emphasis on Judeo morals and ethics, an important concept echoed in the prioritizing of ethics at the law school.

The school specializes in a variety of programs, including Business Law, Criminal Law, Family Law, Health Law, Intellectual Property Law, International Law, and Public Interest Law. It is fully approved by the American Bar Association and is a member of the Association of American Law Schools.


Previously based out of a former public school in Huntington, Long Island, the school reopened its doors in January 2007 to a revolutionized campus boasting state-of-the-art facilities, including the latest technology, innovative classroom designs, private study spaces, and more. The school has also moved to a new location which sits adjacent to both a federal courthouse and a state courthouse. This is a milestone achievement for Touro because it is the first and only law school in the nation to be situated thus to have a working relationship with two courthouses.

In accordance with the new setting, the school has also retooled its curriculum, placing great emphasis on practical learning experiences and hands-on legal education. The school enthusiastically proclaims, "Touro Law Center offers students an education that truly bridges the gap between academic theory and legal practice. Our new law campus enables students to take advantage of the synergies resulting from combining a legal education with the day-to-day workings of the courts, court-related agencies, and legal service providers. Our first-year students participate in the Court Observation Program in their first semester."

With these new advantages, Touro has raised the bar for applicant admission. For its 2005-2006 entering class, the 75th percentile LSAT score was 153, and the 25th percentile score was 150. The 75th percentile undergraduate GPA was 3.40, and the 25th percentile undergraduate GPA was 2.83. The current student body totals 750 students and is expected to increase significantly in the near future as the last two years have seen record sizes for incoming classes.

Tuition for the 2005-2006 school year totaled $26,820 for full-time students and was $20,120 for part-time students in both day and evening classes. Additional costs include school fees ($300), books ($500), and metro area housing running to between $5,000 and $8,000. A variety of scholarships and financial aid options are available to all students, with more than half receiving some sort of assistance.

The law school is named after Jacob D. Fuchsberg, an influential judge who served as associate judge on the New York Court of Appeals from 1975 to 1983 and who famously said of the law, "When America fought in the streets for its rights, today we are waging the fight in the courthouses. We are making progress, and it has to be done through the law."

Notable alumni include New York State Senator Kenneth LaValle, Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Price, and Marijuana Reform Party candidate Thomas J. Hillgardner.