Penn State Unifies Law Schools with ABA Approval
Pennsylvania State University has successfully consolidated its two law schools into a single entity, receiving the American Bar Association's (ABA) endorsement. This decision concludes a two-year effort to streamline the institutions.
Strategic Benefits of Unification
University officials have highlighted that merging the law schools under one dean and administration will yield significant cost savings and enhance the competitiveness of the newly named Penn State Dickinson Law within the region. The consolidation is expected to provide a more robust academic offering and improve operational efficiency.
ABA Approval and Future Plans
The ABA’s Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admission to the Bar granted its approval for the unification of Penn State Law and Penn State Dickinson Law earlier this month. This endorsement was publicly announced by university officials on Tuesday. Currently, both campuses operate separately and maintain distinct accreditations. Penn State Law holds a U.S. News & World Report ranking of No. 68, while Penn State Dickinson Law is ranked No. 75.
Leadership and Campus Details
Dean Danielle Conway, who currently leads Penn State Dickinson Law, will head the consolidated school. The primary campus will be located in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, which is the existing site of Dickinson Law. The plan envisions enrolling 125 in-person Juris Doctor students annually in Carlisle and 75 at the University Park campus.
Enrollment and Future Cohorts
With the ABA's approval, Penn State Dickinson Law is set to admit a combined class of 200 new students for the fall of 2025. This strategic move aims to unify the student body and streamline academic programs across both locations.
Historical Context and Financial Considerations
Penn State acquired Dickinson Law in 1997 and established the University Park campus in 2006. The two campuses operated as a single law school until 2014, when they were split into separate entities with independent ABA accreditations. The decision to re-evaluate this separation emerged in November 2022 when Penn State University President Neeli Bendapudi convened a panel to explore consolidation options amidst a significant budget deficit. At that time, the university faced a $149 million shortfall, with a projected deficit of $34 million for the current year.
Comparative Context
Among other universities with multiple law schools, Rutgers and Widener present notable examples. Rutgers operates its New Jersey law campuses in Newark and Camden under joint accreditation and administration. In contrast, Widener’s law schools in Wilmington, Delaware, and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, maintain separate leadership and accreditation.
This strategic consolidation marks a significant step for Penn State, positioning Penn State Dickinson Law for a more competitive future in legal education.
