Five historically black colleges and universities in the United States offer a professional doctorate in law accredited by the American Bar Association. Historically black law schools seek to provide educational opportunities to populations who have been traditionally excluded from the legal profession, especially African-American students.
Howard University School of Law
Howard University School of Law is in Washington, D.C. The university was chartered in 1867, and in 1931 its law program was accredited by the American Bar Association. Howard University School of Law graduated the nation's first black female lawyer in 1872. It is the only historically black law school to be ranked in the third tier by U.S. News & World Report's annual law school rankings. Tuition at this private college costs $24,490 per year as of January 2011.
Thurgood Marshall School of Law, Texas Southern University
The American Bar Association accredited the Thurgood Marshall School of Law in 1949. This historically black law school is a public institution in Houston, Texas. Both the law school and the university itself were started as a result of a lawsuit brought by Heman M. Sweatt, a black man who was refused entry to the University of Texas because of his race. In-state tuition for this fourth-tier law school is $13,235 and out-of-state tuition is $16,985 as of January 2011.
North Carolina Central University School of Law
North Carolina Central University's School of Law was accredited by the American Bar Association in 1950. Located in the thriving college town of Durham, N.C., this historically black law school focuses on meeting the legal needs of under-served people and communities. Tuition for North Carolina residents is $8,097 per year, while non-residents must pay $20,835 as of January 2011. The law school at North Carolina Central University is also considered a fourth-tier institution by U.S. News & World Report.
Southern University Law Center
Accredited in 1953, Southern University Law Center is in Baton Rouge, La. This fourth-tier historically black law school is recognized for promoting racial and gender diversity alike. Tuition for Louisiana residents is approximately $9,200, while out-of-state tuition is about $14,800 as of January 2011.
Florida A&M University College of Law
In 2004, Florida A&M College of Law became the newest historically black law school to gain American Bar Association accreditation. The College of Law is ranked in the fourth tier of law programs nationwide, and Florida A&M University is the largest historically black institution in the United States in terms of enrollment. Located in Orlando, this law school has in-state tuition of $9,036 and out-of-state tuition of $28,302 as of January 2011.
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