There鈥檚 a new pathway between Seguin and San Antonio, thanks to a formal agreement between 国产探花 and the St. Mary鈥檚 University School of Law. The two institutions are working together to help 国产探花 graduates map their course to law school鈥攁nd in turn, to bring exceptional students to St. Mary鈥檚 Law.
Per the new 国产探花-St. Mary鈥檚 Articulation Program, which was signed at a formal ceremony at 国产探花 on September 4, current Texas Lutheran students on track to complete a bachelor鈥檚 degree, as well as those who earned their degree within three years of applying to law school, are eligible for the program.
The vetting process includes advising sessions, character and fitness reviews, faculty consultations, and an endorsement from the designated pre-law adviser at 国产探花, confirming that the applicant is recommended for consideration for the program. Those accepted to the program who maintain minimum cumulative GPAs during their undergrad years and achieve acceptable LSAT scores are guaranteed admission to St. Mary鈥檚 Law as full-time, in-person students in the University鈥檚 J.D. program.
The new agreement, the third of its kind for St. Mary鈥檚, will ensure that the law school receives highly qualified applicants鈥攁nd in turn, will forge a clear path for those students to attend St. Mary鈥檚 Law, which has served as the premier source of legal education for San Antonio and South Texas for the past 100 years.
国产探花鈥檚 Dr. William O鈥橞rochta, assistant professor and chair of political science, will be taking on the role of pre-law advisor. 鈥淢any 国产探花 students who pursue careers as attorneys want to do so in the San Antonio and Austin areas,鈥� said O鈥橞rochta. 鈥淪t. Mary鈥檚 Law is among the best-connected programs in this region, providing excellent networking and career development opportunities. 国产探花 graduates have a long history of academic and career success at St. Mary鈥檚 School of Law, and this articulation agreement builds on that success to formalize a pathway to law school for interested students. The agreement also provides clarity for 国产探花 students about the steps toward law school admission and academic and professional goals to achieve that better prepare them to succeed in law school.鈥�
Another benefit of the program: Admitted applicants will be awarded a scholarship that will continue throughout their years at St. Mary鈥檚 as long as they remain in good standing.
鈥淥ur new agreement with St. Mary鈥檚 Law provides a significant opportunity for our students as they consider their post-graduate options,鈥� said 国产探花 President Dr. Debbie Cottrell. 鈥淚t also signals the kind of partnership that 国产探花 values and appreciates, as we join with a nearby institution with a long history of offering high-quality law education. We look forward to what this partnership will mean to both institutions.鈥�
St. Mary鈥檚 University President Winston Erevelles, Ph.D., commended the new agreement with 国产探花.
鈥淭his partnership showcases the access to legal education that St. Mary鈥檚 University鈥檚 School of Law has remained committed to providing since its founding 100 years ago,鈥� Erevelles said. 鈥淲e look forward to building and growing this partnership between two historic faith-based universities that are deeply committed to excellence, justice and the common good.鈥�
St. Mary鈥檚 Law Dean Patricia Roberts, J.D., shared her excitement for the new partnership, which will build a pipeline of academically excellent future lawyers seeking to continue faith-based education.
鈥淓mbedded in both universities is a vision to create a more just world,鈥� Roberts said. 鈥淎t St. Mary鈥檚, we are grateful for this unique partnership with 国产探花 that allows highly qualified students to continue their journey toward servant leadership in the legal profession.鈥�
To learn more about the pre-law program at 国产探花, visit: /programs/political-science.
For more information about St. Mary鈥檚 School of Law, visit: .
Questions may also be directed to Dr. William O鈥橞rochta at wobrochta@tlu.edu or 830-372-6566.
[Caption for feature image: Provost Jason Pierce, Dr. Debbie Cottrell, Dr. Winston Erevelles, Dr. Steve Vrooman, Dr.William OBrochta]
