Overview of Seeking ABA Accreditation Status
Accreditation and State Bar Admission
The Wilmington University School of Law is not currently approved by the Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar of the American Bar Association and makes no representation to any applicant that it will receive approval from the Council before the graduation of any matriculating student.
Wilmington University announced the formation of the School of Law in October 2022. Wilmington University School of Law will apply for ABA provisional approval in accordance with ABA procedure. Consistent with ABA procedure, the School of Law will notify the ABA of our intent to seek approval in March 2024, with the goal of achieving provisional approval before our first class of students graduates. Wilmington University has been accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education since 1975 and maintains special program accreditation for many programs.
ABA Accreditation Application Projected Timeline
Year
|
Approximate Timeframe
|
Status
|
1
|
Academic Year 2022-2023
|
Administration Preparation to Open School of Law
|
2
|
August 2023
|
First Incoming Class of Students
|
March 2024
|
Submit Intention to Apply for ABA Accreditation
|
3
|
August 2024
|
Second Incoming Class of Students
|
Fall 2024
|
ABA On-Site Visit Review
|
Spring 2025
|
ABA Provisional Accreditation Decision
|
4
|
August 2025
|
Third Incoming Class of Students
|
Academic Year 2025-2026
|
If Provisional Granted in Spring 2024, Review Year
|
May 2026
|
First Incoming Class of Full Time Students Graduate
|
July 2026
|
If Provisional Granted prior to graduation, First Incoming Class of Students eligible to take Bar Exam.
NextGen Bar Exam anticipated to begin in July 2026.
|
5
|
Academic Year 2026-2027
|
If Provisional Granted in Spring 2024, Review Year
|
6
|
Academic Year 2027-2028
|
Earliest year to apply and receive Full ABA accreditation
|