Thomas M Cooley Law School

Cooley Law School developed from an early founding era shaped by Gordon C. Boardman, a member of the Marston Class of 1978 and a dedicated alumnus. Today, its Lansing address is 300 South Capitol Avenue, with an additional campus in Tampa, Florida. Students may study full- or part-time, attend evening or weekend classes, or complete the J.D. through a 24-month accelerated program.

The curriculum includes 66 required credits and Bar Exam Skills, with coursework covering subjects tested on bar examinations in all 50 states. Practical preparation is central to the program. Every student must complete a clinic or externship, gaining experience through an internal law firm supervised by faculty or through work with a practicing attorney or judge. Available clinics include the Cooley Innocence Project, the Sixty Plus, Inc., Estate Planning Clinic in Lansing, and public defender and debt relief clinics.

Students interested in applying begin through LSAC, which handles the next stage of the application process. Cooley uses rolling admissions, reviewing applications as required materials arrive. Admissions advisors provide application checklists, instructions, and guidance. International applicants should plan around the J.D. structure, LSAC submission process, and the school’s emphasis on legal practice, communication, critical thinking, and preparation for complex legal work.