COLLEGE OF LAW Licensure Pass Rate Improvement Plans - September 22, 2020

Q: What metrics are used to assess admissions performance and how do they relate to bar passage?

The plan uses LSAT (median) and UG GPA (median) because scores are correlated with bar passage rates. Current data are compared against peer SUS benchmarks, with goals set for Fall 2021–2023.

Q: How does the plan address admissions to improve the quality of incoming cohorts?

Students begin annually in the fall term, with an application window of October 1 to May 31. Improvement actions include building a pipeline from FAMU and other HBCUs through LSAT prep and reinvigorating/expanding the 3+3 program, along with competitive funding for in- and out-of-state students.

Q: What curriculum structure and requirements are defined for foundational coursework?

The curriculum requires 90 credits across 6 full-time semesters or 9 part-time semesters, including 6 experiential credits. Students must maintain a cumulative 2.0 GPA, and full-time foundational first-year courses include Civil Procedure, Criminal Law, Introduction to Analytical Skills I, Legal Research and Writing I, and Torts.

Sep 4, 2026

Uploaded by Himbo

Licensure Pass Rate Improvement Plans for the College of Law present a structured strategy to raise bar outcomes through admissions selectivity, stronger retention, curriculum delivery, and targeted bar exam preparation. The plan defines key performance indicators across LSAT and UG GPA, entering cohort size, and retention metrics, then links bar success to diagnostic results and two-attempt bar performance. It outlines admissions timing, funding and pipeline initiatives, scholarship-based retention supports, and a defined full- and part-time foundational curriculum plus experiential requirements.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages15

Reading Time38 min

AccessFree to download

Topics

Program Overview

Key Performance Indicators

Admissions

Retention

Curriculum

Externship Data

Diagnostics

Bar Preparation

Faculty Evaluation, Development & Training

Consultant

Peer Benchmarking

Q&A

Licensure Pass Rate Improvement Plans COLLEGE OF LAW Deidre A. Keller, Dean FAMU Board of Trustees Special Committee on the Law College September 22, 2020 1 Topics Nursing (BSN) q Program Overview q Key Performance Indicators q Admissions / Retention q Curriculum q Externship Data q Diagnostics q Bar Preparation q Faculty Evaluation, Development & Training q Consultant q Peer Benchmarking q Q&A Program Overview rsing (BSN) • Accredited by the American Bar Association, Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar (ABA) . Must respond to Standard 316 letter by February 1, 2021. • Number of full-time faculty: 35 • Enrollment: 475 • Graduates/year: Three-year average (2017-2019) -133 Key Performance Indicators | Metric | Rationale for Use | Current Data | | | Goal | Trend | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Admissions | | | | | | | | LSAT (median) | LSAT scores are correlated with Bar passage rates. COL scores are significantly lower than peers. | FAMU
Fall 2020: 147
Fall 2019: 146
Fall 2018: 146 | SUS Peers
Fall 2020: TBD
Fall 2019: 160
Fall 2018: 159.6 | | Fall 2021: 148
Fall 2022: 150 | | | UG GPA (Median) | Undergraduate GPAs are correlated with Bar passage rates. COL scores are significantly lower than peers. | FAMU
Fall 2020: 3.26
Fall 2019: 3.11
Fall 2018: 3.09
SUS Peers
Fall 2020: TBD
Fall 2019: 3.71
Fall 2018: 3.66 | | | FAMU
Fall 2021: 3.30
Fall 2022: 3.35
Fall 2023: 3.40 | | | Size of Entering Cohort | Reducing the size of the cohorts will allow the COL to be more selective in admissions and increase the efficacy of resources allocated for instruction and academic support. | FAMU
Fall 2020: 115
Fall 2019: 209
Fall 2018: 193 | | | Fall 2020: 130
Fall 2021: 130
Fall 2022: 130 | | | Retention | | | | | | | | Median GPA of First-Year Fall Cohort | First-year GPA is strongly correlated with Bar passage rates (most Bar content is taught in first year of the law school curriculum) . | First Semester 2019: 2.48
2018: 2.51
2017: 2.42 | First Year 2019-20:
TBD
2018-19: 2.55
2017-18: 2.44 | | Increase the number of students at or below the median utilizing support resources. | | | NonAcademic Attrition Rates | Measures the percentage of students in good standing who leave COL after the first year (many are recruited by other law schools) | 2019-20: 4.62%
2018-19: 8.8%
2017-18: 10. 1%
2016-17: 9.8% | | | 2020-21: <5% | | | Bar Exam Preparation and Outcomes | | | | | | | | Diagnostic Exam | A diagnostic exam is administered to students after completion of the foundational curriculum to assess mastery of content that will be tested on the bar exam (Barbri product) . | Cohort Composite Score 2020: 49.0%
2019: 51.5%
2018: 48.6% | | | TBD | | | Bar Exam | The Bar Exam is administered two times per year. Students typically perform worse on the February exam. | February
2019: 45.5%
2018: 36.7%
2017: 46.2% | | July
2019: 61. 1%
2018: 50.6%
2017: 51.3% | 2020: 70%
2021: 75%
2022: 80% | | 4 Admissions • Students begin the program once annually, during the fall semester. • Application Window: October 1 – May 31. • National application platform – Law School Admissions Council • Improving the quality of incoming cohorts: Ø Build the pipeline out of FAMU and other HBCUs by providing LSAT prep, reinvigorating / expanding the 3 + 3 program Ø Provide competitive funding to students both in and out of state | Year | Total applicants | Total Acceptances | 1st Year Enrolled Students | Acceptance Rate | Yield Rate | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2017 | 1247 | 659 | 219 | 52.85% | 33.23% | | 2018 | 1230 | 602 | 187 | 48.94% | 31.06% | | 2019 | 1204 | 604 | 210 | 50.17% | 34.77% | Retention • Fall 2020 beginning cohort provided with guaranteed scholarships as long as they maintain a 2.7 GPA • Students

FAQs

What metrics are used to assess admissions performance and how do they relate to bar passage?

The plan uses LSAT (median) and UG GPA (median) because scores are correlated with bar passage rates. Current data are compared against peer SUS benchmarks, with goals set for Fall 2021–2023.

How does the plan address admissions to improve the quality of incoming cohorts?

Students begin annually in the fall term, with an application window of October 1 to May 31. Improvement actions include building a pipeline from FAMU and other HBCUs through LSAT prep and reinvigorating/expanding the 3+3 program, along with competitive funding for in- and out-of-state students.

What curriculum structure and requirements are defined for foundational coursework?

The curriculum requires 90 credits across 6 full-time semesters or 9 part-time semesters, including 6 experiential credits. Students must maintain a cumulative 2.0 GPA, and full-time foundational first-year courses include Civil Procedure, Criminal Law, Introduction to Analytical Skills I, Legal Research and Writing I, and Torts.

Sep 4, 2026

Uploaded by Himbo