Dean's Welcome Message

Welcome to Capital University Law School. As you investigate where you will spend the next three to four years for your legal education, I invite you to come and visit Capital. The study of law is demanding and rigorous, and so is the education that you will receive at Capital. At Capital, you will find an extensive curriculum, a high caliber faculty, a student-centered philosophy, and an ideal environment for intellectual growth. In other words, Capital is the perfect place for you to earn your law degree.

Extensive Curriculum
Capital’s extensive curriculum and programs provide numerous options for students. You may choose to enroll in our full-time, part-time day or part-time evening programs. Our Juris Doctor program strongly emphasizes basic lawyering skills — legal research, writing, dispute resolution and analytical skills — skills that can be applied to a variety of legal careers. Our curriculum encompasses more than 120 elective courses, running the gamut of business and commercial law, property, criminal law and procedure, public law, international law, litigation and taxation. Our concentrations and joint degree programs will allow you to focus in an area of the law and expand your knowledge for the legal and business world. You may pursue a concentration in: dispute resolution, environmental law, governmental affairs, labor and employment, publicly-held companies, small business entities, and children and family, or you may decide to combine your Juris Doctor degree with another degree: LL.M. in Tax, Business, or Business and Tax; Master of Business Administration; Master of Sports Administration/Facility Management; Master of Science in Nursing; or Master of Theology.

High Caliber Faculty
Part of a longstanding tradition in excellence is Capital’s high-caliber faculty. First and foremost, our faculty members are teachers, devoted to your education, and they are masters at integrating theory and practice. Many of our faculty are nationally-recognized legal experts in their fields, and they have published books on topics such as constitutional litigation, contracts, environmental law, remedies, negotiations, marriage and same-sex unions, and African-American males and the law. Their articles have appeared in leading law journals across the country, including those at Cornell, Temple, Tulane, Wake Forest, University of Pittsburgh, George Washington, University of Chicago and Washington & Lee. Faculty scholarship informs their teaching and adds to the intellectual experience you will have while at Capital.

Student-Centered Philosophy
Capital’s caring and committed faculty and administration support you through your legal education and beyond. From the admission office to the career planning office, we will work with you as an individual to maximize your potential. We recognize the individual qualities and abilities that set our students apart from others, and we provide numerous programs for you to enhance your education beyond the classroom. Complementing your classroom experience are opportunities for involvement in our National Center for Adoption Law & Policy, the only entity of its kind in the nation, and the Tobacco Public Policy Center. Opportunities abound in our clinics, externship programs, law review, and moot court teams, meaning you will gain actual legal experience before leaving the academic world. You also will enjoy the guest lectures, mentorship opportunities and socializing provided by our diverse group of student organizations. And when you are ready to hit the legal world, our career services office provides exceptional programming and career counseling services, as evidenced by our strong graduate employment rate — more than 90 percent of our students are employed within nine months of graduation.

Ideal Environment for Growth
In addition to our extensive curriculum, our high-caliber faculty and our student-centered philosophy, Capital also provides an ideal environment for your intellectual growth by its location in Columbus, Ohio’s capital city. Situated near the State Capitol, in the heart of Ohio’s government and legal center, many opportunities exist for student internships and externships at the numerous courts, government agencies, public service and non-profit organizations. Our state-of-the-art facility is equipped with modern technology and is also located near numerous cultural and educational institutions, including the Columbus Museum of Art, Columbus Metropolitan Library and the Columbus College of Art & Design. The Law School’s affiliation with a nationally ranked Midwestern university means that students have access to the benefits and services available at the University’s main campus in Bexley. These include free or reduced admission to campus events and access to physical education facilities, the university library, health services and personal counseling.

As dean of Capital Law School, I invite you to come and visit us and to apply. Capital has a tradition of excellence in legal education; we welcome you to come and be a part of it.