Western State College of Law: A Legacy of Legal Education in California

Founded in 1966, Western State College of Law at Westcliff University has a rich history and a commitment to providing a high-quality legal education. As the longest-running law school in Orange County, California, Western State has shaped the legal landscape of the region, producing over 11,000 alumni who are well-represented across various public and private sector legal practice areas. The college's mission is to cultivate skilled and ethical legal professionals who are prepared to excel in diverse legal settings.

A Historical Overview

Western State College of Law was established in 1966 in Orange County, California. The law school expanded to three campuses in California, including locations in Fullerton, Irvine, and San Diego. At that time, the school was the largest law school in California. The college has undergone several changes as part of the accreditation process. In 2019, Westcliff University acquired Western State College of Law. This acquisition marked a pivotal moment in the institution's history, signaling a bright future for its students, alumni, and the broader community.

Academic Programs and Curriculum

Western State College of Law offers a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree program that requires a minimum of 87 units. The program is designed to be completed in as little as 3 academic years (2 semesters per year) of full-time study, or in 4 years of part-time study.

Course Structure

The curriculum includes core courses, required courses in the first year, and elective courses. Full-time students typically enroll for 15 units per semester and are not required to take summer classes. Part-time students take 9 or 10 units per semester and also 3 to 5 units in the summer to complete the program in 4 years. Students who start in the Fall have the option for full-time, part-time day, or part-time evening study. Classes begin in mid-August. Students who start in the Spring term (early January) have the option for full-time or part-time evening study. Classes begin in the first week of January.

Faculty and Teaching Philosophy

Western State prides itself on a faculty of excellent professors whose first priorities are teaching and student success. Most faculty members have extensive professional legal experience as well as impressive academic credentials; they bring real-world knowledge and skills to the classroom. The full-time faculty is supplemented by an outstanding adjunct faculty of practicing attorneys and judges.

S.T.E.L.L.A.R. Academic Support Program

The Strategies to Enhance Legal Learning and Achieve Results (S.T.E.L.L.A.R.) Academic Support program provides instruction, assistance, and encouragement to help students develop the skills and strategies they need. The goal is to help students successfully complete the first year, pass the bar exam, and practice in the profession.

Experiential Learning and Career Development

Western State seeks to foster law students’ development as legal professionals throughout law school. When faculty bring examples from their practical legal experience into the classroom, they engage their students and illustrate how theory comes together in practice.

Externship Program

In WSCL’s externship program, students receive placement in courts or in the offices of district attorneys, public defenders, practicing attorneys, corporate legal departments, or public interest organizations where they gain hands-on experience and earn academic credit.

Career Development Office

With a five-decade history in Southern California, WSCL maintains a strong job placement track record and the connections to assist students in their job searches. The Career Development Office arranges interviews, career-related workshops, speaker panels, networking events, and individual counseling to educate students about the many possible areas of practice and how to position themselves for those opportunities. The Career Development Office counsels students on résumé writing, job-search techniques, and study-abroad programs. Online job- and résumé-posting services are provided by Western State to facilitate employment searches by students and alumni.

Student Life and Resources

Western State’s culture engenders a supportive environment among students, faculty, and staff. With a student body of 229, and an average student-to-faculty ratio of 8:1, students benefit from the opportunity to collaborate and engage in classroom discussions to more fully explore the subject matter. About 20 active student-led organizations enrich and complement the academic program with educational, networking, philanthropic, and social activities for students. The Student Bar Association (SBA) is the official student organization for Western State College of Law. The purpose of the SBA is to represent the student body and to promote fellowship and unity among students, faculty, and the administration.

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Law Library

The Law Library supports student study and research with a well-rounded print collection as well as access to electronic resources on campus and remotely. The Law Library not only provides books and computers, but a variety of individual and group study spaces for students. Quiet study space, study rooms, and a collaborative study room are all available so students can pick the space that is right for them. In addition to study rooms, the Law Library also includes the Career Resources Nook and our Business Law Center collection. The library maintains long hours to service the needs of our students.

Location and Environment

Western State’s campus is located in Tustin, a suburban town in Orange County, close to Orange County’s legal, technology, finance, and business centers. The campus is surrounded by attractive residential communities and is within commuting distance of Los Angeles as well as the Inland Empire. Orange County attractions also include Disneyland, Knott’s Berry Farm, and national sports teams like the Angels and the Ducks.

Admissions and Financial Aid

The Faculty Admission Committee makes each admission decision based on its estimation of an applicant's potential for academic success, upon a full and careful review of all information provided at the time of the review. The members of the Committee consider the required elements, including the standardized test score(s), undergraduate record, personal statement, and letters of recommendation, as well as optional items such as a current resume or other addenda.

Admission Criteria

As the Faculty Admissions Committee reviews applications, it considers each applicant’s prior academic, work, and life accomplishments which may demonstrate a potential to succeed in our rigorous J.D. program. Especially important elements of the application include undergraduate academic performance, difficulty of coursework and grades, college major(s), competitiveness of the college(s), and the time taken to complete the degree. LSAT scores and/or GRE scores are viewed as key predictors. Significant weight is also given to an applicant's writing ability, which includes grammar, conciseness, and organization of thoughts. When there are multiple LSAT or GRE scores, more weight will generally be given to the highest scores. All applicants work with an admission advisor who assists in the admission process.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

Western State offers generous merit-based scholarships and diversity scholarships. In the most recent entering class, a majority of new students received scholarships. No separate application is required to be considered for scholarships; admitted students are automatically considered for merit scholarships based on academic records (undergraduate GPA and academic standing, and LSAT score) and diversity scholarships based on applicants' backgrounds and experiences. Diversity statements are optional and will also be considered. Many loan programs are available to help students meet their financial needs, including Stafford loans, Graduate PLUS loans, and private loans.

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Alumni Success

Western State’s 11,000+ alumni are well represented across public and private sector legal practice areas, including 150+ graduates who have gone on to serve as California judges and judicial officers. The college maintains a strong placement track record and the connections to assist students in their job searches.

Employment Statistics

According to Western State's ABA-required disclosures, 88.3% of the Class of 2022 obtained some form of employment ten months after graduation. 25 members, being 58% of the class, obtained JD-required employment, and 7 members, being 16% of the class, obtained JD-advantage employment.

Mission and Values

The mission of Western State College of Law at Westcliff University is to provide the highest quality legal education, based on an innovative program of studies designed to develop the tools of careful legal analysis and to foster a broad understanding of law, law practice, and legal theory. The College of Law emphasizes the study and practice of lawyering skills required for the ethical, skillful, and professional practice of law and is particularly committed to meeting the educational needs of those who seek to practice in small to medium law offices, corporate law departments, and governmental and other public service settings. To further its mission, the College of Law will pursue student and faculty diversity, both to enhance the educational program of the school and to address important needs of the legal profession and of society as a whole.

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