Summary of Admissions
Consistent with Taft Law School’s stated Mission of providing educational opportunities to individuals who are mature adults, employed on a full-time basis, or for whom place of residence or travel requirements are constraining factors, the School has instituted four classifications of applicants: Regular, Special, International, and Transfer applicant.
State Authorization – For Online Students from States Other Than California the U.S. Department of Education requires that any U.S. university offering online or distance education programs to citizens in a state where it is not physically located to meet those other states’ requirements to legally offer postsecondary, online education to their residents. The regulations for authorization vary from state to state. Due to this regulation, Taft Law School is not accepting for admission, applicants who reside in the following states:
Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming.
For those applying for the program If you are a U.S. citizen, and do not reside in California, and are applying to enroll in an TLS online program, we urge you to review the regulations regarding authorization of your specific state. If you become a TLS student and subsequently move to a new state, to avoid any interruptions in your enrollment status, you are responsible for ensuring TLS’s program is approved in the new state. Rules and regulations vary by state and could change throughout time. All students must update TLS records regarding a change of address.
General Admission Requirements
Juris Doctor Attorney Track
Regular Applicant
Our accrediting body, the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC) has determined that Applicants who have earned a Bachelor’s degree or higher from a college or university accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education generally qualify as regular applicants.
The California Committee of Bar Examiners has determined that an applicant who has a bachelor’s degree from an institution approved by the Committee is admissible as a Regular Student. An applicant who does not have a bachelor’s degree, but who has completed at least one-half of the work required for a bachelor’s degree at a college or university approved by the Committee, is also admissible as a regular applicant.
Special Applicant
Individuals, who do not qualify as a regular applicant, may apply as a special applicant. Special applicants must satisfy the standards established by the Committee of Bar Examiners of the State Bar of California with respect to prelegal education. An applicant may not be admitted as a Special Student unless he or she has satisfied the examination requirements (currently the College Level Equivalency Program examination – see below CLEP Overview) of § 6060(c)(2) of the California Business and Professions Code and Rule VII, Section 1 of the Rules Regulating Admission to Practice Law in California.
Other than the minimum threshold mandated by the Committee of Bar Examiners, the School has not developed any pre-established criteria for special admissions. In the admission of special applicants, the major consideration is whether the applicant has the ability to succeed in the Program and if the applicant will benefit from the Program. Any applicant that does not qualify as a regular applicant must be interviewed by the Director of Student Services and provide supplemental writing sample. (The interview can either take place in the School’s offices or via telephone or zoom.)
Transfer / International Students
Transfer Students
Students seeking to be admitted as a 2L, 3L, or 4L law student must have their prior legal education evaluated by Taft in addition to the California Committee of Bar Examiners. All prospective transfer students are individually evaluated for purposes of awarding transfer credit.
Factors that are considered during the evaluation are:
The institution discloses in its catalog, website, and enrollment agreement that the acceptance of earned transfer credits is determined by the receiving institution.
International Students
Degree from Non-U.S. Schools
English as a Second
Language Applicants
Non-Discrimination Policy
All admission decisions are made without regards to sex, race, color, ancestry, religious creed, national origin, disability, medical condition, age, marital status, political affiliation, sexual orientation, or veteran status.
California Business and Professions Code Section 6061.7 (a)
Law schools that are registered or accredited in the State of California but are not approved by the American Bar Association must provide a report disclosing Admissions, Enrollment, and Faculty Data, Tuition/Fees and Financial Aid Details, Employment Outcome, and Bar Passage Rates.
How to Enroll
Applicants must complete Taft Law School’s Application for Admission to determine eligibility for the program. It is not necessary to submit official transcripts at the time of application. However, official transcripts must be received by the School and the Committee of Bar Examiners within 30 days of enrollment.
Applicants seeking transfer credit for courses completed at other law schools must upload a copy of their transcript(s) documenting all prior law study at the time of application, in addition to the Transfer Credit Evaluation Fee, in order to be considered. The official transcript(s) must be received within 30 days of enrollment.
Upon receipt of the application, the Admissions Office will review the application and contact the applicant to obtain more information if necessary to determine eligibility and answer any questions the applicant has. The Admissions Office will then notify the applicant of the application status. Upon acceptance to the program, the applicant will select their start date, tuition payment plan, and corresponding learning modality. Approximately one month prior to the start date, the accepted applicant will be sent enrollment documents to complete and finalize their enrollment.
Taft’s faculty believe evidence of computer literacy is required to earn a credible graduate degree in any discipline. Technology also plays an important part in a student’s ability to communicate with administration, faculty, and fellow students. Accordingly, all students (including students enrolled in independent study courses) must have access to a computer with the minimum specifications set forth in the current Taft Law School General Catalog.
Minimum Hardware Requirements
Any modern internet connected desktop or laptop computer capable of meeting the below software requirements will be sufficient. While course materials are accessible to mobile devices, access to a desktop or laptop computer is required for completion of assignments and examinations. Some supplemental materials and activities will require a functioning audio device and speakers. Reliable and consistent access to the internet is required.
Software Requirements
