WMU, Cooley Law School take steps to affiliate WMU is set to become one of fewer than the 90
states, and offers Juris Doctor and advanced Master of
universities in the nation with a law school and a
Laws degrees.
medical school.
Currently, there are 82 public universities with law schools
Building on more than a decade of cooperation that has
accredited by the American Bar Association. With this
led to a number of joint degree programs and shared
agreement, WMU becomes No. 83.
facility initiatives, WMU and the private Thomas M. Cooley
WMU President John M. Dunn says that the benefits
Law School have agreed to join forces, a decision that would allow the law school
accrued from this distinction will pay dividends to the University’s students, faculty
to become the Western
and staff for years to come.
Michigan University Thomas
“The opportunity is made even
M. Cooley Law School.
more intriguing by the common
In July, the WMU Board
mission and values of our two
of Trustees approved this
institutions,” Dunn says.
affiliation with Cooley,
Both schools promote academic
following a period in which
theory and its practical
the possible venture was
applications as well as foster
explored.
an academic culture that is
Informal talks between the
inclusive and accessible.
leaders of the two schools had been underway for about three years, and late in December, both sides agreed to take a number of exploratory steps, with each organization reviewing the impact the affiliation would have on its stakeholders, accreditation, financial responsibilities and growth potential. In April, trustees affirmed their support and asked that final agreements be brought back for their review in July. Under this board-approved arrangement, both schools retain their independence, governance structure and separate fiduciary responsibilities. While Cooley will carry
And both schools have long traditions of collaboration and community engagement. “Cooley Law School and Western Michigan University share common educational and public service philosophies and have a long history of cooperation. An affiliation with this great University is an especially good match,” says Cooley President and Dean Don LeDuc. The next steps in the affiliation process will be for the schools’ respective accrediting agencies to review the name change agreement that is part of the affiliation accord. That is expected to take place this fall.
WMU in its name, it will remain an independent nonprofit
Founded in 1972, Cooley Law School has graduated more
501(c)(3) entity.
than 17,000 students. It has campuses across Michigan in
WMU is affiliating with an institution that is the nation’s largest law school. Cooley has five campuses in two
Lansing, Auburn Hills, Grand Rapids and Ann Arbor, and its new campus in Tampa Bay, Fla.
Formal ties between Cooley and WMU have been strong for more than a decade. 2002—Cooley and WMU
2002—WMU and Cooley
2008—WMU and Cooley
2011—The schools launch
partner when plans are
launch a joint Juris
launch a joint JD/Master
their third dual-degree
announced to open a Cooley
Doctor/Master of Public
of Business Administration
partnership, providing
branch in WMU’s Graduate
Administration degree
degree program.
West Michigan with its
Center in downtown Grand
program.
Rapids (Cooley now has its
first-ever JD/Master of Social Work program.
own facility near the center).
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