Ave Maria School of Law

What is the history of Ave Maria School of Law?

Ave Maria School of Law is a private Catholic law school founded in 1999 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Its founding purpose was to provide legal education informed by the Catholic intellectual tradition while preparing students to practice law in the United States.

The school moved to Naples, Florida, in 2009. That relocation matters to applicants: Ave Maria School of Law is a separate institution from Ave Maria University, which is also in southwest Florida. Their admissions, tuition, facilities, and academic programs should not be treated as interchangeable.

What are the faculties and departments at Ave Maria School of Law?

Ave Maria School of Law is a specialized professional school centered on the Juris Doctor, or J.D., rather than a university with multiple undergraduate colleges. J.D. students study foundational subjects such as contracts, constitutional law, criminal law, property, and legal research and writing before selecting upper-level courses.

Its academic offerings also include practice-oriented experiences such as legal clinics, externships, and advocacy activities, subject to current course availability and eligibility rules. Applicants interested in a particular field should examine the current course schedule and clinical offerings: an elective listed in a catalog may not run every term.

What is the location of Ave Maria School of Law?

Ave Maria School of Law is in Naples, Florida, in the southwest part of the state. Its location places students near courts, legal employers, and community organizations in the Naples area, while opportunities elsewhere in Florida may require travel or relocation.

Naples is generally a car-oriented setting. Applicants comparing housing options should account for commuting time, parking, and transportation costs rather than assuming that every apartment within Naples is convenient to campus. Southwest Florida International Airport, near Fort Myers, is a regional air-travel option.

What is the mission and vision of Ave Maria School of Law?

Ave Maria School of Law identifies itself as a Catholic law school. Its stated educational approach brings legal training into conversation with the Catholic intellectual tradition, including questions of ethics, human dignity, and the relationship between law and morality.

That identity can shape courses, speakers, and voluntary religious activities. It does not replace the legal subjects required for a J.D. or the professional standards applicable to an American Bar Association-approved law school. Applicants should consider both the school's religious character and the range of perspectives they want in their legal education.