CUNY School of Law

What is the history of CUNY School of Law?

CUNY School of Law opened in 1983 as a public law school with an explicit focus on preparing lawyers for public service. It is a graduate and professional school of the City University of New York, not an undergraduate college.

The school began on the Queens College campus in Flushing and moved to its current Long Island City location in 2012. That move placed its classrooms and legal clinics closer to courts, government offices, nonprofit organizations and employers across New York City. Its emphasis on practical legal education and access to the profession remains central to its identity.

What are the faculties and departments at CUNY School of Law?

CUNY School of Law specializes in legal education rather than offering a collection of undergraduate colleges or majors. Its principal credential is the Juris Doctor (J.D.), the professional degree typically pursued by people seeking admission to a U.S. bar. The school also offers an LL.M. program for applicants who already have a law degree.

J.D. students study foundational subjects such as constitutional law, contracts, criminal law and legal writing before pursuing more advanced courses and supervised practice. Clinical education is a defining part of the curriculum: students can work on legal matters under faculty supervision through the school's clinics and related programs. Applicants should compare current clinic offerings, scheduling and eligibility with their interests, since placement in a particular practice area should not be assumed.

Prospective students choosing between the full-time and part-time J.D. paths should examine each program's course sequence and daytime practice requirements. A part-time class schedule does not necessarily mean every clinic or professional opportunity takes place in the evening.

What is the location of CUNY School of Law?

CUNY School of Law is at 2 Court Square in Long Island City, Queens, New York. It occupies an urban, transit-oriented building rather than a traditional residential campus.

The Court Square subway complex provides access to several lines, making commuting from other parts of Queens, Manhattan, Brooklyn and beyond practical for many students. Travel time and reliability will still depend on where a student lives and when classes or clinics meet. The location also makes it possible to reach courts, public agencies and legal-service organizations throughout the city without treating those organizations as part of the campus.

What is the mission and vision of CUNY School of Law?

CUNY School of Law states that its mission is to train lawyers to serve human needs and advance justice. Its educational approach emphasizes public-interest law, experiential learning and a legal profession accessible to people from varied backgrounds.

Those are the school's stated priorities, not a prediction of any graduate's career. Applicants can assess how the mission translates into their own education by reviewing required clinical work, available practice areas, faculty expertise and employment outcomes. Someone seeking a particular type of legal job should evaluate that evidence separately from the mission statement.