News
Education
Feb. 22, 2002
Two Institutions Merge Their Law Programs
LOS ANGELES - The University of West Los Angeles' schools of law and paralegal studies and the San Fernando Valley College of Law have agreed to merge under the administration of the University of West Los Angeles.
"We're excited about it. We feel that the combination of the two schools is going to make for a much, much stronger law school," said David Wolff, chief financial officer and senior vice president for business affairs at University of West Los Angeles in Inglewood.
The university bought the San Fernando law program in Woodland Hills from its current owner, University of La Verne, Wolff said. Those involved in the deal consider it a merger that will benefit both schools.
"We're also very happy," said Richard McDowell, trustee of the San Fernando Valley College of Law and provost of University of La Verne. "Both serve the same kinds of students. The schools will complement each other nicely in terms of their geographic reach."
Each school has about 155 students. The new combined enrollment of law and paralegal students is expected to be 385.
Some professors and administrators may lose their jobs, Wolff said. He did not yet know which ones or how many.
School administrators have been discussing the merger for the past six months. Some details remain to be worked out, including the name of the San Fernando campus.
Both schools are accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and the California Bar Association. Neither is accredited by the American Bar Association, which means graduates' degrees are not honored in all states.
#337659
Amy Tatko
Daily Journal Staff Writer
For reprint rights or to order a copy of your photo:
Email
Jeremy_Ellis@dailyjournal.com
for prices.
Direct dial: 213-229-5424
Send a letter to the editor:
Email: letters@dailyjournal.com