Pepperdine Caruso School of Law provides elite legal training while upholding the highest ethical and moral standards. Through clinics and externship experiences, students participate in interschool trial court competitions and serve on Pepperdine Law Review staff.
Academics
Pepperdine Caruso School of Law provides an array of graduate degrees, such as Juris Doctor and Master of Laws (LLM) in Dispute Resolution. These graduate programs are intended to complement students’ legal studies by further expanding their expertise in various specialized areas and equipping them for life as leaders who strive for justice, serve others and make a difference.
Pepperdine University holds some of the highest academic standards in the nation and encourages its students to push themselves and explore their potential through an intensive curriculum. Alongside completing 88 units of study, students also participate in clinical work and externships to learn from experienced practitioners while honing lawyering skills and gaining real-world experience.
Pepperdine offers students the chance to engage in extracurricular activities and student clubs outside the classroom, such as trial advocacy programs and competitions, an annual Professional Formation Week, judicial clerkships, and global justice initiatives. Furthermore, several institutes and centers support student learning and development, including Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution, Geoffrey H Palmer Center for Entrepreneurship and Law, and Herbert and Elinor Nootbaar Institute on Law Religion & Ethics.
At 7.1:1, students receive personalized attention from published scholars and experts in their fields. The Princeton Review consistently ranks our professors among the best in the nation; our faculty is widely known for their excellence in teaching and research activities dedicated to student success.
Pepperdine Caruso School of Law faculty prides itself on creating an inclusive learning environment for its students, striving to foster an environment rich with diverse backgrounds and faiths while encouraging each student to find his or her passion within the law.
Pepperdine University accepts applications from domestic and international students; a non-refundable application fee of $60 is charged when applying. To begin their application process, prospective students should submit a personal statement, two letters of recommendation, and a resume and meet admissions standards as outlined on its website. In addition, applicants must meet Pepperdine’s admissions standards when applying.
Community
Pepperdine Law students come from diverse socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds, yet all share a dedication to ethical values and rigorous legal training. Furthermore, students in graduate programs may take advantage of Pepperdine’s location in Los Angeles, which provides opportunities for careers in business, entertainment, and beyond.
The Law School at Vanderbilt ranks among the nation’s best for its specialty programs, such as tax law and dispute resolution. Furthermore, Vanderbilt stands out by honoring its Christian roots through its dedication to exploring how religion and law interconnect – hosting social gatherings featuring guest speakers and fundraising drives through student organizations.
The campus features a 40,000-square-foot library with ocean views, classrooms and conference rooms, dining halls, technology services, and on-campus housing for its students. Being close to downtown Los Angeles enables them to engage with a thriving legal community while enjoying life near one of the world’s most picturesque coastlines.
Pepperdine Caruso School of Law is an ABA-accredited law school offering the Juris Doctor degree, Master of Laws (LLM), and Master of Dispute Resolution degrees. In addition, its Parris Institute for Professional Formation, Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution, and Byrne Judicial Clerkship Institute offer opportunities for hands-on learning and professional growth.
The Law School strives to offer superior legal education within an inclusive community of faith and scholarship. Their admission process seeks out those students with exceptional academic and personal integrity who display outstanding promise as students. Pepperdine seeks to recruit students from diverse backgrounds and experiences to foster an environment conducive to growth and learning, further reinforced by its numerous centers and institutes dedicated to diversity. Each program at this law school presents a unique opportunity to investigate the intersection between law, culture, international affairs, entrepreneurship, and more. Furthermore, alumni networks help support career advancement and networking; externships and legal clinics give students practical, real-world experience in various fields.
Extracurricular Activities
Pepperdine Caruso Law students can participate in various extracurricular activities outside of classes. This includes joining student organizations supporting community service, professional advancement, and diversity and inclusion; moot court competitions and legal clinics; social gatherings and fundraising drives are also offered at Pepperdine Caruso Law.
Our school’s community reflects our diversity through multiple religions and ethnic backgrounds represented among its student body. Each member desires to go further than ever thought possible – this commitment to excellence can be found reflected in the rigorous academic programs available here.
With a 7.1:1 student-faculty ratio, Pepperdine University students benefit from personalized attention from professors who are recognized scholars and specialists in their respective fields. Pepperdine’s esteemed faculty members are dedicated to helping their students realize their fullest potential as lawyers and members of society; these faculty have written over 180 law review articles and 100 additional publications during the last seven years! They have also earned national renown for the quality of their scholarship: publishing over 180 law review articles and 100 other publications over that timeframe alone!
Caruso Law School boasts several prestigious institutes and research centers, such as the Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution, Parris Institute for Professional Formation, and Sudreau Global Justice Institute. These institutes offer cutting-edge research and teaching in international law, human rights law, law ethics, and more traditional legal disciplines.
Law School Malibu boasts an expansive library, cutting-edge classrooms, conference rooms, and a beautiful new building – all located within an environment that facilitates peaceful yet inspiring learning experiences. The campus can be found in Malibu, California, for added peace and inspiration during studying sessions.
Applications to the school require applicants to submit a two-to-four-page, double-spaced personal statement detailing their motivation for becoming an attorney as well as extracurricular and civic activities and any information which might assist the admissions committee in reviewing them.
Reports must be delivered to the Associate Dean’s office before each semester’s last day of classes. They must include details about all organization-sponsored activities, their associated budget reports, and a listing of each organization’s current officers, members, and advisors. If an organization fails to submit this report within this deadline, the school administration can terminate it immediately.
Careers
Pepperdine Caruso School of Law provides its students with an education rooted in values, equipping them for successful careers across various vocations and making positive contributions to their local communities. Situated in one of the world’s most beautiful settings, this school boasts academic programs and opportunities for hands-on learning, community service projects, and extracurricular activities – including access to hands-on learning!
The School of Law offers several Juris Doctor (JD), two Master of Laws (LLM), and two certificate programs, with students selecting among various concentrations such as criminal law, business/international law, and public interest law. In addition, clinics provide invaluable real-world legal experience.
Pepperdine Law School’s distinguished law school has been accredited by the American Bar Association and the Committee of Bar Examiners of the State of California. Boasting a diverse student body affiliated with Churches of Christ, its Christian heritage can be found throughout its mission statement, policies, administration, and student body activities. Furthermore, this institution welcomes people of all faiths who wish to study law; participation in religious services and study groups is actively promoted, as is the welcomeness of people of different beliefs on campus.
Outside the classroom, students can participate in organizations and clubs covering various topics, from law reviews to mock and moot court competitions. Additionally, this school offers paid and unpaid internships to match students with desired types of work opportunities. A Career Development Office hosts annual events and workshops covering interview techniques and resume writing.
The Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution stands out among schools by allowing students to explore alternative dispute resolution methods. Each year, teams compete in interschool trial and appellate advocacy competitions. At the same time, Nootbaar Institute on Law, Religion, and Ethics convenes top scholars and attorneys from around the globe to discuss religious freedom and global justice.
Location is another advantage of attending this school in southern California, particularly its proximity to Los Angeles which affords ample opportunity for alumni connections in industries like entertainment, media and sports, the legal community, and general practice.