NSU Law Ranked in Top Ten for Bar Passage Rates by ‘National Jurist’

FORT LAUDERDALE-DAVIE, Fla. – The National Jurist, a leading national magazine providing information to current and prospective law students about legal education and the legal profession, recently ranked Nova Southeastern University’s (NSU) Shepard Broad Law Center in the top ten law schools nationally for exceeding bar exam passage rates in 2009 and 2010. Listed as one of the “Best Schools for Bar Exam Preparation,” the Law Center placed 10th among 85 law schools.

“While bar exam performance may be one of many indications of a quality legal education, high bar passage rate is not the primary focus of the Law Center’s teaching and curriculum. Our ultimate mission is to ‘ensure that students develop the knowledge, skills and values that are at the heart of becoming trusted, highly adept, professional lawyers who are respected for serving their clients, their communities and justice,’” said Athornia Steele, dean of NSU’s Shepard Broad Law Center. “Our students are introduced to and gain a broad understanding of law that goes far beyond the borders of Florida or preparation for the bar exam.”

The study compared bar passage performance in relationship to the entering credentials of students. Graduates of NSU’s Law Center consistently outperform on bar passage rates among other Florida law schools.  This result is made possible by the work and commitment of many individuals at the Law Center, including the instructors in our Critical Skills Program, faculty members, individuals who participate in the Law Center’s Florida Bar Auxiliary Program as coaches for students in the critical weeks of bar preparation, the many donors who contribute to the Law Center’s bar gift fund, and the graduates who work diligently preparing for the bar exam. 

About the Shepard Broad Law Center

Located in the heart of Broward County, the Shepard Broad Law Center at Nova Southeastern University integrates a solid foundation in traditional legal subjects and a pioneering clinical program that sets it apart from other law schools. The school offers full-time day and part-time evening programs, as well as Master of Science degrees in health law, education law, and employment law. Additionally, the Shepard Broad Law Center offers a wide variety of international and comparative learning opportunities including courses, clinical opportunities, and law programs abroad. The Shepard Broad Law Center is accredited by the American Bar Association and is a member of the Association of American Law Schools. 

About Nova Southeastern University

Located in Davie, Florida, Nova Southeastern University (NSU) is a dynamic fully accredited Florida University dedicated to providing high-quality educational programs of distinction from preschool through the professional and doctoral levels. NSU has more than 28,000 students and is the eighth largest not-for-profit independent institution nationally. The University awards associate’s, bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, specialist, and first-professional degrees in a wide range of fields, including business, counseling, computer and information sciences, education, medicine, optometry, pharmacy, dentistry, various health professions, law, marine sciences, early childhood, psychology and other social sciences. Classified as a research university with “high research activity” by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, NSU was also awarded Carnegie’s Community Engagement Classification in 2010 for the University’s significant commitment to and demonstration of community engagement. For more information about NSU visit www.nova.edu.

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Media Contact:
Brandon Hensler, NSU Office of Public Affairs
954-262-5385/5170(office), 954-393-5926(cell), Brandon.Hensler@nova.edu