2017-2018 Trinity Law School Viewbook

MAKE J U S T IC E YOUR M IS SI ON

2017– 2018

“The Lord has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to comfort the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom to the captives, and release to the prisoners...”

-ISAIAH 61:1

On the Cover: Devon Anderson ‘16

ABOUT TLS

PROGRAMS

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

TUITION & AID

CONTACT

“I have rediscovered myself and my calling at Trinity.

Trinity is the major vehicle that God is using to prepare me for the next season of my life. I am not the same woman I was when I sat in New Student Orientation.”

SHELLEY HENDERSON ’17 A.A., Santa Monica College

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YOUR JOURNEY STARTS HERE ABO UT T LS Trinity Law School is a Christian law school offering a unique educational foundation from a biblical perspective. Your professors strive to challenge you and arm you with the knowledge to pursue a meaningful life of service.

Trinity International University consists of four schools: Trinity College, Trinity Graduate School, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, and Trinity Law School. Together, the schools have over 200 faculty, over 2,600 students, and more than 24,000 alumni around the world.

Whether your journey leads you to become an attorney, teacher, business leader, or a missionary, Trinity Law School is where you not only learn the law, but also engage in practical opportunities to put your passion to work. We invite you to visit our campus to see for yourself how a degree from Trinity can get you where you want to be.

ABOUT TLS

PROGRAMS

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

TUITION & AID

CONTACT

LIV IN G O UR M ISSIO N Trinity Law School seeks to prepare students to flourish as professionals dedicated to advocating for justice, serving the Church, and pursuing the truth throughout the world for Christ.

To help you fulfill your mission, we offer students a number of tools.

Academic Success - Unprecedented bar preparation tools through On Course - Intensive academic support and one-onone advising - 15:1 student to faculty ratio to help you connect with your professors

Student Organizations - Student Bar Association - Christian Legal Society

- Opportunities to serve the community through Trinity’s six legal clinics

- Black Law Students Association

- Moot Court

- Delta Theta Phi International Law Fraternity

- Trinity Law Review

- The Federalist Society - Specific interest groups, such as the Criminal Law Association, Womens Legal Society, and others.

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Professional Development

Spiritual Life - As a Christian law school, Trinity opens classes with a prayer or short devotional, holds voluntary Bible studies, and makes biblical truth a part of the academic curriculum.

- As a student, you will enroll in a number of required courses that allow you to learn and discuss how biblical principles guide and affect the development of the law. Trinity also offers special lectures by visiting Christian scholars, professionals, and pastors.

- You will find a caring and nurturing atmosphere where students and faculty members pray together and encourage one another in faith and good works.

Trinity was named one of the top five Best Law Schools for the Devout by preLaw Magazine in 2014, 2016, and 2017.

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ABOUT TLS

PROGRAMS

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

TUITION & AID

CONTACT

“Trinity has helped me erase the doubts that I had about going to law school and allowed me to realize that I can compete and earn my place in the field of law.”

McKENZIE AUSTIN ’17 B.A., Hope International University

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ACCREDITATION

ACCOMMODATIONS

ACCREDITATION // Trinity Law School is accredited by the

ADMISSION TO PRACTICE LAW IN CALIFORNIA //

OUT-OF-STATE STUDENTS // If you are coming to Trinity

Committee of Bar Examiners of The State Bar of California. Trinity

Accredited by the Committee of Bar Examiners of The State Bar

Law School from another state, you should secure suitable housing

Law School is a school of Trinity International University, which is

of California, the law program fulfills the requirements pertaining

and transportation to ensure that these issues do not become an

accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central

to admission to the practice of law in the state of California.

impediment to academic success. Trinity does not provide on-campus

Association of Colleges and Schools. Trinity Law School’s degree-

Graduates are qualified to take the California Bar Examination.

housing. However, there are several apartment complexes located near

granting authority is in connection with its students qualifying to take the California Bar Examination and obtain admission to the practice of law in California is based on accreditation by the Committee of Bar Examiners of The State Bar of California.

ADMISSION TO PRACTICE LAW OUTSIDE OF CALIFORNIA // Applicants intending to practice law in states other than California are encouraged to investigate the educational requirements, as well as the rules and regulations,

Except as provided in rule 4.30 of the Admissions Rules (legal education in a foreign state or country), completion of a professional law degree program at this law school other than for the Juris Doctor degree does not qualify a student to take the California Bar Examination or satisfy the requirements for admission to practice law in California. It may not qualify a student to take the bar examination or to satisfy requirements

governing admission to practice in those jurisdictions. Study at, or graduation from, this law school may not qualify a student to take the bar examination or be admitted to practice law in

contact the admitting authority in the jurisdictions where the

seek admission to practice law outside of California should contact the admitting authority in that jurisdiction for information regarding its education and admission requirements.

requiring special arrangements will be accommodated upon petition, with supporting documentation of the disability and upon approval of the Registrar. Special accommodations will be carefully tailored to meet your documented need(s) in accordance with the Trinity Law School disability policy.

ACADEMIC CATALOG // Academic policies and standards, in addition to those in this viewbook, are contained in the catalog, which is issued to each student at the beginning of every academic year. In case of any conflict, the standards contained in the catalog are controlling.

Trinity Law School’s bar results can be found at http://admissions.calbar.ca.gov/examinations/statistics.aspx.

student intends to qualify to sit for the bar examination or to be admitted to practice for information regarding their legal

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES // Students with disabilities

jurisdictions other than California. A student who intends to

for admission to the practice of law in any other jurisdiction.

A student intending to seek admission to practice law should

campus offering a range of rental rates, leasing, and amenities options.

Students are responsible for knowing and complying with the policies and standards for the law school as well as the California State Bar’s rules regulating admission to practice law in California. The academic catalog

For additional information, visit www.tls.edu.

can be found at tls.edu/catalog.

education requirements.

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ABOUT TLS

PROGRAMS

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

TUITION & AID

CONTACT

PROGRAMS JURIS DOCTOR (JD) DEG REE 90-unit program offered on our campus in Southern California Start in fall or spring semesters

30-unit program offered exclusively online

Class schedules that fit your schedule

7-week classes, taken one at a time

- All classes are held in person at our campus in Southern California during the day, in the evening, on the weekends, and online (select courses).

Unprecedented Bar Support - From your first day all the way to graduation day, On Course, Trinity’s exclusive bar preparation program, enhances your coursework. It is a hybrid of personalized

6 start dates per year Enhance your degree with one of these optional emphases: - Human Rights

academic support, fundamental skills reinforcement, counsel, motivation, and bar

- Bioethics

exam prep through our partnerships with companies such as BarBri, Fleming’s

- Human Resources Management

Fundamentals of Law, Kaplan, and PMBR. For the committed legal scholar, On

- Church and Ministry Management

Course is a consistent, reliable companion that will guide you toward your ultimate goal of becoming a practicing attorney.

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MASTER OF LEGAL STUDIES (MLS) DEGREE

- Non-Profit Organizations

“God calls us to be good examples and a light to others by being well trained, ethical, and hard workers at all times.

The Holy Spirit gives me what I need to be the light, but Trinity gave me what I need to be the example.”

JUAN SALAS ’15 B.A., California State University, Fullerton

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PROGRAMS

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

TUITION & AID

CONTACT

“Strasbourg was an amazing opportunity. It opened my eyes to what the world has to offer.

The Strasbourg program that Trinity offers not only allows you to study international human rights, but also allows you to really get a feel for the European judicial system. While in Strasbourg, we visited the International Human Rights Court, European Parliament, and the European Council.

The most meaningful part, aside from the learning aspect, was bonding with classmates as well as having the professors there with you.”

CHRISTOPHER BORZIN ’14 B.A., California State University, Northridge

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I NT ER N AT IO N A L E XPER I EN C E S With Trinity’s focus on international human rights you gain the opportunity to view law from a global context.

THE CENTE R F O R HU M A N RIG HTS // The Center for Human Rights provides research and educational opportunities for integrating biblical principles and international human rights laws. The Center provides a forum for students and faculty to explore the nature of God and man, as well as the rights, duties, and obligations that flow from that relationship. The Center supports the human rights courses taught at Trinity Law School, funds research fellowships, and organizes and promotes international and domestic human rights programs.

EUROPE – Summer Human Rights Program // Offered each July in Strasbourg,

AF R I C A – Summer Study Abroad Program // Through Regent University School of Law,

France, Trinity Law School’s exclusive Summer Human Rights Program is an

Trinity students are able to participate in a month-long summer course in Mukono, Uganda

advanced course in international and comparative human rights law that is

on the topic of international human rights and the rule of law. In Uganda, human rights are

taught by leading academics and practitioners from around the world. As a

constantly in turmoil and corruption is fought daily. This program is designed for students

participant, you will examine contemporary human rights issues from a Christian

who seek to do global justice through an informed relationship with the people and legal

perspective, while exploring many sites that contribute to the modern view of

challenges of East Africa.

European human rights.

ASIA – International Law and Development Program // Offered each winter, this two-week excursion through Cambodia, Myanmar, and Thailand allows you to study international law and economic development in a time of government evolution. You also have the opportunity to intern with Cambodian NGOs during the summer, where you will provide hands-on assistance to organizations that fight human trafficking and educate citizens on their legal rights.

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PROGRAMS

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

TUITION & AID

CONTACT

ADMISSION REQUIREMEN TS JD REQUIREMENTS // All applicants must satisfy the California State Bar’s pre-legal education

JD APPLICATION CHECKLIST

requirements prior to starting law school.

1. Online application

Those who have 60 or more transferable

2. LSAT score* (optional)

college units or an AA/AS degree or

3. Transcripts from all colleges and

higher satisfy the pre-legal requirement.

universities attended 4. Two letters of recommendation

If you do not have 60 transferable college units, you may also satisfy the pre-legal education requirement by taking a specific series of College Level Examination Program (CLEP) exams in accordance with the California State Bar policy. However,

5. Personal statement 6. Additional addenda (if requested by Admissions)

you will be required to pass the First Year Law Students Exam following the end of your first year of law school.

International students and students who wish to transfer from another law school are encouraged to contact Admissions for specific requirements.

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* Applicants who have not taken the LSAT, or who do not meet the score requirements for the regular program will be considered for the Flex Track program. Please contact the Admissions office or visit tls.edu/flex-track to learn more.

MLS REQUIREMENTS //

All applicants are required

to have a bachelor’s degree or higher from a qualified college or university with a cumulative GPA of no less than 2.5, in addition to two letters of recommendation. Entrance exams such as the GRE and LSAT are not required for admission.

MLS APPLICATION CHECKLIST

1. Online application 2. Transcripts from colleges or institutions where degrees were earned 3 . Two letters of recommendation

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ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

TUITION & AID

CONTACT

TUITION AND AID TUITION & FEES

SCHOLARSHIPS

JURIS DOCTOR (JD)

JD PROGRAM

Tuition is charged at $950 per unit.

Applicants who meet the admission requirements to the regular JD program are automatically considered for merit and

FULL-TIME TUITION + FEES // $29,000 per year. Calculated at 30 units/year.

PART-TIME TUITION + FEES // $23,550 per year. Calculated at 24 units/year.

FLEX TRACK TUITION + FEES // $18,700 (first year only). Calculated at 18 units/year.

non-merit based scholarships based on the information provided throughout the admissions process. Most scholarships are renewable as long as specific academic requirements are maintained each semester. Contact Admissions at 714.796.7100 to learn more about specific scholarship requirements.

MERIT SCHOLARSHIPS are based primarily on your LSAT score (146+) and academic background. Awards vary from $2,000 to full-tuition with the possibility of stipend.

MASTER OF LEGAL STUDIES (MLS) Tuition is charged at $750 per unit.

must be a member of NACCAP to qualify), are members of an EFCA church, who are coming to law school with only an AA/AS degree, or who have a history of public service.

TUITION + FEES PER CLASS // $2,250 TOTAL PROGRAM COST (TUITION + FEES) // $22,975

NON-MERIT SCHOLARSHIPS are offered for those who have graduated from a Christian college (institution

The MEPHIBOSHETH SCHOLARSHIP provides special assistance for individuals who have a physical or sensory impairment that is likely to continue indefinitely.

LOANS Federal financial aid is available through the Direct Unsubsidized Loan and the Direct PLUS Loan for Graduates. The average financial aid package covers the cost of tuition, fees, and some living expenses.

Contact the admissions office for more information about financial aid and the application process.

Trinity participates in the YELLOW RIBBON PROGRAM, a provision of the Post-9/11 Veterans Education Assistance Act of 2008, which allows us to offer additional financial assistance and a special scholarship to Post-9/11 veterans.

If your church donates funds toward your education, Trinity will match the donations each academic year through the CHURCH MATCH SCHOLARSHIP (up to $1,000).

MLS PROGRAM The LEGAL ADVANTAGE SCHOLARSHIP is awarded to Master of Legal Studies students who demonstrate a deep understanding of the advantages that an MLS can provide in their respective fields. The total awarded for this scholarship is up to $4,500 over the course of the entire degree program, and the scholarship is renewable as long as specific

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academic criteria are met each semester. Please contact the MLS admissions office at 800.257.1486 to learn more.

“Without financial aid, I would have needed to enroll in a part-time program and extend my education by one year.

Financial aid has conveniently and adequately allowed me to place my education ahead of financial worries.”

BRETT STERNAD ’16 B.A., University of California, Los Angeles

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TUITION & AID

CONTACT

“The roots of law are more perfectly presented in the Word of God than in any other book.”

-J. BUDZISZEWSKI

CONTACT Trinity Law School

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2200 North Grand Avenue 57

Santa Ana, CA 92705

tls.edu

55

22 22

TrinityLawSchool

E Fairhaven Ave

GENERAL INQUIRIES AND JD PROGRAM INFORMATION:

800.922.4748

d Av e

E Santa Clara Ave

n N Gra

5

Lincoln Ave

@TrinityLawCA

E Santa Clara Ave

TRINITY E 17th St

MLS PROGRAM INFORMATION: 800.257.1486 FINANCIAL AID:

714.796.7121 55

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Photos: Crystal Worley Photography, Joseph Young, Ian Wiant and Joseph Jyoo.

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CONTACT

M A K E Y O UR MARK