Samford University, Cumberland School of Law
The information on this page was provided by the law school.
Official Guide to ABA-Approved JD Programs
About Samford University's Cumberland School of Law
Samford University’s Cumberland School of Law is located in Birmingham, Alabama, on Samford's beautiful 247-acre campus and is one of the oldest law schools in the nation—established in 1847. At formation, when legal study was conducted by apprenticeship or through lectures, the law school pioneered an instructional method based on intensive trial practice. It continues to focus on teaching practical lawyering skills. Samford is the largest privately supported and fully accredited institution of higher learning in Alabama. Cumberland School of Law has been a member of the Association of American Law Schools since 1952 and has been accredited by the ABA since 1949. In the past 175 years, the law school has produced more than 13,000 accomplished alumni, including two US Supreme Court justices, several governors, a US Secretary of State (Cordell Hull, known as the Father of the United Nations), and numerous federal, state, and local judges.
The JD Program
Samford University’s Cumberland School of Law is nationally recognized for trial advocacy and quality instruction. Our curriculum trains students to practice in all areas of law, including corporate law, trial advocacy, health law, environmental law and public interest law.
There are three components to the law school that combine to create its successful academic environment:
- First, the collegial, scholarly interaction between its faculty, staff and students. The school is ranked 6th in the nation for Best Quality of Life by the Princeton Review.
- Second, the learning opportunities. Through the Academic and Bar Success Program, Career Development Office, and the Legal Research and Writing courses, first-year students have workshops and courses that teach methods and strategies for studying, for managing time, for maintaining mental health and well-being, for networking and professionalism, for critical thinking and reasoning, for formulating objective legal advice, and for developing persuasive arguments.
- Third, the location. Cumberland is situated on Samford University’s campus near downtown Birmingham, Alabama, one of the legal hubs of the Southeast. The proximity to this dynamic market offers students an environment rich with opportunities for externships and extracurricular activities.
Student Life
Career Placement and Bar Passage
Learn more about career placement at Samford University's Cumberland School of Law
Learn more about bar passage at Samford University's Cumberland School of Law
Tuition and Aid
| Expense | Cost |
|---|---|
| Tuition |
$45,426.00
|
| Fees |
$900.00
|
| Expected Cost of Attendance |
$76,608.00
|
Financial Aid: Federal financial aid, in the form of student loans, is administered through the federal government. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is used to determine eligibility for need-based federal financial aid that is administered by Samford University’s Student Financial Services
Scholarships for Entering First-Year, Full-time Students: We know law school can be expensive, so we evaluate every admitted student for scholarship. First-year students are eligible for merit-based scholarships. The scholarship committee makes selections based on the information provided in the law school application, including but not limited to cumulative undergraduate GPA and LSAT score. Upon admission, students who are selected to receive scholarship assistance are notified by email and U.S. mail. Flextime students are not eligible for scholarships during their first two semesters of study.
- Fall 2024 Scholarships:
- 99% of first-year students received merit-based scholarships
- Average merit-based award was $18,175
Scholarships for Current Students: Second- and third-year students may be eligible to receive additional endowed, need-based, merit, or leadership scholarships, made possible through the generosity of the law school’s alumni and friends. We also offer scholarships in categories such as academic, achievement, leadership, international, minority and geographic. Students will be made aware of scholarship opportunities throughout the year as they become available.
Outside Scholarship Opportunities: Outside scholarship opportunities may be available to entering students through several organizations.
Admission Decisions: Beyond the Numbers
Entering First-Year Students: Along with an applicant’s LSAT score and undergraduate GPA, the admission committee considers additional factors to measure an applicant’s potential to succeed in law school and the legal profession. Such factors include the difficulty of the undergraduate major pursued; upward trends in academic performance; the amount of time spent involved in extracurricular activities, athletics and/or employment while in undergraduate school; or any graduate studies completed. In addition, those applicants who because of their background bring to the school unique and enlightening perspectives will be recognized by the admission committee.
Transfer Students: Transfer students are accepted for the fall semester. Once a transfer student is admitted, the associate dean for academic affairs will confirm the number of law school credit hours that will transfer to Samford University’s Cumberland School of Law. In most instances, all credit hours for regular first-year law courses earned at an ABA-approved law school with a grade of C or better will transfer, up to a maximum of 40 credit hours.
Visiting Students: Visiting students are accepted for summer, fall, and spring semesters. These applicants must submit a paper application.
Admitted Applicant Profile
