Howard University School of Law 5.06

One of the oldest law programs in the country, Howard University School of Law started as the Howard University Law Department on January 6, 1869, under the leadership of Professor John Mercer Langston. In 1870, Langston was appointed dean. The department opened its two-year LL.B. degree program with six students and increased to 22 by the close of the session on June 30, 1869. The school officiallyextended its requirements for graduation from two years to three years in 1900. During this fledgling period, classes were held three nights a week in the homes and offices of instructors.

In 1931, the law school was accredited by the American Bar Association and, in the same year, was granted membership in the Association of American Law Schools. In 1974, the school purchased the Dunbarton College campus at 2900 Van Ness Street, N.W., its current location. Today, the School of Law graduates over 150 law students per year and has nearly 5,000 active alumni.