When Justin Tjaden decided a law degree could get him closer to attaining his goals, he was ready to start right away. In his home state of Colorado, he had been in the workforce since earning an undergraduate degree, and eagerly wanted to dive back into the classroom. He took his LSAT in June 2015 and began applying to law schools around the country.
But with the summer start of his application process, Tjaden would normally have to wait more than a year – until fall 2016 – to attend his first class.
It was at a law school fair in Boulder, Colo., where Tjaden met Dean Matthew Wilson of The University of Akron School of Law, who told him about a new initiative — the Spring Start Program — that was launching in January 2016.
Eager to start law career
“By starting sooner and not waiting until fall, I can enter the workforce eight months sooner and, in theory, earn a higher paying job that much sooner,” says Tjaden, now a full-time student in the Spring Start Program’s first class of 22 students who range in age from 24 to 51. They are from around the country and outside the United States.
They, like Tjaden, have the option of graduating on the traditional six-semester track (three years), or accelerating studies to finish in five semesters (2.5 years).
“That’s what stood out for me,” says Tjaden of the flexible start time. “I believe the innovative programs at Akron Law reflect the changing market. I see Akron Law adapting to those changes, and that helped it stand out from more traditional law schools. “
UA’s law school is the first in Ohio to announce a spring start program for first year law students. It is one of a few spring start programs in the region and one of a handful nationwide.
“The admissions criteria, graduation requirements and programming we provide are identical for students who commence their legal studies in January and those students who start in August,” says Wilson.
Welcome extended
Tjaden and his classmates have found the other first-year students to be helpful, getting them up to speed on how things work at Akron Law.
“It’s an atmosphere Dean Wilson creates – students learn best by teaching each other,” notes Tjaden. “So while we’ll always be competitive, we understand we’ll be better students by helping our classmates. No one feels left behind, and we haven’t perceived any disadvantages so far.”
“We are excited to offer nontraditional students and December graduates the flexibility to start their studies in the spring semester,” says Wilson. “At Akron Law, we have traditionally offered greater flexibility to students through our full-time and part-time programs. This new program furthers our commitment to meeting the needs of students seeking a law degree.”
Media contact: Lisa Craig, 330-972-7429 or lmc91@uakron.edu.
Justin Tjaden