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Lincoln Memorial Gets Full Accreditation

By William Vogeler, Esq. on March 04, 2019 | Last updated on March 21, 2019

Lincoln Memorial University's law school has won full accreditation from the American Bar Association.

It's cause for celebration at the Duncan School of Law, which has fought for 10 years to achieve full accreditation. The Knoxville-based law school had previously been provisionally accredited by the ABA.

At a time when other law schools across the country have lost accreditation or worse, it's the best of times for students at Duncan School of Law. Now they just have to graduate and pass the bar.

In Full Compliance

Dean Jude Gary Wade, a former justice of the Tennessee Supreme Court, said the law school is in full compliance with ABA standards for law schools.

"This is a day of celebration for Lincoln Memorial University and especially for the Duncan School of Law," he said. "Over the last ten years, our school has managed to hit a few potholes along the path to full approval by the American Bar Association, so success is all the sweeter."

The law school hit a big pothole last year, when the ABA said it was "significantly out of compliance" with admission standards. At the time, Wade said it had to do with attrition and academic credentials of incoming students.

Since achieving provisional status in 2014, the law school had five years to complete the process for full accreditation. During that time, the law school has more than doubled its student population and the university has purchased property for future growth.

Future Growth

It has not been the best of times at other law schools. Many have seen steep declines in enrollments, leading to financial problems and other failures.

U.S. News & World Report, known for ranking accredited law schools, pointed out some red flags for law school applicants. They should:

  • Beware of unaccredited law schools
  • Watch for declining admission standards
  • Do a cost-benefit analysis

Duncan School of Law has risen above all that. Now it can focus on getting ranked.

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