Introduction
The Sturm College of Law (“Denver Law”) of the University of Denver is one of two law schools in the state of Colorado. Founded in 1892, the Sturm College of Law is one of the first in America’s Mountain West. The college is located on the University of Denver’s main campus, about seven miles south of downtown Denver. According to Denver Law’s 2017 ABA-required disclosures, 67.9% of the Class of 2017 obtained full-time, long-term, JD-required employment nine months after graduation, excluding solo practitioners.
The University of Denver College of Law opened in 1892. A separate college, the Westminster Law School was founded in 1912 and merged with the University of Denver College of Law in 1957. It provided the only evening program west of Kansas City. One term of the merger required the development of an evening program at the College of Law. In addition, the law library was named the Westminster Law Library.
Campus
Since the fall of 2003, the Sturm College of Law has resided in the Frank H. Ricketson Jr. Law Building located on the University Park campus near the Ritchie Center. The new facility is distinguished as the nation’s first certified “green” law building, having been awarded the Gold Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification by the U.S. Green Building Council.
Academics
JD Certificate Programs
Students pursuing a JD at Denver Law are eligible to enrol in one of our specialized certificate programs.
• Workplace Law
• Intellectual Property Law
• International Legal Studies
• Corporate and Commercial Law
• Constitutional Rights and Remedies
• Environmental and Natural Resources Law
LLM Degrees
• Tax LLM
• American Law Practice LLM
• Roche International Business Transactions LLM
• Environmental & Natural Resources Law & Policy
Master’s Degrees
• Master of Taxation
• Master of Legal Studies
• Master of Science in Legal Administration
• Master of Legal Studies in Environmental & Natural Resources Law & Policy
Fee
Tuition for the 2014-15 academic year is $42,120 for full-time students and $30,888 for part-time students. The total cost of attendance including tuition, fees and living expenses is $60,951 for full-time students and $49,687 for part-time students. Law School Transparency calculates that the total debt-financed full cost of attendance for students in the Class of 2016, who do not receive tuition discounts (scholarships), to be $208,407. Law School Transparency projects that the monthly payment for the 10-year plan to be $2,477.
For full-time students in the class of 2016, Law School Transparency estimates that the total debt-financed cost of attendance for students who do not receive any scholarships is $208,407. This cost includes the cost of tuition, fees, and living expenses for 3 years, and the cost of student loan interest accrued over this time. In the 2013-14 academic year, 46% of students received scholarships and the average scholarship award was $21,000. Average indebtedness for 2013 graduates who borrowed at least 1 loan was $130,981.
Student Life
It is our mission to encourage student success by enriching the student experience outside the classroom, providing opportunities for engagement and leadership development, and supporting the growth of the whole student. Whether it’s serving as a liaison between students, faculty, and other administrators, coordinating student activities, assisting Student Organizations with events, or connecting our first-year students to our seasoned second- and third-year students through our Peer Mentoring Program, the Office of Student Affairs aims to create a supportive student experience. We also offer counselling, on both academic and personal matters, ranging from course selection, Bar application support, health challenges that may arise as you pursue your legal education, and support during family emergencies.
Additionally, we work with DU’s Disability Services Program to coordinate accommodations for students, with the Equal Opportunity & Title IX Office with issues of sexual harassment, discrimination, and other forms of misconduct, and with the office of Student Outreach and Support to help students meet their goals and navigate challenging situations.
The Office of Student Affairs is also responsible for:
• Orientation
• Student Lockers
• Graduation & Bar Week
• Student Awards Ceremony
• Advising and supporting the Student Bar Association
