If you’re a music fan, going to one of the two law schools in Mississippi comes with A LOT of perks! You can visit Dockery Farms, an old plantation in the Delta region where many believe the blues began. Or follow in the steps of legendary Mississippi bluesmen like Muddy Waters, Robert Johnson, Howlin’ Wolf, and B.B. King as they traveled across the state, spreading their own iconic brands of blues music. If rock and roll is more your style, you can visit the birthplace of Elvis Presley! The King was born in Tupelo.
The following review has key information about both law schools in Mississippi, including what they’re looking for in an applicant. The schools are ranked based on data obtained from U.S. News and World Report.
Law Schools in Mississippi
1. University of Mississippi School of Law
U.S. News & World Report Ranking: #124
Tuition: $19,797 (in-state) $26,797 (out-of-state)
Median Undergrad GPA of Program Entrants: 3.68
Median LSAT Score of Program Entrants: 157
Acceptance Rate: 42%
First-Time Bar Passage Rate: 73.2%
Coming in at #1 on our list of law schools in Mississippi is the University of Mississippi School of Law (affectionately known as Ole Miss). The university is located in Oxford, a charming college town about 180 miles north of Jackson. The school’s campus—dotted with groves of bigleaf magnolias— is widely considered one of the most beautiful in the U.S.
According to U.S. News & World Report, the University of Mississippi School of Law comes in at:
- #23 in Law Schools With the Most Graduates in Federal Clerkships
- #92 in Contracts/Commercial Law
- #101 in Business/Corporate Law
- #108 in Constitutional Law
- #109 in Criminal Law
Curriculum
Ole Miss focuses on creating an inclusive environment that encourages collaborative learning outside of the classroom. The school pushes its students to learn the law by interacting with each other, the faculty, and the wider community.
The Juris Doctor Program gives first-year students a solid foundation in the essentials of law. Required classes include Torts, Contracts, Constitutional Law, Criminal Law, and Civil Procedure. Students also take a full year of legal research and writing, which teaches them how to write appellate briefs and engage in oral argument.
Dual Degrees
Students at the Mississippi School of Law can earn the following dual degree combinations:
- J.D./Master of Taxation
- J.D./Master of Business Administration
- J.D./Master of Accountancy
- J.D./Master of Higher Education/Student Personnel
Concentrations
Ole Miss has degree concentrations in:
- Air and Space Law
- Business Law
- Criminal Law
- Environmental and Natural Resources Law
- Sports and Entertainment Law
Clinics
The University of Mississippi School of Law has a number of clinics students can enroll in to get real-world experience while working under the direction of a faculty supervisor.
Clinics at the school include (the):
Child and Family Advocacy Clinic
Students enrolled in this clinic learn the litigation skills they’ll need to represent parents and children in juvenile and domestic matters.
George C. Cochran Innocence Project
In this clinic, students represent Mississippi state prisoners that have strong claims to being wrongfully convicted.
Housing Clinic
Students participating in this clinic help people dealing with eviction, foreclosure, illegal lockouts, and predatory lending practices.
MacArthur Justice Clinic
Mississippi law students enrolled in the MacArthur Justice Clinic assist clients dealing with police misconduct, unlawful bail, and illegal fine collection practices.
Transactional Clinic
Students in this clinic help low-income business people and non-profit organizations access capital, promote economic development, and create jobs.
Pro Bono Initiative
In this clinic, students team up with attorneys to interview and assist pro se litigants. They can also educate the public on legal issues and work on public policy initiatives.
Student Organizations
There are over thirty student organizations you can join to network and meet like-minded people while you’re in law school!
These include (the):
- Air and Space Law Society
- American Constitution Society for Law and Policy
- Animal Legal Defense Fund
- Business Law Network
- Entertainment and Sports Law Society
- Interprofessional Education Board
- The Magnolia Defenders
- Moot Court Board
- Student Health Law Association
- Young Lawyers Division of the Mississippi Bar Association —Ole Miss Law Chapter
Summary
The median undergrad GPA of program entrants last year was 3.68, so the University of Mississippi School of Law is hard to get into. That said, the median LSAT score of program entrants was 157, so keep this school in mind if you have a high GPA but didn’t do quite as well on the LSAT. The school also has low tuition ($19,797 in-state, $26,797 out-of-state) and is a great choice if you want to land a federal clerkship after graduation.
2. Mississippi College School of Law
U.S. News & World Report Ranking: #161
Tuition: $39,642 (in-state & out-of-state)
Median Undergrad GPA of Program Entrants: 3.37
Median LSAT Score of Program Entrants: 152
Acceptance Rate: 59.8%
First-Time Bar Passage Rate: 63.4%
Located in Jackson, the Mississippi College School of Law is a private Christian college. Although a small university, its strong core values and commitment to molding well-rounded law graduates make it an attractive option for law school applicants. Its location in the state capital allows students to meet, work with, and learn from some of the top legal minds in Mississippi.
According to U.S. News and World Report, the Mississippi College School of Law comes in at:
- #30 in Law Schools With the Most Graduates in Federal Clerkships
- #115 in Health Care Law
- #121 in Trial Advocacy
- #141 in Business/Corporate Law
- #146 in Intellectual Property Law
Curriculum
In the fall semester of their first year, Mississippi College of Law students take Civil Procedure I, Criminal Law, Legal Analysis and Communication I, Torts, and Contracts I. In the spring, they take Civil Procedure II, Property, Constitutional Law, Contracts II, and Legal Analysis and Communication II.
The Executive J.D. Program is designed for working professionals who want to earn a law degree at a pace that works given their current commitments. This program is ideal for business people, real estate professionals, educators, healthcare workers, and others who want to earn a J.D. but maintain their current employment while they’re in law school.
Mississippi College also has an accelerated two-year J.D. program that’ll allow you to start practicing a full year sooner. Only students with an undergrad GPA of at least 3.25, an LSAT score of at least 152, and who are in the top 50% of their class after their first year are eligible for this program.
Dual Degrees
Mississippi College of Law students can earn the following dual degrees:
- J.D./Master of Business Administration
- J.D./Master of Public Administration
Concentrations
Students can earn certificates in the following:
- Criminal Practice
- Business and Commercial Law
- Health Law
- Family and Juvenile Law
- International and Comparative Law
- Civil Litigation
- Civil Law Studies
- Solo and Small Law Practice
- Sports, Entertainment, and Arts Law
Clinics
The Mississippi College of Law has several clinics that will allow you to get real-world legal experience while you’re still in school.
These include (the):
Advanced Child Advocacy Clinic
In this clinic, students learn how to be a legal advocate for children and their families. They handle advanced child custody and adoption issues in chancery court.
Child Advocacy Clinic
Students in this clinic work directly in court as a Guardian ad Litem. They represent parents in adoption proceedings and defend children in Youth Court.
Mission First Legal Aid Clinic
Here, students help those in need with guardianships, custody cases, visitation rights, property disputes, landlord/tenant issues, expungements, and consumer complaints.
Veterans Legal Aid Clinic
Students enrolled in this clinic work with licensed attorneys to assist veterans and their families with a variety of legal issues, including landlord/tenant disputes, family law matters, claims in the disability system, property issues, and employment claims.
Student Organizations
The Mississippi College of Law has over twenty student organizations you can join!
These include (the):
- Agricultural Law Society
- Business Law Society
- Criminal Justice Society
- Ducks Unlimited
- Family Law Society
- Moot Court Board
- Oil and Gas Law Society
- Sports, Entertainment, & Art Law Society
- Student Bar Association
- The Legal Eye
Summary
The Mississippi College of Law is a bit easier to get into than Ole Miss, but you’ll still need a GPA around 3.37 and an LSAT score of about 152 to be a competitive applicant. The school is a good option if you’re interested in landing a federal clerkship after graduation. And keep in mind the school’s tuition ($39,642 for both in-state and out-of-state students) is low by law school standards.
How do I get accepted to one of the law schools in Mississippi?
Whether you’re applying to one of the law schools in Mississippi or another part of the country, the process is the same. The first step in the law school admissions timeline is to take the LSAT. Although there are no required LSAT scores for law school, all of them have median LSAT scores that give you a pretty good indication of how you compare to their previous incoming class.
Remember, law schools want to attract the best of the best, so make sure you give yourself the ultimate shot by getting a high LSAT score.
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