This spring, UTRGV, in collaboration with St. Mary’s University, began providing Rio Grande Valley residents with local resources and accommodations for St. Mary’s University School of Law programs.
The Rio Grande Valley Legal Education Hub is the new home for the law school program at the University Library on the Edinburg campus, according to a university news release.
The partnership involves St. Mary’s School of Law’s Doctor of Jurisprudence (J.D.), Master of Legal Studies (M.L.S.) and Master of Laws (LL.M.) online programs, according to Patricia E. Roberts, dean of St. Mary’s University School of Law and Charles E. Cantú distinguished professor of law.
Dual enrollment is not required, but students will “have to be admitted to St. Mary’s Law School first,” Roberts said.
“Students who are accepted into our online program[s] and live in the Rio Grande Valley will have access to UTRGV facilities … resources despite being St. Mary’s Law School students.”
St. Mary’s University School of Law’s J.D. program admits 275 students, with 25-30 of those being online, according to Roberts.
“It’s … competitive. We received over 2,000 applications for 275 spots,” she said.
Roberts said under the new agreement, five spots are reserved for UTRGV graduates who qualify.
“That will be the real benefit to those who apply from the Rio Grande Valley,” she said.
Luis Zayas, UTRGV special assistant to the president and professor of social work, said “We separated space … on the second floor of the library, outfitted with all the equipment needed,” and the room currently holds up to 10 students.
St. Mary’s University School of Law faculty now have the option to go in person to UTRGV facilities.
“There is … an office space for when we have faculty or staff go down to meet with prospective students or already enrolled students,” Roberts said. “A professor might choose to do one of their online classes in person at UTRGV.”
When asked about UTRGV’s plans for an official law school, Zayas replied, “It’ll be many… years before we get there.”
Zayas added that, as of right now, programs like this focus on supporting law students and legal professionals to stay and practice in the Valley.
Similarly, Roberts said, “The goal of this partnership … is to encourage [students] to remain in the Rio Grande Valley because the RGV is in need of additional attorneys.”
Mariel Rodriguez, a criminal justice sophomore, said she thinks having in-person classes for students interested in law school will be “very convenient” for students who prefer face-to-face interactions like her.
“You can have that one-on-one connection with your professor as well,” Rodriguez said.
She added that the partnership may influence her decision on possible law schools she might want to pursue.
“I personally would pick the law school that’s more convenient to me,” she said.
Roberts said that these programs are open to students of any major, and high GPA and LSAT scores are what really make a difference.
For more information about St. Mary’s University of Law programs, visit law.stmarytx.edu
