Glendale University College of Law

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Accredited Law School GUCL

Accreditation FAQs | ABA v. CBA

Q.  Are graduates of CBA (California Bar Accredited) law schools limited to practicing law in California?

The majority of applicants to CBA law schools anticipate practicing law in California. Upon graduation from a CBA law school, those graduates are eligible to sit only for the California Bar Exam.

As soon as a CBA graduate becomes a member of the California State Bar, they are immediately eligible to become a member of the Federal Bar which permits access to the U.S. District Courts, U.S. Courts of Appeal, and the U.S. Supreme Court.

CBA graduates who become members of the California State Bar may become eligible to sit for the bar exam in about a third of the other states after having been a practicing attorney in good standing, typically for 3-5 years.

Please note the following:

Study at, or graduation from, this law school may not qualify a student to take the bar examination or be admitted to practice law in jurisdictions other than California. A student who intends to seek admission to practice law outside of California should contact the admitting authority in that jurisdiction for information regarding its education and admission requirements.

Q.  Do ABA and CBA graduates take the same bar exam in California?

The State Bar of California administers the same exam to all qualifying individuals. 

Q.  Are ABA graduates eligible for a “universal” bar exam or license?

Although ABA graduates do not have a waiting period and can take any state bar exam, they are still required to take and pass the bar exam in every state in which they wish to practice law at the state court level.

Q.  As attorneys, do CBA graduates have fewer privileges than  ABA graduates?

Graduates from CBA and ABA law schools who become members of the California State Bar have exactly the same rights, privileges, and responsibilities relating to the practice of law in California.

Q.  Does Glendale plan on seeking ABA accreditation?

No.  State Bar accreditation standards are rigorous while, to the benefit of students, they also permit Glendale to maintain a meaningful level of institutional autonomy, accessibility, and affordability.

Q.  Are credits from Glendale transferable to an ABA law school?

Only an ABA law school can answer this question, however, transfers rarely occur between any law schools.  Stability is so critical to law school success that transferring is not recommended. 

Q.  How do Glendale’s graduates perform on the California Bar Exam?

Academically successful students have an 80% chance of passing the bar the first time.

There is a direct correlation between academic performance in law school and a student’s statistical likelihood of passing the Bar.  At Glendale, the minimum cumulative gpa required to earn a JD is 70. A student graduating at the top of his or her GUCL class typically has a cumulative GPA of 75-76. Students considered academically successful for purposes of an 80% first-time pass rate typically graduate with a cumulative gpa of 74 or higher.

Bar pass rates for all ABA, CBA and Non-Accredited law schools in California are available at www.calbar.ca.gov.

Q. What are employment prospects with a JD from a State Bar Accredited law school?

Since the 1970’s, over 20,000 men and women have earned Juris Doctor degrees from State Bar Accredited law schools. Graduates have distinguished themselves as judges, court commissioners, government attorneys, legal aid lawyers, partners in firms of all sizes, and solo practitioners. Graduates have also used their legal education to enter or enrich their careers in other fields including banking, law enforcement, real estate, health care, education and public service.