Accreditation FAQs | CBE vs. ABA
Misconceptions are common about the differences between CBE and ABA law schools, especially when it comes to bar exam eligibility. We hope you find the following information to be clarifying.
Q. Are graduates of CBE law schools limited to practicing law in California?
While the majority of applicants to CBE law schools anticipate practicing law in California, members of the California Bar who graduate from CBE law schools and practice law in California, typically for three to five years, are eligible to take the state bar exam in about a third of the other states.
As soon as a CBE 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.
If a prospective student intends to seek admission to practice law outside of California at the State Court level, the student should contact the admitting authority in that state for information regarding the legal education requirements for admission to practice law in that state. State Bar websites are an excellent resource for this information.
Q. Do CBE and ABA 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 CBE graduates have fewer privileges than ABA graduates?
Graduates from CBE 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. Students considered academically successful for purposes of the 80% first-time pass rate typically graduate with a cumulative gpa of 74 or higher.
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