There are five law schools in southern Florida: the University of Miami School of Law in Coral Gables, Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad Law Center, St. Thomas University School of Law in Miami Gardens, Ave Maria School of Law in Naples and Florida International University College of Law in Miami.
The University of Miami School of Law, founded in 1926, is the oldest, most prestigious and readily recognizable of the four. UM offers one of the most comprehensive programs in the nation with trial, pretrial, litigation and clinical experiences. Nova Southeastern University is the largest private university in Florida and the seventh largest in the United States. In keeping with the university's commitment to making education accessible to all, the law school offers an alternative admissions process for those who have been denied general admittance.
For students seeking an international approach to their legal education, Florida International University might be an ideal choice. FIU's law curriculum places emphasis on developments in globalization and incorporates an international and comparative law aspect to all their domestic law classes. Ave Maria School of Law, formerly situated in Michigan, is one of two Catholic law schools in southern Florida, and offers, according to the university, "a distinctive legal education that focuses on commitment to professional excellence, the moral foundations of the law, and the harmony of faith and reason." Finally, St. Thomas University School of Law, founded in 1984, boasts that it is one of the most technologically advanced law schools in the nation and, as a Catholic university, emphasizes ethics and hands-on assistance through intensive academic support.
There are four law schools in the central Florida region: Barry University Dwayne O. Andreas School of Law in Orlando, Florida A&M University College of Law in Orlando, University of Florida, Fredric G. Levin College of Law in Gainesville and Stetson University College of Law in Gulfport, a suburb of St. Petersburg.
Stetson University prides itself on being Florida's first law school and is recognized as one of the best in terms of preparation for trial advocacy. Barry University Dwayne O. Andreas School of Law is a Catholic institution with a keen focus on the ethical foundation of law. The University of Florida Levin College of Law enjoys a prestigious reputation as one of the nation's top 20 public and top 50 overall law schools while Florida A&M University College of Law enjoys a solid reputation as one of five historically black law schools and as the only public law school in central Florida.
Two law schools are situated in Northern Florida. They are the Florida State University College of Law in Tallahassee and Florida Coastal School of Law in Jacksonville. Florida Coastal School of Law provides a hands-on approach with emphasis on real world experience while Florida State boasts top-tier recognition in regards to its academic reputation.