St. Mary’s School of Law joins online course collaboration 

Partnership with three other schools expands course access 

Continuing to find ways to offer its students online access to their education, the St. Mary’s University School of Law has partnered with three other law schools, offering students the chance to take courses through the other law schools at no additional cost.  

In collaboration with Suffolk University Law School in Boston, Southwestern Law School of Los Angeles and Lincoln Memorial University Duncan School of Law of Knoxville, Tenn., the online course exchange allows students to access courses that may not be offered at their home campus or at a more convenient time.  

The program was first conceived by Suffolk School of Law Dean Andy Perlman in October 2022 and is scheduled to start in Spring 2026.  

“Each of the partner schools are schools of innovation and collaboration,” said School of Law Dean Patricia Roberts, J.D. “We anticipate other schools will join, but this initial group of leaders was collegial, determined and thoughtful in designing a framework that would be effective not only for the original partner schools but also for those who may join moving forward.” 

Through the partnership, St. Mary’s University School of Law continues to utilize online courses to offer its students new ways to further their law education.  

In Fall 2021, the School of Law’s Online J.D. Program was the nation’s first fully online J.D. offering to be accredited by the American Bar Association. The first cohort started in Fall 2022. 

Roberts said the new partnership will enhance the student experience at the School of Law. 

“By partnering with other schools to offer more robust choices in online electives, we will have greatly benefited our own students without adding to their expenses,” she said. “This partnership will also give our students the opportunity to learn alongside law students from other excellent institutions.”