Massachusetts approves plan for state's first public law school

The Massachusetts Board of Higher Education has approved an application by the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth to open the state's first publicly run law school.

"For me, the merits of the proposal came down to one question: Is it in the long-term, best interest for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to add a public law program?" says Commissioner of Higher Education Richard Freeland. "And I believe the answer is yes."

The university will take over the campus of the neighboring Southern New England School of Law, which has agreed to donate its buildings and assets, valued at $23 million, to the university.

UMass Dartmouth intends to invite current students, faculty and staff at the Southern New England School of Law to stay on with the new UMass Dartmouth law program.