Queens University of Charlotte is set to become the new home for Elon University’s full-time law school. This announcement marks a significant step in the merger between the two institutions, as Queens will provide the campus while Elon handles the curriculum.
Why is this important? Charlotte hasn’t had a full-time law school since 2017. The merger is expected to help streamline costs and time, saving Elon around $31 million. This also allows the program to launch sooner, with a target date for enrolling its first class of 75 students in fall 2027.
Elon has officially sought approval from the American Bar Association to start this program. The law school aims to offer an accelerated two-and-a-half-year program, allowing students to finish their degrees more quickly than the typical three-year timeline. According to Elon’s President Connie Book, this format could save students about 25% in total expenses.
Historically, the previous Charlotte School of Law closed in 2017 due to various challenges, including an expired operating license and ABA probation. Elon started planning to expand into Charlotte shortly after, introducing a four-year, part-time law program in 2024, which enrolled its first cohort of 36 students.
Looking ahead, Elon’s law programs in Charlotte will consolidate on the Queens campus by 2027. Even if the merger isn’t finalized by then, Elon plans to lease the property from Queens. Applications for the full-time law program are expected to open in August 2026, contingent on approval from the ABA.
This development comes amid broader trends in legal education, where schools are rethinking traditional structures. States are experiencing a growing interest in legal programs that offer more flexible timelines and costs, reflecting changing demands from prospective law students.
For more detailed insights about the merger and the new law program, you can refer to the Axios article here.
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