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Accreditation

Monterey College of Law’s mission is to provide a quality legal education in a community law school setting with graduates who are dedicated to professional excellence, integrity, and community service.

California Bar Accreditation

Monterey College of Law is accredited by the Committee of Bar Examiners of the State Bar of California.

Monterey College of Law has been accredited continuously by the Committee of Bar Examiners of the State Bar of California since July, 1981.  Our next 5-year accreditation on-site visit is expected soon. 

Click here for our current Mandatory Information Report Business and Professions Code Section 6061.7 (a) 

The State Bar of California requires all California Accredited Law Schools (CALS) to report a cumulative five-year pass rate on the California Bar Exam (CBX).  We are proud of our pass rate on the CBX, one of the most difficult bar exams to pass:

2023 = 55.8%, 2022= 55.43%, 2021=53.8%, 2020=53.7%, 2019=54.3%, 2018=47.9%

Candidacy for Accreditation by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)

Monterey College of Law has been recognized as a Candidate for Accreditation by WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), 1080 Marina Village Parkway, Suite 500, Alameda, CA 94501, 510.748.9001. This status is a preliminary affiliation with the Commission awarded for a maximum period of five years. Candidacy is an indication that the institution is progressing toward Accreditation.

Candidacy is not Accreditation and does not ensure eventual Accreditation.

Questions about Candidacy may be directed to the institution or to WSCUC at https://www.wscuc.org/contact or 510.748.9001.

Practicing Law in Other States

States other than California may require a degree from an American Bar Association accredited school or approval from an examining committee as a prerequisite to taking their bar examination. Monterey College of Law is not seeking accreditation from the American Bar Association. Study at, or graduation from, this law school may not qualify a student to take the bar examination or be admitted to practice law in jurisdictions other than California. A student who intends to seek admission to practice law outside of California should contact the admitting authority in that jurisdiction for information regarding its education and admission requirements.

Eligibility to Sit for the Bar Exam in Other Jurisdictions

The Comprehensive Guide to Bar Admission Requirements, a publication by the National Conference of Bar Examiners and the ABA Section of Legal Education and Admission to the Bar provides detailed information on bar admissions requirements in all jurisdictions.

Disclaimer for Master of Legal Studies Degree

Except as provided in rule 4.30 of the Admissions Rules (Legal education in a foreign state or country), completion of a professional law degree program at Monterey College of Law other than the Juris Doctor degree does not qualify a student to take the California Bar Examination or satisfy the requirements for admission to practice law in California. It may not qualify a student to take the bar examination or to satisfy requirements for admission to the practice of law in any other jurisdiction. A student intending to seek admission to practice law should contact the admitting authority in the jurisdictions where the student intends to qualify to sit for the bar examination or be admitted to practice for information regarding their legal education requirements.

Information about the State Bar of California Bar Exam

The State Bar of California maintains information about qualifications to sit for the California Bar Exam, including dates, fees, locations at www.calbar.ca.gov/admissions. Statistics for previous bar exam pass rates, including historical data for individual law schools in California can also be found at State Bar of California Examinations Statistics. The State Bar of California Committee of Bar Examiners has also established a five-year cumulative pass rate requirement of 40% for all California Accredited Law Schools. MCL’s five-year cumulative pass rate for the most current reporting period (2015) is 57%, exceeding the bar’s required standard.

Equal Opportunity and Non-Discrimination

Monterey College of Law operates in accordance with policies and procedures that comply with the Constitutions and all applicable laws of both the United States and the State of California so as to provide both equal opportunity and to prohibit unlawful discrimination.

Institutional Research

The mission of Institutional Research at Monterey College of Law is to collect, compile and analyze data that will provide informed decision making in support of MCL’s overall mission. Institutional research supports the academic and operational activities of the School.

Some of the functions of Institutional Research consist of:
• Organizing the data collection process and its ongoing maintenance and quality.
• Collect, analyze, and provide routine reports as well as ad hoc reports in support of strategic planning.
• Collect, analyze, and report summaries of academic data about Monterey College of Law required by the federal government, accrediting agencies, and other external agencies.
• Collect, analyze, and report data in support of program review and other routine student learning outcomes assessment.
• Design, plan and administer institutional surveys to faculty, students, and staff.