Diverse groups of law students stand together at events

Diversity and Outreach

Roger Williams University School of Law provides a rigorous education, in a supportive atmosphere, in order to equip its graduates to successfully practice law in a fast-changing and diverse world.

At the School of Law, we know that our students will make stronger attorneys if they are enrolled in a diverse classroom and are challenged to consider the legal concepts from different cultural and legal perspectives.

Our students come from more than 22 states and five countries. Twenty-seven percent of our first-year students come from racial and ethnic backgrounds underrepresented in the legal community.  We work hard to offer an experience for all of our students that is enriched, challenging, and that reflects the diversity that we celebrate as part of our mission:

Programs & Initiatives

Our programs and initiatives provide students with hands-on opportunities to learn about and make a difference in a number of legal issues related to diversity in the profession. 

Programs & Initiatives

Affinity Groups and Networking

Connect with other students and members of the legal community from a range of backgrounds and identities.

Affinity Groups and Networking

LGBTQ Community

We are an open and welcoming community with a substantial LGBT student population and a number of openly gay members of the administration and faculty.

LGBTQ Community

Equity and Inclusion Glossary Terms

The following terms and definitions are often associated with and provide a common, working language for RWU School of Law educational anti-bias programs and resources.

Request the Glossary of Terms

Parents Attending Law School

The School of Law provides many resources and services to support our student parents/students with families and happily assists students who have questions about child care, local school systems, course schedules, housing and related concerns.

Parents Attending Law School

Want to learn more?  Contact the Office of Diversity and Outreach. 

Close Course Type Descriptions

Course Types

We have classified RWU Law classes under the following headers. One of the following course types will be attached to each course which will allow students to narrow down their search while looking for classes.

Core Course

Students in the first and second year are required to take classes covering the following aspects of the law—contracts, torts, property, criminal law, civil procedure, and constitutional law, evidence, and professional responsibility.  Along with these aspects, the core curriculum will develop legal reasoning skills.

Elective

After finishing the core curriculum the remaining coursework toward the degree is completed through upper level elective courses.  Students can choose courses that peak their interests or courses that go along with the track they are following.

Seminar

Seminars are classes where teachers and small groups of students focus on a specific topic and the students complete a substantial research paper.

Clinics/Externships

Inhouse Clinics and Clinical Externships legal education is law school training in which students participate in client representation under the supervision of a practicing attorney or law professor.  RWU Law's Clinical Programs offer unique and effective learning opportunities and the opportunity for practical experience while still in law school.