Since its founding in 1953 as part of Villanova University, Villanova Law had educated more than 10,000 lawyers who have taken their place in the profession. You will find them on the benches in federal and state court houses; as members of state and federal legislatures and in high government office (the former governor of Pennsylvania is a VLS grad); leading corporations, major law firms and public interest agencies; teaching and writing; and practicing at the very highest levels. Villanova is at once modern, yet rooted in tradition. A relatively young law school, Villanova has earned the reputation as a top-notch law school by refusing to compromise on excellence. We are highly selective in our admissions policies and rigorous in our academic standards. We are equally demanding in faculty hiring and have attracted outstanding scholar/teachers to our faculty. You will select courses from a rich range of offerings. Learn about focus areas of study. Explore hands on learning through our extensive externship offerings and our award-winning clinical programs. A Tradition of Academic Freedom Villanova is committed to academic freedom as a fundamental principle, and we emphasize the value of critical, searching inquiry and open debate. You will find a vibrant forum for principled engagement with ideas of all kinds in an atmosphere of civil expression and mutual respect. A Tradition of Inclusion The University moved to this location when anti-Catholic and anti-Irish riots in Philadelphia resulted in the Augustinian Academy being burned to the ground. Because of this history, and our Augustinian heritage, we take our commitment to inclusiveness seriously, and we are dedicated to insuring that Villanova Law is a welcoming, nurturing and richly diverse community. A Tradition of Respect for Human Dignity Our Catholic and Augustinian heritage causes inspires Villanova Law to focus on the unique value of individual human lives. It inspires us to provide a professional education that emphasizes honesty, integrity and responsibility. It inspires as well our commitment to service to the poor, a commitment woven into the very fabric of the Law School.