Law School In Boise Gets Provisional Accreditation

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Concordia University's new Boise law school has been given provisional approval from the American Bar Association after nearly a yearlong delay.

The approval announced Monday means that students graduating from the law school will be eligible to take the bar exam in most states — a step that is required for those who want to become licensed practicing attorneys.

Concordia University in Portland, Oregon opened the Boise law school in 2012 with about 75 students. But last August, the ABA announced it was withholding accreditation while the organization's "fact finders" took a closer look at the school. That decision prompted an exodus of a significant number of students.

Roughly 55 students transferred to the University of Idaho's School of Law and others took a leave of absence from the school. Concordia Dean Cathy Silak says about 11 students graduated in June, and nine of them are expected to take the bar exam.