Questions and Answers

About the Merger of

San Francisco Law School and Alliant International University 

Is there really a merger in the works? 

Yes. San Francisco Law School has agreed to merge with Alliant International University, a non-profit educational university located here in San Francisco.  Alliant has four existing graduate programs. San Francisco Law School will be the fifth graduate program, but the only law school.

Will the Mission of San Francisco Law School change?

No. The mission of San Francisco Law School will remain that of an opportunity law school providing a quality legal education at affordable prices and dedicated to serving the underrepresented in the community.  One of the big attractions of Alliant is that its own mission is uniquely compatible with that of San Francisco Law School – since Alliant is committed to both practice based graduate programs and diversity in its student population. 

Will  our name change?

Our name will remain, “San Francisco Law School”; and we will add “a school of Alliant International University”. 

Are we going to move campuses?

No.  We intend to continue using 20 Haight Street as the law school campus.

Will our accreditation change?

Yes.  Alliant International University is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).  Under the auspices of Alliant, San Francisco Law School is seeking WASC accreditation for its juris doctorate (JD) program.  The first of three required stages, the interim approval, has been achieved.   

Will our graduation requirements change?

No.  As a California Bar Accredited (CBA) law school, San Francisco Law School is still required to meet each of the Rules and Guidelines for Accredited Law Schools, as approved by the Committee of Bar Examiners and the Board of Governors of the State Bar of California.

Is there a potential for federal funding for San Francisco Law School students?

Approval for federal funding is a multi-stage process.  The first step is regional accreditation.  San Francisco Law School's JD program needs WASC accreditation in order to be eligible to apply to the United States Department of Education for federal funding for our law school students. Next, the Department of Education approval has its own processes for review and approval of submittals.   One anticipated benefit of this merger is to secure federal funding for San Francisco Law School students.  However, we are not able to speculate on when, or if, this will occur.  At this time, students may NOT rely on the future possibility of federal funding to satisfy either their present or their anticipated tuition responsibilities.  

Will our tuition increase?

This is a natural concern for students at any program.  Tuition is expected to increase as it has in the past.  However, both San Francisco Law School and Alliant are committed to the mission of an affordable legal education. 

Will there be day program?

Another anticipated benefit of the merger of Alliant and San Francisco Law School is the potential for an expansion of programs and cross-over classes with the other disciplines at Alliant. Over time, law students will have opportunities to interact with their colleagues in psychology, forensics, education and management.   As yet, however, San Francisco Law School has not applied to the Committee of Bar Examiners to establish a day program.

When will the merger be complete?

There are several stages to the Agreement to Merge.  CBE approval is completed; WASC approval is underway.  Department of Education awaits WASC approval.  If these remain on track, it is possible that the merger will be completed by the end of 2009. 

I invite you to visit Alliant International University's website at www.alliant.edu.  These are exciting times for San Francisco Law School and we look forward to continuing our legacy as providers of opportunity legal education with our new partners for the future, Alliant International University.