The Arizona Supreme Court has approved a plan for Grand Canyon University to open a law school that bypasses the American Bar Association's accreditation system. Instead of ABA oversight, the school will answer directly to the state's highest court, a novel arrangement in legal education.
Under the court's order, GCU graduates may be eligible to take the Arizona bar exam, though the exact conditions and timeline remain tied to the court's supervision. The decision marks a significant departure from the traditional path, where ABA accreditation is the standard for law schools across the country.
Supporters of the move argue it could lower costs and encourage innovation in legal training, while critics have long warned that non-ABA schools risk weaker standards. The court's ruling does not guarantee bar admission in other states, leaving the school's broader impact uncertain.