The school enrolls approximately 370 students and has a student to faculty ratio of around 13:1. The law library contains approximately 280,000 volumes.
Academics
Roger Williams University School of Law offers two degrees: the standard American law school professional degree, Juris Doctor, as well as a Master of Studies in Law degree. In addition, Roger Williams University offers numerous joint degree programs. The JD/Master of Science in Criminal Justice is designed to prepare graduates to formulate system policy and serve effectively as administrators to United States justice system agencies. The School of Law offers two joint-degree programs in conjunction with the University of Rhode Island: a JD/Master of Marine Affairs program is geared toward students interested in maritime, admiralty, and environmental law, and the joint JD/Master of Science in Labor Relations and Human Resources program is designed for students interested in issues relating to employment and labor relations. In addition the School of Law offers a JD/Masters of Science in Historical Preservation and a JD/Masters of Science in Cyber Security.
Employment
According to Roger Williams's official 2013 ABA-required disclosures, 46.2% of the Class of 2014 obtained full-time, long-term, JD-required employment nine months after graduation, excluding solo-practitioners. Roger Williams's Law School Transparency under-employment score is 24.6%, indicating the percentage of the Class of 2015 unemployed, pursuing an additional degree, or working in a non-professional, short-term, or part-time job nine months after graduation.
Costs
The total cost of attendance at Roger Williams for the 2018-2019 academic year is $35,735. The Law School Transparency estimated debt-financed cost of attendance for three years is $107,205. Scholarships of half to full tuition are awarded to students selected for the Honors Program. The Admissions Committee selects students, evaluating them on their academic records, LSAT scores, and recommendations.
Clinics and student organizations
The Marine Affairs Institute explores the legal, economic, and policy issues raised by the development of the oceans and coastal zone. Students take elective courses in traditional admiralty law and practice, pollution and environmental regulation, coastal zoning, fisheries, and the international law of the sea. The Honors Program is a three-year program of seminars, clinics, and externships. The School of Law operates a Criminal Defense Clinic, an Immigration Clinic, and the Business Start-Up Clinic in Providence. Students may also engage in a semester-long supervised clerkship in a judge's chambers or in a public interest or governmental law office for academic credit. The multicultural mentor program pairs students of color with members of the bench and bar. Other student organizations include The Association for Public Interest Law, Maritime Law Society, Women's Law Association, the Alliance, and the Multicultural Law Student Association.
Ralph Papitto controversy
In July 2007 the school made national headlines in the wake of a racist statement made by University trustee Ralph Papitto, for whom the law school was then named, at a Roger Williams board meeting. After students protested and submitted a petition to the administration, on July 18, 2007, Papitto requested that his name be removed from the school. Papitto resigned as Chairman from the board and was granted the title "Chairman Emeritus". He was succeeded as Chairman by Richard Bready, the CEO of Nortek Inc., the company Papitto founded.
