Bowen is dedicated to our core values of access to justice, public service, and professionalism. Located in Arkansas’s capital city, the hub of Arkansas business, government and non-profit enterprises. The law school has become a leader in practice-ready and skills-focused learning. The law school offers an innovative, nationally-respected, high-quality legal education focused on hands-on learning.

We have both a full-time (day) program and a part-time (evening) program, and we make sure all our students have the benefit of our expert, full-time faculty and our close relationship with the Little Rock bench and bar.

With a small student body and one of the lowest student/faculty ratios in the nation, the Bowen offers a challenging educational experience in a supportive environment. Our faculty is an experienced group of teachers and scholars. In addition, our low tuition enables our graduates to choose among a wide variety of employment opportunities without worrying about paying off an enormous debt.

The law school is accredited by the American Bar Association and is a member of the Association of American Law Schools.

Learn more about Bowen School of Law

JD Program

The JD curriculum provides students with a strong foundation in core areas of legal study, while providing a diverse selection of electives that embody Bowen’s core values of professionalism, public service, and access to justice. Bowen offers one of the best student-to-faculty ratios in the country as well as applied skills courses such as lawyering skills, moot court, legal clinics, and externships. For students who desire to open their own law practice after graduation, Bowen offers courses and access to resources that support solo practice.

Bowen’s continued commitment to academic excellence is demonstrated for each of its students through the Bowen Student Success Program, Professional Mentoring Program, and Bar PASS.

To receive the JD, students must complete 90 credit hours. Courses are prescribed during the first year of full-time study (or the first two years of part-time study). After that, most of the curriculum is elective, allowing students to explore their interests in law.

Learn more about the JD program at Bowen School of Law

Center for Racial Justice and Criminal Justice Reform

The Center was launched in September 2021 to advance racial equity, access to justice, and fairness in Arkansas and the region through academic legal research. The mission of the Center aligns with Bowen’s core values of access to justice, public service, and professionalism. the Center’s work and research will help professionally develop Bowen’s students and broaden Bowen’s racial justice curriculum. The Center capitalizes on student interest while creating career development opportunities for Bowen students. Each semester, a group of students will work with the Center on criminal justice and racial justice legal research.

Learn more about this opportunity

Clinical Programs

Bowen has a variety of legal clinics that help students bridge the gap between theory learned in the classroom and practice. Through their clinic work, students practice law under the supervision of a faculty member, while at the same time helping to fill unmet legal needs in the community.

Family Law Clinic: Students represent clients involved in many types of cases within the broad areas of juvenile delinquency and family law. Qualified students receive special licenses to practice law under supervision in Arkansas.
Mediation Clinic: Students gain valuable experience in the rapidly expanding area of alternative dispute resolution. After extensive training, clinic students act as mediators in disputes relating to child abuse and neglect, juvenile delinquency, custody and visitation, special education, and small claims.
Tax Clinic: Students represent taxpayers involved in disputes with the IRS. Clinic students gain litigation and negotiation experience while acquiring significant knowledge of tax law.
Consumer Protection Clinic: Students work with clients who are facing foreclosure, eviction, housing instability, fraud, unfair or deceptive trade practices, and problems with credit reports and credit access. This course provides extensive experience for students in litigation, negotiating with opposing counsel, and long-term case strategies.
Delta Divorce Clinic: Students work with clients based in Arkansas’s Delta region on family law matters. Qualified students receive special licenses to practice law under supervision in Arkansas.
Business Innovations Clinic: Students work closely to serve the legal needs of small businesses, innovators, and nonprofit organizations. The assistance includes working with entrepreneurs in launching and growing their businesses, negotiating their contracts with business partners, and protecting their ideas and innovations. In addition, the clinic offers educational programs for small business owners and those contemplating launching new businesses. Programming targets navigating the many issues that challenge new enterprises.
Veterans Legal Services Clinic: Students will handle at least one case involving a service-connected disability compensation appeal or request for reconsideration of discharge status. In representing their veteran clients, students will develop an array of critical lawyering skills, such as client interviewing and counseling, fact investigation, legal research and writing, case planning, development of legal theory, as well as written and oral advocacy.

Learn more about this opportunity

Concurrent Degrees

Bowen allows students to pursue a JD while concurrently pursuing master’s degrees in business administration (JD/MBA), public administration (JD/MPA), public health (JD/MPH), public service (JD/MPS), or social work (JD/MSW). A concurrent degree in law and pharmacy (JD/PharmD) is also offered. In order to be eligible for one of the concurrent-degree programs, students must be offered admission into both the law school and the school offering the other desired degree.

Academic Support

Bowen provides a comprehensive academic support program. This support begins prior to the first class during the comprehensive First Week program. Once classes begin, the principles taught in First Week are reinforced through a series of relevant workshops and seminars. Advising services are provided to all students, helping them develop study plans, choose courses, and prepare for exams. Finally, Bowen helps ease the transition from law student to lawyer by offering various bar-preparation workshops and skills courses.

Learn more about this opportunity

Enrollment Divisions

Bowen offers both full-time and part-time divisions. Full-time study generally takes three years to complete. Part-time study is generally completed in four years. In both divisions, enrolling in summer and intersession courses can accelerate completion.

Faculty

The faculty is made up of an outstanding group of scholars, practitioners, and teachers. Full-time professors teach virtually all required courses in both the full-time and part-time divisions. Experienced adjunct professors teach upper-level courses in their areas of specialty. Bowen students often cite the quality and accessibility of professors as one of their favorite things about the school.

Learn more about this opportunity

Public Service Externships

Through the externship course, students receive exposure to a wide range of public service practice settings, gain practical work experience, and get the opportunity to see first-hand the workings of a judge’s chambers, a government agency, or a non-profit organization. Examples of recent placement opportunities include externships with judges on the Arkansas Supreme Court, the United States District Court, and the United States Bankruptcy Court, as well as externships with agencies such as the Federal Public Defender, the ACLU of Arkansas, the Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment – Division of Environmental Quality, and Disability Rights Arkansas.

Learn more about this opportunity

Bowen Summer Public Interest Fellowship

Students can dedicate 10 weeks during the summer semester to working full-time in the public sector. A fellowship is also available for students who wish to work in an Arkansas rural community. Students secure public service experience with a reputable public interest employer.

Facilities and Library

Bowen is housed in a historic building originally constructed in the 1930s to house the state’s medical school. The spacious facility contains over 150,000 square feet and is compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The six-story structure has modern classrooms and courtrooms. A renovation was completed recently to update technology in the classrooms and courtrooms. The lecture-capture system allows professors to record lectures (video and audio) and make them available to students via the web.

Wrapped around a four-story atrium, the library seats over 300 and houses two computer labs. The law school library also serves as the Pulaski County Law Library and is open seven days a week.

Learn more about this opportunity

State Court Partnership

This program educates law students about the profession of court administration and the career opportunities available in the state and federal court systems. Students work to support state chief justices from around the country.

The projects undertaken by this one-of-a-kind partnership benefit the NCSC, the law school, and the local, national, and international legal community. The work directly affects the administration of justice, and the NCSC and the State Courts Partnership impact Bowen’s core values of public service, access to justice, and professionalism.

Learn more about this opportunity

Course Focuses

20 plus course focuses group courses together by fields of law. Students may use these focuses to help choose the electives that will best prepare them to practice law in specific fields.

Learn more about this opportunity

Student Life

Student Organziations

Extracurricular organizations include the ABA, ACLU, Arkansas Bar Association, Arkansas Association of Women Lawyers, Asian Pacific American Law Students Association, Black Law Students Association, Lambda Legal OutLaw Legal Society, Student Veterans Organization, Cannabis Law Society, Finch Society, Christian Legal Society, Hispanic LatinX Law Students Association, International Law Society, Part-Time Students Association, Student Animal Defense Fund, and Student Bar Association, and many many more.

Learn more about this opportunity

Curricular Offerings

UALR Law Review, Moot Court Honor Board, Mock Trial Team, and Arkansas Journal of Social Change and Public Service are highly sought-after activities.

William J. Clinton Presidential Library and Museum

The American Presidency is part of a unique heritage that is yours to explore through archives, museums, and special programs, Presidential Libraries preserve the documents and artifacts of our Presidents and provide insight into the times in which these Presidents lived and served the nation.

Learn more about this opportunity

Little Rock Central High School

In 1957, Little Rock Central High School was the epicenter of confrontation and a catalyst for change as the fundamental test for the United States to enforce African American civil rights following Brown v. Board of Education. Learn how the sacrifice and struggle endured by the Little Rock Nine have provided opportunities and opened doors for those seeking equality and education around the world.

Learn more about this opportunity

Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts

The Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts is part of the remarkable cultural legacy of the region. What began in 1914 as a notion of bringing the arts to Arkansas was realized in 1937 with the opening of the Museum of Fine Arts in 1937. The museum’s mission, collection, and reach continued to grow, and, in 1960, the institution adopted the name Arkansas Arts Center along with a commitment to serving the entire state.

Learn more about this opportunity

Mosaic Templars Cultural Center

The mission of the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center is to preserve, interpret and celebrate African American history and culture in Arkansas. The museum's exhibits highlight fraternal organizations, African American entrepreneurs as well as integration.

Learn more about this opportunity

Old State House Museum

The Old State House Museum is the original state capitol building of Arkansas and the oldest standing state capitol building west of the Mississippi River. Since 1833, when construction began, the building and its grounds have witnessed many of the most important events in Arkansas history. Today, the museum’s exhibits and events are open to the public.

Learn more about this opportunity

Little Rock Zoo

The Little Rock Zoo has long been one of Arkansas's great treasures. It all began modestly in 1926, with just two animals — an abandoned timber wolf and a circus-trained brown bear. Today, we have grown to include nearly 500 animals representing 200+ species, many on the endangered list. The Zoo itself, has become one of the state's greatest educational and conservation resources.

Learn more about this opportunity

River Market

Here you’ll find food festivals and annual celebrations, concert and performing arts venues, expos, film screenings and all of the incredible events that make the River Market one of Little Rock’s most dynamic and exciting neighborhoods. Use the search bar to find things to do this weekend, next month, or even next year. No matter the season, you’re sure to find an event that gets you out on the town and into the mix.

Learn more about this opportunity

Big Dam Bridge

Experience the longest pedestrian and bicycle bridge in North America, built specifically for that use. This impressive structure was named the Big Dam Bridge because of its massive 4,226 foot span built atop Murray Lock and Dam.

Learn more about this opportunity

Arkansas River Trail

An 88-mile multi-use loop through Little Rock, North Little Rock, Maumelle and Conway with an additional loop from the Clinton Presidential Bridge in North Little Rock to the Big Dam Bridge and back to the Little Rock side of the Clinton Bridge is 15.6 miles. Bike Fixit Stations located at Two Rivers Park and Two Rivers Park Bridge.

Learn more about this opportunity

Pinnacle Mountain State Park

Just west of Arkansas’s capital city of Little Rock, Pinnacle Mountain stands as the centerpiece of this geographically diverse state park. This day-use park offers a variety of outdoor adventures on the Big and Little Maumelle Rivers, in the Arkansas Arboretum, and along over 22 miles of trails including over 14 miles of challenging mountain bike trails. Hike to the top, explore the rivers or take in one of the many interpretive programs offered by park staff. Visit the park visitor center, enjoy a picnic, or reserve a pavilion for a larger gathering.

Learn more about this opportunity

Outlets of Little Rock

Learn more about this opportunity

USS Razorback Submarine

USS Razorback conducted five combat patrols during World War II, sinking Japanese vessels, capturing Japanese POWs and rescuing American pilots who had been shot down. At the end of WWII, she was one of only 12 submarines selected to be present in Tokyo Bay when the Japanese surrender was signed.

Learn more about this opportunity

The Promenade at Chenal

Learn more about this opportunity

Arkansas State Capitol

Learn more about this opportunity

Arkansas Governor's Mansion

Since 1950, the Mansion has served as the primary residence for twelve of Arkansas's 46 Governors along with their families and pets. The rooms and grounds hold memories rich in the history of Arkansas. Each heirloom, painting, and architectural feature adds a sentence to that story.

Learn more about this opportunity

Career Placement and Bar Passage

The Career Services Office provides programming and guidance to support career planning, professional development and the job search. To enhance communication with students, alumni and employers, Career Services utilizes the online management system, HIRE Bowen. To fully engage in the resources available to you, current students and employers are invited to register with HIRE Bowen now.

Career Services is the primary liaison between law students, recent graduates and prospective employers. Services are available to help individuals:

Identify and explore career options consistent with interests
Identify and research prospective employers and opportunities that lead to your ultimate career goal
Develop resumes, cover letters, and interviewing techniques to effectively communicate strengths to potential employers

Learn more about career placement at Bowen School of Law

Tuition and Aid

The Bowen School of Law automatically considers all admitted applicants for admissions based scholarships:

Merit scholarships are awarded in amounts ranging from 25, 50, 75, or 100 percent of tuition. Academic achievement, LSAT scores, diversity, and quality of application materials are considered in selecting the recipients of these scholarships. Personal statements are especially critical.
Nonresident scholarships are awarded in an amount that allows recipients to pay the resident tuition rate during their first year of study. Students who are ineligible for Arkansas residency following the spring semester of their first year of study are eligible to apply for this award in future years.
Public Service Merit Scholarships are awarded to accepted students who worked for Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, Teach for America, or City Year for at least one year.
Arkansas HBCU Scholarships are awarded to accepted students who earned a bachelors degree from an Arkansas Historically Black College or University.

Learn more about tuition & aid at Bowen School of Law

Admission Decisions: Beyond the Numbers

Bowen seeks to enroll approximately 150 students each year. The law school takes a holistic approach to admission, and the Admissions Committee assesses a wide array of factors. The law school values inclusion and is committed to enrolling students of diverse ethnicities and backgrounds.

The regular admission application deadline is April 1, though candidates are strongly encouraged to apply by January 15. First-year students are admitted for the fall semester only.

The law school also created the Legal Education Advancement Project (LEAP) to identify and admit individuals of historically underrepresented groups in law school and the legal profession who have the teamwork, leadership, drive, and academic skills necessary to complete law school and pass the bar examination.

Learn more about admission at Bowen School of Law