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Sally-Bisson Best

College of Saint Mary's Legal Studies Program receives ABA Approval through 2021

Thursday, September 3, 2015

Omaha, Neb. – College of Saint Mary is pleased to announce that its legal studies program has received re-approval by the American Bar Association (ABA). Every seven years, the ABA visits existing programs in search of re-approval. During the two-day visit this past January, the board review members met with faculty and staff from the library, enrollment services, marketing and student development. In addition, they met with the legal studies advisory board and College of Saint Mary alumnae. Prior to the visit, program director Sally-Bisson Best, J.D., completed the arduous task of compiling a comprehensive report showcasing curriculum, academic standards, recruiting efforts and personal attention to students.

“The site team was very impressed with the competency of our faculty, and the level of importance the institution places on the program. The reviewers also reported that students felt their education was transformative which speaks to the high-level of personal attention in our program,” said Bisson-Best.

Out of 1,000 legal studies programs nationwide, only one-third are ABA approved. College of Saint Mary received its first approval in 1991 and is the only ABA-approved program of its kind in Nebraska and Iowa.