About the School

Tradition of Innovation, Excellence, and Passion for the Rule of Law Since 1896

The spirit of our tradition lies in the hearts and minds of our community members, who are dedicated to the professional advancement and well-being of our students and alumni, and who strive to “Champion What Matters,” locally, nationally, and internationally.

Here at American University Washington College of Law, you meet the world where you will practice your profession. The world has become essentially borderless, where economic, political, and social changes require innovative legal analysis and solutions.

We equip our students in unique ways to navigate this new reality. A top law school that provides an excellent legal education in all areas of the law, Washington College of Law has renowned programs in experiential learning (clinics and externships), international law, law and government, intellectual property, health law, business, and gender and the law. These vital programs create an environment rich with opportunities for you.

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Photo credit: Washington College of Law, licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0

“Graduates of American University Washington College of Law should take just pride in the school's origin. And, even more, in what the college has become.”

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg

AUWCL: Home to the Nation's Top-Ranked Programs

Here at American University Washington College of Law, we take pride of our renowned areas of excellence, including Experiential Education, International and Comparative Law, Trial Advocacy, Intellectual Property, and Health Law initiatives and programs.

Specialty Rankings

#2

Clinical Law
#8

Intellectual Property

#9

International Law
#15

Health Care Law

#16

Part-Time Program
#24

Criminal Law

#36

Trial Advocacy

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Photo credit: George Washington, licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0

A World Class Learning Center

Combined with the breadth and depth of our course and programmatic offerings, our students have access to an unparalleled professional education at an unmatched campus.

Explore Our Initiatives and Programs

Featured Gallery

American University Welcomes Roger A. Fairfax, Jr. as Dean of Washington College of Law

AUWCL Welcomes Congresswoman Norton for Discussion on DC Statehood

The ongoing movement to achieve statehood for Washington, DC has never been closer to achieving its goal. On Thursday, March 18, American University Washington College of Law’s Program on Law and Government hosted “The Road to 51: The Past, Present, and Future Of The Struggle For DC Statehood.”

Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg at “Global Lawyer” Symposium

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg joined the AUWCL community in honoring the legacy of Professor Emeritus Herman Schwartz during “A Global Lawyer: A Symposium Celebrating the Contributions of Herman Schwartz to the Rule of Law.”

The Honorable Roger L. Gregory Delivers AUWCL's Spring 2019 Commencement Address

UN Human Rights Commissioner Michelle Bachelet Discusses Global Challenges to Human Rights

Senator Warren Gives Major Foreign Policy Address at AUWCL

Health Law Conference Features Former FDA Commissioners

World Bank President Speaks at AUWCL

U.S. Court of Appeals for D.C. Circuit Holds Oral Arguments at AUWCL

Chief Judge Merrick Garland of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit joins AU President Sylvia M. Burwell on stage following the court hearing.

33rd Annual Myers Society Celebration

Dean Nelson delivers her welcoming remarks.

American University President Sylvia M. Burwell

President Burwell delivers remarks at the 33rd Annual Myers Society Dinner.

Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg at Tenley Campus Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony

First Graduating Class of WCL (1898)

Dean Emeritus Claudio Grossman

Claudio Grossman, Dean Emeritus and Professor of Law, Elected to the United Nations International Law Commission. (AP photo/Keystone, Martial Trezzini)

Academic Conference for the 2nd Luxembourg Forum

Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer and Koen Lenaerts, President of the European Court of Justice, discuss the role of “Judges as Diplomats in Advancing the Rule of Law."

Alice Paul '22, Founder of the National Women's Party

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“The world belongs to those who go forth and work for it.” Dean Mussey

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