Honors Program
For students who have demonstrated exceptional ability and achievement before coming to law school, Roger Williams University School of Law offers an Honors Program, which involves a three-year program of roundtables, special elective course offerings and other unique academic and social experiences. The Honors Program provides every incoming first year honors student a substantial scholarship.
Entering Class of 2020 Honors Program Profile
LSAT | GPA | |
75th Percentile | 158 | 3.9 |
Median | 156 | 3.6 |
25th Percentile | 155 | 3.4 |
Honors Scholarships
All applicants to the School of Law are considered for the Honors Program based upon their academic record and achievements, scores on the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT), and recommendations.
All incoming first year Honors students receive substantial merit scholarships of at least 75% off our tuition.
The Honors Program enrolls approximately 20-30 students each year.
A separate application is not required.
Contact Information
For information about selection to the Honors Program and scholarships, please contact the Admissions Office at (401) 254-4555.
For information about the activities of the Honors Program, please contact Faculty Director of the Honors Program, Professor Michael Yelnosky at myelnosky@rwu.edu.
Program Outline
First Year
The main component of the first year Honors Program is the Roundtable Series. First year Honors students are required to attend six roundtable sessions throughout the academic year (three each semester). Prominent lawyers, judges and other members of the legal community are selected as roundtable speakers. In the past, RWU Law has offered the following roundtables:
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Roundtables provide a terrific opportunity for students to discuss interesting topics with practitioners and members of the legal community who they otherwise may not have the opportunity to meet.
Throughout the year, first year Honors students are also invited to participate in a range of other academic and social events.
Second and Third Year
Honors students take special Honors Perspective Courses in their second and third years. Registration in these courses is limited to Honors students. Students must complete three Honors Perspectives Courses to fulfill the requirements of the Honors Program.
Honors Perspectives courses recently offered include: September 11 Litigation, U.S. Supreme Court Cases, Torture and American Lawyers, Election Law and Campaign Finance, The Nature of the Judicial Process, Southern Slavery and the Law, The Tea Party and Popular Constitutionalism, and Voice of the Child.
As in first year, upper level Honors students are also invited to participate in a variety of other academic and social events with faculty and members of the bench and bar.
Upon graduation and successful completion of the Honors Program, students receive an Honors certificate and enjoy a special graduation reception in their honor. A note of completion is also placed on their law school transcript.