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The University at Albany and Albany Law School today announced a deeper affiliation that creates important new academic opportunities for students, novel research and grant prospects for faculty, and advances the Capital Region’s role as a leader in higher education and innovation.
The announcement marks the natural next step in a 20-year collaboration between the region’s public research university and the nation’s oldest independent law school. That relationship already includes a “3+3” program in which students can receive an undergraduate degree and law degree in six years (instead of seven), and multiple joint graduate programs.
“This agreement strengthens both the University at Albany and Albany Law School, providing tremendous opportunities to our students and faculty across many disciplines,” said UAlbany President Robert J. Jones. “Today marks an extraordinary accomplishment—both as a model of collaboration and in establishing a powerful academic portfolio in our region.”
“This partnership makes both institutions stronger,” said Albany Law School Board of Trustees Chairman Daniel P. Nolan, both a UAlbany and Albany Law School alum. “With more than a dozen collaborative programs launching now, and in the coming months, our affiliation will offer unprecedented opportunities for Albany Law and UAlbany students, while enhancing the region’s economic growth, public service and access to justice.”
In addition to allowing expanded academic and research opportunities, the affiliation creates powerful synergies that can help tackle issues critical to our local community, our state and our increasingly complex world.
“An understanding of the legal landscape is crucial to numerous fields across UAlbany’s academic footprint,” UAlbany Provost James Stellar said. “Deepening our affiliation with Albany Law School will enable UAlbany students to incorporate legal education into their knowledge base, whether they are studying biology, business, mathematics, atmospheric science, political science, social science, public health, fine arts, psychology or countless other fields.”
“Together, Albany Law and UAlbany will now be able to offer more innovative and robust educational programs to undergraduate, graduate and law school students,” said Alicia Ouellette, President and Dean of Albany Law School. “We will also be able to strengthen the research and collaboration of the faculty at both institutions, while providing access to law school to a more diverse population.”
As just one example, the affiliation comes as UAlbany launches its new College of Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity (CEHC).
UAlbany and Albany Law School Frequently Asked Questions
“The University at Albany’s affiliation with Albany Law School is perfectly timed as the University launches the new College of Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity (CEHC),” said CEHC Interim Dean David Rousseau. “This allows both partners to train professionals who can navigate the tradeoffs between security and civil and social rights in the most dire and distressing circumstances.”
In addition to the existing 3+3 program, academic partnerships already in place include joint degrees with Albany Law’s J.D. and a Master’s in Business Administration, J.D. and a Master’s in Public Administration, J.D. and a Master’s in Regional Planning, and J.D. and a Master’s in Social Work. Together the two schools also run The Institute for Financial Market Regulation, which educates students about, and researches critical issues in, financial market regulation. Also, the UA-ALS Health and Human Rights certificate program in UAlbany’s School of Public Health was recently approved by the State.
Capital District business and civic leaders also recognize the importance of this partnership to the region.
“As President and CEO of the area’s largest credit union, Chairman of the UAlbany University Council, Advisory Council Co-Chair to the Capital Region’s Upstate Revitalization Initiative, and proud two-time UAlbany alum, I understand how this enhanced alliance between two important institutions to the Capital Region strengthens our community, its workforce and vitality,” said Michael J. Castellana, President and CEO of SEFCU, UAlbany ‘84, MBA '92.
The deepened affiliation will:
As publicly engaged institutions, Albany Law School and the University at Albany will provide opportunities to create reciprocal partnerships to tackle what matters most to the community. Through combined research, teaching, and service, we can partner with our communities, from local to global, to address complex societal challenges.
“Our world’s challenges are too large to be solved by just one discipline. Partnerships and informational cross-pollination are essential to solving vexing public and societal problems,” Jones said.
As part of the deepening affiliation, Albany Law School also announced it will continue to guarantee a three-year award of $17,000 each year ($51,000 in total), for all UAlbany graduates accepted for admission to Albany Law School. The offer does not preclude the UAlbany students from qualifying for additional financial aid.
Senator Neil Breslin (44th Senate District) said: “Together these two institutions have served the Capital Region for a combined 335 years and this announcement demonstrates that they are still innovating and partnering to ensure that generations to come will benefit from their rich curriculum and faculty expertise.”
Assemblymember Patricia Fahy (109th Assembly District) said: “ I commend both the Albany Law School and UAlbany for their foresight and for recognizing their respective institutions are strengthened by full collaboration to expand student opportunities in both schools. I applaud this initiative and am confident it will benefit the students and faculty and be of long term success in both institutions.”
Senator George Amedore (46th Senate District) said: “An enhanced alliance between these two institutions brings a renewed energy, vision and comprehensive mission that will serve their students and the community at large.”
Senator Hugh T. Farley (49th Senate District), Professor Emeritus of Business Law at the University at Albany, said: “This is a very exciting development for both the University at Albany and Albany Law School, as well as for the Capital Region. I applaud the schools for taking the initiative to develop this mutually beneficial relationship. I know that this collaborative effort will enhance and strengthen the programs at both schools, benefiting students and faculty alike.”
Joseph N. Garba ’02, ’05, President, University at Albany Alumni Association Board of Directors, said: ”As President of the University at Albany Alumni Association Board of Directors and a proud two-time alum, I recognize that increased academic opportunities serve to further strengthen our student and alumni population. Both the University at Albany and Albany Law School have long traditions of producing well prepared graduates, and this enhanced collaboration will result in more opportunities for the students of both institutions. I believe that this broadening affiliation with Albany Law School will create even stronger pathways to academic and professional success for UAlbany students, and I applaud today’s announcement as a positive step forward for our University community.”
Albany Mayor Katherine Sheehan, an alumna of Albany Law School and a member of the school’s Board of Trustees, said: “The City of Albany has always thrived on collaborations between its institutions. These two schools – a major research university and a small, historically-rich and innovative law school – working together can only enrich the region, attract more great students and develop professionals that will help lead our region toward a successful future. As a graduate of Albany Law School, I look forward to this new affiliation.”
Bethany Hicks, a UAlbany graduate now attending Albany Law School as part of the 3+3 program, said: “This new, stronger affiliation between Albany Law School and the University at Albany will expand upon the opportunities that have brought students like me to the Capital Region. After coming to the region specifically for the 3+3 program, spending my undergraduate and law school years, I plan to make the Capital Region my home. It has given me the tools I need to succeed and launch my career, and what better place than here to do that.”
Read what community members are saying about the affiliation.
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About the University at AlbanyEducationally and culturally, the University at Albany-SUNY puts "The World Within Reach" for its more than 17,300 students. An internationally recognized research university, we offer 120 undergraduate majors and minors and more than 125 master's, doctoral, and graduate certificate programs. UAlbany is a leader among all New York State colleges and universities in such diverse fields as atmospheric and environmental sciences, business, criminal justice, emergency preparedness, engineering and applied sciences, informatics, public, administration, social welfare, and sociology taught by an extensive roster of faculty experts. With a curriculum enhanced by 600 study-abroad opportunities, UAlbany launches great careers.
About Albany Law SchoolAlbany Law School is the nation's oldest independent school of law. Founded in 1851, it has played an important role in the development of legal education in the United States. The institution offers students an innovative, rigorous curriculum. Several nationally recognized programs—including the Government Law Center and the Albany Law Clinic & Justice Center—provide opportunities for students to apply classroom learning to real situations. Students have access to New York's highest court, federal courts, the executive branch, and the state legislature. With 10,000 alumni practicing in every state, its graduates serve as a vital resource for the law school and its students.
Contact(s):
David Singer Albany Law School Phone: (518) 445-3211 E-mail: dsing@albanylaw.edu
