Why Texas Southern University Thurgood Marshall School of Law?
As a historically Black institution, Thurgood Marshall School of Law is dedicated to expanding opportunities for underserved communities and preparing diverse leaders to impact urban communities and the legal profession.
Texas Southern University Thurgood Marshall School of Law is a less selective JD program with an acceptance rate of approximately 38.2%. The median entering 1L profile is a 3.33 GPA and 151 LSAT, with the 25th–75th percentile bands at 2.99–3.62 GPA and 149–153 LSAT. The full-time first-year class is approximately 195 students. Recent graduates have placed most heavily in Texas, California, and New York — useful context if your geographic preference shapes your school list. In the most recent older reporting cycle, Texas Southern University Thurgood Marshall School of Law admitted 9 transfer students into the 2L class.
Specialty strengths
Class profile
- US News rank
- Unranked
- Not numerically ranked by US News
- Median GPA
- 3.33
- 25th–75th: 2.99–3.62
- Median LSAT
- 151
- 25th–75th: 149–153
- Acceptance rate
- 38.2%
- Class size (FT 1L)
- 195
- Transfers admitted (2025)
- 0
- ABA 2025 reporting cycle
Top employment markets
- 1Texas
- 2California
- 3New York
Where the most recent graduating class concentrated employment, per the school's ABA 509 employment summary. Use this as a signal of where the alumni network and OCI recruiting pipeline are strongest.
Signature clinics
Clinical programs that define Texas Southern University Thurgood Marshall School of Law's practical training. Mention specific clinic names in your "Why Texas Southern University Thurgood Marshall School of Law" essay where they align with your interests.
- Criminal Defense/Title IX ClinicProvides students with practical experience in criminal defense and Title IX cases, primarily in Harris County, Texas.
- Family Law ClinicOffers legal assistance in uncontested divorces and other family law matters to eligible clients in Harris County, Texas.
- Immigration Law ClinicGives students hands-on experience in immigration law, serving communities in need.
- Wills, Probate, and Guardianship ClinicAssists clients with estate planning, probate, and guardianship matters, including drafting wills and powers of attorney.
Notable journals
Student-edited publications you could write for or cite as a research interest.
- Thurgood Marshall Law Review— A forum for legal scholars and practitioners to present new legal thought and opinions.
- Thurgood Marshall School of Law Journal on Gender, Race & Justice— Publishes legal scholarship focusing on feminist and racial perceptions under legal confines, and issues of gender, race, socio-economic, and sexual identity.
- The Bridge: Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Legal & Social Policy— A peer-reviewed journal providing research-driven articles to impact policy and practice changes addressing urban populations' needs.
Faculty highlights
Well-known faculty grouped by primary specialty. If a professor's scholarship aligns with your interests, name them in your essay and reference a specific paper or course.
- Okezie ChukwumerijeInternational Law, Contracts
- Emeka DuruigboInternational and Immigration Law, Business Associations, Property Law
- Craig JacksonConstitutional Law, International Human Rights
- Ana OteroCapital Punishment, Evidence
- Edieth WuContract Law
- Martina CartwrightEnvironmental Law, Gender and the Law, Domestic Relations
- Ericka KelsawProperty Law, Professional Responsibility, Torts
- Shaundra Kellam LewisCriminal Law
- Thomas KlevenEnvironmental Law, Property Law
- Martin L. LevyJurisprudence, Constitutional Law
What makes Texas Southern University Thurgood Marshall School of Law distinctive
Programs, history, or institutional features that set this school apart beyond rank.
- ·Offers the nation's first Master of Laws (LL.M.) program in Immigration and Nationality Law.
- ·Recognized as one of the most diverse law schools in the country, with a mission to train African-American and Hispanic lawyers.
- ·Houses the Earl Carl Institute for Legal & Social Policy, dedicated to promoting social justice and systemic change through research, advocacy, and community engagement.
- ·Emphasizes experiential learning through its comprehensive clinic program and a Lawyering Skills Center for hands-on training.
- ·As a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) law school, it has a unique legacy of expanding opportunities for the underserved in the legal profession.
Using this for your "Why Texas Southern University Thurgood Marshall School of Law" essay
Strong "Why X Law School" essays are concrete and specific to the school — not interchangeable templates. Use these facts to anchor your essay, then layer on what you've found from the school's own faculty pages, clinical program descriptions, and journal listings.
Important note: admissions committees actively reject AI-written personal statements and "Why X" essays. Use this page as research material to write your own essay — never as a template to copy. Authentic, specific, personally-grounded reasoning is the only thing that wins these essays.
Frequently asked about Texas Southern University Thurgood Marshall School of Law
What is the median GPA and LSAT at Texas Southern University Thurgood Marshall School of Law?▾
Texas Southern University Thurgood Marshall School of Law's most recent entering 1L class had a median GPA of 3.33 and a median LSAT of 151. The 25th–75th percentile range was 2.99–3.62 GPA and 149–153 LSAT. Per ABA 509 disclosures.
What is Texas Southern University Thurgood Marshall School of Law's acceptance rate?▾
Texas Southern University Thurgood Marshall School of Law's most recent reported acceptance rate was approximately 38.2%, per ABA 509 disclosures.
What clinics does Texas Southern University Thurgood Marshall School of Law offer?▾
Texas Southern University Thurgood Marshall School of Law's notable clinical programs include: Criminal Defense/Title IX Clinic, Family Law Clinic, Immigration Law Clinic, Wills, Probate, and Guardianship Clinic. Visit the school's official clinical programs page for the full list.
What journals does Texas Southern University Thurgood Marshall School of Law publish?▾
Texas Southern University Thurgood Marshall School of Law's notable student-edited journals include: Thurgood Marshall Law Review, Thurgood Marshall School of Law Journal on Gender, Race & Justice, The Bridge: Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Legal & Social Policy.
Where do Texas Southern University Thurgood Marshall School of Law graduates work?▾
Texas Southern University Thurgood Marshall School of Law graduates concentrate employment in Texas, California, New York, per the school's most recent ABA 509 employment summary.
Schools similar to Texas Southern University Thurgood Marshall School of Law
Other schools at a comparable rank tier — useful for building a transfer list, balanced 0L application list, or essay-research shortlist.
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- https://www.tsulaw.edu/academics/institutes-centers-clinics/legal-clinic/
- https://www.tsulaw.edu/academics/journals/
- https://www.tsulaw.edu/academics/faculty-staff/faculty-directory/
- https://www.tsulaw.edu/about-us/
- https://www.tsulaw.edu/academics/institutes-centers-clinics/earl-carl-institute/
Generated from public sources via search-grounded AI on 4/27/2026. If any fact looks wrong, click through to verify and let us know.