Northeastern University. in Massachusetts Law Schools
Northeastern University School of Law
History
Founded in 1898 as Boston’s first evening law school.
Closed in 1953 due to declining enrollment.
Reopened in 1968 as a modernized law school built on Northeastern’s hallmark co-op education system, which integrates classroom study with practical work.
Educational Philosophy
Experiential Learning (Co-op Model): Every law student must complete multiple cooperative work placements during their J.D. studies. These are real legal jobs at law firms, government agencies, public interest organizations, and corporations.
Public Interest Focus: The school is nationally recognized for training lawyers committed to social justice, civil rights, and advocacy. Most students graduate having worked in public interest or nonprofit organizations.
Programs Offered
Juris Doctor (JD) – Full-time, with the co-op requirement.
FlexJD (Part-Time/Hybrid) – Designed for working professionals, combining online and in-person learning with co-ops.
LL.M. Programs – For international and domestic lawyers seeking specialization.
Master of Legal Studies (MLS) – For non-lawyers who want legal training in areas such as compliance, healthcare, or advocacy.
Certificates & Dual Degrees – Options in business, public policy, and international affairs.
Admissions & Outcomes
Acceptance rate: around one-third of applicants admitted.
Median LSAT: about 162–163.
Median GPA: about 3.7.
Bar Passage Rate: over 85% of graduates pass on their first attempt.
Employment: around 90% of graduates find law-related jobs within 10 months of graduation.
Notable Case Law Involving Northeastern
Helfman v. Northeastern University (Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, 2020)
Facts:
A Northeastern University student alleged that the school failed to prevent a sexual assault and did not adequately respond afterward. She brought claims based on negligence, breach of contract, and statutory duties.
Issue:
Did Northeastern owe a legal duty to prevent the assault or to protect the student under negligence law?
Court’s Ruling:
The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court recognized that universities do have a special relationship with students in certain circumstances.
However, the Court held that Northeastern did not owe a duty here because the assault was not reasonably foreseeable.
The Court explained that while universities must act when they know of a specific danger or heightened risk, they are not insurers of student safety in every instance.
Judgment was entered in favor of Northeastern.
Importance:
This case clarified the limits of a university’s duty of care in Massachusetts. A duty arises only when the harm is foreseeable, such as when the school has specific knowledge of threats, risks, or prior incidents.
Summary
School Identity: Known for co-op and public interest focus.
Strengths: Experiential learning, social justice orientation, high employment in law-related fields.
Case Law Significance: Helfman v. Northeastern University highlights Massachusetts courts’ approach to foreseeability and duty of care in university-student relationships.
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