Stetson University College of Law

August 23, 2002:  Gulfport, Fla. - Students from a wide range of ages, professions and backgrounds started their first week of law school as the inaugural class of Stetson's part-time evening program, the only one of its kind in Tampa Bay.

The 69-member class includes teachers, nurses, journalists, engineers, entrepreneurs, pharmacists, an airline pilot and many other working professionals. Minorities represent about one-fourth of the class, and 54 percent are female. Each student was required to meet the same rigorous admission standards as Stetson's full-time law students.

"More than 90 percent of these students are the first person in their families to be able to go to law school," said Jan Majewski, assistant dean of part-time studies and continuing legal education at Stetson. "We are proud that the Stetson part-time program is giving these students the opportunity to pursue this dream."

Stetson's part-time students will attend classes three nights a week for the first two years of the program, completing eight to 10 credit hours a semester. After two years, students can choose to enter the full-time program or maintain their part-time status.

Stetson is now accepting applications for next year's part-time class, and is holding information sessions Tuesday, Aug. 27 at 6:15 p.m. on Stetson's Gulfport campus and Sept. 25 at 6:15 p.m. at the University Club of Tampa. To attend a session, contact Stetson's Office of Admissions at (727) 562-7802 or www.law.stetson.edu/parttime