William Mitchell, Hamline Law School To Merge

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Two nationally-renowned St. Paul law schools -- located just three miles apart -- will soon become one.

William Mitchell College of Law and Hamline University School of Law are planning to transform into Mitchell|Hamline School of Law.

The school will be located largely on William Mitchell's campus on Summit Avenue.

Officials say the combined school will offer three national-ranked programs, the largest alumni network in the state and numerous dual-degree programs with Hamline University.

Students will also have the most enrollment options of any other American school, including an on-campus/online JD option. They will also have access to Hamline University's library, athletic facilities and cultural programs.

The merge will happen after official approval from the American Bar Association.

William Mitchell was founded in 1900, and has the region's top-ranked clinical program.

Hamline is the oldest university in Minnesota, founded in 1854. Hamline's School of Law is U.S. News & World Report's top-ranked private law school in the state.