American University Washington College of Law

What American University Washington College of Law does

American University Washington College of Law (AUWCL) is a private, non-profit law school founded in 1896 and operating as a constituent college of American University in Washington, DC. The institution delivers legal education across a multi-tier portfolio: the three-year Juris Doctor (JD), ten specialized Master of Laws (LL.M.) tracks spanning international law, intellectual property, arbitration, human rights, advocacy, legislation, and gender law, the Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD) as its terminal research degree, and an online Master of Legal Studies (MLS) for non-lawyers. It also operates domestic dual degrees (JD/MBA, JD/MA, JD/MPA, JD/MPP, JD/MS) and five international dual-degree partnerships with law schools in Canada, France, Italy, and Spain, plus emerging partnerships in Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan.

AUWCL's technology stack centers on a 2U-powered online learning management and marketing platform for the MLS program, the Pence Law Library's digital research resources, and virtual campus tour infrastructure for prospective student engagement. The school houses dedicated academic centers including the Program on Environmental and Energy Law (PEEL), the Program on Information Justice and Intellectual Property (PIJIP), the Tech/Law & Security Program, the War Crimes Research Office, the Program on Law and Government, and the Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program. Faculty credentials include former senior federal officials and a UN International Law Commission member.

Revenue is generated primarily through tuition across JD, LL.M., SJD, and MLS programs, supplemented by continuing legal education certificates, summer and study-abroad programs (including The Hague program), and conference and event hosting at the 8.5-acre Tenley Campus. Distribution is multi-channel: LSAC-mediated JD applications, direct online enrollment for MLS via 2U, international partner-mediated dual degree intake, and event-driven summer programming. Student profile is diverse, drawing from 50+ countries through the LL.M. program with an enrolled population of 1,500+ and a 4,000+ global alumni network. The school is consistently nationally ranked by U.S. News & World Report, holding #2 Clinical, #4 International Law, #6 Intellectual Property, #9 Part-Time Law, and #16 Health Care Law designations.

Name

American University Washington College of Law

Legal name

American University Washington College of Law

Website

https://wcl.american.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1896

Operating status

Operating

Short description

American University Washington College of Law is a private, non-profit law school founded in 1896 in Washington, DC, offering JD, LL.M., SJD, MLS, and dual degree programs to roughly 1,500 enrolled students from 50+ countries, with nationally top-10 specialty rankings in Clinical, International, and IP Law.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Legal Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

ABA-Accredited JD-Granting Law Schools (EDAHAIAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

LLM & Post-JD Graduate Law Programs (EDAHAIAC), SJD / JSD & Doctoral Law Programs (EDAHAIAD), Law School Research Centers & Institutes (e.g., Law & Economics, Human Rights) (EDAHAIAJ)

Keywords

• Legal education
• Law degree programs
• Graduate law studies
• Professional legal training
• Continuing legal education

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Degree Program Tuition: Tuition revenue from JD, LL.M., SJD, and Master of Legal Studies programs. SJD costs $2,481 per credit with first-year total approximately $45,360 plus living expenses. Application fees of $55 per application.
2. Professional and Continuing Legal Education: Revenue from summer programs, certificate programs in international arbitration, English for Lawyers, Spanish for Lawyers, and other professional development offerings.
3. Conference and Event Services: Revenue from conference center room rentals and event hosting at the Tenley Campus facilities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

American University Washington College of Law is a private, nonprofit law school that delivers accredited graduate and professional legal education through the Juris Doctor (JD), multiple specialized Master of Laws (LL.M.) programs, the Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD), and an online Master of Legal Studies (MLS) for non-lawyers. Course delivery is supported by traditional on-campus instruction in Washington, DC and an online learning platform partnership with 2U, supplemented by continuing legal education certificates and dual degree pathways with international partners.

Product overview

American University Washington College of Law is a law school offering a comprehensive portfolio of legal education programs, not a traditional technology product company. The institution operates as a unified academic institution offering multiple degree programs and academic centers. Core degree programs include the Juris Doctor (JD), multiple specialized LL.M. programs (in areas such as Advocacy, International Arbitration, International Business and Trade Law, International Human Rights, International Legal Studies, Law and Government, Legislation, Gender/International/Comparative Law, and Intellectual Property and Technology), the online Master of Legal Studies (MLS) with specializations in Business, Health Care Compliance, Technology, Cybersecurity, and U.S. Legislation, the Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD) as the most advanced degree, and domestic/international dual degree programs. The institution houses specialized academic centers including the Program on Environmental and Energy Law (PEEL), the Program on Information Justice and Intellectual Property (PIJIP), the Tech/Law & Security Program, the War Crimes Research Office, the Program on Law and Government, and the Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program. Online programs are delivered in partnership with 2U.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Juris Doctor (JD) Program The primary professional law degree at AUWCL, offered as a three-year JD with full-time and part-time options, providing comprehensive legal education with nationally ranked specialty programs in Clinical, International Law, and Intellectual Property.
• LL.M. in Advocacy Advanced law degree specializing in trial advocacy and litigation training, combining rigorous academics with practical litigation skills.
• LL.M. in Intellectual Property and Technology Master of Laws degree focusing on intellectual property law with one of the nation's largest IP faculties, emphasizing international and public interest law through the Program on Information Justice and Intellectual Property.
• LL.M. in International Arbitration and Business Law Advanced degree training lawyers to become arbitration practitioners, responding to law firms' demands for expertise in international commercial arbitration.
• LL.M. in International Business and Trade Law Graduate degree providing in-depth knowledge and practical legal skills in international trade law and policy for lawyers seeking expertise in cross-border transactions.
• LL.M. in International Human Rights and Humanitarian Law Specialized graduate training in international human rights and humanitarian law, drawing on AUWCL and international faculty expertise.
• LL.M. in International Legal Studies (ILSP) One of the largest international law curricula in the U.S. with over 100 specialized courses, allowing students to design individual curriculum tailored to their interests and career goals.
• LL.M. in Law and Government Graduate degree preparing students for leadership at the intersection of U.S. law and public policy, covering theories, political forces, and institutional realities of public law.
• LL.M. in Legislation Advanced degree equipping lawyers with legislative and regulatory drafting, negotiation, and statutory interpretation skills for careers at the intersection of law and domestic public policy.
• LL.M. in Gender, International and Comparative Law Specialized LL.M. providing legal and policy skills to address challenges facing women and LGBTQ people worldwide.
• Online Master of Legal Studies (MLS) Online graduate degree for non-lawyers seeking legal knowledge to solve challenges affecting their organizations, offered in partnership with 2U with specializations including Business, Health Care Compliance, Technology, Cybersecurity, and U.S. Legislation. No LSAT or GRE required.
• Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD) The most advanced law degree at WCL, bringing together aspiring legal academics and top professionals from around the world to research and write a dissertation of publishable quality. Tuition is $2,481 per credit with merit scholarships available.
• Domestic Dual Degree Programs Combined JD/MA, JD/MBA, JD/MPA, JD/MPP, and JD/MS programs enabling students to earn two degrees simultaneously in law and another field at American University.
• International Dual Degree Programs International JD dual degree programs with partner institutions in Canada (University of Ottawa), France (Université Paris Nanterre), Italy (LUISS Rome), and Spain (UC3M, Comillas), including JD/JD and JD/LLM programs.
• Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program Program hosting Hubert H. Humphrey Fellows since 2002; AUWCL is the only law school that hosts Humphrey Fellows, providing professional development to mid-career professionals from developing countries.
• Continuing Legal Education and Certificate Programs Professional development offerings including certificate programs in international arbitration, English for Lawyers, Spanish for Lawyers, and summer programs serving practicing legal professionals.

Quantifiable outcome

• LL.M. programs ranked #4 nationally for International Law by U.S. News & World Report
• +2 more outcomes

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered emerging, core and minor.

• Uzbekistan Government/EmbassyemergingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 March 2026Discussions on expanding cooperation in legal education including joint programs, student exchanges, and specialized training in international trade and commercial law for civil servants. Law school leadership visit to Uzbekistan planned for May 2026 with planned MoU signing.
• Inter-American Institute on Justice and Sustainability (IIJS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 October 2022Educational Service Agreement to promote professional development and experiential legal education through student field placements and joint research projects on rule of law, environment, and sustainability.
• University of Ottawa Faculty of LawcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational dual degree JD/JD program allowing students to earn JD from WCL and JD from University of Ottawa Common Law Section. WCL students can participate after completing at least one semester.
• Université Paris Ouest Nanterre la DéfensecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational dual degree JD/Master 1/Master 2 program with leading French law university. Students earn JD-equivalent French degrees alongside WCL JD.
• LUISS Libera Università Internazionale Degli Studi Sociali Guido Carli (Rome)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJD/First Level Master in International, Comparative and EU Law dual degree program in Rome, Italy.
• Universidad Carlos III de MadridcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJD/LLM (Master en Derecho de la Union Europea) dual degree with leading Spanish public university.
• Universidad Pontificia Comillas (Madrid)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJD/Master's Degree in International and European Business Law dual degree program.
• ADA University (Azerbaijan)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDual degree partnership with Azerbaijan's leading university aimed at enhancing legal education and promoting administration of justice in Azerbaijan.
• 2U, Inc.coreTechnology or IntegrationTechnology partnership for online Master of Legal Studies program delivery. 2U provides platform, marketing, and enrollment support for online programs.
• Center for Human Rights & Humanitarian LawcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint initiative on Global Toxics & Human Rights Project combining environmental law and human rights expertise.
• International Law Commission (UN)emergingStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessor Claudio Grossman hosted ILC members at AUWCL as member of UN International Law Commission and Special Rapporteur on Immunity of State Officials.
• US-Uzbek Business and Investment CouncilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDiscussions included investment cooperation support through recently established US-Uzbek Business and Investment Council.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Georgetown University Law Center: Elite Washington, DC-based law school with similar international law, human rights, and policy-oriented programs; closest direct competitor for LL.M. and JD students seeking DC-based legal education.
• George Washington University Law School: Another top DC law school with strong IP, government, and international law programs; directly competes for the same DC-resident and policy-oriented JD/LL.M. cohort.
• Georgetown University Law Center – LL.M. Programs: Georgetown's LL.M. portfolio (including international and human rights) competes head-to-head with AUWCL's specialized LL.M. programs for international students.
• Columbia Law School: Top-tier U.S. law school with strong international and comparative law offerings; competes for high-caliber LL.M. and SJD applicants globally.
• New York University School of Law: Leading global law school with deep international law, human rights, and IP specializations; a primary competitor in the LL.M. market, particularly for international arbitration and human rights tracks.
• Fordham Law School: Major urban law school with extensive LL.M. offerings and a focus on international and intellectual property law, directly competing for similar LL.M. applicants.
• Yeshiva University – Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law: New York-based law school with prominent IP and technology law programs, competing for similar specialized LL.M. and JD applicants.
• Cornell Law School: Top-tier U.S. law school with a strong international LL.M. program; competes for high-caliber international students seeking U.S. credentials.
• Northwestern Pritzker School of Law: Highly ranked law school with a leading LL.M. program in Chicago; competes for U.S. and international LL.M. applicants in international and business law.

Regional players

• Howard University School of Law: DC-based law school with strong human rights and public interest focus; competes locally for JD applicants interested in social justice and public service careers.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/auwcl
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/AUWCL
• Facebookfacebook.com/AUWCL
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/american-university-washington-college-of-law
• Instagraminstagram.com/au_wcl

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about American University Washington College of Law