South Texas College of Law Houston diploma
South Texas College of Law Houston (STCL Houston) is Houston’s oldest law school. Copy South Texas College of Law Houston diploma. Make a diploma online. Since its founding in 1923, it has been committed to providing an excellent legal education to a diverse student body, cultivating practicing lawyers who can serve the community and the legal profession with professionalism.
A Century of Heritage and Mission
In 1923, prominent Houston leaders founded the school at the YMCA with the initial aim of providing working professionals with opportunities to study law. The first class had only 34 students and 7 part-time lecturers, with the classroom located in a single room on the third floor of the YMCA. A century later, STCL Houston has grown into an independent law school with over 1,000 students, and is the only independent law school in Texas not affiliated with a university. Located in downtown Houston, the school continues its mission of providing a high-quality and practical legal education in a vibrant environment. Where to order a South Texas College of Law Houston degree?
Core Degree Programs and Academic Strength
STCL Houston offers a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) and caters to diverse student needs through flexible learning models: full-time on-campus, part-time on-campus, and part-time online. Approximately 80% of students choose the full-time on-campus model. Furthermore, the school offers a J.D./MBA dual-degree program in partnership with Texas A&M University’s Mayes School of Business and the University of St Thomas’ Cameron School of Business, paving the way for a career path that blends law and business.
Nationally Renowned Practical Education
STCL Houston’s most distinctive feature is its nationally recognized, practice-based legal education. In the 2025-26 U.S. News & World Report rankings of law schools, its defense program is ranked 6th nationally, making it one of the few law schools to consistently rank in the top ten. Students have won 141 national championships in moot court and trial competitions, a number far exceeding that of other law schools. The school also houses the nation’s first “Transaction Practice Center,” focused on cultivating legal talent in the field of business transactions. Furthermore, its dispute resolution program is ranked 24th nationally, and its legal writing program is ranked 36th.
Employment and Reputation: STCL Houston graduates excel in the legal profession. Its first-time bar exam pass rate and final pass rate are both over 90%, and its employment results within 10 months of graduation are outstanding. This has propelled the school up 10 places in the US News overall rankings to 128th nationally. The school boasts an active alumni network of over 16,000 across the country, including state Supreme Court justices, numerous judges, and partners at major law firms.
