CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Elon University is deepening its footprint in Charlotte with the launch of a full-time law program in the middle of plans to merge with Queens University of Charlotte.
The two universities announced their intent to merge in September, a decision solidified in December after trustees approved a definitive agreement.
On Tuesday, Elon announced it has applied to the American Bar Association for approval to launch a full-time Juris Doctor program in Charlotte with classes targeted to begin in fall 2027.
What You Need To Know
Elon University announces intent to launch full-time law program in Charlotte
The school is already operating a part-time law program in Charlotte
If approved, the new program will operate on the Queens University of Charlotte campus
The moves come as Elon and Queens continue moving forward with plans to merge
If approved, the program would operate on Queens’ campus, either upon completion of the planned merger or by way of a lease agreement.
Education leaders say Charlotte currently lacks a full-time law school, following the 2017 closure of the Charlotte School of Law.
“Charlotte needs a law school,” said Zak Kramer, dean of Elon University School of Law. “It’s the largest city in the country without a full-time program.”
Elon already operates a part-time Law Flex Program in Charlotte.
Students in the four-year program said the format allows them to balance employment, school and family responsibilities.
“A game changer for me,” said Kayla Price, a law student in the Law Flex Program and a paralegal. “It fit my lifestyle, it fit everything I needed to stay in Charlotte and also be able to work and continue to get practical experience at the same time.”
The proposed full-time program would expand Elon Law’s presence in the city while maintaining its existing offerings.
“That would be in addition to the program in Greensboro and the Law Flex Program,” Kramer said. “So, the Law Flex Program will continue, we’re just growing into a full-time program as well.”
“The Law Flex Program will go with the new program to the Queens University campus, but Elon has other programs in its [South End building], it’s growing programs in this building, so we will make unbelievable good use of it,” Kramer said.
The Law Flex Program first launched in Fall 2024, and currently has around 83 students between its two cohorts.
Kramer said they’re expecting a growing demand for Charlotte’s full-time law program, as they aim to enroll a class of around 75 students, giving aspiring lawyers a chance to develop partnerships in the Queen City’s legal community.
According to Juris Education, the average cost of law school, including tuition and living expenses, totals about $230,000.
For private institutions, Juris Education reports the average tuition alone for a three-year program to be roughly $168,000.
Elon leaders say the new full-time Charlotte law program, designed to be completed in two-and-a-half years, would mirror the university’s Greensboro offerings, while providing a more cost and time-efficient option.
“The full-time scale will be the same [cost] as the scale in Greensboro,” Kramer said. “This year in Greensboro it was $136,000 all in. A lot of students get merit scholarships, so they end up paying less than that.”
“The benefit of being a 2.5-year program is its more cost effective, and it’s faster because students don’t have to pay for that second half of a third year, so they graduate with less debt and get out into the marketplace faster,” Kramer said.
The location of the proposed law school is closely tied to Elon’s planned merger with Queens.
Elon President Dr. Connie L. Book said placing a full-time law program on the Queens campus reflects what the merger aims to achieve.
“It is something that together Elon and Queens could not have achieved independently,” Book said. “So when we say stronger together, this is a great example of the kind of accelerated opportunity that the merger with Queens and Elon are bringing to Charlotte and beyond. A full-time law program is central to that vision.
“We were going to have a full-time law program even if the merger hadn’t been realized,” Book said. “But the cost avoidance of having the relationship with Queens is a $31 million issue, meaning, I don’t have to build a new library, dining hall [etc.] So, we had [otherwise] imagined leasing a building and then doing improvements to it.”
Elon leaders said the new program will also benefit current students by giving them an infrastructure to enjoy on a higher education campus.
“The Flex Program has already started benefiting working professionals here in Charlotte,” said Jack Randolph, a paralegal and student in the Law Flex Program. “Now, having a full-time law school opens the doors for everyone, whether they’re coming straight out of undergraduate or looking to change careers, and they feel like a full-time program works best for them.”
Jack Randolph and Kayla Price are enrolled in Elon University’s Law Flex Program in Charlotte. The paralegals said they’re excited the institution is expanding to a full-time option for students in a growing area. (Spectrum News 1/Jennifer Roberts)
Applications for the new program are expected to open in August 2026, pending ABA approval. Elon University said offers of admission cannot be extended until formal authorization is granted.
Regulatory approvals are still required before the merger between Queens University of Charlotte and Elon is finalized.
Follow us on Instagram at spectrumnews1nc for news and other happenings across North Carolina.