Elon University has officially opened its South End regional center and unveiled plans to introduce a part-time Juris Doctor degree program, known as the Elon Law Flex Program, exclusively at its Charlotte campus. This program will be the sole in-person law program offered in Charlotte and is set to commence in Fall 2024, pending approval by the American Bar Association (ABA) and The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). Applications for the program will be accepted starting from October 1, 2023.
The Elon Law Flex Program aims to cater to working professionals, allowing students to complete their law degrees in four years. The curriculum will offer a wide range of law electives, including opportunities for experiential learning through law clinics, publication in law journals, and participation in moot court programs and competitions.
Elon University’s Charlotte regional center, located at 330 W. Tremont Ave., will also provide undergraduate students majoring and minoring in sport management with opportunities to study and work in Charlotte. This expansion aligns with Elon’s commitment to experiential learning and mentorship, offering students valuable real-world experiences through service, internships, research, and leadership.
The university’s extension into Charlotte follows its regional center model, with existing locations in Los Angeles, New York, Washington, D.C., and Greensboro. This strategic expansion is in line with Elon’s Boldly Elon strategic plan, aiming to establish key locations beyond the main campus as centers for academic programs, alumni engagement, professional education, and cultural opportunities.
Elon University in Charlotte boasts nearly 14,000 square feet of classroom and collaboration space, strategically situated in South End to provide students with a holistic city experience within an environment rich in arts, culture, and business. The Law Flex Program in Charlotte will adopt the same teaching model as the highly acclaimed full-time program in Greensboro, which emphasizes practical training and integrates traditional classroom instruction with mandatory field placements, allowing students to complete their program in just two and a half years.
The move to Charlotte is seen as a significant step in growing the legal community in the city by training ethical, creative, and practice-ready attorneys. Elon University also intends to offer alumni and prospective students opportunities for professional development, affinity groups, career coaching, and networking, in addition to facilitating collaborations between the community, business leaders, and Elon’s faculty and resources in co-working spaces.
Elon University’s expansion into Charlotte reflects the city’s continued evolution and the university’s commitment to nurturing engaged global citizens while promoting curiosity and purpose among its students.