People's College of Law

The Peoples College of Law (PCL) is an unaccredited, private, non profit, Juris Doctor granting law school
located in the downtown Los Angeles community of Westlake MacArthur Park. PCL offers a part time, four year evening law program centered on work in the public interest. As of December 2023, there are seven students. The school will close by May 31, 2024 due to accreditation and financial issues.

Aimed at addressing inequities in law and society, PCL was founded in 1974 for individuals historically denied access to legal training and representation. The school maintains a socio political requirement that states: "An eligible candidate will be able to demonstrate a commitment to progressive social change." On December 14, 2023, the State Bar's Committee of Bar Examiners approved termination of PCL's registration and degree granting authority effective May 31, 2024, to allow time for the remaining students to complete their legal education or transfer. Its students must take and pass the First Year Law Students' Examination, also known as the "Baby Bar", at the end of their first year in order to receive credit for their law study and eventually qualify to sit for the California Bar Examination. It is not approved or accredited by the American Bar Association, nor is it accredited by the State Bar of California. On December 14, 2023, the State Bar's Committee of Bar Examiners approved termination of PCL's registration and degree granting authority effective May 31, 2024, to allow time for the remaining students to complete their legal education or transfer.

From 2010 through 2015, 32 People's College graduates took the California Bar Examination; of that number, 6 passed the examination for a pass rate of 18%.

People's College of Law has one of the lowest tuition rates for a J. D. program in the United States. The annual tuition in 2022 was $5,000.