Catholic Law School in Naples, FL | Ave Maria School of Law Close Search APPLY NOW VISIT US Ave Maria School of Law offers a high quality legal education with a commitment to professional excellence, rooted in the Catholic intellectual tradition. Our school motto is Fides et Ratio (Faith and Reason.) Inspired by Pope John Paul II’s 1998 encyclical, Fides et Ratio Ave Maria School of Law offers a distinctive legal education — an education characterized by the harmony of faith and reason. In fact, Ave Maria Law is the only law school in the United States to offer a concentration in Natural Law. Pope John Paul II wrote Fides et Ratio to address the relationship between faith and reason. It was written primarily to address and defend traditional Christian philosophy. His Holiness believed that faith and reason together allow people to know and love God. '; Mission Driven Ave Maria School of Law offers a high-quality legal education with a commitment to professional excellence, rooted in the Catholic intellectual tradition. Inspired by Pope John Paul II’s encyclical Fides et Ratio , Ave Maria School of Law offers a distinctive legal education — an education characterized by the harmony of faith and reason. Academics We offer a rigorous and varied academic program, based on the foundation of faith and reason. Ave Maria Law requires 90 credit hours for graduation, including a core curriculum of 74 credit hours and 6 credit hours of experiential courses. In addition, we fully support our students in preparing for the bar examination by offering intensive courses that focus on test-taking abilities, advanced essay writing, and multistate bar exam questions. Faith Ave Maria School of Law is a Catholic law school welcoming all faiths on campus. Though the majority of students are Catholic, many religious backgrounds are represented within the school student body, faculty, staff, and alumni. The presence of faith in and out of the classroom adds a profound sense of community. Read our full mission statement Professional Development The Office of Professional Development works to support, encourage, and empower our students as they begin the pursuit of their passion for the legal profession. Our departmental focus is in direct alignment with the law school’s vision and mission in fidelity to the Catholic faith to build a community, serve the common good, and educate and develop students who will become lawyers with the finest legal, ethical, and professional skills. Ave Maria School of Law Prepares our students in Mind & Body & Spirit BODY The health of the body is connected to the health of the mind and soul. Ave Maria Law is blessed with a beautiful fitness complex on the school’s 12.5-acre campus. An entire Mind + Body + Spirit initiative is an important aspect of the school community. MIND Our Ave Law features rigorous academics, leadership training, and legal education founded on the intellectual tradition of the Catholic faith. There are many different clubs and activities to help you delve further into your passion for the law. SPIRIT Our faith is at the center of everything we do. Though the majority of students are Catholic, many religious backgrounds are represented within the school adding a profound sense of faith to our community. Ave Maria School of Law Ranked #1 for Most Conservative Students and #2 for Most Competitive Students by The Princeton Review “Faith and reason are like two wings on which the human spirit rises to the contemplation of truth; and God has placed in the human heart a desire to know the truth—in a word, to know himself—so that, by knowing and loving God, men and women may also come to the fullness of truth about themselves” St. John Paul II ENCYCLICAL LETTER FIDES ET RATIO OF THE SUPREME PONTIFF EXPLORE OUR LAW SCHOOL and see how you would love it here! EXPLORE CAMPUS LIFE There’s room for everyone: spiritual life, student orgs, veteran initiatives, indoor/outdoor study areas, and our new Sidebar Café. REQUEST A CAMPUS VISIT Request a visit with our Admissions Department. APPLYING FOR ADMISSION Starting October 1, you can apply for summer and fall admission by signing in to your Law School Admission Council (LSAC) Account Law; an ordinance of reason for the common good, made by him who has the care of the community. Saint Thomas Aquinas Dominican philosopher & theologian You have been producing graduates who are so competent. You already have federal judges who are graduates of Ave Maria. Which means of course when you’re out talking to potential students, that’s a pretty powerful story to tell. And the odds are pretty good that Ave Maria graduates may presently be more likely to get appointed, than say Yale Law School graduates. The Honorable Newt Gingrich 50th Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, author, and Fox News contributor The principle of democracy is a recognition of the sovereign, inalienable rights of man as a gift from God, the Source of law. Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen Venerable Servant of God Unless the cause of peace based on law gathers behind it the force and zeal of a religion, it hardly can hope to succeed. Albert Einstein Nobel Laureate Physics All law finds its first and ultimate truth in the eternal law. Law is declared and established by reason as a participation in the providence of the living God, Creator and Redeemer of all. Catholic Church Catechism of the Catholic Church I believe that if the judicial system of our country is not reformed and returned to the vision of our Founding Fathers, we as a country and a society will be in grave trouble. Tom Monaghan Chairman and Founder, Ave Maria School of Law Bear in mind that brains and learning, like muscle and physical skill, are articles of commerce. They are bought and sold. You can hire them by the year or by the hour. The only thing in the world not for sale is character. Antonin Scalia Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States Why Ave Law? Chosen as a distinguished guide by the esteemed Cardinal Newman Association, we are honored to be the only Catholic law school awarded this prestigious recognition. Law consistently ranks as The Princeton Review’s “Most Conservative Law School,” preLaw’s “Most Devout Law School,” and as one of Princeton Review’s “Best Law Schools.” As an unabashedly Catholic, conservative, and competitive school of law, Ave Maria Law School seeks to change the culture for the good by training lawyers in the Catholic intellectual tradition. SCHOLARSHIPS In 2025 we awarded approximately $5 Million merit-based scholarships to students through the generous support of alumni and friends. FINANCIAL AID The Office of Financial Aid can assist students to finance their legal education. STUDENT EMPLOYMENT Student employment is available through the Federal Work-Study (FWS) program. FACULTY The faculty at the Ave Maria School of Law are renowned for their teaching and research. Many are national leaders in the fields of Law and Religion. ENROLLMENT Year-round enrollment options: Spring (January), Summer (May) and Fall (August) “Our noble calling as attorneys, properly understood through the wisdom of the Catholic Church as it relates to human beings, has made all the difference for me in life. I hope that we at Ave Maria Law will instill that same sense of vocation in you. After all, why devote your life to something less than a true calling to serve others?” The National Jurist has listed Ave Maria School of Law as among The Most Conservative law school in the United States "Ave Maria School of Law is the one law school standing in the gap that the current culture is nurturing." Read HERE! Naples is one of the BEST places to move in the U.S.A. says Travel + Leisure magazine. It is reported that with more people working remotely than ever, Naples has quickly become the primary home of many urbanites relocating from cities such as Chicago and New York City. In fact, it now holds the title of the safest place to live, according to a recent U.S. News survey, and is one of the fastest-growing cities in the country, attracting not just retirees but also younger couples. Read what they are saying here. Chosen as a distinguished guide by the esteemed Cardinal Newman Association, we are honored to be the only Catholic law school awarded this prestigious recognition. Ave Law consistently ranks as The Princeton Review’s “Most Conservative Law School,” preLaw’s “Most Devout Law School,” and as one of Princeton Review’s “Best Law Schools.”
As an unabashedly Catholic, conservative, and competitive school of law, Ave Maria Law School seeks to change the culture for the good by training lawyers in the Catholic intellectual tradition. Read Good Counsel Join Our Quarterly Newsletter Blog Press Releases Ave Maria Law Ranking Blog Business Law Institute When the Cloud Breaks Blog Press Releases Ave Maria School of Law Highlights Student Success NAPLES WEATHER Called to the Law? Apply Here! American Bar Association Disclosures ACADEMIC CALENDAR AVE CENTRAL BOOKSTORE CAMPUS ALERTS COMMENCEMENT SCHOLARSHIPS TITLE IX | SAFETY & SECURITY COMMUNITY HEALTH & SAFETY POLICIES & PROTOCOLS EMPLOYMENT ABA REQUIRED REPORTING BLOG IT ASSISTANCE GOOD COUNSEL Ave Maria School of Law is approved by the Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar of the American Bar Association, 321 North Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60654,312-988-6738. x-twitter flickr email 1025 Commons Cir, Naples, FL 34119 (239) 687-5300 Main (239) 353-3173 Fax © 2026 Ave Maria School of Law. All Rights Reserved Close Menu (239) 687-5300 ADMISSIONS Admissions Apply Scholarships Financial Aid Request Information | Visit LSAT Testing Update ACADEMICS Academics Programs Clinics Faculty Academic Calendar Law Review Moot Court PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT Students Employers Professional Development Alumni CAMPUS LIFE On-Campus Housing Spiritual Life Cancro Family Wellness Center Student Life Diversity & Inclusion Student Organizations Commencement Bookstore Title IX | Safety & Security AMSL Emergency Management LAW LIBRARY Legal Research & Library Catalog Mission Statement Senior Administrators Administrative Directory Board of Governors History Office of Communications Speakers & Conferences Giving Employment ALUMNI AVE CENTRAL admissions@avemarialaw.edu (239) 687-5300 x-twitter flickr