Mar 21, 2017 12:02 PM EDT By Anne Collins, UniversityHerald Reporter

The American Bar Association has given the University of Idaho College Of Law the seal of approval this week. The UI had announced on Wednesday they are set to begin a first-year law program in Boise, following years of effort.

Mark Adams, dean of the Menard College of Law said the development was the fulfillment of a very long planning process. It included working with various stakeholders, state board, key members of the legislature, governor's office, university and faculty.

The idea was pitched in 2008 by former Law Dean Don Burnett and gained unanimous approval from the UI faculty senate. Since then they have worked to expand the program to Boise. Some were not as pleased as they saw it as an intention of moving the entire program to Southern Idaho.

Adams said that he saw the idea as an expansion and no reason for Moscow to be concerned about losing students. All indicators point to a boost in enrollment while ensuring student quality and still providing student scholarships.

In 2008, UI started offering classes to third-year law students and second-year students in 2012. They expect to have 60 students at Boise and approximately the same number in Moscow next year. Adams said that there is really strong demand for both locations.

According to The Daily Progress each campus has distinctive benefits, Boise has the business and legal community and Moscow students benefit from the advantages of deep ties to other programs, dual degrees at the UI campus and at WSU. Aside from that, Moscow students also benefit from externships, relations with area tribes and opportunities in Western Washington.

The Spokesman reported that the College of Law is accepting first-year applications for fall 2017 at both Boise and Moscow locations. For more information or on how to apply, interested applicants can visit uidaho.edu/law.

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