It is with genuine sadness that the Trustees of the American College of History and Legal Studies (the College) have begun the process of closing down the institution. Unfortunately, we have not admitted a new class for the 2014-2015 academic year, and we will be looking to close the institution entirely as soon as practicable (likely, the summer of 2015 or shortly thereafter). The College has been working with the Director of the Division of Higher Education of the New Hampshire Board of Education (the Division) to ensure that the academic interests of all students, applicants and attendees are protected. We will also ensure that all student records are properly maintained.

The Trustees’ decision to close the College was excruciatingly difficult, for they have always believed wholeheartedly in the College’s mission: to provide an avenue of social mobility (and even an alternative route to law school in some circumstances) through an affordable, rigorous baccalaureate program. In launching the institution, the Trustees believed that undergraduate students would become enthused with the mission of low-cost and social mobility, and come to Salem, New Hampshire to pursue this opportunity. Unfortunately, however, the College just has never enrolled enough students to continue to justify the cost of running the institution.

This has been an especially difficult time for those of us involved in the day-to-day operations of closing the College. The staff, instructors and administrators will, however, continue to derive substantial pride from the fact that the American College of History & Legal Studies has already provided significant opportunities to a host of students, many of whom have already gone on to attend law school.

All records have been placed in control of the Massachusetts School of Law in Andover, Massachusetts. Former students who need official transcripts or other information may contact us at:

Registrar’s Office
Massachusetts School of Law
500 Federal Street
Andover, MA 01810
(978) 681-0800
registrar@mslaw.edu

Students may also contact me at:

Professor Peter M. Malaguti
Massachusetts School of Law
500 Federal Street
Andover, MA 01810
(978) 681-0800
malaguti@mslaw.edu

If you have questions or concerns that you would like to bring to the attention of the licensing authorities of the State of New Hampshire, you may contact Ms. Patricia M. Edes at the Division as follows:

Patricia M. Edes
Program Specialist IV – Office of the Director
NH Department of Education
Division of Higher Education – Higher Education Commission
101 Pleasant Street
Concord, NH 03301-3860
Telephone: (603) 271-0257
Fax: (603) 271-1953
E-Mail: patricia.edes@doe.nh.gov

Finally, we would like to thank all of you for your support and encouragement over the years.

Peter M. Malaguti
Dean