School of Law at Yangtze University: Educating Future Leaders in Law and Social Work

The School of Law is a key academic unit of Yangtze University, committed to excellence in legal and social work education. We offer two undergraduate programs—Law and Social Work—alongside two postgraduate degrees: the Juris Master (JM) and Master of Social Work (MSW). In addition, we provide a Law minor and double-degree options for students across the university, contribute to the Master of Marxist Legal Theory and MBA programs, and support the development of a doctoral program in Agricultural and Forestry Economics and Management.

Program Excellence

Law Program: Established in 1994, our Law program has been a significant contributor to legal education in Hubei Province. Key milestones include the launch of the LL.B. in 2002, becoming the first provincial university authorized to confer the JM degree in 2015, selection for the "Jingchu Outstanding Legal Talent Collaborative Education Program" in 2018, and designation as a Provincial-Level First-Class Undergraduate Program in 2020. Over the past 30 years, we have graduated approximately 3,000 legal professionals, with our alumni well represented in the legal community—including multiple graduates serving in every court and procuratorate in Jingzhou.

Social Work Program: Since its establishment in 2006 and authorization to award the MSW in 2018, our Social Work program has developed a distinctive focus on judicial social work and disaster relief. It emphasizes practical, community-engaged learning, with special expertise in child protection, community corrections, support for left-behind children in rural areas, and disaster response. The School has been recognized for its impactful work, including initiatives like "Caring for Left-Behind Rural Children" and relief efforts following the "Eastern Star" incident, receiving commendations from the Ministry of Civil Affairs and the Hubei Provincial Committee. Our faculty contribute to professional standards, having participated in drafting nearly ten national and provincial guidelines.

Distinguished Faculty and Practitioners

Our academic strength builds on a faculty combining accomplished scholars and experienced practitioners.

Academic Leadership: Our programs benefit from the guidance of respected scholars including Professor Arthur Kleinman of Harvard University and Professor Tian Qian, a "Chutian Scholar" from Southwest University.

Professional Engagement: Senior judges, prosecutors, and legal experts from institutions like the Jingzhou Intermediate People's Court and People's Procuratorate actively participate in teaching and curriculum development.

Expert Faculty: Our 35 full-time faculty members include 25 professors and associate professors, 18 PhD holders, and 24 master's supervisors. Their accomplishments include four appointments to the national "Double Thousand Plan," two recognized as leading foreign-related lawyers by the Ministry of Justice, and several included in provincial-level expert pools. Many maintain active professional roles, with 14 practicing lawyers, 12 certified social workers, 10 arbitrators, and 5 with international academic experience.

Advanced Learning and Research Environment

The School provides strong practical training through a multi-level network of centers and partnerships:

Key Platforms: Hubei Provincial Key Research Base in Humanities and Social Sciences, Hubei Intellectual Property Training Base (Jingzhou), Jingzhou Women and Children Rights Protection Advisory Service Station, and the University's Legal Service Center.

Professional Partnerships: We maintain internship and employment collaborations with over 20 courts, law firms, and social service agencies in Shenzhen, Wuhan, and Jingzhou. Key partners, including the Jingzhou Intermediate People's Court and Beijing Yingke Law Firm, serve as postgraduate workstations, creating effective university-industry collaboration.

Meaningful Research and Social Contribution

Our faculty engage in substantive research that informs policy and practice. In recent years, they have led over 50 research projects, published nearly 100 articles in reputable journals, and authored 8 monographs. Their work, particularly on the protection of vulnerable groups, has gained national recognition and received awards including the National Excellent Law Textbook Award.

Beyond academia, we are committed to public service. The School contributes to legislative processes, hosts a standardisation committee secretariat, and serves as a legislative advisory body to the Jingzhou municipal government. We are a training provider for public officials and regularly organize community legal education initiatives.

Student Achievement

Our students achieve solid results. Over the past five years, first-year undergraduates have maintained a first-time pass rate above 90% on the College English Test Band-4 (CET-4). The first-time pass rate for the National Legal Profession Qualification Examination has remained above 40%, and approximately 20% of our graduates pursue advanced degrees, with about 10% entering public service.

Our Commitment

Rooted in Hubei with a national perspective, the School of Law is dedicated to "Solid Foundation, Strong Practice, Distinctive Features, and Deep Integration." We focus on educating capable, ethically-grounded professionals in law and social work. Our goal is to be a respected institution with strong regional influence and recognized specialized programs, contributing to the advancement of the rule of law and modern social governance in China.