The University of Massachusetts School of Law at UMass Dartmouth started its academic year on Monday with 113 new students, a 21.5 percent increase over last year.

UMass Dartmouth stated in a press release that this number exceeds the national average of -1.5 percent this year and 8.6 percent in 2018. 

“UMass Law continues to build momentum in its pursuit of justice through education and service,” UMass Dartmouth Chancellor Robert E. Johnson said. “This is a credit to Dean Mitnick and his team of staff and faculty who have built a culture dedicated to their students’ success.”

“We are all proud of the numbers, which are evidence of the dedication and excellence of our faculty and staff,” UMass Law Dean Eric Mitnick said. “But, we are most excited and truly measured by the impact that our students and alumni are having throughout the Commonwealth, nation, and world.”

Since earning full accreditation by the American Bar Association in 2016, UMass Law has seen dramatic growth, with first-year enrollment up 71 percent and overall enrollment up 50 percent.

• Over the same period the school has also seen its number of applications increase by 46.7 percent and increases in LSAT scores and GPAs of applicants, making the incoming class the most qualified in the school’s history.

Established in 2010, the UMass School of Law is one of seven colleges and schools of UMass Dartmouth. Its students, through the law school curriculum and outreach clinics, have provided more than 100,000 hours of pro bono legal assistance and related community service across the Commonwealth.