With an aim toward improving the diversity pipeline for aspiring lawyers, the American Bar Association and Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law are jointly launching an online program to introduce minority undergrads to legal education and careers as attorneys.

The Pathway to Law program is a three-year pilot project starting next spring at the Indianapolis school with a $250,000 grant from the ABA's Office of Diversity and Inclusion. The program will include 50 students initially who will take four online courses: Introduction to the Legal Profession; Legal Writing Skills; Critical Thinking and Comprehension Skills; and Advanced Critical Thinking and Comprehension Skills. The courses will also include instruction on study and test preparation strategies.

Attracting and retaining minority lawyers is a widespread problem in the profession. Eighty-five percent of active lawyers are Caucasian, according to the ABA, 5 percent are African American and 5 percent are Hispanic. Two percent are Asian American.

“IU McKinney School of Law is at the forefront of national efforts to achieve greater inclusion and diversity in the legal profession,” said Andrew Klein, dean of the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law, in a press release.

Law school staff and partnering undergraduate institutions will design and teach the courses. Courses will be designed in conjunction with E-Learning Design Services, the primary online design arm of the Indiana University Office of Online Education.

Students, who can apply for the program through the law school's website, will be mentored by attorneys, current law students and law faculty members.