Great Falls is getting a law school and a new nursing program

Touro University is expanding its operations in Great Falls, Montana, by launching a law school and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program. The law school, approved by the American Bar Association, will offer a hybrid learning model combining in-person and online instruction, targeting working professionals, rural residents, and career changers. Enrollment for the inaugural cohort is set to begin soon, with classes starting in August 2027. The initiative aims to address a significant shortage of practicing attorneys in the region, particularly in family law, estate planning, and land use law, as many current lawyers are nearing retirement and fewer young professionals are establishing careers in rural Montana. The nursing program, approved by the Montana State Board of Nursing, will also follow a hybrid model, allowing students to complete lectures online while attending hands-on labs and clinicals in person. Dr. Lauren Swant, appointed as Director of Nursing for the Great Falls campus, noted that the program aligns with Montana’s workforce needs, offering flexibility for students to balance coursework with other commitments. Both programs aim to improve access to legal and healthcare services in central and eastern Montana. Touro opened its College of Osteopathic Medicine in Great Falls in August 2023, and the new programs will further solidify its presence in the region. Elena Langan, Dean and law professor at Touro Law Center, highlighted the community’s warm reception and the urgent demand for legal services, stating that many residents struggle to afford or access lawyers due to overworked firms and underserved areas. The law school’s innovative approach seeks to bridge this gap by educating new lawyers for rural and underserved communities. Details on the physical location of the new programs—whether on or near the existing Touro campus—have not yet been confirmed. Interested candidates for the law program can find more information through provided links, while inquiries about the nursing program can be directed to lswant@touro.edu. Both initiatives reflect Touro’s commitment to addressing critical workforce shortages in Montana’s healthcare and legal sectors.