The Part-Time Program is designed to allow the part-time student to complete the J.D. degree requirements in eight academic semesters. Students may accelerate their program to seven semesters plus 8 or more credits over two or more Summer sessions. (See Required Time in Residence: Part-Time Program.)
During the first year, students in the part-time program take a required program of 24 academic credits in a section which meets during evening hours. During the second-year, part-time students take a required program of 7 academic credits together with elective courses. During the third and fourth years, part-time students pursue an elective program of study. In addition to the required first- and second- year courses, students must complete a course in Professional Responsibility and the upperclass legal writing requirement.
After the first year, a part-time student may not enroll in fewer than 8 or more than 11 academic credits without the permission of the Registrar or an Academic Advisor. Permission to enroll in 12 academic credits may be given under the following circumstances: (1) a student registers in a clinic that awards 12 credit hours; (2) a student registers for a seminar meeting the upperclass legal writing requirement and he or she has not previously fulfilled the legal writing requirement; (3) a student in either the Fall or Spring semester of his or her final year (but not in both semesters) needs to take 12 academic credits to complete the J.D. degree requirements; (4) a student is a law fellow in the Legal Research and Writing or USLD program; or (5) a student in the Spring semester wishes to take a one-credit course during Week One.
A part-time student enrolled in a clinic his or her third or fourth year may seek permission from the Registrar or an Academic Advisor to exceed the 11-credit maximum in order to take a course required or recommended for the clinic. Part-time students who are permitted to take 12 credits in a given semester will continue to be part-time students charged tuition on a per-credit basis.
Students in the part-time program are expected to graduate within four academic years of matriculation and may take no longer than six consecutive calendar years from the date of matriculation in law school to meet all J.D. degree requirements. If after six consecutive calendar years a student has not completed all degree requirements necessary to graduate, the student will be withdrawn from the Law Center with no possibility of readmission or graduation, unless excused by operation of law (i.e., military call-up, Americans with Disabilities Act, etc.) or by grant of a waiver. Students seeking a waiver of the six-year requirement must submit a written petition and supporting documentation to the Registrar as soon as their situation becomes apparent. Unless a written waiver is granted, the six-year rule is strictly enforced.
* Academic Advisors include the Senior Assistant Dean (J.D. Programs), the Assistant Dean (J.D. Academic Services), the Assistant Dean (Clinical Programs), the Director, J.D. Academic Services, or the Dean of Students.
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