Back to Top

Attendance and Enrollment Standards

Attendance

ABA Standard 308(a) requires law schools to “adopt, publish, and adhere to sound academic standards, including those for regular class attendance, good standing, academic integrity, graduation, and dismissal.” Pursuant to Standard 308(a) the College of Law requires regular and punctual class attendance.  No student will be given credit for work done in any course in which he or she has failed to attend at least 80 percent of the scheduled classes.

Regular and punctual attendance is required. No student will be given credit for work done in any course in which he or she has failed to attend at least 80 percent of the scheduled classes. Each professor determines the effect of canceled classes on the total number of classes for the course. Excessive absences will result in a grade of UW. The student has the primary responsibility to keep a record of absences.

Employment

Students enrolled in 13 hours or more are expected to devote substantially all working hours to the study of law. Students may not be employed more than 20 hours per week in any week in which the student is enrolled in more than twelve class hours. Students working 20 or more hours per week are limited to 12 credit hours per semester.

Five-Year Rule

Students must complete the juris doctor requirements in five calendar years.

Enrollment in Other Courses Within the University

Students registered in the College of Law will not be permitted to register for courses in any other college of the University without special permission from the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. Permission will be granted only to upper-class students in special instances. Except for those students enrolled in the joint degree programs, no student will be permitted to take more than three hours of work in another University program.

Enrollment at Other Law Schools

The Associate Dean of Academic Affairs may grant permission to take courses at another ABA approved law school when compelling reasons are demonstrated.

Summer School

A limited number of courses are offered each summer in an eight-week domestic session. Additionally, the College of Law hosts several summer abroad programs in which students can earn academic credit.