2019-2020 Registration Guide

First-year students in the Day Division are expected to treat the study of law as their sole occupation during the academic year. Upper-class students in the Day Division are strongly encouraged to limit employment and volunteer work to no more than 20 hours per week during the academic year. Additional limitations on outside commitments, including employment, may be set for students subject to action under Rule II.C. (Academic Standing Requirements). 1. Credit Hour Requirements : The academic year consists of two semesters, the first or fall semester, commencing in August and the second or spring semester, commencing in January. The Day Division course of study requires six semesters of class work. Completion of a total of 84 credit hours is required in order to earn the Juris Doctor degree. 2. Definition of Credit Hour: The study of law, as well as its practice, requires diligent preparation, engaged attention, and thoughtful reflection. In order to prepare students thoroughly for legal practice, the Law School adheres to the federal and ABA definitions of a credit hour. Standard 310(a) of the American Bar Association Standards and Rules of Procedure for Approval of Law Schools requires that: “A law school shall adopt, publish, and adhere to written policies and procedures for determining the credit hours that it awards for coursework.” ABA Standard 310(b) provides: A "credit hour" is an amount of work that reasonably approximates: (1) not less than one hour of classroom or direct faculty instruction and two hours of out-of- class student work per week for fifteen weeks, or the equivalent amount of work over a different amount of time; or (2) at least an equivalent amount of work as required in subparagraph (1) of this definition for other academic activities as established by the institution, including simulation, field placement, clinical, co-curricular, and other academic work leading to the award of credit hours. The Law School adheres to ABA Standard 310 concerning credit hours. 3. Credit Enrollment Requirements: Day students not participating in the Accelerated JD Program are required to enroll in a minimum of 27 credits each year (not including summer sessions) and 12 credits each semester, for 6 semesters (not including summer sessions), except as otherwise provided in these Rules and Regulations. Enrollment in more than 27 credits in one academic year will not reduce the 27 credit minimum in any subsequent year, except as otherwise provided in these Rules and Regulations. C. Evening Division 1. Credit Hour Requirements : The academic year consists of two semesters, the first or fall semester, commencing in August, and the second or spring semester, commencing in January. The Evening Division course of study requires eight semesters of class work. Completion of a total of 84 semester hours is required in order to earn the Juris Doctor degree. 2. Definition of Credit Hour: The definition of a credit hour for the Evening Division program is the same as for the Day Division, as set forth in paragraph I(B)(2).