Credit Hour Requirements
Under the College of Law's semester system, one credit hour is granted for 50 minutes of classroom or direct faculty instructional time per week, multiplied by 15, and at least 120 minutes of additional out-of-class student work each week, or an equivalent amount of work for other courses and activities, multiplied by 15. The standard course extends over a fourteen-week semester, followed by a two-week final examination period. Courses or other credit-bearing activities that occur over a different time period must incorporate the same total amount of instructional time and additional assigned work per credit hour as a standard course. At a minimum, students must complete 42.5 hours for 1 unit of credit; 85 hours for 2 units of credit; 127.5 hours for 3 units of credit; and 170 hours for 4 units of credit.
Credit is earned if a student receives an A through a D, or PA grade.
Graduation with a JD requires that the student complete 86 credit hours. Graduation with an LLM requires that the student complete 24 credit hours. Graduation with an MLS (formerly MJ) requires that the student complete 30 credit hours, or 24 credit hours if granted a waiver based on substantial professional experience of at least 12 months' duration in a relevant field of interest.
Time Limit for Degree Completion
Below are listed the time limits for degree completion for the JD, LLM and MLS (MJ) programs. Students who are unable to complete the degree within these time frames are required to confer with the Assistant Dean for Student Affairs in the College of Law.
Students in the JD program may pursue the degree in either the JD Day or JD Evening program. JD Day students are expected to complete the degree in three years. JD Evening students are expected to complete the degree in four years. The maximum time to complete the JD program, if a student takes an approved leave of absence, is five years. Pursuant to the American Bar Association Standards of Accreditation, all JD students must complete their degree no later than 84 months after commencement of law study.
Students in the LLM program may pursue the degree on either a full-time or part-time basis. Full-time LLM students are expected to complete the degree in one year. Part-time LLM students are expected to complete the degree in two years. The maximum time to complete the LLM degree is five years.
Students in the MLS (MJ) program may pursue the degree on either a full-time or part-time basis. Full-time MLS (MJ) students are expected to complete the degree in one or two years. Part-time MLS (MJ) students are expected to complete the degree in two to four years. The maximum time to complete the MLS (MJ) program is six years.
Class Attendance Policy
Attendance is mandatory for all law school classes. Each instructor may establish penalties for lack of attendance, including lowering the final grade for the class. If a student registers for a limited enrollment class such as a senior research seminar or an experiential education course and does not attend the first week of the class, the instructor may assign a failing grade.
Students are required to attend the section of a course for which they are registered. A student may not attend another section of the same course, even if taught by the same instructor.
Students who never attend or cease to attend a class without withdrawing may receive a grade of FX. The FX is calculated into the student's GPA as an F.