Going Part-Time (vs. Full-Time Status)

JD students are considered full-time if they are enrolled in 12-18 credits per fall or spring semester. 

The Law School does not have a formal, separate, part-time JD program. Rather, part-time student status (11 credits or fewer) is entirely the choice of the individual student, and students may change from part-time to full-time status or vice versa when they choose, subject to the usual rules about dropping and adding classes. See Chapter 3 and Chapter 7 of the Law School Rules for more information about part-time status at matriculation or during law school.

In general, part-time students must abide by the same requirements as full-time students. They must complete the full sequence of courses in the First-Year Curriculum within two years of matriculation and must complete the Graduation Requirements for JD Students within six years of matriculation.

First-year part-time students should carefully review the "First-Year Part-Time Schedules" information on the First-Year Curriculum page to ensure they understand the limitations on evening courses, how/when to take certain classes, and limitations on upper-level coursework. 

Part-time students are eligible for Clinical Programs, Externships, co-curricular activities (see *Overview of Student Organizations and Co-Curricular Activities) and other special activities on the same basis as full-time students. Most of these programs are open to students after they have completed a certain number of credits, rather than a certain number of semesters.

A part-time student may use the pass/fail option (see Grading System) pursuant to the limitations indicated in Law School Rule 2.03.

Students who switch from full-time status (12 credits or more) to part-time should make sure any financial aid and/or scholarship they might have is not tied to a minimum number of credits or full-time status. Contact the Director of Scholarship Administration & Recruitment with any financial aid and/or scholarship questions. Also, keep in mind that eligibility for certain honors, such as Dean's List and Order of the Coif (see Academic Honors), require minimum numbers of graded credits.