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, Latin Honor, and Order of the Coif (see Academic Honors), require minimum numbers of graded credits.