Full-time Day Program
Students participating in the full-time day program may complete law school in six academic semesters. Under the full-time program, students must register for a minimum of 12 credits per semester (6 for summer). During the first year of law school, full-time students are typically divided into three sections of approximately 60-70 students per section, and a small legal writing class of 20 students.
Part-time Weekend Option
The Part-time Weekend Program is an innovative scheduling option available to students admitted to the Hamline University School of Law JD program. We have found that this program works well for students who have career, family, or other commitments. Designed for men and women seeking quality legal education in a weekend format, admission to the part time option is selective and has a limited enrollment. Required courses are taught by experienced, full-time professors.
Graduation Requirements
Academic Rule 1-114 governs graduation requirements for the Juris Doctor degree. In order to graduate with a degree of Juris Doctor, students must:
1. Complete 88 credits, of which:
a. 45 credits must be completed at HUSL
b. 28 credits must be first-year required courses as follows (must be completed within the first four semesters):
(1) Civil Procedure I
(2) Civil Procedure II
(3) Constitutional Law I
(4) Contracts I
(5) Contracts II
(6) Criminal Law
(7) Legal Research and Writing I
(8) Legal Research and Writing II
(9) Legal Research and Writing III (weekend program only, for students admitted as first-year students in Fall 2006 or later)
(10) Property
(11) Torts I
c. 2 credits must be a Professional Responsibility course (or equivalent Seminar in Ethics course)
d. One course must be a Legal Perspectives course (see list below)
e. One course must be a Skills course (see list below, applicable to students admitted in Fall 2006 or later)
f. One course must be a Seminar course
g. No more than one course can be an Independent Study
h. No more than one course can be a Practicum or Extended Practicum (a year-long prearranged Extended Practicum counts as one)
i. No more than 12 credits can be Practicum or Extended Practicum credits
j. No more then 4 credits can be Legal Drafting credits
k. No more than 5 credits can be Moot Court or other Competition credits
l. No more than 23 credits can be derived from the following types of courses:
(1) Field Placement
(2) Moot Court and other Competition
(3) Law Review or Journal
(4) Independent Study
(5) Course Exchange or Dual Degree Course
(6) Course for credit that is substantially based upon time expended outside a regularly scheduled class time at the School of Law or another ABA accredited law school. This rule does not apply to seminars, clinics which require a substantial classroom component, foreign study programs approved by HUSL or another ABA accredited law school, and courses conducted by HUSL or another ABA accredited law school in accordance with ABA standards for distance education.
m. No more than 12 credits can be in "distance education" courses
2. Complete their course of study no earlier than 24 months and no later than 84 months after commencing their law school studies.
3. Be in Good Standing, including but not limited to:
a. Final Cumulative Grade Point Average (cum gpa) equal or higher then 2.000
b. No pending disciplinary matters
4. Meet all financial obligations towards Hamline University