2024-25 COL Student Handbook

Academic Handbook

ACADEMIC RULES FOR J.D. PROGRAM

ACADEMIC RULES FOR LL.M. PROGRAM

ACADEMIC RULES FOR S.J.D PROGRAM

STUDENT RIGHTS UNDER THE FAMILY EDUCATIONAL RIGHTS AND

PRIVACY ACT

CODE OF STUDENT CONDUCT

GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE

PROCEDURE FOR STUDENT COMPLAINTS CONCERNING THE

PROGRAM OF LEGAL EDUCATION

COMMUNITY SERVICE/PRO BONO

CURRICULAR PROGRAMS

DETERMINATION OF CREDIT HOURS FOR COURSEWORK POLICY

2024-2025

Revised 8/6/2024

Page - 2 - of 129 
 
Table of Contents 
ACADEMIC RULES FOR J.D. PROGRAM...................................................................................................................... - 13 - 
 HANDBOOK OBJECTIVES AND SOURCES OF RULES..................................................................................................- 13 - 
1.  Sources of Rules. ............................................................................................................................................- 13 - 
2.  Availability. .....................................................................................................................................................- 13 - 
3.  Questions of Interpretation. ...........................................................................................................................- 13 - 
4.  Knowledge of Rules. .......................................................................................................................................- 13 - 
5.  Petitions. .........................................................................................................................................................- 13 - 
 REQUIREMENTS FOR THE JURIS DOCTOR (“J.D.”) DEGREE ......................................................................................- 13 - 
1.  General Requirements for All Students. .........................................................................................................- 13 - 
1.1.  Credit Hours. ........................................................................................................................................- 14 - 
1.2.  Minimum Law or University Credit.......................................................................................................- 14 - 
1.3.  Minimum Classroom Credits. ...............................................................................................................- 14 - 
1.4.  Minimum Grade-Point Average for Graduation. ..................................................................................- 14 - 
1.5.  Required Courses for All Students. .......................................................................................................- 14 - 
1.5.1.  Required Lower-Division Courses. ...................................................................................................- 15 - 
1.5.1.1.  Successful Completion of Lower-Division Courses ...................................................................- 15 - 
1.5.2.  Required Upper-Division Courses. ...................................................................................................- 15 - 
1.5.3.  Administrative/Statutory/Legislative Course. .................................................................................- 15 - 
1.5.4.  Experiential Learning Course(s). ......................................................................................................- 16 - 
1.5.5.  Professional Writing Requirement. .................................................................................................- 16 - 
1.5.5.1.  Professional Writing Requirement and Experiential Learning Credits ......................................- 16 - 
1.5.6.  Cultural Competency Course (begins with JDr Class of 2024; JDi Class of 2025) ............................- 16 - 
1.6.  Additional Required Courses for JDinteractive Students .....................................................................- 16 - 
1.6.1.  Externship ........................................................................................................................................- 16 - 
1.6.2.  In-residence Courses .......................................................................................................................- 17 - 
1.7.  Course and Activity Planning Requirement for Certain Students. .......................................................- 17 - 
1.8.  Structured Curriculum Requirement for Certain Students. ..................................................................- 17 - 
1.8.1.  Structured Curriculum Courses Must Be Taken for a Grade. ..........................................................- 17 - 
1.8.2.  Office of Academic and Bar Support Requirements ........................................................................- 17 - 
1.8.3.  Waivers ............................................................................................................................................- 18 - 
1.9.  Recommendation for Avoiding Conflicts. .............................................................................................- 18 - 
1.10.  Presumptive Structured Curriculum Requirement for Part-Time and Reduced Load Students ...........- 18 - 
1.11.  Residency Requirements for All Students. ...........................................................................................- 18 - 
1.11.1.  Full-time Residential Students. .......................................................................................................- 18 - 
1.11.2.  Part-time Residential Students. ......................................................................................................- 18 - 
1.11.3.  JDinteractive Students ....................................................................................................................- 18 - 
1.12.  Requirements for Course Credit. ..........................................................................................................- 18 - 
1.12.1.  Pre-Matriculation Credit. ................................................................................................................- 18 - 
1.12.2.  Credit Hours Defined. .....................................................................................................................- 19 - 
1.13.  Good Standing Requirement. ...............................................................................................................- 19 - 
1.14.  Completion of Degree Requirements and Academic Program ............................................................- 19 - 
 FULL-TIME AND PART-TIME STUDENT STATUS .......................................................................................................- 19 - 
1.  Full-time Residential Students. .......................................................................................................................- 19 - 
1.1.  Academic Semester Minimum Course Load. ........................................................................................- 19 - 
1.2.  Academic Semester Maximum Course Load. .......................................................................................- 20 - 
1.3.  Summer Sessions. .................................................................................................................................- 20 - 
2.  Reduced First-Year Course Load for Residential Students. ............................................................................- 20 - 
2.1.  Petition for Reduced First-Year Course Load. ......................................................................................- 20 - 
2.2.  Guidelines for Reduced First-Year Course Load. ..................................................................................- 20 - 
3.  Part-time Residential Students. ......................................................................................................................- 21 - 
3.1.  Part-Time Student Minimum Course Load. ..........................................................................................- 21 - 
3.2.  Part-Time Student Maximum Course Load. .........................................................................................- 21 - 

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3.3.  Summer Sessions. .................................................................................................................................- 21 - 
3.4.  Change of Status. ..................................................................................................................................- 21 - 
4.  JDinteractive Students ....................................................................................................................................- 21 - 
 GPA REQUIREMENTS FOR JOINT DEGREES AND LAW SCHOOL EMPLOYMENT .......................................................- 21 - 
1.  Eligibility for Employment by the College of Law. ..........................................................................................- 21 - 
2.  Eligibility for Joint Degree Programs ..............................................................................................................- 22 - 
 ACADEMIC OFFERINGS FOR CREDIT ........................................................................................................................- 22 - 
1.  Residential Program Course and Non-Course Offerings. ...............................................................................- 22 - 
1.1.  Traditional Classroom Courses. ............................................................................................................- 22 - 
1.2.  Practice Development Courses. ...........................................................................................................- 22 - 
1.3.  Seminars, Faculty Tutorials, and Independent Research. ....................................................................- 22 - 
1.3.1.  One-Semester and Two-Semester Seminars. ..................................................................................- 22 - 
1.3.2.  One-Semester and Two-Semester Independent Research Projects. ...............................................- 23 - 
1.3.3.  Two-Semester Faculty Tutorials. .....................................................................................................- 23 - 
1.4.  Clinics and Externships. ........................................................................................................................- 23 - 
2.  Non-Course Academic Credit. ........................................................................................................................- 23 - 
2.1.  Special Activities Credit. .......................................................................................................................- 23 - 
2.1.1.  Documentation Requirement. .........................................................................................................- 24 - 
2.1.2.  Special Activities. .............................................................................................................................- 24 - 
2.1.2.1.  Advocacy Honor Society (formerly Moot Court). .....................................................................- 24 - 
2.1.2.2.  Inter-Collegiate Advocacy Terms. .............................................................................................- 24 - 
2.1.2.3.  Law Review, Journals and Impunity Watch. .............................................................................- 24 - 
2.2.  Non-Law Courses for Academic Credit. ................................................................................................- 25 - 
3.  JDinteractive Program Course Offerings ........................................................................................................- 25 - 
3.1.  Online Courses......................................................................................................................................- 25 - 
3.2.  In-Residence Courses ...........................................................................................................................- 25 - 
3.3.  Clinics and Externships .........................................................................................................................- 26 - 
3.4.  Non-Course Activities Credit ................................................................................................................- 26 - 
4.  Grading in Courses offered by the College of Law. ........................................................................................- 26 - 
4.1.  Grading Curve Courses. ........................................................................................................................- 26 - 
4.2.  Alternative Grading System Courses. ...................................................................................................- 27 - 
4.3.  Pass/Fail Courses. .................................................................................................................................- 27 - 
4.4.  Notice to Students. ...............................................................................................................................- 27 - 
 JOINT DEGREE PROGRAMS ......................................................................................................................................- 27 - 
1.  Requirements for Admission to Joint Degree Programs. ...............................................................................- 27 - 
2.  Enrollment. .....................................................................................................................................................- 28 - 
3.  Semi-Annual Review of Progress, and Dismissal from Joint Degree Program. ...............................................- 28 - 
3.1.  Dismissal for Failure to Maintain GPA. .................................................................................................- 28 - 
4.  Minimum Credit Hours. ..................................................................................................................................- 28 - 
4.1.  All Joint Degrees Other Than Environmental Decision-Making............................................................- 28 - 
4.2.  Joint Degree in Environmental Decision Making. .................................................................................- 29 - 
4.3.  Basis for Awarding Credit Hours. ..........................................................................................................- 29 - 
5 Tuition Policies .......................................................................................................................................................- 29 - 
 CURRICULAR PROGRAMS ........................................................................................................................................- 29 - 
1.  Minimum Credits. ...........................................................................................................................................- 29 - 
2.  Minimum GPA and Grade Requirement. ........................................................................................................- 30 - 
3.  Maximum Number of Curricular Programs. ...................................................................................................- 30 - 
4.  Mandatory Courses. .......................................................................................................................................- 30 - 
5.  Elective Courses. .............................................................................................................................................- 30 - 
6.  Written Work Product Requirement. .............................................................................................................- 30 - 
7.  Experiential Learning Requirement. ...............................................................................................................- 30 - 
8.  Cross-Listed Course Requirement. .................................................................................................................- 30 - 
9.  Capstone Requirement. ..................................................................................................................................- 31 - 
9.1.  No Double Counting of Capstone Work. ..............................................................................................- 31 - 
 TRANSFERS AND VISITING STUDENT STATUS ..........................................................................................................- 31 - 

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1.  General. ..........................................................................................................................................................- 31 - 
2.  Credit for Study at other ABA-Accredited Law Schools. .................................................................................- 31 - 
2.1.  Single Summer Sessions. ......................................................................................................................- 31 - 
2.2.  Multiple Summer Sessions. ..................................................................................................................- 31 - 
2.3.  Regular Session Visits. ..........................................................................................................................- 31 - 
3.  Study at Foreign Law Schools. ........................................................................................................................- 32 - 
3.1.  Authorization to Establish Exchange Partnerships with Foreign Law Schools. ....................................- 32 - 
3.1.1.  Compliance with the American Bar Association Standards. ............................................................- 32 - 
3.2.  Students Seeking Credit for Study at Foreign Law Schools. .................................................................- 32 - 
3.2.1.  Eligibility for Foreign Study. .............................................................................................................- 32 - 
3.2.2.  Foreign Study Application Process. .................................................................................................- 32 - 
3.2.3.  Credit for Foreign Study by Students of the College of Law. ...........................................................- 33 - 
3.3.  Assessment of Students for Foreign Study. ..........................................................................................- 33 - 
3.3.1.  Pass/Fail. ..........................................................................................................................................- 33 - 
3.3.2.  Letter Grades. ..................................................................................................................................- 33 - 
4.  Study by Students from Foreign Law Schools. ................................................................................................- 33 - 
4.1.  General. ................................................................................................................................................- 33 - 
4.2.  Approval of Foreign Study. ...................................................................................................................- 34 - 
4.3.  Assessment of Foreign Visiting Students. .............................................................................................- 34 - 
4.3.1.  Pass/Fail Option. ..............................................................................................................................- 34 - 
4.3.2.  Letter Grades. ..................................................................................................................................- 34 - 
4.4.  Minimum Credit Hours for Foreign Visiting Students. .........................................................................- 34 - 
4.5.  Academic Offerings for Foreign Visiting Students. ...............................................................................- 34 - 
4.6.  Pre-Matriculation Credit.......................................................................................................................- 35 - 
4.7.  Transcript..............................................................................................................................................- 35 - 
 CONDUCT OF CLASSES .............................................................................................................................................- 35 - 
1.  Class Attendance. ...........................................................................................................................................- 35 - 
2.  Recording. .......................................................................................................................................................- 35 - 
 LEAVES OF ABSENCE AND READMISSION ...........................................................................................................- 35 - 
1.  Leaves of Absence. .........................................................................................................................................- 35 - 
2.  Readmission. ..................................................................................................................................................- 36 - 
 DROPPING AND ADDING COURSES .....................................................................................................................- 36 - 
1.  Dropping Lower-Division Courses ..................................................................................................................- 36 - 
2.  Dropping Courses – Upper-Class Students. ....................................................................................................- 36 - 
2.1.  No-Drop Courses. .................................................................................................................................- 37 - 
2.2.  Limited-Drop Courses. ..........................................................................................................................- 37 - 
3.  Faculty Drop. ..................................................................................................................................................- 37 - 
4.  Financial Deadline to Drop Courses. ...............................................................................................................- 37 - 
5.  Adding Courses. ..............................................................................................................................................- 37 - 
6.  JDinteractive/JD Residential Cross Enrollment ...............................................................................................- 37 - 
6.1.  JD Residential Student Enrollment in JDinteractive Classes .................................................................- 37 - 
6.2.  JDinteractive Student Enrollment in JD Residential Classes .................................................................- 38 - 
7.  JDinteractive Course/Credit Limits .................................................................................................................- 38 - 
8.  Orange Flex Program ......................................................................................................................................- 39 - 
8.1.  Course Enrollment ................................................................................................................................- 39 - 
8.2.  Eligibility ...............................................................................................................................................- 39 - 
8.3.  Program Prerequisites ..........................................................................................................................- 39 - 
8.4.  Online Credit Limit – New York State Bar Exam ...................................................................................- 39 - 
8.5.  Total Credit Limits ................................................................................................................................- 39 - 
 AUDITING OF COURSES .......................................................................................................................................- 39 - 
 GRADES ...............................................................................................................................................................- 40 - 
1.  Letter Grades. .................................................................................................................................................- 40 - 
2.  High Honors, Honors, Pass or Fail Grades. .....................................................................................................- 40 - 
3.  Pass/Fail Grades. ............................................................................................................................................- 41 - 
4.  The Pass/Fail Option. ......................................................................................................................................- 41 - 

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4.1.  Pass/Fail Option Eligible Courses..........................................................................................................- 41 - 
4.2.  Pass/Fail Option. ...................................................................................................................................- 41 - 
4.3.  Pass/Fail Option Grading and Academic Credit ....................................................................................- 41 - 
5.  Incomplete Grades. ........................................................................................................................................- 41 - 
6.  Grading Deadline. ...........................................................................................................................................- 42 - 
7.  Class Participation. .........................................................................................................................................- 42 - 
8.  Grade Changes................................................................................................................................................- 42 - 
9.  Calculation of Grade-Point Average and Rank. ..............................................................................................- 42 - 
10.  Grading Curve .................................................................................................................................................- 43 - 
10.1.  Required Grading Curve. ......................................................................................................................- 43 - 
10.2.  Rounding and Remainders; Small Classes. ...........................................................................................- 43 - 
10.3.  Alternative Grading System. .................................................................................................................- 43 - 
10.3.1.  Eligible Courses. ............................................................................................................................- 43 - 
10.3.2.  Courses Not Eligible for the Alternative Grading System. ............................................................- 44 - 
10.3.3.  Grading under the Alternative Grading System and Academic Credit. ........................................- 44 - 
 EXAMINATIONS ...................................................................................................................................................- 44 - 
1.  General. ..........................................................................................................................................................- 44 - 
2.  Types of Examinations. ...................................................................................................................................- 44 - 
2.1.  Standard Examination. .........................................................................................................................- 44 - 
2.2.  Place-Based Examination .....................................................................................................................- 44 - 
2.3.  Online Examination ..............................................................................................................................- 45 - 
2.4.  Take-Home Examination. .....................................................................................................................- 45 - 
2.5.  Floating Examination. ...........................................................................................................................- 45 - 
3.  Duration of Examinations. ..............................................................................................................................- 45 - 
4.  Proctoring and Grading. .................................................................................................................................- 45 - 
5.  Postponed Examinations. ...............................................................................................................................- 45 - 
5.1.  General. ................................................................................................................................................- 45 - 
5.2.  Completing Postponed Examinations. .................................................................................................- 46 - 
5.3.  Unauthorized Postponement. ..............................................................................................................- 46 - 
6.  Variations in Examination Schedules. .............................................................................................................- 46 - 
6.1.  Same Day Examination. ........................................................................................................................- 46 - 
6.2.  Disability Accommodations. .................................................................................................................- 46 - 
7.  Retention of Examination Papers and Review. ..............................................................................................- 46 - 
7.1.  Deposit. ................................................................................................................................................- 46 - 
7.2.  Right of Review. ....................................................................................................................................- 46 - 
 DISMISSAL FOR ACADEMIC DEFICIENCY .............................................................................................................- 47 - 
1.  Academic Dismissal Rules for Students Enrolled on or After Fall 2018. .........................................................- 47 - 
1.1.  Full-time Residential Students – At End of First Year. ..........................................................................- 47 - 
1.2.  JDinteractive, Reduced Load and Part-Time Students – After Second Semester of Study Until End of 
First Year  - 47 - 
1.3.  Upper-Division Dismissal and Graduation. ...........................................................................................- 47 - 
1.4.  Academic Probation .............................................................................................................................- 47 - 
1.4.1.  Probation - Repeating Courses. ......................................................................................................- 48 - 
1.4.2.  Other Terms of Probation. ..............................................................................................................- 48 - 
1.4.3.  No Petitions to Repeat First Year. ...................................................................................................- 48 - 
1.4.4.  Special Financial Risks of Probation. ...............................................................................................- 48 - 
1.5.  Application for Readmission by Dismissed Students. ...........................................................................- 48 - 
1.5.1.  Readmitted Students Must Repeat Courses. ..................................................................................- 49 - 
 FAILING AND REPEATING COURSES ....................................................................................................................- 49 - 
1.  Courses Subject to the Grading Curve. ...........................................................................................................- 49 - 
1.1.  Mandatory Course Repeat and Academic Credit. ................................................................................- 49 - 
1.2.  Voluntary Course Repeats. ...................................................................................................................- 49 - 
1.3.  Reporting and Credit for Repeated Courses. ........................................................................................- 49 - 
 HONORS ..............................................................................................................................................................- 49 - 
1.  Graduation Honors. ........................................................................................................................................- 49 - 

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1.1.  Rounding. .............................................................................................................................................- 49 - 
1.2.  Minimum Graded Credit Hours. ...........................................................................................................- 49 - 
1.3.  Final Semester Grades. .........................................................................................................................- 50 - 
1.4.  Special Rule for Joint Degree Students. ................................................................................................- 50 - 
1.5.  Determination of Maximum Honors. ...................................................................................................- 50 - 
2.  Dean's List. ......................................................................................................................................................- 50 - 
2.1.  Residential (JDr) Students – Fall and Spring Semesters: ......................................................................- 50 - 
2.2.  Residential (JDr) Students – Summer Semester: ..................................................................................- 50 - 
2.3.  JDinteractive (JDi) Students – All Semesters ........................................................................................- 50 - 
 APPLICABILITY AND RULE REVISIONS..................................................................................................................- 50 - 
1.  Prospective Application. .................................................................................................................................- 51 - 
2.  Reliance on Prior Rule. ...................................................................................................................................- 51 - 
3.  Amendments. .................................................................................................................................................- 51 - 
 TIMELY COMPLETION OF DEGREE ......................................................................................................................- 51 - 
 INTERPRETATION, DISPUTES AND PETITIONS .....................................................................................................- 51 - 
1.  Interpretation and Disputes. ..........................................................................................................................- 51 - 
2.  Appeals from Administrative Decisions. .........................................................................................................- 51 - 
3.  Unavailability of Designated Administrative Officers or Departments and Delegation. ................................- 52 - 
 EFFECTIVE DATE ..................................................................................................................................................- 52 - 
ACADEMIC RULES FOR LL.M. PROGRAM ................................................................................................................... - 53 - 
 REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MASTER OF LAWS DEGREE ............................................................................................- 53 - 
1.  Successful Completion of Credit Hours in Residence. ....................................................................................- 53 - 
2.  Successful Completion of LL.M. Required Courses. ........................................................................................- 53 - 
3.  Minimum Grade-Point Average. .....................................................................................................................- 53 - 
 LL.M. ASSESSMENT ..................................................................................................................................................- 53 - 
1.  LL.M. Grading. ................................................................................................................................................- 53 - 
1.1.  Not Anonymous. ...................................................................................................................................- 53 - 
1.2.  Separate from J.D. and S.J.D. Students. ...............................................................................................- 54 - 
1.3.  No Grading Curve. ................................................................................................................................- 54 - 
2.  Pre-Matriculation Credit. ................................................................................................................................- 54 - 
2.1.  International Partner Institutions and Visiting Students ......................................................................- 54 - 
3.  Good Standing. ...............................................................................................................................................- 54 - 
 FULL-TIME STUDENT STATUS ..................................................................................................................................- 54 - 
1.  Full-time Student Course Loads. .....................................................................................................................- 54 - 
1.1.  Regular Course Loads. ..........................................................................................................................- 54 - 
1.2.  Reduced Course Loads. ........................................................................................................................- 55 - 
1.2.1.  Petition for Reduced Course Load. ..................................................................................................- 55 - 
1.2.2.  Guidelines for Reduced Course Load. ..............................................................................................- 55 - 
1.2.3.  Filing of Approved Reduced Course Load Petitions. ........................................................................- 55 - 
1.2.4.  Reduced Course Load in Final Semester of Program. ......................................................................- 55 - 
 PROGRAM DURATION .............................................................................................................................................- 55 - 
 MINIMUM AND MAXIMUM COURSE LOADS ...........................................................................................................- 55 - 
1.  Academic Year Minimum Course Load. ..........................................................................................................- 56 - 
2.  Academic Semester Maximum Course Load. .................................................................................................- 56 - 
3.  Summer Sessions. ...........................................................................................................................................- 56 - 
 ACADEMIC OFFERINGS FOR CREDIT ........................................................................................................................- 56 - 
1.  Law Offerings. .................................................................................................................................................- 56 - 
1.1.  Courses. ................................................................................................................................................- 56 - 
1.1.1.  Required Courses. ............................................................................................................................- 56 - 
1.1.2.  Electives and Prerequisite Courses. .................................................................................................- 56 - 
1.2.  Seminars, Faculty Tutorials, and Independent Research. ....................................................................- 56 - 
1.2.1.  One-Semester Seminars. .................................................................................................................- 56 - 
1.2.2.  One-Semester Independent Research Projects. ..............................................................................- 56 - 

Page - 7 - of 129 
 
1.2.3.  Two-Semester Seminars. .................................................................................................................- 57 - 
1.2.4.  Two-Semester Faculty Tutorials. .....................................................................................................- 57 - 
1.2.5.  Two-Semester Independent Research Projects. ..............................................................................- 57 - 
1.3.  Clinics and Externships. ........................................................................................................................- 57 - 
1.4.  Special Activities Credit. .......................................................................................................................- 58 - 
1.5.  Advanced Writing Project. ....................................................................................................................- 58 - 
2.  Non-Law Offerings. .........................................................................................................................................- 58 - 
 CONDUCT OF CLASSES .............................................................................................................................................- 58 - 
1.  Class Attendance. ...........................................................................................................................................- 58 - 
2.  Recording of Classes. ......................................................................................................................................- 58 - 
 LEAVES OF ABSENCE ................................................................................................................................................- 58 - 
1.  General. ..........................................................................................................................................................- 58 - 
2.  Credit Retention When Returning from Leave of Absence. ...........................................................................- 59 - 
3.  Readmission. ..................................................................................................................................................- 59 - 
 DROPPING AND ADDING COURSES .........................................................................................................................- 59 - 
1.  Dropping Required Courses. ...........................................................................................................................- 59 - 
2.  Dropping Electives. .........................................................................................................................................- 59 - 
2.1.  Academic Drop Rules. ...........................................................................................................................- 59 - 
2.1.1.  No-Drop Courses. ............................................................................................................................- 59 - 
2.1.2.  All Other Courses. ............................................................................................................................- 59 - 
2.2.  Financial Deadline to Drop Courses. ....................................................................................................- 59 - 
2.3.  Faculty Drop. ........................................................................................................................................- 59 - 
3.  Adding Courses. ..............................................................................................................................................- 60 - 
4.  JDinteractive/LL.M. Cross Enrollment ............................................................................................................- 60 - 
4.1.  LL.M. Student Enrollment in JDinteractive Classes ..............................................................................- 60 - 
 AUDITING OF COURSES .......................................................................................................................................- 60 - 
 GRADES ...............................................................................................................................................................- 60 - 
1.  Letter Grades. .................................................................................................................................................- 60 - 
2.  The Pass/Fail Option. ......................................................................................................................................- 61 - 
2.1.  Pass/Fail Option. ...................................................................................................................................- 61 - 
2.2.  Pass/Fail Option Grading. .....................................................................................................................- 62 - 
2.3.  Pass/Fail Option Eligible Courses..........................................................................................................- 62 - 
3.  Incomplete Grades. ........................................................................................................................................- 62 - 
4.  Grading Deadline. ...........................................................................................................................................- 62 - 
5.  Grade Changes................................................................................................................................................- 63 - 
6.  Calculation of Grade-Point Average. ..............................................................................................................- 63 - 
 ASSESSMENT .......................................................................................................................................................- 63 - 
1.  General. ..........................................................................................................................................................- 63 - 
2.  Types of Examinations. ...................................................................................................................................- 63 - 
2.1.  Standard Examination. .........................................................................................................................- 64 - 
2.2.  Take-Home Examination. .....................................................................................................................- 64 - 
2.3.  Floating Examination. ...........................................................................................................................- 64 - 
3.  Duration of Examinations. ..............................................................................................................................- 64 - 
4.  Proctoring and Grading. .................................................................................................................................- 64 - 
5.  Postponed Examinations. ...............................................................................................................................- 64 - 
5.1.  General. ................................................................................................................................................- 64 - 
5.2.  Illness. ...................................................................................................................................................- 64 - 
5.3.  Completing Postponed Examinations. .................................................................................................- 64 - 
5.4.  Unauthorized Postponement. ..............................................................................................................- 65 - 
6.  Variations in Examination Schedules. .............................................................................................................- 65 - 
6.1.  Disability Accommodations ..................................................................................................................- 65 - 
7.  Retention of Examination Papers and Review. ..............................................................................................- 65 - 
7.1.  Deposit. ................................................................................................................................................- 65 - 
7.2.  Right of Review .....................................................................................................................................- 65 - 
 DISMISSAL FOR ACADEMIC DEFICIENCY .............................................................................................................- 65 - 

Page - 8 - of 129 
 
1.  General. ..........................................................................................................................................................- 65 - 
2.  Interpretation and Disputes. ..........................................................................................................................- 66 - 
3.  Appeals from Administrative Decisions. .........................................................................................................- 66 - 
4.  Unavailability of Designated Administrative Officers or Departments. .........................................................- 66 - 
 EFFECTIVE DATE ..................................................................................................................................................- 66 - 
ACADEMIC RULES FOR THE S.J.D. PROGRAM ............................................................................................................ - 67 - 
 REQUIRMENTS FOR THE S.J.D. DEGREE ...................................................................................................................- 67 - 
 SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF CREDIT HOURS AND SEMESTERS ............................................................................- 67 - 
 PROGRAM YEAR 1 “IN RESIDENCE” .........................................................................................................................- 67 - 
1.  Required S.J.D. Colloquium Course (6 credits) ...............................................................................................- 68 - 
2.  Submission of a Program of Study ..................................................................................................................- 68 - 
 PROGRAM YEARS 2-5 “IN RESEARCH” .....................................................................................................................- 69 - 
1.  Semesters in Syracuse ....................................................................................................................................- 69 - 
2.  Semesters in Research ....................................................................................................................................- 69 - 
3.  Semesters in Field Research ...........................................................................................................................- 70 - 
4.  Semesters of Legal Study Abroad ...................................................................................................................- 70 - 
 DISSERTATION .........................................................................................................................................................- 71 - 
 ORAL DEFENSE .........................................................................................................................................................- 71 - 
 S.J.D. ASSESSMENT ..................................................................................................................................................- 71 - 
1.  Pre-Matriculation Credit .................................................................................................................................- 72 - 
2.  Good Standing ................................................................................................................................................- 72 - 
 FULL-TIME STUDENT STATUS ..................................................................................................................................- 72 - 
1.  Full-Time Student Course Loads .....................................................................................................................- 72 - 
2.  Reduced Course Loads....................................................................................................................................- 72 - 
3.  Petition for Reduced Course Load ..................................................................................................................- 73 - 
4.  Filing of Approved Reduced Course Load Petitions ........................................................................................- 73 - 
5.  Reduced Course Load in Final Semester of Program ......................................................................................- 73 - 
 PROGRAM DURATION .............................................................................................................................................- 73 - 
 MINIMUM AND MAXIMUM COURSE LOADS ......................................................................................................- 73 - 
1.  Academic Year Minimum Course Load ...........................................................................................................- 73 - 
2.  Academic Semester Maximum Course Load ..................................................................................................- 73 - 
3.  Summer Sessions ............................................................................................................................................- 73 - 
 ACADEMIC OFFERINGS FOR CREDIT....................................................................................................................- 73 - 
1.  Law Offerings ..................................................................................................................................................- 73 - 
 CONDUCT OF CLASSES ........................................................................................................................................- 74 - 
1.  Class Attendance ............................................................................................................................................- 74 - 
2.  Recording of Classes .......................................................................................................................................- 74 - 
 LEAVES OF ABSENCE ...........................................................................................................................................- 74 - 
1.  Approval for Leaves ........................................................................................................................................- 74 - 
2.  Credit Retention When Returning from Leave of Absence ............................................................................- 74 - 
3.  Readmission ...................................................................................................................................................- 74 - 
 DROPPING OR ADDING COURSES .......................................................................................................................- 74 - 
1.  Dropping Required Courses ............................................................................................................................- 75 - 
2.  Dropping Electives ..........................................................................................................................................- 75 - 
3.  All Other Courses ............................................................................................................................................- 75 - 
4.  Financial Deadline to Drop Courses ................................................................................................................- 75 - 
5.  Faculty Drop ...................................................................................................................................................- 75 - 
6.  Adding Courses ...............................................................................................................................................- 75 - 
 AUDITING COURSES ............................................................................................................................................- 75 - 
 GRADES ...............................................................................................................................................................- 75 - 
1.  Minimum Grade-Point Average ......................................................................................................................- 75 - 
2.  Letter Grades ..................................................................................................................................................- 76 - 
3.  Pass/Fail Grades .............................................................................................................................................- 76 - 

Page - 9 - of 129 
 
4.  Pass/Fail Option ..............................................................................................................................................- 76 - 
5.  Pass/Fail Defined ............................................................................................................................................- 77 - 
6.  Incomplete Grades .........................................................................................................................................- 77 - 
7.  Grade Changes................................................................................................................................................- 77 - 
8.  Calculation of Grade Point Average................................................................................................................- 77 - 
 ASSESSMENT .......................................................................................................................................................- 77 - 
 TYPES OF EXAMINATIONS ...................................................................................................................................- 78 - 
1.  Standard Examination ....................................................................................................................................- 78 - 
2.  Take-Home Examination ................................................................................................................................- 78 - 
3.  Floating Examination ......................................................................................................................................- 78 - 
4.  Duration of Examinations ...............................................................................................................................- 78 - 
5.  Proctoring and Grading ..................................................................................................................................- 78 - 
6.  Postponed Examinations ................................................................................................................................- 79 - 
7.  Illness ..............................................................................................................................................................- 79 - 
8.  Completing Postponed Examinations .............................................................................................................- 79 - 
9.  Unauthorized Postponement .........................................................................................................................- 79 - 
10.  Variations in Examination Schedules ..............................................................................................................- 79 - 
10.1.  Disability Accommodations ..................................................................................................................- 79 - 
11.  Retention of Examination Papers and Review ...............................................................................................- 79 - 
12.  Right of Review ...............................................................................................................................................- 80 - 
 DISMISSAL FOR ACADEMIC DEFICIENCY .............................................................................................................- 80 - 
1.  General ...........................................................................................................................................................- 80 - 
2.  Interpretation and Disputes ...........................................................................................................................- 80 - 
3.  Appeals from Administrative Decisions ..........................................................................................................- 80 - 
4.  Unavailability of Designated Administrative Officers or Departments ..........................................................- 80 - 
STUDENT RIGHTS UNDER THE FAMILY EDUCATIONAL RIGHTS AND PRIVACY ACT .................................................... - 82 - 
CODE OF STUDENT CONDUCT ................................................................................................................................... - 85 - 
 PREAMBLE ...............................................................................................................................................................- 85 - 
1.  Purpose ...........................................................................................................................................................- 85 - 
2.  Purpose of this Code ......................................................................................................................................- 85 - 
3.  Distribution .....................................................................................................................................................- 85 - 
4.  Violations ........................................................................................................................................................- 85 - 
 RULES OF CONDUCT ................................................................................................................................................- 85 - 
1.  Structure of Rules ...........................................................................................................................................- 85 - 
2.  Ambiguity .......................................................................................................................................................- 86 - 
3.  Conflicting Rules .............................................................................................................................................- 86 - 
4.  Who is a “Law Student?” ................................................................................................................................- 86 - 
5.  Academic Integrity Expectations Rules of Conduct ........................................................................................- 86 - 
 INTEGRITY PROCEDURES – DISCIPLINE AND PENALTIES ..........................................................................................- 88 - 
1.  Applicability and Conflicts ..............................................................................................................................- 89 - 
2.  Procedures for Complaints. ............................................................................................................................- 89 - 
2.1.  Content and Filing of Charging Statement. ..........................................................................................- 89 - 
2.2.  Decision to Prosecute ...........................................................................................................................- 89 - 
2.3.  Notice of Charging Complaint, Deadline for Answer and Administrative Settlement Conference ......- 90 - 
2.4.  Answer to Charging Complaint .............................................................................................................- 90 - 
2.5.  Assistant Student Prosecutors ..............................................................................................................- 91 - 
2.6.  Prosecutor’s Obligation to Assure Fair Presentation of Case ...............................................................- 91 - 
3.  Mandatory Settlement Conference With Prosecutor ....................................................................................- 91 - 
3.1.  Scheduling of Settlement Conference ..................................................................................................- 91 - 
3.2.  Purpose and Conduct of Settlement Conference .................................................................................- 91 - 
3.3.  Agreement ............................................................................................................................................- 92 - 
3.4.  Scheduling Hearing ...............................................................................................................................- 92 - 

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4.  Formal Hearing Procedures ............................................................................................................................- 92 - 
4.1.  Hearing Panel Composition ..................................................................................................................- 92 - 
4.1.1.  Makeup. ...........................................................................................................................................- 92 - 
4.1.2.  Student Members. ...........................................................................................................................- 92 - 
4.1.3.  Faculty Members. ............................................................................................................................- 93 - 
5.  Conduct of Hearing .........................................................................................................................................- 93 - 
5.1.  Statement of Undisputed and Disputed Facts. ....................................................................................- 93 - 
5.2.  Formality and Transcription. ................................................................................................................- 93 - 
5.3.  Papers. ..................................................................................................................................................- 93 - 
5.4.  Affirmation of Confidentiality...............................................................................................................- 93 - 
5.5.  Opening Statements. ............................................................................................................................- 93 - 
5.6.  Testimony. ............................................................................................................................................- 94 - 
5.7.  Burden of Proof and Determination. ....................................................................................................- 94 - 
5.8.  Representation of Accused. .................................................................................................................- 94 - 
5.9.  Deliberations. .......................................................................................................................................- 95 - 
5.10.  Trial in Absentia. ...................................................................................................................................- 95 - 
6.  Disposition and Penalties ...............................................................................................................................- 95 - 
6.1.  General Power of Panel. .......................................................................................................................- 95 - 
6.2.  Mitigating and Aggravating Factors......................................................................................................- 95 - 
6.3.  Examples of Penalties. ..........................................................................................................................- 95 - 
6.4.  Course Grade. .......................................................................................................................................- 96 - 
6.5.  Written Opinion....................................................................................................................................- 96 - 
6.6.  Posting and Maintenance of Rulings. ...................................................................................................- 96 - 
7.  Appeals To The Faculty ...................................................................................................................................- 96 - 
7.1.  Appeal of Right; Timing ........................................................................................................................- 96 - 
7.2.  Standard of Review ..............................................................................................................................- 96 - 
7.3.  Hearing on Appeal ................................................................................................................................- 97 - 
 Effective Date ..........................................................................................................................................................- 97 - 
1.  Substantive Provisions Not Retroactive .........................................................................................................- 97 - 
2.  Procedural Provisions Retroactive ..................................................................................................................- 97 - 
GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE .......................................................................................................................................... - 98 - 
 STATEMENT OF PURPOSE ........................................................................................................................................- 98 - 
 STRUCTURE ..............................................................................................................................................................- 98 - 
1.  Stage One: Ombudsperson .............................................................................................................................- 99 - 
2.  Stage Two: Mediation. ....................................................................................................................................- 99 - 
 SELECTION AND TRAINING ......................................................................................................................................- 99 - 
1.  Ombudsperson ...............................................................................................................................................- 99 - 
2.  Mediation Panel .............................................................................................................................................- 99 - 
3.  Training ...........................................................................................................................................................- 99 - 
 PROCEDURE ...........................................................................................................................................................- 100 - 
1.  Grievances ....................................................................................................................................................- 100 - 
2.  Mediation .....................................................................................................................................................- 100 - 
 CLOSURE AND REMEDIES FOR BREACH .................................................................................................................- 100 - 
1.  Notice of the Completed Dispute .................................................................................................................- 100 - 
2.  Notice of Resolution .....................................................................................................................................- 101 - 
3.  Subsequent Willful Breach ...........................................................................................................................- 101 - 
PROCEDURE FOR STUDENT COMPLAINTS CONCERNING THE PROGRAM OF LEGAL EDUCATION ............................ - 102 - 
PRO BONO AT THE COLLEGE OF LAW...................................................................................................................... - 103 - 
 VOLUNTARY PRO BONO RECOGNITION PROGRAM...............................................................................................- 103 - 
 SPECIAL RECOGNITION FOR PRO BONO ................................................................................................................- 103 - 

Page - 11 - of 129 
 
CURRICULAR PROGRAMS ....................................................................................................................................... - 104 - 
 GENERAL RULES .....................................................................................................................................................- 104 - 
1.  OVERVIEW ....................................................................................................................................................- 104 - 
2.  APPLYING TO A CURRICULAR PROGRAM .....................................................................................................- 104 - 
3.  PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS ..........................................................................................................................- 104 - 
4.  PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION .......................................................................................................................- 104 - 
 ADVANCED PROPERTY STUDIES ............................................................................................................................- 105 - 
1.  PROGRAM DESCRIPTION ..............................................................................................................................- 105 - 
2.  REQUIREMENTS ............................................................................................................................................- 105 - 
3.  OTHER PROVISIONS ......................................................................................................................................- 107 - 
 ADVOCACY & LITIGATION ......................................................................................................................................- 107 - 
1.  PROGRAM DESCRIPTION ..............................................................................................................................- 107 - 
2.  REQUIREMENTS ............................................................................................................................................- 107 - 
3.  OTHER PROVISIONS ......................................................................................................................................- 109 - 
 COMMUNICATIONS LAW .......................................................................................................................................- 109 - 
1.  PROGRAM DESCRIPTION ..............................................................................................................................- 109 - 
2.  REQUIREMENTS ............................................................................................................................................- 110 - 
3.  OTHER PROVISIONS ......................................................................................................................................- 111 - 
 CORPORATE COUNSEL ...........................................................................................................................................- 111 - 
1.  PROGRAM DESCRIPTION ..............................................................................................................................- 111 - 
2.  REQUIREMENTS ............................................................................................................................................- 112 - 
3.  OTHER PROVISIONS ......................................................................................................................................- 113 - 
 DISABILITY LAW AND POLICY .................................................................................................................................- 113 - 
1.  PROGRAM DESCRIPTION ..............................................................................................................................- 113 - 
2.  REQUIREMENTS ............................................................................................................................................- 113 - 
3.  CAPSTONE PROJECT......................................................................................................................................- 114 - 
 ENTERTAINMENT AND SPORTS LAW .....................................................................................................................- 114 - 
1.  PROGRAM DESCRIPTION ..............................................................................................................................- 114 - 
2.  PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS ..........................................................................................................................- 114 - 
3.  OTHER PROVISIONS ......................................................................................................................................- 116 - 
 ESTATE PLANNING .................................................................................................................................................- 116 - 
1.  PROGRAM DESCRIPTION ..............................................................................................................................- 116 - 
2.  REQUIREMENTS ............................................................................................................................................- 116 - 
3.  PROGRAM DIRECTOR ...................................................................................................................................- 116 - 
 FAMILY LAW AND SOCIAL POLICY ..........................................................................................................................- 116 - 
1.  PROGRAM DESCRIPTION ..............................................................................................................................- 116 - 
2.  REQUIREMENTS ............................................................................................................................................- 117 - 
3.  EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING REQUIREMENT .....................................................................................................- 118 - 
4.  CROSS-CAMPUS COURSE REQUIREMENT .....................................................................................................- 118 - 
5.  CAPSTONE REQUIREMENT ...........................................................................................................................- 118 - 
6.  OTHER PROVISIONS ......................................................................................................................................- 118 - 
 GLOBAL LAW AND PRACTICE ............................................................................................................................- 119 - 
1.  PROGRAM DESCRIPTION ..............................................................................................................................- 119 - 
2.  PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS ..........................................................................................................................- 119 - 
3.  CAPSTONE PROJECT......................................................................................................................................- 120 - 
4.  EXPERIENTIAL REQUIREMENT ......................................................................................................................- 120 - 
5.  CROSS-LISTED COURSE REQUIREMENT ........................................................................................................- 121 - 
6.  OTHER PROVISIONS ......................................................................................................................................- 121 - 
 LAW, POLITICS AND THE MEDIA .......................................................................................................................- 121 - 
1.  PROGRAM DESCRIPTION ..............................................................................................................................- 121 - 
2.  REQUIREMENTS ............................................................................................................................................- 121 - 
3.  OTHER PROVISIONS ......................................................................................................................................- 124 - 
 TECHNOLOGY COMMERCIALIZATION LAW STUDIES ........................................................................................- 124 - 
1.  PROGRAM DESCRIPTION ..............................................................................................................................- 124 - 

Page - 12 - of 129 
 
2.  REQUIREMENTS ............................................................................................................................................- 124 - 
3.  OTHER PROVISIONS ......................................................................................................................................- 126 - 
DETERMINATION OF CREDIT HOURS FOR COURSEWORK POLICY ........................................................................... - 127 - 
 CREDIT HOUR POLICY ............................................................................................................................................- 127 - 
1.  CREDIT FOR COURSEWORK ..........................................................................................................................- 127 - 
2.  CREDIT FOR OTHER ACADEMIC ACTIVITIES ..................................................................................................- 127 - 
2.1.  Clinics ..................................................................................................................................................- 127 - 
2.2.  Externships .........................................................................................................................................- 128 - 
2.3.  Independent Research .......................................................................................................................- 128 - 
2.4.  Co-Curricular/Special Activities Credit ...............................................................................................- 128 - 
2.4.1.  Student-Edited Publications ..........................................................................................................- 128 - 
2.4.2.  Moot Court ....................................................................................................................................- 128 - 
2.4.3.  Inter-Collegiate Advocacy Team Membership ..............................................................................- 129 - 
 DETERMINATION OF TIME SPENT OUTSIDE THE CLASS TO EARN CREDIT .............................................................- 129 - 
 
   

Page - 13 - of 129

ACADEMIC RULES FOR J.D. PROGRAM

1. HANDBOOK OBJECTIVES AND SOURCES OF RULES

1.1. Sources of Rules.

While this handbook is designed to inform students at Syracuse University College of Law

(the “College of Law”) of many of the rules most likely to affect their academic careers, it is

only one of several basic sources of such rules. Each student should also consult the schedule

of course offerings of the College of Law, the instructions distributed to all students before

each semester's registration, the syllabus for each course prepared by the course instructor,

and the rules which control admission to the bar in the student’s intended jurisdiction.

1.2. Availability.

The College of Law’s administration will provide each student with a copy of this Handbook

containing the College of Law’s Academic Rules, Curricular Programs, Code of Student

Conduct, and Grievance Procedure. The Handbook will be available on the College of Law’s

website.

1.3. Questions of Interpretation.

Students having questions about the application of these rules shall initially consult with the

Office of Student Affairs. Disputes concerning the meaning of these rules shall be resolved

by the administrator, officer or committee designated in the rule to resolve such disputes, or,

in the absence of a specific designation, by the general procedures in Section 20.

1.4. Knowledge of Rules.

All students are required and assumed to know the contents of this handbook, all notices

posted on the official College website or sent to students by email, and the registration

instructions and schedules published prior to registration each semester.

1.5. Petitions.

Many of these rules allow students to file petitions seeking approvals, variances or

interpretations. If these rules require approval from a specific individual, officer or

committee, that individual, officer or committee shall determine the petition. At the

beginning of each semester, and as needed from time to time, the Dean or Vice Dean shall

designate individuals to be the “Academic Hearing Officer,” the “Administrative Hearing

Officer,” the “JDi Hearing Officer,” and the “LL.M. Hearing Officer” to determine petitions

designated to them by these rules. Each of these officers may decide to forward any petition

to the Academic Standards Committee for determination if the issue involves an important

question of law school policy or a matter of significant controversy. The Academic Standards

Committee shall have jurisdiction to consider petitions not designated by these rules to an

individual, officer or committee, and over appeals from administrative decisions in

accordance with Section 20.1.

2. REQUIREMENTS FOR THE JURIS DOCTOR (“J.D.”) DEGREE

2.1. General Requirements for All Students.

Page - 14 - of 129

These rules apply to students in the residential and online (“JDinteractive”) JD programs.

Some rules apply to students seeking the J.D. degree in the residential program only, and

some rules apply to students seeking the J.D. degree in the JDinteractive Program only.

2.1.1. Credit Hours.

In order to receive the J.D. degree, a student must “successfully complete” a minimum

of 87 semester credit hours earned during the requisite period in residence prescribed

for the program in which the student is enrolled. To “successfully complete” a course,

the student must receive academic credit for the course. Students must receive a grade

of “C-” or higher in a graded course, or “P” or higher in a non-graded course, to

receive academic credit. See Rules 16.1.1, 13.4.3 and 13.10.3.3.

NOTE: Students placed on Academic Probation in accordance with Rules 15.1.1.,

15.1.2., or 15.1.3., will be required to repeat courses as set forth in Section 15.1.4.1.,

and the Academic Probation Letter.

2.1.2. Minimum Law or University Credit.

A minimum of 58 of the required 87 semester credit hours required for the J.D. degree

must be earned in courses offered by the College of Law, or in approved Syracuse

University or SUNY ESF courses. Approved courses include courses taken in Joint

Degree Programs, and other non-law offerings taken pursuant to Rule 5.2.2, including

courses taken pursuant to a concurrent degree in the College of Environmental Science

and Forestry.

2.1.3. Minimum Classroom Credits.

At least 64 of the required 87 credits must be earned in courses that require attendance

in regularly scheduled classroom sessions or direct faculty instruction. Field

placements such as externships are not counted toward the 64 credit requirement.

2.1.4. Minimum Grade-Point Average for Graduation.

In order to graduate, students must obtain a cumulative grade-point average and a final

year grade-point average of 2.50 or above. The final year grade point average will be

computed over the final two semesters of full time attendance or the last 29 fully

graded credits if the final two semesters in attendance were both not full-time.

Students who do not meet this requirement may petition the Academic Standards

Committee to remain enrolled to repeat courses to improve their GPA if (1) the student

demonstrates that the student’s performance is the result of hardships or other

compelling circumstances that are not likely to continue; and (2) the student makes an

affirmative showing that the student possesses the requisite ability, and will make the

requisite effort, to complete the degree with a final GPA of 2.50 or above. Students

petitioning to remain enrolled to repeat courses shall have no right of personal

appearance before the Academic Standards Committee; all appeals must be based on

the student’s written petition. Students will be permitted to submit whatever

documentation they wish in support of their petition. The Academic Standards

Committee shall have absolute discretion to grant or deny a petition to remain enrolled

and to grant petitions subject to whatever terms and conditions it may designate, and

its decision shall be final and not subject to appeal.

2.1.5. Required Courses for All Students.

Page - 15 - of 129

In order to receive the J.D. degree, a student must complete all of the following

courses and requirements with a passing grade of “C-” or higher if graded on the

Grading Curve, or a grade of “P” or higher if not graded on the Grading Curve:

NOTE: Students placed on Academic Probation in accordance with Rules 15.1.1.,

15.1.2., or 15.1.3., will be required to repeat courses as set forth in Section 15.1.4.1.,

and the Academic Probation Letter.

2.1.5.1. Required Lower-Division Courses.

JDr Class 2023, JDi Classes of 2023 and 2024

The “Required Lower-Division Courses” are: (1) Civil Procedure, (2) Contracts, (3)

Torts, (4) Legal Communication and Research I, (5) Constitutional Law I, (6)

Criminal Law, (7) Property, (8) Legal Communication and Research II, and (9) the

First Year Elective Course. In place of the First Year Elective Course, JD Interactive

students are required to complete a total of three (3) credits from two skills courses

per Academic Rule 2.1.6.2.

JDr Classes of 2024 and beyond, JDi Classes of 2025 and beyond:

The “Required Lower-Division Courses” are: (1) Civil Procedure, (2) Contracts, (3)

Torts, (4) Legal Communication and Research I, (5) Constitutional Law I, (6)

Criminal Law, (7) Property, (8) Legal Communication and Research II, (9)

Professional Responsibility.

2.1.5.1.1. Successful Completion of Lower-Division Courses

JDinteractive students must successfully complete all lower-division courses

before enrolling in upper-division courses. Students bear a heavy burden of

establishing grounds for seeking a waiver of completing lower-division

courses to enroll in an upper-division course. JDinteractive students may only

enroll in upper-division courses with the approval of the JDi Hearing Officer.

Any JD Residential student, including, but not limited to part-time students

and students approved for reduced course loads, may register for upper-

division courses prior to the successful completion of all lower-division

courses only with the approval of the Administrative Hearing Officer.

All transfer students, regardless of program, are subject to the terms and

conditions set forth in their transfer letter received at the time of the offer of

admission to the College of Law.

2.1.5.2. Required Upper-Division Courses.

The “Required Upper-Division Courses” are (1) Constitutional Law II and (2) a

course designated in the course schedule as meeting the Professional Writing

Requirement (see Rule 2.1.5.5). All Required Upper-Division courses may be

completed during any term in the second or third year.

NOTE: Professional Responsibility is a Required Upper-Division course for the JDr

Class of 2023, and the JDi Classes of 2023 and 2024.

2.1.5.3. Administrative/Statutory/Legislative Course.

Page - 16 - of 129

Students must complete in their second or third year either Administrative Law or a

course on legislative/statutory interpretation or a course that covers the fundamentals

of administrative law and/or statutory interpretation. Faculty will designate courses

that meet this requirement.

2.1.5.4. Experiential Learning Course(s).

Students must successfully complete one or more experiential course(s), totaling at

least six credit hours, prior to graduation. An experiential course must be a simulation

course, a law clinic, or a ﬁeld placement. To satisfy this requirement, a course must

be primarily experiential in nature and must (i) integrate doctrine, theory, skills, and

legal ethics, and engage students in performance of one or more of the professional

skills; (ii) develop the concepts underlying the professional skills being taught; (iii)

provide multiple opportunities for performance; and (iv) provide opportunities for

self-evaluation. Courses meeting the Experiential Learning Requirement will be

designated in the course schedule.

IMPORTANT NOTE FOR BAR EXAMINATIONS: Students planning to sit for the

New York State Bar Exam must comply with the Bar’s requirement to take 15 credits

of experiential learning courses. Students sitting for bar exams in other states should

determine whether there are any special course requirements that must be satisfied.

Please see Academic Rule 2.1.5.5.1. for more information regarding experiential

learning requirements.

2.1.5.5. Professional Writing Requirement.

Students must complete in their second or third year a professional writing course.

These courses build on the research, analysis, and writing of Legal Communication and

Research I and II and develop skills for writing the type of documents that lawyers

prepare in practice. Courses designated in the course schedule as meeting the

Professional Writing Requirement satisfy this requirement.

2.1.5.5.1. Professional Writing Requirement and Experiential Learning Credits

Students may not use the same course to satisfy the six (6) credit experiential

course requirement and the Professional Writing Requirement.

2.1.5.6. Cultural Competency Course (begins with JDr Class of 2024; JDi Class of 2025)

Students must complete the in their second or third year a cultural competency-related

course. Faculty will designate courses that meet this requirement.

2.1.6. Additional Required Courses for JDinteractive Students

2.1.6.1. Externship

JDinteractive students must earn 3 credits of externship credit. This consists of 2

credits of placement credit and 1 credit of externship seminar. JDi students may for

good cause petition the JDi Hearing Officer for a waiver of the externship

requirement. Petitions must be received before the start of the semester prior to the

scheduled externship and must establish good cause to the satisfaction of the JDi

Hearing Officer.

Page - 17 - of 129

2.1.6.2. In-residence Courses

All JDinteractive students must complete six (6) courses in-residence in the following

order: (1) Legal Foundations; (2) Legal Applications; (3) two Skills Courses; and (4)

two Advanced Legal Topics courses. The courses may be completed in a different

order only with the approval of the JDi Hearing Officer.

2.1.7. Course and Activity Planning Requirement for Certain Students.

Students who obtain a grade-point average (GPA) below 2.90 in the Required Lower-

Division Courses taken for the first time shall be required to participate in the course

and activity planning process set forth in Section 2.1.8.2 below.

2.1.8. Structured Curriculum Requirement for Certain Students.

Students who obtain a grade-point average (GPA) below 2.90 in the Required Lower-

Division Courses taken for the first time shall be required to take seven (7) Structured

Curriculum courses:

(1) Business Associations

(2) Commercial Transactions

(3) Constitutional Criminal Procedure (Adjudicative) OR Constitutional Criminal

Procedure (Investigative)

(4) Evidence

(5) Family Law

(6) Wills and Trusts

(7) Foundational Skills for Attorney Licensing (LAW 800). This course will be

offered for 3 credits.

NOTE 1: The JDi and JDr classes of 2025 and subsequent classes will need to

complete Business Associations, Constitutional Criminal Procedure Adjudicative OR

Constitutional Criminal Procedure Investigative, and Evidence (begins Fall 2023).

NOTE 2: Effective Fall 2023 (JDi and JDr classes of 2024 and subsequent classes),

Foundational Skills for Attorney Licensing is required for all JDr students with a

cumulative GPA of 3.0 or lower at the start of the last year of their academic program;

JDr students will be evaluated after their fourth semester (excluding summer terms).

Foundational Skills for Attorney Licensing is required for all JDi students. JDi student

may receive a waiver of this requirement only upon application to the Academic

Standards Committee and showing of good cause. Foundational Skills for Attorney

Licensing shall be taught in a class capped at 20 students pursuant to standards

promulgated by the College of Law Curriculum Committee.

2.1.8.1. Structured Curriculum Courses Must Be Taken for a Grade.

Students subject to the Structured Curriculum requirement must take all of the

Structured Curriculum courses for a grade.

2.1.8.2. Office of Academic and Bar Support Requirements

Page - 18 - of 129

Students required to follow the Structured Curriculum will be notified by letter

following completion of the Required Lower-Division Courses. Attached to the

notification letter will be (1) a structured curriculum acknowledgement, (2) a course

planning form, and (3) an extracurricular planning form. Students must return the

forms ot the Office of Academic and Bar Support by the deadline stated in the

notification letter. Failure to submit the required forms by the stated deadline will

result in a registration hold being placed on the student’s record.

2.1.8.3. Waivers

None of the requirements in section 2.1.8. are eligible for waiver.

2.1.9. Recommendation for Avoiding Conflicts.

Students are recommended to schedule and complete their required and Structured

Curriculum courses as early as possible in their upper-division schedules to avoid

conflicts in their final semesters of law school.

2.1.10. Presumptive Structured Curriculum Requirement for Part-Time and Reduced Load

Students

The Structured Curriculum requirements shall apply to part-time students and reduced

load students who obtain a grade-point average (GPA) below 2.90 in whatever

Required Lower-Division Courses such students have completed after their first two

calendar semesters of study. Part time students who are subject to the Structured

Curriculum will be required to enroll in Structured Curriculum courses for all elective

courses until they have completed all of the Required Lower-Division Courses. Such

students who obtain a GPA of 2.90 or above in the Required Lower-Division Courses

after completing all of the Required Lower-Division Courses will be relieved of the

Structured Curriculum requirements for future enrollment.

2.1.11. Residency Requirements for All Students.

2.1.11.1. Full-time Residential Students.

A full-time student must satisfy all requirements for the J.D. degree during a period of

enrollment of not less than 90 calendar weeks and not more than 105 calendar weeks.

2.1.11.2. Part-time Residential Students.

A part-time student must satisfy all requirements for the J.D. degree during a period

of enrollment of not more than 150 calendar weeks.

2.1.11.3. JDinteractive Students

JDinteractive students must satisfy all requirements for the J.D. degree during a period

of not more than 315 calendar weeks.

2.1.12. Requirements for Course Credit.

2.1.12.1. Pre-Matriculation Credit.

Except in the case of credit accepted for transfer students or students enrolled through

the Two-Year J.D. Program for Foreign Law Graduates, no credit towards the J.D.

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degree will be given for offerings taken prior to full matriculation in the College of

Law. Credit earned by such transfer and Two-Year J.D. students at prior law schools

will be accepted only for offerings graded C or higher (or the equivalent), and will be

recorded by the College of Law on a pass basis.

2.1.12.2. Credit Hours Defined.

A “credit hour” is an amount of work that reasonably approximates:

(a) 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. Fifty minutes

suffices for one hour of classroom or direct faculty instruction. An “hour”

of out of class work is sixty minutes. The fifteen-week period includes one

week for final examinations, OR

(b) at least an equivalent amount of work as required in subparagraph (a) 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. Thus, to receive one

credit hour for work in clinics, externships, simulations and co-curricular

work (Law Review, Moot Court Honor Society, etc.) requires a minimum of

at least three sixty-minute hours per week of work over a fifteen-week

period.

2.1.13. Good Standing Requirement.

Students enrolled in the College of Law must maintain a GPA of 2.50 or above to be

considered in good standing at the College of Law. Section 15 governs academic

dismissal and probation for students not in good standing.

2.1.14. Completion of Degree Requirements and Academic Program

Students must complete their academic program (graduate) at the end of the term in

which they complete all degree requirements. Students may participate in the spring

commencement ceremony following the completion of their academic program.

3. FULL-TIME AND PART-TIME STUDENT STATUS

3.1. Full-time Residential Students.

Any student admitted to the three-year program shall be deemed a full-time student and shall

be required to satisfy the course load requirements of full-time students so long as he or she

remains a full-time student. Students in the three-year program must successfully complete at

least six academic semesters in full-time status, or alternatively, five academic semesters plus

summer sessions in full-time status. Full time students must take the following minimum and

maximum course loads, unless they are approved for a reduced first-year course load.

3.1.1. Academic Semester Minimum Course Load.

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Full-time residential students must register for and complete a minimum of 12 credit

hours during each fall and spring semester. Approval to register for fewer than 12

credit hours requires a petition and approval by the Academic Hearing Officer to

transfer to part-time student status.

3.1.2. Academic Semester Maximum Course Load.

Full-time residential students may register for a maximum of 17 credit hours during

any fall or spring semester. Exceptions to the maximum course load requirement for

full-time students must be approved in advance and will only be granted in

circumstances where the overage is a result of either audited courses (not counted

toward graduation credits) or participation in a Joint Degree Program AND the

requesting student is not subject to the Structured Curriculum. Qualifying petitions for

over 17 credits will be reviewed by the Academic Hearing Officer.

3.1.3. Summer Sessions.

Full-time residential students may register for a maximum of 8 credit hours during any

summer session offered by the College of Law. Students who are taking both

Professional Responsibility and an externship during the summer may register for a

maximum of 9 summer credit hours. There is no minimum course load requirement

for summer sessions.

3.2. Reduced First-Year Course Load for Residential Students.

First-year residential students, upon a showing of compelling circumstances, may petition the

Academic Hearing Officer to take a reduced course load of no less than 12 credits per

semester. Prospective or admitted first-year students interested in a reduced load should

contact the Office of Student Affairs to discuss his/her circumstances and to review the

reduced course load guidelines listed below. See also Section 11.1 for dropping a first-year

course after the semester has begun.

3.2.1. Petition for Reduced First-Year Course Load.

Petitions seeking a reduced course load should demonstrate compelling circumstances

in accordance with the guidelines below. The Office of Student Affairs is available to

assist the student in developing a plan showing how course credits needed for

graduation will be earned. The Administrative Hearing Officer shall rule on the

petition. If approved, the petition will be given to the Office of the Registrar who shall

file the approved petition in the student's permanent record and register the student

accordingly.

3.2.2. Guidelines for Reduced First-Year Course Load.

A first-year law student may petition the Administrative Hearing Officer to take a

reduced full-time schedule upon a showing of compelling circumstances which

include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Financial circumstances requiring the student to work while attending law

school;

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• Family circumstances;

• Physical disabilities, learning disabilities, temporary and long-term health

problems;

• English language difficulties

3.3. Part-time Residential Students.

Any residential student admitted on a part-time basis shall be deemed a part-time student and

shall be required to satisfy the following course load requirements so long as the student

remains a part-time student. Students in the part-time program must successfully complete

ten semesters or less in part-time status. Part-time students must take the following minimum

and maximum course loads:

3.3.1. Part-Time Student Minimum Course Load.

Part-time residential students must register for and complete a minimum of six credit

hours during each fall and spring semester. Exceptions to the minimum course load

requirement for part-time students must be approved in advance upon petition to the

Administrative Hearing Officer.

3.3.2. Part-Time Student Maximum Course Load.

Part-time residential students may register for a maximum of 11 credit hours during

any fall or spring semester. Approval to register for more than 11 hours requires

petition and approval by the Administrative Hearing Officer to transfer to full-time

student status.

3.3.3. Summer Sessions.

Part-time residential students may register for a maximum of 4 credit hours during any

summer session. Approval to register for more than 4 hours requires petition and

approval by the Administrative Hearing Officer to transfer to full-time student status.

3.3.4. Change of Status.

A residential student may petition to transfer from full-time to part-time status or from

part-time to full-time status. The petition to change status must be approved by the

Administrative Hearing Officer before the completion of registration for the semester

in which the change of status is petitioned and approved.

3.4. JDinteractive Students

JDinteractive students are required to take the courses scheduled to be offered for their class

year each semester. Students may petition for a reduced load once they complete their first

calendar year of JDinteractive courses. Students may petition for an increased load during

their first calendar year in extraordinary circumstances. Petitions for changes in course load

must be approved by the JDi Hearing Officer before registration closes for the semester for

which the change is requested.

4. GPA REQUIREMENTS FOR JOINT DEGREES AND LAW SCHOOL EMPLOYMENT

4.1. Eligibility for Employment by the College of Law.

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Students must obtain a GPA of 2.900 or above in all Required Lower Division Courses listed

in Rule 2.1.5.1 and must maintain a GPA of 2.900 or above in all courses in order to be

eligible for College of Law teaching assistantships, research assistantships and academic

fellowship positions.

4.2. Eligibility for Joint Degree Programs

Residential JD students must obtain a GPA of 2.900 or above in all Required Lower-Division

Courses listed in Rule 2.1.5.1 in order to be eligible for admission to a College of Law Joint

Degree Program. Students must receive approval from the College of Law before beginning

coursework related to any Joint Degree Program.

JDinteractive students must obtain a GPA of 2.90 or above in all Required Lower-Division

Courses listed in Rule 2.1.5.1., and must also successfully complete the first two In-residence

Courses listed in Rule 2.1.6.2: (1) Legal Foundations and (2) Legal Applications to be eligible

for admission to the JDi/MBA Joint Degree Program with the Whitman School of

Management. Students must receive approval from the College of Law before beginning any

coursework related to the JDi/MBA Joint Degree Program.

5. ACADEMIC OFFERINGS FOR CREDIT

5.1. Residential Program Course and Non-Course Offerings.

The College of Law offers (1) Traditional Classroom Courses, (2) Practice Development

Courses, (3) Seminars, Faculty Tutorials and Independent Research, (4) Clinics and

Externships, and (5) Non-Course Academic Credit. In addition, students may earn academic

credit for certain Non-Law Courses.

5.1.1. Traditional Classroom Courses.

Traditional classroom courses were generally defined as courses usually offered in a

specific doctrinal subject, delivered primarily through lecture and the Socratic method,

and graded primarily on the basis of an anonymous written examination or

examinations. More recently, faculty teaching traditional classroom courses have

incorporated experiential and other alternative methods of instruction, and so the

traditional definitions are not as clear as they once were. Traditional classroom

courses have a greater focus on doctrinal learning rather than skill development.

5.1.2. Practice Development Courses.

Practice Development Courses are courses that focus primarily on simulated or

practice skills, such as trial and appellate practice, and courses principally concerned

with legal research and writing. Instructors will inform students in writing on or

before the first day of class about the grading methods to be utilized in the course.

5.1.3. Seminars, Faculty Tutorials, and Independent Research.

5.1.3.1. One-Semester and Two-Semester Seminars.

One-semester seminars are one-semester course offerings in which students may earn

2 or 3 hours of fully graded credit, and two-semester seminars are two-semester

offerings in which students may earn 3 hours of fully graded credit, are normally

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restricted to 16 students or, at the instructor's option, to 20 students, and require the

student to submit written work that comprises at least two-thirds of the basis for the

course grade.

5.1.3.2. One-Semester and Two-Semester Independent Research Projects.

A student may earn 1 or 2 hours of fully graded credit for independent research under

faculty supervision which results in a significant research product by the student, on a

topic of the student's choice that is approved by the faculty supervisor. The student's

research product is to be completed in one or two semesters, as designated at the time

of registration. The student must secure approval of a supervising faculty member

before registering for such credit. Credit will be given only for research and writing

undertaken after the student registers for the independent research project. Students

may not register for more than four (4) credit hours of independent research projects

during their law school careers without first seeking the approval of the Academic

Standards Committee. Such approval shall be granted if in the judgment of the

Committee, taking into consideration the student's academic record, the academic

integrity of the student's overall program will not be impaired. Independent Research

Projects will not be subject to the Grading Curve. Independent Research Projects

must be graded on the Alternative Grading System.

5.1.3.3. Two-Semester Faculty Tutorials.

Two-semester faculty tutorials are two-semester offerings in which students may earn

2 hours of fully graded credit, are normally restricted to 16 students or, at the

instructor's option, to 8 students, and require the student to submit a written research

paper or papers which must comprise the sole basis for the grade. Faculty tutorials,

like independent research projects, do not include regularly-scheduled class meetings.

5.1.4. Clinics and Externships.

Clinics and externships are offerings with limited enrollments designed to expose the

student to a range of professional practical experiences. A student may earn a

maximum of 30 hours of credit in offerings designated as clinics or externship

placements. Credits from the externship seminar are not included in the 30-credit

clinics and externship maximum. Students who have not previously taken a clinic or

externship and third-year students will be given priority in enrollment. Clinics will be

eligible for the Alternative Grading System. Faculty teaching clinics will explain the

basis for grading in the course. Externships consist of two components: a class

component and a placement component. The class component shall be eligible for the

Alternative Grading System, and the placement component must be graded on a pass-

fail basis.

Note: Effective with the start of the Spring 2023 semester, both the class and

placement components of all Externships will be graded on a pass-fail basis only.

5.2. Non-Course Academic Credit.

5.2.1. Special Activities Credit.

Students may receive credit, graded on a Pass/Fail basis unless otherwise specified, for

certain special activities approved by the Faculty. Students with questions or problems

regarding such special activities credit should consult the Office of Student Affairs.

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No student may earn more than a total of four (4) hours of special activities credit

during his or her entire period of enrollment in the College of Law.

5.2.1.1. Documentation Requirement.

In order to earn Special Activities credit, students must maintain and submit time

records showing that they performed at least 42.5 hours of services per credit hour

requested, and their time records must be approved by the appropriate

representative(s). Some programs may require more than 42.5 hours of service for

credit.

5.2.1.2. Special Activities.

Academic credit may be earned for the following special activities:

5.2.1.2.1. Advocacy Honor Society (formerly Moot Court).

The 3L directors of the Advocacy Honor Society Divisions may each earn two

credit hours for the academic year by completing all requirements for the

Division and performing at least 85 hours of administrative work verified by

weekly time sheets approved by the faculty advocacy director or division

advisor. The two credit hours may be earned by registering for one credit

hour each semester or two credit hours for either the fall or spring semester.

3L members other than directors of the AHS Divisions may earn one credit

hour for the academic year by satisfactorily completing all requirements for

the Division and performing at least 42.5 hours of combined intra-school

competition and administrative work verified by weekly time sheets approved

by the Faculty Advocacy Director or Division Advisor.

In addition to the work requirement, each student seeking administrative

credit must submit to the Advocacy Director or Division Advisor an exit

memorandum which shall, at a minimum, reflect on the knowledge and skills

gained from participating in the program, and identify areas for program

improvement. Prior to receiving academic credit for substantial Division

work, the Faculty Advocacy Director or Division Advisor must approve the

exit memorandum as constituting a good faith work product.

5.2.1.2.2. Inter-Collegiate Advocacy Terms.

Students may earn one credit hour for at least 50 hours of work in one inter-

collegiate competition based on weekly time sheets approved by Faculty

Advocacy Director or Division Advisor, and Coach, or two credit hours for at

least 100 hours of work in more than one inter-collegiate competition based

on weekly time sheets approved by Faculty Advocacy Director or Division

Advisor, and Coach.

5.2.1.2.3. Law Review, Journals and Impunity Watch.

Senior Editors of the Syracuse University Law Review, the Journal of

International Law and Commerce and the Journal of Science and Technology

may earn up to three (3) credit hours, and other third-year student editors of

the Law Review and Journal may earn up to two (2) credit hours for their

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work on the Law Review and Journals. The Managing Editor and the

Associate Managing Editor of the NIABA Journal (the Digest) shall be

eligible to receive up to one (1) credit hour for each semester, for a maximum

of two credit hours. Third-year student Executive Board and Senior Staff

members of Impunity Watch may earn up to three (3) credit hours, and other

third-year associate members of Impunity Watch may earn up to one (1) credit

hour. In order to earn credit, the most senior student member of the Law

Review, journals or Impunity Watch and the faculty advisor must approve the

successful completion of the work and hours requirement. Students who

receive academic credit for one law review or journal are not eligible for

credit for services on another law review or journal.

5.2.2. Non-Law Courses for Academic Credit.

Students, other than those enrolled in a Joint Degree Program, may earn a total of six

(6) credit hours toward the J.D. degree by successfully completing graduate-level non-

law offerings in other branches of the University or other accredited law schools or

universities. Students must first secure the written approval of the Academic Hearing

Officer before registering for such courses. The student must demonstrate to the

Academic Hearing Officer that such non-law offerings will contribute to the student’s

professional development or will advance the student’s career-related goals.

Students may enroll for any non-law offering without receiving law school credit

provided their total semester load does not exceed 19 hours. First-year students may

not take courses outside of the College of Law.

Grades earned in non-law offerings shall not be calculated into a student’s law GPA or

class rank, but will appear on the student’s university transcript and will be calculated

into the transcript GPA. Credit for offerings taken at other accredited law schools or

universities must be approved in advance for credit, and shall be recorded by the

College of Law and on the student’s transcript on a pass basis, provided that the

student receives a grade of “C+” or higher, or its equivalent as determined by the Vice

Dean. No credit will be given if the student receives a grade below “C+”, or its

equivalent as determined by the Vice Dean. The Pass/Fail option is not available to

law students taking non-law courses outside of the College of Law.

5.3. JDinteractive Program Course Offerings

5.3.1. Online Courses

Each online JDinteractive course consists of two types of class sessions: (1) “synchronous” (or

real-time) sessions conducted using advanced and specialized videoconferencing technology;

and (2) interactive “asynchronous” (or self-paced) sessions that students can complete at a time

that is convenient for them.

5.3.2. In-Residence Courses

JDinteractive students will complete six (6) in-person courses over the course of their ten

semesters at the College of Law. The first four in-residence courses will take place on the

Syracuse campus and may involve experiential learning. The last two in-residence courses will

take place in Syracuse, or another location, and be subject specific.

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5.3.3. Clinics and Externships

Clinics and externships are offerings with limited enrollments and designed to expose the

student to a range of professional practical experiences. JDinteractive students may earn a

maximum of 15 hours of credit in offerings designated as clinics or externship. Credits from the

externship seminar are not included in the 15-credit clinics and externship maximum. Clinics

will be eligible for the Alternative Grading System. Externships consist of two components: a

class component and a placement component. The class component shall be eligible for the

Alternative Grading System, and the placement component must be graded on a pass-fail basis.

Note: Effective with the start of the Spring 2023 semester, both the class and placement

components of all Externships will be graded on a pass-fail basis only.

5.3.4. Non-Course Activities Credit

Law Reviews, Journals and Impunity Watch.

Senior Editors of the Syracuse University Law Review and the Journal of International

Law and Commerce may earn up to three (3) credit hours, and other third-year student

editors of the Law Review and Journal may earn up to two (2) credit hours for their work

on the Law Review and Journal. Third-year members of the Syracuse Journal of Science

and Technology Law may earn up to two (2) credit hours. The Managing Editor and the

Associate Managing Editor of the NIABA Journal (the Digest) shall be eligible to receive

up to one (1) credit hour for each semester, for a maximum of two credit hours. Third-year

student Executive Board and Senior Staff members of Impunity Watch may earn up to

three (3) credit hours, and other third-year associate members of Impunity Watch may earn

up to one (1) credit hour. In order to earn credit, the most senior student member of the

Law Review, journals or Impunity Watch and the faculty advisor must approve the

successful completion of the work and hours requirement. Students who receive academic

credit for one law review or journal are not eligible for credit for services on another law

review or journal.

5.4. Grading in Courses offered by the College of Law.

5.4.1. Grading Curve Courses.

Grading Curve Courses are those courses that students are required to take for

graduation, including (1) the Required Lower-Division Courses, (2) the Required

Upper-Division Courses, (3) the Administrative Law or Statutory/Legislative Course,

and (4) Structured Curriculum Required Courses; (5) Courses that the Vice Dean has

determined are appropriate for grading on the Grading Curve because students can be

ranked by their performance in the class; and (6) Courses that the Vice Dean has

determined to be exempt from the Grading Curve but for which the faculty member

teaching the course has elected to grade on the Grading Curve. Except for courses

designated as exempt by the Vice Dean, in which the faculty member has elected to

apply the Grading Curve, at least two-thirds of the grade in courses graded on the

Grading Curve should be based on written work anonymously graded. Students

seeking law credit for Grading Curve Courses will be graded on the Grading Curve set

forth in Section 13.10.1. Non-law students, LL.M. students, S.J.D. students and law

students who are not seeking law credit for a jointly offered course, will be graded

separately on any grading scale the professor wishes to use.

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5.4.2. Alternative Grading System Courses.

Non-Grading Curve Courses are all courses offered for credit by the College of Law

which are subject to the Alternative Grading System in Section 13.10.3. These

courses have been designated as exempt by the Vice Dean after a determination that

learning for the course can best be evaluated through alternative pedagogical tools,

such as oral performance, researching and drafting legal documents, statutes, papers or

essays that cannot easily be ranked by the professor. Even though a course has been

designated by the Vice Dean to be eligible for the Alternative Grading System,

individual faculty teaching the course may elect to have the course graded on the

Grading Curve in Section 13.10.1 by filing a petition in accordance with Section

13.10.3.1. Non-law students, LL.M. students, S.J. D. students and law students who

are not seeking law credit for a jointly offered course, will be graded separately on any

grading scale the professor wishes to use.

5.4.3. Pass/Fail Courses.

Certain courses which the Vice Dean determines cannot be reliably graded on either

the Grading Curve or the Alternative Grading System may be designated as a course to

be graded on a Pass Fail basis.

5.4.4. Notice to Students.

The registration schedule will indicate whether each course is subject to the Grading

Curve, the Alternative Grading System, or is offered on a Pass/Fail basis. Instructors

shall indicate on their syllabus and explain to students on the first day of class the

basis for grading in the course.

6. JOINT DEGREE PROGRAMS

6.1. Requirements for Admission to Joint Degree Programs.

Admission to Joint Degree Programs shall be open to all full-time residential students who

have completed all Required Lower-Division Courses listed in Rule 2.1.5.1 and who have a

GPA of 2.90 or above in the Required Lower-Division Courses. Students must be

independently admitted into the Joint Degree Program of the other participating school,

college or department. Regardless of the admission decision by the other participating school,

college or department, a student’s formal admission to a College of Law Joint Degree

Program will not be granted until the student’s GPA eligibility is determined in accordance

with Rule 4.2.

Admission to the JDi/MBA Joint Degree Program shall be open to JDinteractive students who

have earned a GPA of 2.90 or above in all Required Lower-Division Courses listed in Rule

2.1.5.1. JDi students must also successfully complete the following In-Residence Courses

listed in Rule 2.1.6.2: (1) Legal Foundations and (2) Legal Applications. Students must be

independently admitted into the Whitman School of Management MBA joint degree program.

Regardless of the admission decision by the Whitman School, a student’s formal admission to

the joint degree program will not be granted until the student’s GPA eligibility is determined

in accordance with Rule 4.2.

Students who are on Academic Probation or who are required to follow the Structured

Curriculum shall not be eligible for admission to a Joint Degree Program.

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6.2. Enrollment.

Residential students who meet the requirements for admission to the Joint Degree Program

may enroll in any of several Joint Degree Programs (Ph.D., Masters, and Certificate)

established by the College of Law in cooperation with the other schools, colleges, and

departments. A student’s eligibility for joint degree candidacy must be approved in advance

by the Administrative Hearing Officer as meeting the qualification requirements for admission

to the Joint Degree Program.

JDinteractive students who meet the requirements for admission may enroll in the JDi/MBA

joint degree program with the Whitman School of Management. A student’s eligibility for

joint degree candidacy must be approved in advance by the Administrative Hearing Officer as

meeting the qualification requirements for admission to the Joint Degree Program.

6.3. Semi-Annual Review of Progress, and Dismissal from Joint Degree Program.

The College of Law shall conduct a semi-annual review of each joint degree candidate's

progress in the Joint Degree Program. A faculty advisor from the joint degree school or

department will provide the College of Law with information related to the student's progress

in that school, college or department. The College of Law shall determine whether the student

is making satisfactory progress under the following factors: (1) the number of and reasons for

"Incompletes" in course work; (2) failure to maintain a cumulative grade-point average (GPA)

of 2.9 or above; (3) the student's standing in the non-law degree program; and (4) progress

made and plans for satisfying the writing and optional oral defense requirements of the joint-

degree program.

Continuation in a Joint Degree Program shall be dependent upon the student's satisfactory

progress in each of the joint degree fields. Incomplete work or other evidence of

unsatisfactory progress may lead to a decision by the College of Law to reduce the student's

workload directed toward the non-law degree or to take other appropriate action. If the

College of Law determines that the student is not making satisfactory progress in both the law

and other degree courses, the matter shall be referred to the Academic Standards Committee

to consider dismissing the student from the Joint Degree program upon such terms as it may

determine. It is expected that dismissal from the Joint Degree Program will occur only under

extreme circumstances, and that limited course-load requirements will ensure educationally

sound progression toward the joint degrees.

6.3.1. Dismissal for Failure to Maintain GPA.

Students who fail to maintain a cumulative grade-point average above the grade-point

average (GPA) of 2.9 or above shall be dismissed from the Joint Degree Program. A

student may be restored to the Joint Degree Program after meeting the GPA

requirement and securing the approval of the Administrative Hearing Officer.

6.4. Minimum Credit Hours.

6.4.1. All Joint Degrees Other Than Environmental Decision-Making.

Students enrolled in Joint Degree Programs, other than the Certificate of Graduate

Study in Environmental Decision-Making at the SUNY College of Environmental

Science and Forestry, must earn a minimum of 72 credit hours required for the J.D. in

courses taken at the College of Law. In addition, a minimum of 15 credit hours must

be earned by successfully completing offerings outside the College of Law pursuant to

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the approved Joint Degree Program. Said credit hours shall be awarded as provided

below.

6.4.2. Joint Degree in Environmental Decision Making.

Students enrolled in the Certificate of Graduate Study in Environmental Decision

Making in the SUNY College of Law of Environmental Science and Forestry program

must take Environmental Law and must earn a minimum of 78 credit hours required

for the J.D. degree at the College of Law. In addition, a minimum of 9 credit hours

must be earned by successfully completing offerings outside of the College of Law

pursuant to the approved Joint Degree Program. Said credit hours shall be awarded as

provided below.

6.4.3. Basis for Awarding Credit Hours.

Credit hours shall be awarded on the following basis:

(a) One credit hour for any 6 credit hours awarded by the cooperating department or

school (as designated by the student)

(b) One credit hour for every two credit hours awarded by the cooperating

department or school beyond the six designated in (a) on condition that the

student (i) has successfully completed all the requirements for the non-law

degree component of the joint degree as of the time he or she is otherwise

eligible to receive the J.D. degree, or (ii) had, in the opinion of the

Administrative Hearing Officer, substantially adhered to the schedule of non-law

offerings approved by the Administrative Hearing Officer upon the student's

entering the Joint Degree Program, with such amendments to the schedule as the

Administrative Hearing Officer may have approved, so long as he or she

continued in the program.

6.5 Tuition Policies

Tuition policies for all College of Law joint degrees are governed by the rules set forth in the

Syracuse University Bulletin of Tuition and Fees.

7. CURRICULAR PROGRAMS

The College of Law may from time to time, with the approval of the faculty, create new

specialized curricular programs. Students who complete the requirements of a curricular

program receive a document recognizing this achievement upon graduation. The

requirements for curricular programs shall be published annually in the Academic Handbook.

The directors of the curricular programs are responsible for reviewing student compliance

with the curricular program requirements and certifying the student's compliance to the Office

of the Registrar for the purpose of issuing the document recognizing completion of the

curricular program.

7.1. Minimum Credits.

A curricular program shall require that a student successfully complete a minimum of 15

academic credit hours of course work as specified in the terms of the program. The program

shall require students to successfully complete at least 9 credits of mandatory courses and at

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least 6 credits in elective courses. All of the mandatory or elective courses offered for a grade

must be taken for a grade and not on an elective pass/fail basis. Courses offered on the

Alternative Grading System may also be taken.

7.2. Minimum GPA and Grade Requirement.

Successful completion of a curricular program represents competence in an area of specialized

knowledge. Students must receive a grade of “B+” or higher in each course offered for a

grade, and a grade of “H” or higher in each course offered on the alternative grading system,

for the courses that the student uses to satisfy the curricular program requirements.

7.3. Maximum Number of Curricular Programs.

A student may be recognized for completing no more than two curricular programs from the

College of Law through his/her work with two or more curricular programs. No class taken to

fulfill the requirements of one curricular program may be used to fulfill the requirements of

another curricular program.

7.4. Mandatory Courses.

Mandatory courses must be in the subject matter of the curricular program. If necessary, a

curricular program director may choose to list up to five such specialized courses from which

the student must take a minimum of nine credits. If any mandatory course is cancelled, the

program director must propose a suitable alternate in consultation with the chair of the

curriculum committee to ensure that the alternate mandatory course adequately satisfies the

requirement of specialized content.

7.5. Elective Courses.

Elective courses must be substantially related to the subject matter of the curricular program.

If class cancellations make it impossible for a student to satisfy the elective course

requirement by the end of the spring semester of the third year, the program director must

propose a suitable alternate in consultation with the chair of the curriculum committee to

ensure that the alternate elective course adequately meets the goal of being substantially

related to the subject matter of the curricular program.

7.6. Written Work Product Requirement.

Every student must take at least one course, whether mandatory or elective, that leads to the

production of a significant written work product in the subject matter of the curricular

program.

7.7. Experiential Learning Requirement.

Every student must take at least one course, whether mandatory or elective, that provides an

experiential learning experience. The substantive content of this experiential learning

experience must be substantially related to the subject matter of the curricular program.

While preferable, this experience need not be through live client representation. Examples of

courses meeting this requirement include clinics, externships, courses designated as

experiential learning, courses that include simulated exercises, etc.

7.8. Cross-Listed Course Requirement.

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Every student must take at least one course, whether mandatory or elective, that is offered at

another graduate program at Syracuse University or that is cross-listed with another graduate

program at Syracuse University. This course must be substantially related to the subject

matter of the curricular program.

7.9. Capstone Requirement.

A curricular program shall require that each student complete a “capstone” project. A

capstone project is a project through which students undertake significant research and

produce a substantial work product, or series of such products, which demonstrates the

student's comprehension of core themes in the curricular program's field of focus, and also

demonstrates the student's particular specialized interests within the field. Capstone projects

include, but are not limited to: research papers, clinical work, externships, and substantial

collaborative projects. Each curricular program director will provide a list of acceptable

capstone projects and will approve each such project, including appropriate projects not

included in the published list of acceptable capstone projects.

7.9.1. No Double Counting of Capstone Work.

A student who wishes to complete more than one curricular program may not count

work done for one program’s capstone project in order to satisfy the requirements of

the other program’s capstone project.

8. TRANSFERS AND VISITING STUDENT STATUS

8.1. General.

A student may earn limited credit toward the J.D. degree by taking offerings at other

American Bar Association (ABA) accredited law schools, or with advance approval from the

Department of Admissions from foreign law schools in accordance with ABA Rule 505,

under the terms listed below. Credit from another law school is recorded by the College of

Law on a pass basis provided that the student receives a grade of “C+” or higher. No credit is

given if the student receives a grade below “C+.” A student who visits at an ABA accredited

law school must still meet the requirements of Rule 2.1.2.

8.2. Credit for Study at other ABA-Accredited Law Schools.

8.2.1. Single Summer Sessions.

Students may request credit for courses taken while visiting an ABA Accredited law

school for a single summer session without obtaining advance approval for the visit.

8.2.2. Multiple Summer Sessions.

A residential student wishing to visit at an ABA accredited law school for additional

summer sessions shall submit a petition to the Administrative Hearing Officer

requesting approval for the visit.

A JDinteractive student wishing to visit at an ABA accredited law school for

additional summer sessions shall submit a petition to the Office of Online Education

requesting approval for the visit. The petition will be determined by the JDi Hearing

Officer.

8.2.3. Regular Session Visits.

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Students must obtain advance approval for regular session visits at another ABA

accredited law school. In order to seek approval, residential students must file a

petition with the Administrative Hearing Officer, and JDinteractive students must file

a petition with the Office of Online Education for recommendation by the JDi Hearing

Officer, demonstrating either: (1) compelling academic reasons for the visit, or (2) that

the student is facing an unanticipated, extremely compelling crisis preventing

continuing attendance at the College of Law. A student seeking approval for a visit

because of an unanticipated, extremely compelling crisis must explain why a Leave of

Absence would not be more appropriate than the requested visit to another law school.

The Administrative or JDi Hearing Officer will forward the petition along with a

recommendation to the Academic Standards Committee for a ruling on the petition. If

the Academic Standards Committee recommends approving the petition, the petition

shall be forwarded to the Dean of the College of Law for final approval. Final

approval may be withheld in the Dean’s sole discretion. There shall be no appeal from

a denial by the Academic Standards Committee or the Dean.

8.3. Study at Foreign Law Schools.

8.3.1. Authorization to Establish Exchange Partnerships with Foreign Law Schools.

The College of Law may establish and administer reciprocal semester exchange

partnership(s) with foreign, non-U.S. law schools, allowing students of the College of

Law the opportunity to enroll in no more than one (1) semester of study at a foreign

partner law school. In order to accommodate the reciprocal nature of each semester

exchange partnership, the College of Law will seek to host an equivalent number of

students from the foreign partner law school. The details of each partnership with a

foreign law school shall be set out, in writing, in a Memorandum of Understanding

signed and approved by representatives from the College of Law and the foreign law

school.

8.3.1.1. Compliance with the American Bar Association Standards.

Any period of semester foreign study by a student of the College of Law must, at all

times, be consistent and in conformity with the applicable rules and standards of the

American Bar Association (ABA), specifically Standard 307, so as not to

compromise the ABA’s accreditation of the College of Law or the student’s ability to

pursue his/her J.D. degree conferred by the College of Law.

8.3.2. Students Seeking Credit for Study at Foreign Law Schools.

8.3.2.1. Eligibility for Foreign Study.

Only those students who have completed all of the Required Lower-Division Courses

and have a GPA in excess of 2.500 are eligible to apply for foreign study.

8.3.2.2. Foreign Study Application Process.

A student wishing to study at a foreign law school for academic credit must obtain

prior approval from the Academic Standards Committee. The student must file a

petition with the Administrative Hearing Officer seeking approval. The petition shall

include: (1) a clear statement of the goals that the student has for undertaking a

course of foreign study, (2) a course plan identifying the courses that the student will

take at the foreign law school and the materials that will be used in the course, (3)

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clear assurances of the student’s fluency in, and proficiency to read, write, speak, and

otherwise understand, the language in which his/her courses will be taught at the

foreign law school. The Administrative Hearing Officer will forward the petition

along with a recommendation to the Academic Standards Committee. If the

Academic Standards Committee votes to approve the petition, it shall be forwarded to

the Dean of the College of Law for final approval. If the Academic Standards

Committee or the Dean denies approval, the denial shall be final.

8.3.2.3. Credit for Foreign Study by Students of the College of Law.

A student may earn a maximum of fifteen (15) credit hours for a semester of study at

a foreign law school that is not an ABA accredited law school. During the semester

of foreign study, the student must maintain full-time status, enrolling in a minimum

of twelve (12) credit hours (or the equivalent at the Foreign Law School) that

semester. Students seeking credit for foreign study must submit their final transcript

to the Office of the Registrar as soon as reasonably practicable after the student’s

grades have been recorded by the foreign law school.

8.3.3. Assessment of Students for Foreign Study.

Depending on the nature of the agreement with the foreign partner school or the terms

of the College of Law’s authorization for foreign study, students seeking credit for

foreign study will be assessed in one of the following ways:

8.3.3.1. Pass/Fail.

Credit from a foreign law school will be recorded by the College of Law on a pass

basis provided that the student receives a grade of “C+” or higher. No credit is given

if the student receives a grade below “C+” or its equivalent.

8.3.3.2. Letter Grades.

Except where otherwise provided, the College of Law will accept letter grades earned

by the student during his/her semester of foreign study. Students shall not receive

credit from the College of Law for courses taken at a foreign law school unless the

student receives a grade of “C+” or higher or its equivalent. A student receiving letter

grades for foreign study will continue to be subject to Rule 15 regarding dismissal for

academic deficiency during his/her semester of foreign study. A student receiving

letter grades may not use any part of his/her Pass/Fail Option, as set out in Rule

13.4.2, during the semester of foreign study. Grades given to students for foreign

study will not count in the student’s class rank or law school honors.

8.4. Study by Students from Foreign Law Schools.

8.4.1. General.

A student who is enrolled full-time at a foreign law school which has been accredited

by the accrediting body of the foreign law school’s jurisdiction to confer a first degree

in law (LL.B., J.D., etc.) may spend one (1) semester of study at the College of Law as

a “Foreign Visiting Student,” either as part of an approved exchange program between

the College of Law and the foreign law school, or pursuant to an individual

authorization by the foreign law school and the College of Law

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8.4.2. Approval of Foreign Study.

Only those Foreign Visiting Students who have completed a minimum of twenty (20)

credit hours or its equivalent at his/her home institution, and who are in good academic

standing, may be eligible to be a Foreign Visiting Student at the College of Law. Prior

to attending classes, the Foreign Visiting Student must complete all administrative

procedures required by the College of Law and the foreign law school to be admitted

either to an approved Semester Exchange Partnership program, or an individual

program of foreign study approved in writing by the Assistant Dean for Students

Records. The Foreign Visiting Student must demonstrate proficiency in the English

language, including the ability to listen, read, comprehend, and speak in English, while

enrolled in courses at the College of Law.

8.4.3. Assessment of Foreign Visiting Students.

Assessment of Foreign Visiting Students is not required to be anonymous. In courses

in which J.D., LL.M., S.J.D., and/or Foreign Visiting Students are enrolled, the course

instructors may create a form of assessment for these students separate and distinct

from that of the J.D., LL.M., and/or S.J.D. students. Such assessment may include, but

is not limited to, research papers, class participation, oral assessment, and practicums.

Foreign Visiting Students are to be assessed separately from J.D. students under the

same standards as students enrolled in the LL.M. program. The assessment of these

students shall have no effect on the J.D. grading curves or other J.D. grading

requirements. Depending on the nature of the agreement with the each foreign partner

school or the terms of individual admission for a semester of foreign study, Foreign

Visiting Students will be assessed in one of the following ways during their semester

of foreign study, but not both:

8.4.3.1. Pass/Fail Option.

Credit for Foreign Visiting Students is recorded by the College of Law on a pass basis

provided that the student receives a grade of “C+” or higher. No credit is given if the

student receives a grade below “C+.” Foreign Visiting Students do not receive letter

grades.

8.4.3.2. Letter Grades.

Letter grades for Foreign Visiting Students may be recorded by the College of Law

under the same standards utilized for foreign LL.M students.

8.4.4. Minimum Credit Hours for Foreign Visiting Students.

A minimum of twelve (12) credit hours is required for full-time enrollment status in

the College of Law.

8.4.5. Academic Offerings for Foreign Visiting Students.

General Courses. Foreign Visiting Students may enroll in any residential courses with

the “LAW” prefix, indicating such courses are offered by the College of Law for credit

toward the J.D., LL.M., and/or S.J.D. programs. Except:

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(a) Legal Communication & Research: A Foreign Visiting Student may not enroll in

Legal Communication & Research I or II, but may with permission enroll in any

course which meets the Professional Writing Requirement.

(b) Clinics and Externships: Clinics and Externships are not open to Foreign Visiting

Students.

(d) Joint Degree Programs: Joint Degree Programs are not open to Foreign Visiting

Students.

(e) Curricular Programs: Curricular Programs are not open to Foreign Visiting

Students.

8.4.6. Pre-Matriculation Credit.

Students wishing to apply any credits earned as a Foreign Visiting Student to later

enrollment in the full-time J.D., LL.M., and/or S.J.D. degree program at the College of

Law must obtain from the Academic Standards Committee at the time of admission a

prior determination of credit.

8.4.7. Transcript.

A transcript from the Foreign Visiting Student’s semester at the College of Law shall

be supplied to the student’s home institution as soon as reasonably practicable after the

student’s grades have been recorded by the College of Law.

9. CONDUCT OF CLASSES

9.1. Class Attendance.

Regular and punctual class attendance is required to earn academic credit and to satisfy

attendance requirements. Faculty may adopt rules in their syllabus dropping students from the

course if they miss more than a permitted number of classes.

9.2. Recording.

The consent of the instructor is required before a student may make a recording of a class

session or any part thereof. The instructor shall announce his or her policy regarding

recording, if any, in his or her syllabus, or on the first day of classes. Students with

disabilities may be allowed to record classes as an approved accommodation. Class

recordings remain the property of the College of Law or the professor, and may not be posted

on any publicly accessible boards or websites, or disseminated to others, without the

professor’s or the College of Law’s express written consent.

10. LEAVES OF ABSENCE AND READMISSION

10.1. Leaves of Absence.

A leave of absence allows the student to withdraw from the College of Law and to return later

to continue studies without going through the usual admissions process, and the student

retains credit for work completed satisfactorily prior to the leave.

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The Administrative Hearing Officer may approve any residential student’s petition to take a

leave of absence for a specified period of time not to exceed two years. Requests for leaves of

absence exceeding two years, and appeals from a decision denying a leave, may be made in

writing by petition to the Academic Standards Committee, and its decision on such petitions

shall be final.

The JDi Hearing Officer may approve any JDinteractive student’s petition to take a leave of

absence for a specified period of time not to exceed two years. Requests for leaves of absence

exceeding two years, and appeals from a decision denying a leave, may be made in writing by

petition to the Academic Standards Committee, and its decision on such petitions shall be

final.

10.2. Readmission.

Students who take unauthorized leaves of absence, and those who do not return to the College

of Law when their approved leave expires, shall be considered for readmission only through

the normal admission process upon submitting the application for admission and such other

materials as the College of Law may require. Such students shall not receive or retain credit

for prior courses or prerequisites taken, except with the approval of the Academic Standards

Committee.

11. DROPPING AND ADDING COURSES

11.1. Dropping Lower-Division Courses

A residential student may drop a Required Lower-Division Course only with the advance

approval of the Academic Hearing Officer in consultation with the instructor of the relevant

course. Approval will be granted only to students who demonstrate compelling reasons for

dropping a required Lower-Division course.

A JDinteractive student may drop a Required Lower-Division Course or not register for the

continuation of a full-year course only with the advance approval of the JDi Hearing Officer.

Approval will be granted only to students who demonstrate to the JDi Hearing Officer’s

satisfaction compelling reasons for dropping a required Lower-Division course.

Students who drop courses after the financial drop deadline will receive a grade of WD for the

course. Students may not drop a course after the last day of classes in any semester as

published in the applicable College of Law Academic Calendar.

11.2. Dropping Courses – Upper-Class Students.

Except for Required Lower-Division Courses, No-Drop Courses and Limited-Drop Courses,

students may elect to drop a course during the “Add/Drop period” for the semester as

published in the Academic Calendar, without prior approval.

After the published Add/Drop period, residential students may drop a class or not register for

the continuation of a full year course only after obtaining written approval of the

Administrative Hearing Officer, and JDinteractive students may drop a class only after

obtaining written approval of the JDi Hearing Officer, in consultation with the instructor of

the relevant course.

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Students who drop courses after the financial drop deadline will receive a grade of WD for the

course. Students may not drop a course after the last day of classes in any semester as

published in the applicable College of Law Academic Calendar.

11.2.1. No-Drop Courses.

Clinics, externships, or any other limited enrollment course designated in the

registration instructions as “NO DROP” courses may not be dropped at any time after

the close of the Registration period, except with the permission of the instructor and

the Administrative Hearing Officer for residential courses or the instructor,

Administrative Hearing Officer and the JDi Hearing Officer.

11.2.2. Limited-Drop Courses.

Seminars, experiential, or applied learning courses, trial practice courses and other

courses designated in the registration instructions as “limited enrollment” courses may

only be dropped prior to the first day of classes.

11.3. Faculty Drop.

At any time during the semester, if a student’s absences exceed those permitted by a faculty

member's attendance policy previously announced in the course syllabus, or the faculty

member believes that the student is disrupting the class or violating any other policy contained

in the faculty member’s syllabus, or, in a clinical course, if the student is not consistently

working on cases the required number of hours as outlined in the course requirements, the

faculty member may file a request with the Vice Dean to drop the student from the course.

The Vice Dean shall meet with the student to discuss the request and shall drop the student

from the course or set specific guidelines for the student’s continued enrollment in the course.

The decision of the Vice Dean shall be final.

11.4. Financial Deadline to Drop Courses.

Students who drop, or are dropped from, a course will only receive a refund of registration

fees (if applicable) if the course is dropped prior to the financial deadline for dropping a

course, as published in the Academic Calendar for the student’s program.

11.5. Adding Courses.

Students may add courses during the Add/Drop period specified in the program’s Academic

Calendar or with the written consent of both the instructor and the Administrative Hearing

Officer.

11.6. JDinteractive/JD Residential Cross Enrollment

11.6.1. JD Residential Student Enrollment in JDinteractive Classes

Depending on the term, the JDinteractive program will consider petitions from College

of Law residential JD students to enroll in JDi courses. Petitions will be considered on

a case-by-case basis and under the following conditions:

(1) the total course enrollment does not exceed 32 students;

(2) there are seats available in the class after JDi and JDr students in the “Third-Year-

Away” program register, or if the addition of the student would cause the course

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enrollment to exceed the course cap but is less than 32, the instructor teaching the

course grants the student permission;

(3) the petitioning student is in academic good standing;

(4) the course is not a required course scheduled for the first two semesters of the JDi

program;

(5) the petitioning student can show good cause to enroll in the course;

Enrollment is at the discretion of the Associate Dean for Online Education in

consultation with the Vice Dean, the Office of Student Affairs, the Office of the

Registrar, and the Assistant Dean for Student Resources and Internal Research.

Enrollment will be confirmed once the registration period is complete. Petitions

should include the course in which the student would like to enroll and reason for

enrolling. A student’s reason for enrolling typically will not be considered good cause

if the student is able to take the same course in a residential format. JDr students not

in the “Third Year Away” program will be limited to two JDi courses per academic

year absent a compelling reason to enroll in more than two courses per academic year.

11.6.2. JDinteractive Student Enrollment in JD Residential Classes

JDinteractive students may take a JDr course under the following conditions:

(1) there are seats available in the class after JDr students register, or if the addition

of the student would cause the course enrollment to exceed the course cap, the

instructor teaching the course grants the student permission;

(2) the student is in academic good standing;

(3) the student is able to attend substantially all live sessions in the scheduled

modality; and

(4) the course is either (a) a fully residential course, or (b) a fully online course with

no more than 40 total students enrolled.

Enrollment is at the discretion of the Associate Dean for Online Education in

consultation with the Vice Dean, the Office of Student Affairs, the Office of the

Registrar, and the Assistant Dean for Student Resources and Internal Research.

Enrollment will be confirmed once the registration period is complete. Petitions

should include the course in which the student would like to enroll and reason for

enrolling.

11.7. JDinteractive Course/Credit Limits

JDinteractive students shall register for courses designated by the program as available for the

cohort in a given semester up to 11 credits. Once all eligible students have had a reasonable

time to register for classes, students may have the opportunity to register for one additional

course designated by the program as available for their cohort if eligible and seats are

available.

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11.8. Orange Flex Program

The Orange Flex program allows residential students to participate in a geographically remote

externship during their 3L year while satisfying remaining graduation credits with online JDi

classes. Students participating in Orange Flex must secure placement in an in-person (not

remote/online) externship. Acceptance into the Orange Flex program is contingent upon

approval of the externship by the Director of Externships.

11.8.1. Course Enrollment

Orange Flex students will not be required to show cause to register in JDi online

classes but are only eligible to enroll in JDi classes following enrollment by JDi

students and if space permits in any class. Orange Flex students are not guaranteed

enrollment in any particular JDi class, only those with available seats after JDi

enrollment.

11.8.2. Eligibility

Students shall not be eligible to participate in Orange Flex if they are on Academic

Probation or are required to follow the Structured Curriculum.

11.8.3. Program Prerequisites

Orange Flex students must complete all required upper-division courses

(Constitutional Law II, Professional Writing Requirement, and

Administrative/Statutory Law course) and any courses required for certificates by the

start of their third year (prior to commencement of Orange Flex).

11.8.4. Online Credit Limit – New York State Bar Exam

Orange Flex students intending to site for the New York State Bar Examination may

not exceed 15 credits total of online classes (“distance learning”), including classes

taken during Orange Flex and at any other time.

11.8.5. Total Credit Limits

Pursuant to Rule 5.1.4. of this Handbook, Orange Flex students may not exceed 30

credits total for externship placement, externship seminar, and clinic credits, including

both Orange Flex and any credits earned prior to participation in Orange Flex.

12. AUDITING OF COURSES

Residential Program: No limited-enrollment course may be taken as an audit. All other courses may

be audited, or changed to an audit, with the advanced approval of the Administrative Hearing Officer

and the consent of the faculty member at any time prior to the thirty-fifth class day of the fall or

spring semester or the seventeenth class day of the summer semester. Non-law courses may be

audited with the approval of the faculty member and the Administrative Hearing Officer. A decision

by the faculty member or the Administrative Hearing Officer to deny an audit shall be final.

Students auditing courses will not receive a grade or academic credit for the course, but the

successful completion of the audited course will be reported on the student’s transcript. Faculty

members may permit or deny course audits at their discretion.

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JDinteractive Program: No limited-enrollment course may be taken as an audit. All other courses

may be audited, or changed to an audit, with the advanced approval of the Administrative Hearing

Officer, JDi Hearing Officer, and the consent of the faculty member at any time prior to the thirty-

fifth class day of the fall or spring semester or the seventeenth class day of the summer semester.

Non-law courses may be audited with the approval of the faculty member, JDi Hearing Officer, and

the Administrative Hearing Officer. A decision by the faculty member, JDI Hearing Officer or the

Administrative Hearing Officer to deny an audit shall be final. Students auditing courses will not

receive a grade or academic credit for the course, but the successful completion of the audited course

will be reported on the student’s transcript. Faculty members may permit or deny course audits at

their discretion.

13. GRADES

13.1. Letter Grades.

Student performance in offerings by the College of Law graded on the Grading Curve shall be

graded by assignment of one of the following grades with indicated grade points:

GRADE

POINT

4.000

A-

3.667

B+

3.333

3.000

B-

2.667

C+

2.333

2.000

C-

1.667

1.000

D-

0.667

0.000

NOTE: Several sections of this Academic Handbook refer to “fully graded credits.” Fully

graded credits are defined as credits earned under the grading basis established in

Academic Rule 13.1. (credits graded A-F).

13.2. High Honors, Honors, Pass or Fail Grades.

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Faculty offering courses on the Alternative Grading System may designate grades of high

honors (HH), honors (H), pass (P) or fail (F). Students will not receive academic credit for

grades of “F”.

13.3. Pass/Fail Grades.

Offerings approved by the Faculty to be graded Pass (P) or Fail (F) basis shall be so

designated in each semester's registration instructions. Students will not receive academic

credit for grades of “F”.

13.4. The Pass/Fail Option.

13.4.1. Pass/Fail Option Eligible Courses.

All courses offered by the College of Law other than the following courses are eligible

for the Pass/Fail Option. The courses not eligible for the Pass/Fail Option are: (1) the

Required Lower-Division Courses, (2) Professional Responsibility, (3) Constitutional

Law II, (4) courses graded on the Alternative Grading System, (5) courses that are

required to be graded Pass/Fail, and (6) Structured Curriculum courses for students on

the Structured Curriculum.

13.4.2. Pass/Fail Option.

Any student may elect to be graded on a Pass/Fail basis for a total of seven (7) credit

hours of courses that are designated as eligible for the Pass/Fail Option. The Pass/Fail

Option is available to students notwithstanding credit earned in other offerings that are

normally graded on a Pass/Fail basis or under the Alternative Grading System. The

option may be elected in any one or more semesters, so long as the total does not

exceed seven (7) credit hours during the student's entire period of enrollment in the

College of Law. Students must make the election to be graded on the Pass/Fail Option

by submitting an election form available online prior to the thirty-fifth class day of the

fall or spring semester or the seventeenth class day of the summer semester. Students

cannot change their election once it has been made.

13.4.3. Pass/Fail Option Grading and Academic Credit

Students electing the Pass/Fail Option shall receive a grade of “Pass” only when the

student's performance would have merited a grade of “C+” or higher grade had the

offering not been subject to Pass/Fail grading. Students who would have earned a

grade of “C”, “C-”, “D”, “D-” or “F” in the course shall receive that grade irrespective

of an election to take the course on the Pass/Fail Option. As a result, a Pass/Fail

Option is effectively an election to receive a “Pass”, “C”, “C-”, “D”, “D-”, or “Fail” as

appropriate.

13.5. Incomplete Grades.

Upon the approval of the instructor and the Administrative Hearing Officer, a student may be

given a grade of "incomplete" when the required work for any offering has not been

completed by the end of the semester due to serious illness or other extenuating or compelling

circumstances. Course work must be completed and the grade "incomplete" replaced by a

final grade at the earliest possible reasonable time before the end of the next regular semester,

as determined by the Administrative Hearing Officer in consultation with the course

instructor, or such "incomplete" shall be converted to an F. Exceptions may be granted in

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appropriate cases by petition to the Academic Standards Committee. No student shall receive

credit towards graduation for a grade of "incomplete." Students with a grade of “incomplete”

are not eligible for graduation.

13.6. Grading Deadline.

In the fall semester and in Required Lower-Division Courses, all instructors shall submit a

final grade for each of their students within four weeks of the date they are notified that their

examinations are ready for grading. For upper-division courses in the spring semester, all

instructors shall submit a final grade within three weeks of the date they are notified that their

examinations are ready for grading. In the summer semester, instructors shall submit their

final grades within two and one half weeks after they are notified that their examinations are

ready for grading. For classes where the grade is not based upon a final examination, the

grade shall be due four weeks from the date of the first examination for fall courses, and three

weeks from the date of the first examination for spring courses. Hardship exceptions to this

rule may be arranged with the Vice Dean, but in no case shall a hardship exception be granted

beyond three weeks after the date of the last examination. In the event that a College of Law

instructor does not or, due to exigent circumstances, cannot submit grades when due, the Vice

Dean is authorized to implement alternative grading procedures to ensure timely recordation

of grades.

13.7. Class Participation.

All College of Law instructors shall announce on the first day of classes, or set forth in the

syllabus, the extent to which class participation shall be considered in determining the final

grade in the class. In no event shall class participation count for more than one-third of such

final grade in any course. Where the instructor does choose to consider class participation in

determining the final grade, the administrative process used to calculate such final grade shall

be such as to assure anonymity of the non-class-participation portion of the grade.

13.8. Grade Changes.

After grades in a course are officially posted by the Office of the Registrar, the instructor may

not change any one or more student’s grades without the approval of the Academic Standards

Committee. Such approval shall be granted only upon the instructor’s showing of a

mathematical or similar type of clerical error in the determination of the posted grade. Grade

changes are not allowed for discretionary or judgment errors in evaluating student work or

assigning grades. A student may challenge a posted grade only upon a clear showing of abuse

of process, and only after meeting with the faculty member to discuss the student’s concern.

A student alleging an abuse of process in grading may submit a petition to the Administrative

Hearing Officer. The Administrative Hearing Officer shall deny any petition outright unless

the Administrative Hearing Officer believes that the petition establishes a prima facie case of

abuse of process. If the Administrative Hearing Officer believes that the petition establishes a

prima facie case of abuse of process, the petition shall be forwarded to the Vice Dean for final

determination. No appeal is available from the Administrative Hearing Officer’s denial, or

the Vice Dean’s final determination.

13.9. Calculation of Grade-Point Average and Rank.

A student's College of Law grade-point average shall be calculated on the basis of the grades

received by the student in courses taken at the College of Law which are graded on the

Grading Curve. A student’s College of Law class rank will be based on the student’s College

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of Law grade-point average. Courses taken on the Alternative Grading System will not be

factored into the College of Law grade point average or class rank.

13.10. Grading Curve

13.10.1. Required Grading Curve.

Except as otherwise provided herein, the following Grading Curve will apply to all

Required Lower-Division Courses and for all upper-division courses:

(a) Not more than 10% of the grades may be “A”;

(b) Not more than 20% of the grades may be “A-”;

(d) At least an additional 10% of the grades in the Required Lower-Division Courses

shall be “C” or lower.

13.10.2. Rounding and Remainders; Small Classes.

Remainders will be rounded to the nearest whole number. For example, in a class of

24 students, the professor may give up to two “A”s and five “A-”s. In a class of 26

students, the professor may give up to three “A”s and five “A-”s. If percentages

cannot be met due to a tie in raw scores, the maximum grades shall be reduced, and the

minimum grades shall be increased. Faculty giving fewer than the required high

grades in any category may increase the allowed grades in a lower category by an

equal number of students. Faculty teaching multiple sections of the same course may

combine their courses for application of the Grading Curve.

Faculty teaching courses with final enrollments of fewer than 20 students may elect to

round up or down to the nearest whole number in determining the number of students

who can receive a particular grade: For example, a class with 12 students could give

up to two “A”s, three “A-”s, and at least one grade of “C” or lower in the first year.

Faculty teaching courses with final enrollments of fewer than 20 students may also

petition the Vice Dean for good cause for a variance in complying with the maximum

percentages in the Grading Curve. The decision of the Vice Dean on the request for a

variance shall be final. Faculty teaching independent study courses or other courses

initially offered with maximum enrollments of fewer than 3 students shall be required

to grade on the Alternative Grading System (“HH”- “F”) in accordance with Section

13.10.3.

13.10.3. Alternative Grading System.

13.10.3.1. Eligible Courses.

In accordance with the procedure adopted by the faculty, the Vice Dean will

determine which courses are eligible to be graded on this Alternative Grading

System. Faculty teaching courses on the Vice Dean’s Alternative Grading System

List may elect to have the course graded on the Grading Curve by filing a request

with the Office of the Registrar at least 30 days before the publication of the initial

class schedule for any semester. Unless a timely request to grade on the Grading

Curve is filed, the courses on the Vice Dean’s list will be graded under the

Alternative Grading System. Courses offered by a professor under the Alternative

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Grading System in one semester will presumptively be offered under the Alternative

Grading System in future semesters without the need for a petition unless the

professor timely submits to the Office of the Registrar, no later than 30 days prior to

the publication of the initial class schedule in any semester, an election to comply

with the Grading Curve.

13.10.3.2. Courses Not Eligible for the Alternative Grading System.

The Vice Dean shall not designate or approve the following courses as eligible for the

Alternative Grading System: (1) Required Lower-Division Courses, (2) Con-

stitutional Law II and Professional Responsibility for the JDi Class of 2024, and (3)

the Structured Curriculum courses. Courses to be graded on the Alternative Grading

System will be designated as such in the class schedule.

13.10.3.3. Grading under the Alternative Grading System and Academic Credit.

Faculty teaching courses on the Alternative grading system shall assign one of the

following grades to each student in the class: High-Honors “HH”, Honors “H”, Pass

“P” or Fail “F.” Courses graded on the Alternative Grading System will not count in

the student’s law school or transcript grade-point average or class rank. Students

must receive a grade of “P” or higher in order to receive academic credit for the

course.

14. EXAMINATIONS

14.1. General.

Examinations must be written and are of three general types, as described below. The

decision as to which type of examination will be given is made by the instructor. When an

instructor intends to give either a take-home examination or floating examination, the

instructor shall so advise students at the first meeting of the class for the semester or provide

such information in the course syllabus. Before an instructor may give an examination that

permits students to consult with others in connection with the preparation of their answers,

written notice describing the proposed examination must be provided to the Vice Dean at least

six weeks before the start of the examination period. Such examination may then be given in

the form proposed unless it is determined to violate applicable accreditation rules or is

disapproved by vote of the Faculty.

14.2. Types of Examinations.

14.2.1. Standard Examination.

A standard examination is one which is conducted in the law school at a time and

place regularly scheduled by the Office of the Registrar. All students enrolled in the

offering take the examination at the same time and place, unless the examination is

postponed or a variation granted in accordance with these rules.

14.2.2. Place-Based Examination

A place-based examination is one conducted at a scheduled time and place in the

presence of an approved proctor who maintains the academic integrity of the exam

process. Students must make proctor arrangements well in advance of the exam

period but in no event later than six weeks from the start of the semester. Failure to

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submit completed proctor information by the deadline may prevent a student from

sitting for his or her exams. Both proctor and student must certify that the student

completed the exam in accordance with the proctoring regulations as well as the exam

conditions. Failure to provide appropriate certifications may prevent or delay grading

of the exam.

14.2.3. Online Examination

An online examination is one administered using a learning management system

where students will verify their identity by logging on to the system using their unique

credentials. The exam will be administered with students activating their web camera.

Students will be required to remain on the web camera for the duration of the exam.

The exam will be proctored in real-time, allowing the proctor to see and hear the

students as they complete the exam. Exam sessions will be recorded and retained in

the event of later concern.

In the event a student encounters a computer or technical problem while taking an

online exam, he or she must follow the alternative exam protocol set forth by the

Offices of the Registrar, Information Technology, and Online Education.

14.2.4. Take-Home Examination.

A take-home examination may be written at any location not prohibited by the

instructor. The student picks up the examination and returns it at specific times fixed

by the instructor and approved by the administration. The exam is given during the

regular examination period.

14.2.5. Floating Examination.

A floating examination must be approved in advance by the Office of the Registrar. If

approved, the exam may be picked up at any time within the reading or examination

period, and returned within the time allowed by the instructor after pickup.

14.3. Duration of Examinations.

Take-home and floating examinations may not require a period of more than 24 hours to

complete. Unless previously approved by the Registrar, in no event shall the time period

allotted for completion be such as to require the student to return the examination at an hour

when the College of Law's administrative offices are not regularly open.

14.4. Proctoring and Grading.

Examinations may be given pursuant to such proctored or honor system as the Faculty may

determine. All course examinations, including take-home and floating examinations, are to be

graded anonymously.

14.5. Postponed Examinations.

14.5.1. General.

Students are generally required to take their examinations when scheduled. A student

will be permitted to postpone an examination only for extremely compelling

circumstances with advance written authorization from the Administrative Hearing

Officer. Extremely compelling circumstances include a serious illness that prevents

the student from taking the examination when scheduled. The Administrative Hearing

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Officer may require documentation to establish the claimed compelling circumstances,

such as a certification of illness from a medical doctor. Students who become

seriously ill during the examination period, and are for that reason unable to take a

scheduled examination, must make all reasonable efforts to inform the administration

promptly, and seek a postponement promptly.

14.5.2. Completing Postponed Examinations.

Students must complete their postponed examination within the time set by the

Administrative Hearing Officer. The Administrative Hearing Officer and the Office of

the Registrar will generally require completion within the regular exam period, or if

that is not possible than at least one week before the grading deadline. In

extraordinary circumstances, the Administrative Hearing Officer with the concurrence

of the professor may postpone an examination until the end of the following semester.

14.5.3. Unauthorized Postponement.

Absent extremely compelling circumstances, any student who fails to appear for a

scheduled final examination and has not received permission from the Administrative

Hearing Officer to postpone the examination shall receive a grade of zero (0) on the

exam. Students who arrive late for a scheduled examination shall complete the

examination in the scheduled time remaining for the exam.

14.6. Variations in Examination Schedules.

Students may arrange the following variations in the examination schedule with the approval

of the Administrative Hearing Officer.

14.6.1. Same Day Examination.

When a student has two examinations scheduled on a single calendar day, he or she

may postpone the date of one such examination to a subsequent date according to the

published examination schedule. If possible, the subsequent date shall be within the

scheduled examination period.

14.6.2. Disability Accommodations.

The Administrative Hearing Officer may grant a variation to accommodate a disability

approved by the Syracuse University Center for Disability Resources.

14.7. Retention of Examination Papers and Review.

14.7.1. Deposit.

All examination papers shall be retained by the instructor or, upon suitable

arrangement, by the instructor’s secretary, until the beginning of the eighth week of

classes in the succeeding regular semester, at which time they must be deposited with

the Office of the Registrar. All ExamSoft data files for examinations shall be retained

by the Office of the Registrar for two years, and professors who do not use ExamSoft

shall be responsible for maintaining examinations for one year.

14.7.2. Right of Review.

Students shall have the right to review their graded examination, by arrangement with

the instructor or the instructor’s secretary, as the case may be, between the time grades

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are posted until the time examination papers must be deposited with the Office of the

Registrar in accordance with procedures established by the instructor. Instructors at

their discretion may widen the period of review. In cases in which the instructor

deems it appropriate, the instructor may require that the student not remove the graded

examination or examination questions from the instructor’s office or the office of the

instructor’s secretary.

15. DISMISSAL FOR ACADEMIC DEFICIENCY

15.1. Academic Dismissal Rules for Students Enrolled on or After Fall 2018.

These rules of Section 15.1 are applicable to students who first enrolled in the College of Law

for the Fall semester of 2018 or after.

15.1.1. Full-time Residential Students – At End of First Year.

Students who have a grade-point average (GPA) below 2.25 in the Required Lower-

Division Courses will be dismissed without the right to petition for academic

probation. Students who have a GPA between 2.25 and 2.50 in the required lower

division courses shall be placed on Academic Probation subject to the rules in section

15.1.4 with no right of petition.

15.1.2. JDinteractive, Reduced Load and Part-Time Students – After Second Semester of

Study Until End of First Year

At any point following the second calendar semester of study and before completion of

the required Lower-Division courses, JDinteractive, reduced load, part-time students,

and students who have not completed all of their Required Lower-Division courses

shall be subject to dismissal if their GPA in whatever Required Lower-Division

Courses they have completed is below 2.25. Such students may petition the Academic

Standards Committee for probation to remain enrolled until completion of their

Required Lower-Division Courses in accordance with Section 15.1.4. Students who

are allowed to remain enrolled on probation will be subject to the general dismissal

rules in Section 15.1.1 when they complete all of their Required Lower-Division

Courses.

15.1.3. Upper-Division Dismissal and Graduation.

Students who do not maintain in every semester after completing the Required Lower-

Division Courses a cumulative GPA of 2.50 or above in courses offered by the College

of Law will be dismissed. Such students may petition the Academic Standards

Committee to be placed on academic probation for one or more additional semesters,

or to retake courses to improve their GPA, in accordance with Section 15.1.4.

15.1.4. Academic Probation

Students placed on Academic Probation are subject to all terms, conditions, and

actions set forth in the Academic Probation Letter. Students who do not meet the

terms and conditions specified in the Academic Probation Letter may be subject to

extended Probation or academic dismissal.

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15.1.4.1. Probation - Repeating Courses.

Students on Academic Probation must repeat all Lower Division Courses in which

they received a grade of “B-“ or lower. Students can be removed from Academic

Probation only if they receive a grade of "B” or better in each of these repeated

courses. Students on Academic Probation are allowed to repeat a required Lower

Division course only once.

Students on Academic Probation who are required to repeat courses will see original

and repeated courses on the academic transcript. The original grade given in the

repeated course will continue to appear on the student’s transcript but the repeated

course grade rather than the original grade will be calculated in the student’s

cumulative grade-point average.

15.1.4.2. Other Terms of Probation.

Students on probation may be subject to any requirements that the Academic

Standards Committee may deem appropriate, such as counseling with the Office of

Student Affairs and/or Office of Academic and Bar Support, limits on activities or

employment, restrictions and prescriptions on courses taken, tutoring, etc. In

addition, the Academic Standards Committee may condition the continuation of

probation on achieving a designated minimum grade in repeated courses, on a

probationary semester minimum grade-point average, and/or on achieving and

maintaining minimum cumulative grade-point averages. The Administrative Hearing

Officer will review the performance of all students on academic probation each

semester and report to the Academic Standards Committee any deviations from

conditions set by the terms of probation.

15.1.4.3. No Petitions to Repeat First Year.

Students who are academically dismissed, and are not eligible for or not granted

probation, are not eligible to petition to continue by repeating the first year. Such

students may re-apply for admission under Section 15.1.5.

15.1.4.4. Special Financial Risks of Probation.

Students on probation may not be able to complete the courses required for their

degree in the standard three-year period due to the requirement to repeat courses, and

are at special risk of not being able to satisfy the continuing grade requirements of

their probation. Students granted probation should consider carefully the financial

and opportunity costs and risks that they will incur by proceeding on probation.

Students should also consider as an alternative to probation taking time away from

school and applying for readmission if they later decide that they want to pursue a

legal education.

15.1.5. Application for Readmission by Dismissed Students.

Students who are academically dismissed and are not eligible for or are not granted

probation may re-apply for admission to the College of Law through the normal

admissions process, but only after taking at least one year off from law studies and

demonstrating that they have used that year to remediate the deficiencies that caused

their failure in their first attempt.

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15.1.5.1. Readmitted Students Must Repeat Courses.

A student who is readmitted must repeat all courses previously taken unless the

Academic Standards Committee, for cause shown, grants an exception. The student’s

transcript will show both sets of grades for repeated courses, but the original grades

will not count in the student’s cumulative grade-point average.

16. FAILING AND REPEATING COURSES

16.1. Courses Subject to the Grading Curve.

16.1.1. Mandatory Course Repeat and Academic Credit.

Students who receive a grade below “C-” in a graded course, or below “P” in a non-

graded course, shall not receive academic credit for the course. A student who

receives a grade below “C-” in a course that the student is required to complete for

graduation, including (1) Required Lower-Division Courses, (2) Constitutional Law II,

Professional Responsibility for the JDi Class of 2024, and Professional Writing

Requirement courses not graded on the Alternative Grading System,, and (3) the

Structured Curriculum Courses for students on the required Structured Curriculum,

will be required to repeat the course prior to graduation.

Note: Students placed on Academic Probation in accordance with Rules 15.1.1.,

15.1.2., or 15.1.3., will be required to repeat courses as set forth in Section 15.1.4.1.,

and the Academic Probation Letter.

16.1.2. Voluntary Course Repeats.

Any student may elect to repeat any course with the hope of obtaining a higher grade.

16.1.3. Reporting and Credit for Repeated Courses.

The original grade given in the repeated course will continue to appear on the

student’s transcript but will not be calculated in the student’s cumulative grade-point

average or class rank. No additional credit hours will be awarded for a repeated

course.

17. HONORS

17.1. Graduation Honors.

College of Law graduation honors shall be awarded in the Residential and JDinteractive

programs as follows:

• Summa Cum Laude: Top 2% of class;

• Magna Cum Laude: Next 8% of class;

• Cum Laude: next 15% of class.

17.1.1. Rounding.

In calculating graduation honors, grade-point averages shall be rounded to the nearest

hundredth.

17.1.2. Minimum Graded Credit Hours.

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To qualify for graduation honors, students must earn at least 54 fully graded credit

hours in College of Law offerings that count in the student’s GPA and Class Rank.

17.1.3. Final Semester Grades.

Honors for December and May graduates shall be awarded on the basis of all grades

through the fall semester preceding May commencement; honors for August

commencement graduates shall be awarded on the basis of all grades through the

preceding spring semester; provided, however, those graduates whose grade-point

averages are raised, on the basis of their final semester's grades, to the honors levels

established pursuant to the percentages set forth in Section 17.1, above, shall be

graduated with the specified honors.

17.1.4. Special Rule for Joint Degree Students.

Courses taken outside of the College of Law, even pursuant to an approved Joint

Degree Program, are not counted in the College of Law’s GPA or class rank, and are

not considered in the granting of College of Law honors.

17.1.5. Determination of Maximum Honors.

The determination of the maximum percentage for honors set forth above shall be

calculated each year on the basis of class standings (including all grades through fall

semester) of the combined December graduates and prospective May graduates. The

resulting determination of minimum honors grade-point averages shall then be applied

even though such maximum percentages may thereby be exceeded.

17.2. Dean's List.

In recognition of excellence in academic achievement, any student who is in the top 25% of

that student’s class during a given semester shall be designated on the Dean's List for such

semester, pursuant to rules 17.2.1 and 17.2.2 below:

17.2.1. Residential (JDr) Students – Fall and Spring Semesters:

No residential (JDr) student shall be designated on the Dean’s List for any semester in

which he or she did not complete courses totaling at least 12 credit hours, of which 9

credit hours must be taken for letter grades (fully graded) in the College of Law, or did

not receive final grades for all courses scheduled to be completed during such

semester. Only grades that count in the student’s Law GPA and class rank will be

considered.

17.2.2. Residential (JDr) Students – Summer Semester:

Residential (JDr) students will be considered for the Dean’s List during the summer

semester per Academic Rule 17.2.3, below:

17.2.3. JDinteractive (JDi) Students – All Semesters

No JDinteractive student shall be designated on the Dean’s List for any semesters in

which he or she did not complete courses totaling at least 6 credit hours, of which 6

credit hours must be taken for letter grades (fully graded).

18. APPLICABILITY AND RULE REVISIONS

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18.1. Prospective Application.

Unless otherwise specifically provided, these rules, and any amendments, shall apply to all

students in the College of Law beginning on the first full semester after the date of enactment

and on a prospective basis.

18.2. Reliance on Prior Rule.

Students who believe that they have reasonably relied on a prior rule and would be unfairly

prejudiced by the application of the amended rule may file a petition with the Academic

Standards Committee requesting relief from the amended rule.

18.3. Amendments.

The faculty reserves the right to amend all rules contained in this handbook at any time.

Amendments may be proposed by any student, faculty member or administrator of the

College of Law to the Academic Standards Committee. Proposed amendments approved by

two-thirds of the members voting on the Academic Standards Committee shall be referred to

the Faculty as a whole, with the Academic Standards Committee’s recommendation for

adoption. The Faculty may propose to the Academic Standards Committee amendments to

the Committee’s recommendation. The Academic Standards Committee will then consider

the amendments and make a recommendation to the Faculty regarding the Amendments. The

Faculty may adopt amendments not recommended by the Committee after the Committee has

considered and rejected them. To allow time for consideration by the College of Law

community, the Faculty shall take no action on such proposed amendments for two weeks

after the date on which the proposal was considered by the Academic Standards Committee.

19. TIMELY COMPLETION OF DEGREE

Students must complete all degree requirements within seven years of their start date, regardless of

part-time status, leaves of absence, failed courses, repeated courses or other delays.

20. INTERPRETATION, DISPUTES AND PETITIONS

Students must comply with the rules of the College of Law.

20.1. Interpretation and Disputes.

Disputes or questions concerning the interpretation of these rules shall be submitted in writing

to the Office of Student Affairs for residential students, or the Office of Online Education in

the case of the JDinteractive students, for initial consideration and decision by the

Administrative Hearing Officer or the JDi Hearing Officer, respectively, to resolve

ambiguities. Petitions seeking a variance from any rule shall be filed with the Academic

Standards Committee for consideration under the standard in section 20.2.

20.2. Appeals from Administrative Decisions.

Except where these rules specifically prohibit appeals, a student dissatisfied with an

administrative decision may file a written appeal to the Academic Standards Committee.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Academic Standards Committee shall not consider any

petition seeking an exception to Sections 13.8 and 15.1. The Committee shall consider each

such petition individually. The goal of the Committee is to fairly apply the rules to particular

cases. To obtain a variance from a rule, a student must demonstrate extraordinary

circumstances which would render application of the rule arbitrary and unreasonable. When

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two-thirds of the members of the Academic Standards Committee voting on any petition are

in agreement as to the disposition of an appeal, it shall be considered finally disposed of and

no further action will be allowed. In the event that the Academic Standards Committee

cannot reach a two-thirds decision on a petition, the petition shall be referred for action to the

Faculty as a whole for final determination. All appeals shall be decided on the basis of the

written petition submitted by the student and any written submissions by the administration.

20.3. Unavailability of Designated Administrative Officers or Departments and Delegation.

If the designated administrative officer or department charged with making a decision or

recommendation under these rules is not available for any reason, the Dean of the College of

Law or the Vice Dean shall appoint an administrative substitute to make the decision. If the

name of a position or department is changed, the Dean shall designate that the decision shall

be made by the person in the new position or by the newly named department. The person or

office charged with making a determination under these rules may designate to another person

or department the evaluation of any matter, and such designee may make a recommendation

to the designated person or department for disposition of any matter.

21. EFFECTIVE DATE

The academic rules contained herein will become effective to all students of the College of Law in

the Spring semester of 2018, until further revision and unless otherwise noted.

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ACADEMIC RULES FOR LL.M. PROGRAM

These rules are applicable to students enrolled in the LL.M - Masters of Laws -- Program for Foreign

Trained Lawyers. For LL.M students, these rules supersede the rules in the Student Handbook for the

J.D. Program. However, any issues not addressed in this Section are deemed to be supplemented by

the J.D. Program Rules and by any applicable Syracuse University rules.

1. REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MASTER OF LAWS DEGREE

Students will be awarded the Master of Laws degree after satisfying all of the following

requirements:

1.1. Successful Completion of Credit Hours in Residence.

Students must successfully complete a minimum of twenty-four (24) semester credit hours of

course work offered by the College of Law earned during the requisite period in residence

prescribed for the program in which the student is enrolled. Non-law courses offered by

Syracuse University that are not offerings by the College of Law will not count towards the

required 24 semester credit hours for the LL.M. Degree.

As used herein, “Successful Completion,” “Successfully Complete” or “Successfully

Completing” means completing the course instructor’s requirements for the course and

receiving a grade of “D-” or higher, or a grade of “P”, “C-”, “D” or “D-” or higher if the

course is graded on a Pass/Fail basis.

1.2. Successful Completion of LL.M. Required Courses.

Students must successfully complete the following required courses in order to satisfy the

LL.M. degree requirements:

(a) Introduction to the American Legal System;

(b) Legal Writing for International Students.

1.3. Minimum Grade-Point Average.

Students must have a cumulative grade-point average and a program grade-point average of at

least 2.20 on a 4.000 scale. The program grade-point average will be computed over the

student’s period of attendance.

2. LL.M. ASSESSMENT

2.1. LL.M. Grading.

2.1.1. Not Anonymous.

In courses in which J.D., S.J.D., and LL.M. students are enrolled, the course

instructors may create a form of assessment for the LL.M. students separate and

distinct from that used for J.D. and S.J.D. students. LL.M. assessment is to be

conducted in any course in accordance with the goals of that course. Such assessment

may include, but is not limited to, research papers, class participation, oral assessment

and practicums.

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2.1.2. Separate from J.D. and S.J.D. Students.

LL.M. students are to be assigned grades separately from J.D. and S.J.D. students.

LL.M. grades have no effect on J.D. curves or other J.D. grading requirements.

2.1.3. No Grading Curve.

LL.M. students are not subject to any mandatory grading curve. In general, LL.M.

students who satisfactorily complete the instructor’s course requirements may expect

to be awarded a grade of “B” or higher.

2.2. Pre-Matriculation Credit.

Except for transfer students from another LL.M. program in United States Law offered by a

school accredited by the American Bar Association, no credit toward the LL.M. degree will be

given for offerings taken prior to full matriculation in the College of Law. Credit earned by

transfer students may be accepted for credit by the College of Law at the time of admission,

may be accepted only for offerings graded “C” or higher (or the equivalent), and if accepted

will be recorded by the College of Law on a Pass basis.

Transfer students may be allowed to transfer no more than eight (8) credit hours toward the

LL.M. degree from offerings taken in an LL.M. program at other American Bar Association

(ABA) accredited law schools. Credit must be given in writing at the time of admission, and

will be recorded by the College of Law on a pass basis. No credit may be given if the student

received a grade below “C” or its equivalent from the prior school.

2.2.1. International Partner Institutions and Visiting Students

Visiting exchange students from institutions with which the College of Law has an

agreement designating such institutions as “International Partner Schools” may request

that any credits earned during the time in which they were enrolled be applied toward

the credits required for the LL.M. degree. Final decisions regarding the awarding of

pre-matriculation credit will be made by the Assistant Dean for International

Programs. All students receiving credit under this rule must provide an official

transcript from their home institution which shows an earned degree with the date of

conferral before the LL.M. degree from the College of Law can be conferred.

2.3. Good Standing.

Students must maintain a cumulative grade-point average of at least 2.200 to be considered in

Good Standing at the College of Law. The Administrative Hearing Officer will determine

whether students who fall below a grade-point average of 2.200 at the completion of any

semester will be administratively dismissed from the program, or will be allowed to continue

with a restricted number of credits and/or courses in future semesters.

3. FULL-TIME STUDENT STATUS

Any student admitted to the LL.M. program shall be deemed a full-time student and shall be required

to satisfy the course load requirements of full-time students.

3.1. Full-time Student Course Loads.

3.1.1. Regular Course Loads.

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Full-time students are required to take at least nine (9) credit hours per semester,

unless they qualify under (3.1.2) below for reduced load status.

3.1.2. Reduced Course Loads.

LL.M. students, upon a showing of compelling circumstances, may petition the LL.M.

Hearing Officer to take a reduced course load of no less than six (6) credits per

semester. Prospective or admitted LL.M. students interested in a reduced course load

should contact the Office of International Programs to discuss his/her circumstances

and to review the reduced course load guidelines listed below. Students who take a

reduced course load will generally need to spend a longer time in the program in order

to complete their graduation requirements.

3.1.2.1. Petition for Reduced Course Load.

Petitions for taking a reduced course load should be requested by submitting the

Student Services Request Form available on the College of Law website. The Office

of International Programs is available to assist the student with the petitioning

process, and is available to assist students in developing a plan for meeting the

College’s LL.M graduation requirements.

3.1.2.2. Guidelines for Reduced Course Load.

An LL.M. student may petition the LL.M. Hearing Officer to take a reduced full-time

schedule upon a showing of compelling circumstances which include, but are not

limited to, the following:

• Family circumstances;

• Physical disabilities, learning disabilities, temporary and long-term health

problems;

• English language difficulties

3.1.2.3. Filing of Approved Reduced Course Load Petitions.

After approval, the petition will be given to the Office of the Registrar who shall file

the approved petition in the student's permanent record and register the student

accordingly.

3.1.2.4. Reduced Course Load in Final Semester of Program.

In the final semester of the program, LL.M. students must take a minimum of three

(3) credit hours of courses. Approval to register for fewer than nine (9) credit hours

in the final semester requires a petition and approval by the LL.M. Hearing Officer.

4. PROGRAM DURATION

Students must complete the required twenty-four (24) credit hours of courses for the LL.M. degree

within a maximum period of twenty-four (24) months after matriculation. Students may complete

the program in as little as two semesters.

5. MINIMUM AND MAXIMUM COURSE LOADS

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5.1. Academic Year Minimum Course Load.

Full-time students must register for and complete a minimum of nine (9) credit hours during

each fall and spring semester. Approval to register for fewer than nine (9) credit hours

requires a petition and approval by the LL.M. Hearing Officer.

5.2. Academic Semester Maximum Course Load.

Full-time students may register for a maximum of seventeen (17) credit hours during any fall

or spring semester. Qualifying petitions for over seventeen (17) credits will be reviewed by

the LL.M. Hearing Officer.

5.3. Summer Sessions.

Students may register for a maximum of nine (9) credit hours during any summer session.

There is no minimum course load requirement for summer sessions.

6. ACADEMIC OFFERINGS FOR CREDIT

6.1. Law Offerings.

Students in the LL.M Program may take the following courses for credit towards the LL.M

Degree:

6.1.1. Courses.

6.1.1.1. Required Courses.

All courses designated Required Courses for the LL.M. program in Section 1.2 must

be satisfactorily completed prior to graduation.

6.1.1.2. Electives and Prerequisite Courses.

All law courses not exclusively restricted to J.D. students may be taken by

LL.M.students as LL.M. Electives, including J.D. courses that are part of the

Required Lower-Division Courses for J.D. students. Electives may be taken in any

order, except as otherwise provided by specific course prerequisites. Instructors in

individual courses may require prerequisites listed in the course schedule. LL.M.

students may request a waiver of prerequisites by petition to the LL.M. Hearing

Officer upon a showing of good cause, and only with the permission of the instructor.

6.1.2. Seminars, Faculty Tutorials, and Independent Research.

6.1.2.1. One-Semester Seminars.

One-semester seminars are one-semester offerings in which students may earn two

(2) or three (3) hours of fully graded credit, which are normally restricted to sixteen

(16) students or, at the instructor's option, to twenty (20) students, and in which the

instructor must require written work which comprises at least two-thirds of the basis

for the grade.

6.1.2.2. One-Semester Independent Research Projects.

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A student may earn two (2) hours per semester of fully graded credit for independent

research under faculty supervision which results in a significant research product by

the student, on a topic of the student's choice. The student's research product is to be

completed in one semester. The student must secure approval of a supervising faculty

member before registering for such credit. Credit will be given only for research

undertaken after the student actually registers for the independent research project.

Students may not register for more than four credits of independent research projects

during their law school careers without first seeking the approval of the Academic

Standards Committee. Such approval shall be granted if in the judgment of the

Committee, taking into consideration the student's academic record, the academic

integrity of the student's overall program will not be impaired.

6.1.2.3. Two-Semester Seminars.

Two-semester seminars are two-semester offerings in which students may earn three

(3) hours of fully graded credit which offerings are normally restricted to sixteen (16)

students or, at the instructor's option, to twenty (20) students, and in which offerings

the instructor must require the writing of a research paper or papers which meet

standards established by the faculty, which research paper or papers must comprise at

least two-thirds of the basis for the grade.

6.1.2.4. Two-Semester Faculty Tutorials.

Two-semester faculty tutorials are two-semester offerings in which students may earn

two (2) hours of fully graded credit, which are normally restricted to sixteen (16)

students or, at the instructor’s option, to only eight (8) students, and in which the

instructor must require the writing of a research paper or papers which must comprise

the sole basis for the grade. Faculty tutorials, like independent research projects, do

not include regularly-scheduled class meetings.

6.1.2.5. Two-Semester Independent Research Projects.

A student may earn two (2) hours per semester of fully graded credit for independent

research under faculty supervision which results in a significant research project by

the student on a topic of the student's choice. The student's research product is to be

completed over a two-semester period. The student must secure approval of a

supervising faculty member before registering for such credit. Credit will be given

only for research undertaken after the student actually registers for the independent

research project.

Students may not register for more than four credits of independent research projects

during their law school careers without first seeking the approval of the Academic

Standards Committee. Such approval shall be granted if, in the judgment of the

Committee, taking into consideration the student's academic record, the academic

integrity of the student's overall program will not be impaired.

6.1.3. Clinics and Externships.

Clinics are not open to LL.M. students. Externships are not open to LL.M. students

during their first two semesters of full-time coursework. Upon completion of two

semesters of full-time coursework, a LL.M. student may earn a maximum of 14 hours

of semester credit or 6 hours of summer credit in offerings designated as externship

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placements. Credits from the externship seminar are not included in the 14 semester

and 6 summer credit externship maximum. LL.M. students will be subject to the same

externship application processes and procedures as J.D. students. Externships consist

of two components: a class component and a placement component. The class

component shall be eligible for the Alternative Grading System, and the placement

component must be graded on a pass-fail basis.

Note: Effective with the start of the Spring 2023 semester, both the class and

placement components of all Externships will be graded on a pass-fail basis only.

6.1.4. Special Activities Credit.

Special Activities Credit is not open to LL.M. students

6.1.5. Advanced Writing Project.

Students may complete an upper-level writing project by writing a paper of twenty-

five (25) or more double-spaced pages with twelve-point font and ordinary margins.

The paper should demonstrate substantial in-depth analysis, reflection, and revision.

Only papers prepared under faculty supervision, including extensive written feedback

on at least one substantial draft of the student’s writing project will earn faculty

certification.

6.2. Non-Law Offerings.

Students may take up to six (6) credit hours of graduate-level non-law offerings in other

branches of the University or other accredited colleges or universities which will be shown on

the student’s transcript. Such credits do not count toward the twenty-four (24) Law credits

required for graduation from the LL.M. program. Credit for such non-law offerings taken at

other accredited colleges or universities shall be recorded on the student’s transcript.

Students must first secure the approval of the LL.M. Hearing Officer before registering for

any non-College of Law course offerings. The student must demonstrate, to the LL.M.

Hearing Officer’s satisfaction, that such non-law offerings will contribute to the student’s

professional development or will advance career-related goals.

7. CONDUCT OF CLASSES

7.1. Class Attendance.

Regular and punctual class attendance is required to earn academic credit and to satisfy

residency requirements.

7.2. Recording of Classes.

The consent of the instructor is required before a student may make a recording of a class

session or any part thereof. The instructor shall announce his or her policy regarding

recording, if any, on the first day of classes.

8. LEAVES OF ABSENCE

8.1. General.

The LL.M. Hearing Officer may approve any student petition to take a leave of absence for a

specified period of time not to exceed one year. Such leave allows the student to withdraw

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from the College of Law during the term of the leave, and continue studies later without going

through the usual admissions process. Appeals from an adverse decision may be made to the

Academic Standards Committee.

8.2. Credit Retention When Returning from Leave of Absence.

Students who are granted a leave of absence and who return from their leave within the agreed

upon time shall retain credit for the work successfully completed prior to taking the leave of

absence.

8.3. Readmission.

Students who take unauthorized leaves of absence, and those who do not return to the College

of Law when their approved leave expires, shall be considered for readmission only through

the normal admission process upon submitting an application for admission and such other

materials as the College of Law requires of all first-time applicants. Students seeking

readmission may petition the Academic Standards Committee to allow credit for prior courses

or prerequisites completed at the College of Law upon a showing of good cause.

9. DROPPING AND ADDING COURSES

9.1. Dropping Required Courses.

An LL.M. student may drop a required LL.M. course or not register for the continuation of a

full-year course only with the advance approval of the Administrative Hearing Officer in

consultation with the instructor of the relevant course. Approval will be granted only to

students who demonstrate compelling reasons for dropping a required LL.M. course and a

plan for completing all requirements prior to graduation.

9.2. Dropping Electives.

9.2.1. Academic Drop Rules.

9.2.1.1. No-Drop Courses.

Any limited enrollment course designated in the registration instructions as NO

DROP courses may not be dropped at any time after the close of the Registration

period, except with the permission of the instructor and the Administrative Hearing

Officer.

9.2.1.2. All Other Courses.

All other courses may only be dropped prior to the first day of classes.

9.2.2. Financial Deadline to Drop Courses.

Students who drop, or are dropped from, a course will only receive a refund of

registration fees (if applicable) if the course is dropped prior to the financial deadline

for dropping a course, as published in the relevant Academic Calendar.

9.2.3. Faculty Drop.

At any time during the semester, if a student’s absences exceed those permitted by a

faculty member’s attendance policy previously announced in the course syllabus, the

faculty member may, with the approval of the Vice Dean and two weeks’ advance

notice to the student, direct that the student be dropped or withdrawn from the course.

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9.3. Adding Courses.

Students may add courses during the Add/Drop period specified in the academic calendar, or

with the written consent of both the instructor and the Administrative Hearing Officer.

9.4. JDinteractive/LL.M. Cross Enrollment

9.4.1. LL.M. Student Enrollment in JDinteractive Classes

Depending on the term, the JDinteractive program will consider petitions from College

of Law LL.M. students to enroll in JDi courses. Petitions will be considered on a case-

by-case basis and under the following conditions:

(1) the total course enrollment does not exceed 32 students;

(2) there are seats available in the class after JDi and JDr students in the “Third-Year-

Away” program register, or if the addition of the student would cause the course

enrollment to exceed the course cap but is less than 32, the instructor teaching the

course grants the student permission;

(3) the petitioning student is in academic good standing;

(4) the course is not a required course scheduled for the first two semesters of the JDi

program;

(5) the petitioning student can show good cause to enroll in the course; and

(6) LL.M. students must have completed one (1) full semester of courses in a

residential format or show a compelling reason to enroll in the course.

Enrollment is at the discretion of the Associate Dean for Online Education in

consultation with the Vice Dean, the Office of Student Affairs, the Office of the

Registrar, the Assistant Dean for Student Resources and Internal Research, and, the

Assistant Dean for International Programs. Enrollment will be confirmed once the

registration period is complete. Petitions should include the course in which the

student would like to enroll and reason for enrolling. A student’s reason for enrolling

typically will not be considered good cause if the student is able to take the same

course in a residential format. LLM students will be limited to two JDi courses per

academic year absent a compelling reason to enroll in more than two courses per

academic year.

10. AUDITING OF COURSES

No limited enrollment course may be taken as an audit. All other courses may be audited, or

changed to an audit, with the advance approval of the Administrative Hearing Officer and the

consent of the faculty member at any time prior to the thirty-fifth class day of the Fall or Spring

semester or the seventeenth class day of the Summer semester. Non-law courses may be audited

with the approval of the faculty member and the Administrative Hearing Officer.

11. GRADES

11.1. Letter Grades.

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LL.M students will be graded in courses offered for J.D., S.J.D., and LL.M students using the

same grading system as is utilized for the J.D. students. Courses graded with letter grades

between “A” to “F” shall be graded by assignment of one of the following grades with

indicated grade points:

GRADE

POINT

4.000

A-

3.667

B+

3.333

3.000

B-

2.667

C+

2.333

2.000

C-

1.667

1.000

D-

0.667

0.000

Courses graded on a High Honors (HH), Honors (H), Pass (P), Fail (F) basis for J.D. students

will be graded in the same manner for LL.M students. LL.M students will be assessed

separately under the standard specified in Section 2.

11.2. The Pass/Fail Option.

Offerings approved by the Faculty to be graded Pass/Fail only shall be so designated in each

semester's registration instructions.

11.2.1. Pass/Fail Option.

Offerings that are graded, but which can be taken with the Pass/Fail option, shall be so

designated in each semester's registration materials. Any student may elect to be

graded on a Pass/Fail basis a total of seven (7) credit hours of Pass/Fail option eligible

courses. The option may be elected in any one or more semesters, so long as the total

does not exceed seven (7) hours during the student's entire period of enrollment in the

College of Law. In order to make a Pass/Fail election, the student must submit a

completed form available from the Office of Student Affairs not later than the 35th

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day of classes in the semester during which the course is taken. Students may not

change their election once made. The Pass/Fail option is available to students

notwithstanding credit earned in other offerings specifically approved for Pass/Fail

grading.

11.2.2. Pass/Fail Option Grading.

Students electing the Pass/Fail Option shall receive a grade of “Pass” only when a the

student's performance would have merited a “C+” or higher grade had the offering not

been subject to Pass/Fail grading. Students who earn a grade of “C”, “C-”, “D”, “D-”

or “F” in College of Law offerings shall receive that grade irrespective of an election

to take the course on a Pass/Fail basis. As a result, a Pass/Fail election is effectively

an election to receive a “Pass”, “C”, “C-”, “D”, “D-” or “Fail”, as appropriate.

11.2.3. Pass/Fail Option Eligible Courses.

The Pass/Fail Option is not available for LL.M. required courses, Lower-Division J.D.

courses taken as an elective, trial practice courses, seminars, applied learning courses,

skills courses, and independent research projects.

11.3. Incomplete Grades.

Upon the approval of the instructor and the Administrative Hearing Officer, a student may be

given a grade of "incomplete" when the required work for any offering has not been

completed by the end of the semester due to serious illness or other extenuating or compelling

circumstances. Incomplete course work must be completed and the grade "incomplete"

replaced by a final grade at the earliest possible reasonable time before the end of the next

regular academic year semester, as determined by the Administrative Hearing Officer in

consultation with the course instructor, or such “incomplete” shall be converted to an “F”.

Exceptions may be granted in appropriate cases upon petition to the Academic Standards

Committee. No student shall receive credit towards graduation for a grade of "incomplete."

Students with a grade of “incomplete” are not eligible for graduation.

11.4. Grading Deadline.

In the fall semester, all College of Law instructors shall submit a final grade for each of their

students within four weeks after the date they are notified that their examinations are ready for

grading. In the spring semester, all College of Law Instructors shall submit a final grade for

each upper-class student within three weeks of the date they are notified that their

examinations are ready for grading, and for first-year students within four weeks of the date

they are notified that their examinations are ready for grading. For classes in which the grade

is not based upon a final examination, all College of Law instructors shall submit a final grade

for each of their students within four weeks of the date of the first examination in the fall

semester and in the spring semester, and within three weeks of the date of the first

examination in all upper-class courses. Hardship exceptions to this rule may be arranged with

the Vice Dean, but in no case shall a hardship exception be granted beyond three weeks after

the date of the last examination. All College of Law instructors shall submit a final grade for

each of their students within two and one half weeks of the date they are notified that their

examinations are ready for grading in the summer semesters.

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In the event that a College of Law instructor does not or, due to exigent circumstances, cannot

submit grades when due, the Vice Dean is authorized to implement alternative grading

procedures to ensure timely recordation of grades.

11.5. Grade Changes.

After grades in an offering are officially posted by the Office of the Registrar, the instructor

may not change any individual's grade without the approval of the Academic Standards

Committee. Such approval shall be granted only upon the instructor’s petition and a showing

of a mathematical or similar type error in the determination of the posted grade. Students may

petition for a grade change to the Administrative Hearing Officer after meeting with the

professor to review the exam. The Administrative Hearing Officer will deny the petition

outright unless the officer believes that the student has established a prima facie case of abuse

of process. If the Administrative Hearing Officer believes that the student’s petition has

established a prima facie case of abuse of process, the petition will be forwarded to the Vice

Dean for final decision. A student may not appeal from a denial by the Administrative

Hearing Officer or the Vice Dean. Any petition filed under this section must be filed within

30 days of the date the final grades are posted.

11.6. Calculation of Grade-Point Average.

A student's College of Law grade-point average shall be calculated on the basis of the grades

received by the student in courses taken at the College of Law for a letter grade (fully graded).

12. ASSESSMENT

12.1. General.

The Course Instructor may elect to assess LL.M. students matriculated in their courses for

credit using any appropriate pedagogical tools, including, but not limited to, examination,

legal writings, journals or preparation of course notebooks, papers or essays addressing

materials studied in the course, or research papers. Credit is permitted for class participation,

oral projects and group work. The method of assessment will be outlined in the course

syllabus.

LL.M. students are not required to be assessed by written examination, except by election of

the course instructor. If the Course Instructor elects to assess LL.M. students by examination,

the decision as to which type of examination will be given is made by the instructor. Types of

examinations are described below.

Before an instructor may give an examination which permits students to consult with others in

connection with the preparation of their answers, written notice describing the proposed

examination must be provided to the Vice Dean at least six weeks before the start of the

examination period.

Such examination may then be given in the form proposed unless it is determined to violate

applicable accreditation rules or is disapproved by vote of the Faculty.

At any time prior to the last week of class, the student and instructor may agree to an

alternative method of assessment that fulfills the objectives of the course and is in keeping

with the standards of the College of Law.

12.2. Types of Examinations.

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12.2.1. Standard Examination.

A standard examination is one which is conducted in the law school at a time and place

regularly scheduled by the Office of the Registrar. All students enrolled in the offering take

the examination at the same time and place, unless the examination is postponed or a variation

granted in accordance with these rules.

12.2.2. Take-Home Examination.

A take-home examination may be written at any location not prohibited by the instructor. The

student picks up the examination and returns it at specific times fixed by the instructor and

approved by the administration. The exam is given during the regular examination period.

12.2.3. Floating Examination.

A floating examination must be approved in advance by the Office of the Registrar. If

approved, the exam may be picked up at any time within the reading or examination period,

and returned within the time allowed by the instructor after pickup.

12.3. Duration of Examinations.

Take-home and floating examinations may not require a period of more than 24 hours to

complete. Unless previously approved by the Registrar, in no event shall the time period

allotted for completion be such as to require the student to return the examination at an hour

when the College of Law's administrative offices are not regularly open.

12.4. Proctoring and Grading.

Examinations may be given pursuant to such proctored or honor system as the instructor may

determine.

12.5. Postponed Examinations.

12.5.1. General.

In general, all students are required to take their examinations as scheduled. However,

a student may be permitted to postpone an examination with approval from the

Administrative Hearing Officer. Such approval will be granted only on the basis of

extremely compelling justification.

12.5.2. Illness.

Extremely compelling justification may include a serious illness that prevents the

student from taking the examination at the scheduled time. In considering a request

for a postponed examination, the Administrative Hearing Officer may require a written

certification of the illness by a medical doctor. Students who become seriously ill

during the examination period, and are for that reason unable to complete the

scheduled examination, must make all reasonable efforts to inform the Office of the

Administrative Hearing Officer promptly, and seek a postponement promptly.

12.5.3. Completing Postponed Examinations.

In the event a student is permitted by the Administrative Hearing Officer to postpone

an examination, the postponed examination must be completed (1) within the exam

period; or (2) no later than a week before the final grading deadline for the semester in

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which the course was taken; or (3) if (1) or (2) are not possible, then by the end of the

following semester with the permission of the instructor and the Administrative

Hearing Officer.

12.5.4. Unauthorized Postponement.

Absent extremely compelling circumstances, any student who fails to appear for a

scheduled final examination and has not received permission from the Administrative

Hearing Officer to postpone the examination shall receive a grade of “F” on the exam.

Students who arrive late for a scheduled examination shall complete the examination

in the scheduled time remaining for the exam. Students claiming extremely

compelling circumstances must file a petition with the Vice Dean for relief from this

rule. The Vice Dean’s decision will be final.

12.6. Variations in Examination Schedules.

Students may obtain variations in the examination schedule with the approval of the

Administrative Hearing Officer when the student has two examinations scheduled on a single

calendar day. The student must complete the postponed examination on the date assigned by

the Administrative Hearing Officer and/or the Office of the Registrar according to the

published examination schedule. If possible, the subsequent date shall be within the

scheduled examination period.

12.6.1. Disability Accommodations

The Administrative Hearing Officer may grant a variation to accommodate a disability

approved by the Syracuse University Center for Disability Resources.

12.7. Retention of Examination Papers and Review.

12.7.1. Deposit.

All examination papers shall be retained by the instructor or, upon suitable

arrangement, by the instructor’s secretary, until the beginning of the eighth week of

classes in the succeeding regular semester, at which time they must be deposited with

the Office of the Registrar. All ExamSoft data files for examinations shall be retained

by the Office of the Registrar for two years, and professors who do not use ExamSoft

shall be responsible for maintaining examinations for one year.

12.7.2. Right of Review

Students shall have the right to review their graded examination, by arrangement with

the instructor or the instructor’s secretary, as the case may be, between the time grades

are posted until the time examination papers must be deposited with the Office of the

Registrar. Instructors at their discretion may widen the period of review. In cases in

which the instructor deems it appropriate, the instructor may require that the student

not remove the graded examination or examination questions from the instructor’s

office or the office of the instructor’s secretary.

13. DISMISSAL FOR ACADEMIC DEFICIENCY

13.1. General.

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Except as otherwise approved upon petition to the Vice Dean, any student whose cumulative

grade-point average is below 2.200 at the end of any semester shall be academically

dismissed.

13.2. Interpretation and Disputes.

Disputes or questions concerning the interpretation of these rules shall be submitted in writing

to the Office of Student Affairs for initial consideration and decision by the administration of

the College of Law.

13.3. Appeals from Administrative Decisions.

Except where these rules specifically prohibit appeals, a student dissatisfied with an

administrative decision may file a written appeal to the Academic Standards Committee. The

Committee shall consider each such petition individually. The goal of the Committee is to

fairly apply the rules to particular cases. When two-thirds of the members of the Academic

Standards Committee voting on any petition are in agreement as to the disposition of an

appeal, it shall be considered finally disposed of and no further action will be allowed. In the

event that the Academic Standards Committee cannot reach a two-thirds decision on a

petition, the petition shall be referred for action to the Faculty as a whole for final

determination. All appeals shall be decided on the basis of the written petition submitted by

the student and any written submissions by the administration.

13.4. Unavailability of Designated Administrative Officers or Departments.

If the designated administrative officer or department charged with making a decision or

recommendation under these rules is not available for any reason, the Dean of the College of

Law shall appoint an administrative substitute to make the decision. If the name of a position

or department is changed, the Dean shall designate that the decision shall be made by the

person in the new position or by the newly named department.

14. EFFECTIVE DATE

The academic rules contained herein reflect changes which became effective to all students of the

College of Law beginning in the Fall semester of 2018, unless otherwise noted, and until further

revision.

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ACADEMIC RULES FOR THE S.J.D. PROGRAM

The following requirements and rules are applicable to students enrolled in the SJ.D. Program and

supersede the rules in the Academic Handbook for the J.D. and LL.M. Program. However, any issues

not addressed in this Section are deemed to be supplemented by the J.D. and LL.M. Program Rules

contained in the current Academic Handbook and by applicable Syracuse University rules.

1. REQUIRMENTS FOR THE S.J.D. DEGREE

Students will be awarded the S.J.D. degree after successful completion of the following

requirements:

1) Submission to the S.J.D. Program Director by the end of the first year of study of a detailed

Program of Study, approved by the student’s Faculty Advisor, which represents the student’s

academic itinerary leading up to the public oral dissertation defense;

2) Successful completion of the first two academic semesters of study “in residence” at the

College of Law, which must include: (i) the year-long, 6-credit S.J.D. Colloquium course; and (ii) a

minimum of 6 credits of academic course work per semester at SU;

3) Presentation of the dissertation proposal draft in the S.J.D. Colloquium course, which includes

a discussion of the progress of the student’s research, the challenges and opportunities of the project,

and plans for future research;

4) Submission and approval of the final version of the dissertation proposal by the Dissertation

Committee by the end of the second year of study;

5) Submission of the Request for Exam form to the Syracuse University Graduate School (304

Lyman Hall) at least three weeks prior to the public oral dissertation defense;

6) Successful public oral dissertation defense before the Oral Defense Committee;

7) Submission of the doctoral dissertation to the Dissertation Committee for final review, and, if

approved, submission to the Dean of the College of Law and the Syracuse University Graduate

School;

8) Completion and submission of all paperwork required of the Syracuse University Graduate

School and the College of Law Registrar’s Office.

Requirements of the S.J.D. Program may be waived only in exceptional circumstances. Requests for

waiver of any requirement must be submitted by petition to the S.J.D. Hearing Officer, who will

make a decision on the petition, in consultation with the S.J.D. Program Director.

2. SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF CREDIT HOURS AND SEMESTERS

“Successful Completion,” “Successfully Complete” or “Successfully Completing” means

completing the course instructor’s requirements for the course and receiving a grade of “D-” or

higher, or a grade of “P”, “C-”, “D” or “D-” or higher if the course is graded on a Pass/Fail basis.

3. PROGRAM YEAR 1 “IN RESIDENCE”

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During the first year of the S.J.D. Program, students are required to enroll in a minimum of twelve

(12) course credits per semester. These twelve (12) course credits must be comprised of (i) the 6-

credit, yearlong S.J.D. Colloquium (3 credits per semester); and (ii) a minimum of 6 credits of

academic courses in the College of Law or in another SU graduate program. Students may enroll in

additional coursework or dissertation research credits each semester, with the approval of the Faculty

Advisor. For each credit, 30 hours per work is expected.

3.1. Required S.J.D. Colloquium Course (6 credits)

The required S.J.D. Colloquium is a 6-credit, yearlong course that provides a classroom

setting in which students hone their skills in the areas of research, writing, legal analysis, and

oral presentation. The Colloquium provides students the opportunity to receive feedback and

guidance from law faculty and faculty from other colleges at Syracuse University. Throughout

the year, speakers will be invited to discuss legal topics related to the students’ dissertation

topics as well as other topics, including research, writing, and oral presentation skills.

The purpose of the Colloquium is to support S.J.D. students in the development of their

dissertation and oral defense. During the first semester, the Colloquium will focus on research

and writing skills related to the development of a dissertation topic and the preparation of a

dissertation proposal with an annotated bibliography or literature review of the leading books

and articles in the field. During the first semester, students will be required to present their

research plans, which should evidence knowledge of the major thinkers and publications in

the field as well as other substantive issues related to the dissertation. In addition, students

should evidence knowledge of relevant legal and policy arguments as well as use of proper

citation form, and adherence to the rules of grammar and principles of style.

During the second semester, the focus of the Colloquium will be on presentation of the

dissertation topic and research. Each student will be required to present a comprehensive

treatment of the subject of the student’s research, which will be distributed prior to the

student’s presentation. Selected faculty will be invited to respond to the student’s oral

presentation. The student presentations will be open to the College of Law community.

3.2. Submission of a Program of Study

Each S.J.D. student will submit a Program of Study by the end of the first year of the

Program. This Program of Study will be prepared in consultation with the Faculty Advisor,

who must approve the final version. The Program of Study represents the student’s academic

plan leading up to the oral defense and should include a separate narrative that identifies the

student’s specific research activities, including the courses, readings, and other academic

work, as well as arrangements for the student’s field placement or semesters of comparative

legal study abroad, as applicable.

The scope, structure and content of the Program of Study should provide evidence of the

viability of the dissertation topic as well as the student’s ability to complete the dissertation.

The format of the Program of Study may include a detailed outline or prospectus, a

dissertation chapter, or article for publication, depending on what is most appropriate for the

specific project.

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The Faculty Advisor will review and approve an outline or draft of the Program of Study. The

final version of the Program of Study must be submitted for approval to the Faculty Advisor

no later than the first day of the student’s third semester.

Upon review of the Program of Study, the S.J.D. Committee will decide whether the student

will be formally admitted to pursue the S.J.D. dissertation, denied permission to proceed, or

permitted up to one semester to revise the Plan of Study for reevaluation. Once the Program of

Study is approved, the student will send a copy of the Program of Study to the S.J.D. Program

Director, the College of Law Registrar, and the Graduate School.

4. PROGRAM YEARS 2-5 “IN RESEARCH”

S.J.D. students are expected to submit and defend a dissertation no less than three (3) years, and no

more than five (5) years, after enrollment in the S.J.D. Program. Following the first year (two

semesters) “in residence” at the College of Law, students will have the opportunity to spend the

remaining semesters (i) in Syracuse; (ii) engaged in ongoing research at another location; (iii) in a

field research placement (full-time or part-time); or (iv) in legal study abroad. Each of these options

is described below. Students are required to be registered as full-time students each semester until

the conferral of their degree.

4.1. Semesters in Syracuse

After their first year “in residence,” S.J.D. students may remain at the College of Law to

continue their research. During these semesters, they may enroll in dissertation research

credits and additional courses at the College of Law or in other SU schools and colleges.

4.2. Semesters in Research

S.J.D. students are permitted engage “in research” away from the College of Law. Semesters

“in research” means the students are engaged in investigating and studying materials relevant

to their dissertation.

Students will enroll in dissertation research credits by designating the number of credits and

time spent pursuing activities related to the development of their dissertation. Students are

expected to accumulate 15 hours of “instruction” time per credit per semester in a manner

consistent with other Ph.D. programs at Syracuse University. Such hours of instruction may

include independent research and writing as well as direct consultation and discussion with

the Faculty Advisor, the S.J.D. Program Director, and other Syracuse University faculty.

S.J.D. students are expected to accumulate 30 hours of “supplementary assignments” per

credit per semester.

Such “supplementary assignments” include work outside of class, including review and

analysis of research material, writing and editing drafts, preparing for oral presentation and

other self-study/indirect methods of research, writing and presentations that contribute to the

final draft of the dissertation.

S.J.D. students and Faculty Advisors are expected to meet on a periodic and regular basis

throughout each semester to discuss and monitor the student’s progress on dissertation-related

activities and time spent on various contact and supplemental activities. This periodic and

regular consultation can be performed in-person or remotely. Documentation of this time will

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be communicated to the S.J.D. Program Director by the Faculty Advisor in reports to the

S.J.D. Committee.

4.3. Semesters in Field Research

S.J.D. students have the option to complete one or more semesters in a field research

placement, subject to prior approval of the Faculty Advisor. A field research placement may

be a full-time or part-time experience. During the semester(s) in field research, the student

will be supervised by a field research placement supervisor as well as the Faculty Advisor.

The student is responsible for all arrangements related to the field research, including finding

the field placement and selecting the field placement supervisor, who must be approved by the

Faculty Advisor. The field research placement(s) can take place at any time after the first two

semesters “in residence” and before the dissertation defense unless, for good reason, the

Faculty Advisor approves an alternative arrangement.

The S.J.D. student must submit a Plan for Field Research describing the goals, purpose, and

anticipated outcomes from the field research placement, which will be subject to approval by

the Faculty Advisor.

S.J.D. students are expected to accumulate 15 hours of “instruction” time per credit per

semester through physical time spent at the field research site, engaging in research of subject

matter related to the field research site (i.e. qualitative interviews, observations, etc.), direct

consultation and discussions with their field placement host, the Faculty Advisor and other

faculty, as well as other methods related to their field research.

S.J.D. students are expected to accumulate 30 hours of “supplementary assignments” per

credit per semester through analysis of subject matter related to the field, writing and editing,

and other self-study/indirect methods related to the field research placement.

The Plan for Field Research shall articulate the number of hours of each category that is

expected of the S.J.D. student during the placement period. The student will be expected to

keep track of time spent on Field Research activities, which the Placement Supervisor and

Faculty Advisor will monitor through periodic and regular consultation.

4.4. Semesters of Legal Study Abroad

S.J.D. students also have the option to complete one or more semesters engaged in legal study

abroad, subject to prior approval by the Faculty Advisor. During the semester(s) of legal

study, the student may engage in coursework at an approved institution abroad, including

Syracuse University Centers Abroad. At all times during the semester(s) of legal study, the

student will be supervised by local law faculty as well as the Faculty Advisor. The legal study

semester(s) can take place at any time after the first two semesters “in residence” and before

the dissertation defense unless, for good reason, the Faculty Advisor approves an alternative

arrangement. The student is responsible for all arrangements related to the semester away of

legal study, including selecting the institution, being admitted enrolling or audit coursework,

and selecting the onsite faculty supervisor, who must be approved by the Faculty Advisor.

In addition to approving the onsite faculty supervisor, the Faculty Advisor must approve the

student’s proposed course of study away. The approval is based on a review that complies

with methods used by Syracuse University’s study abroad office, Syracuse Abroad, and the

College of Law, when determining whether foreign credits are transferrable to a student’s

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degree program. This review will include, but is not limited to, a review of the academic

calendar of the host institution, the course schedule, and the relevant course syllabi.

5. DISSERTATION

The S.J.D. student is required to produce a dissertation of significant scholarly work that makes a

substantial contribution to legal scholarship by raising important questions that evidence the

student’s scholarly, research, writing and analytical abilities. For example, the dissertation

requirement may be satisfied in the form of an original monograph or book length manuscript of

approximately 200-300 pages or 50,000 to 80,000 words in length. In researching and writing the

dissertation, the student will work under the supervision of the Faculty Advisor. The dissertation

represents the culmination of the student’s research in the S.J.D. Program.

S.J.D. students should become familiar with the Graduate School’s guidelines on preparing a

dissertation (including format requirements, style guidelines, submittal information, etc.) as early as

possible in order to ensure that the dissertation is compliant and ready for submission.

The S.J.D. student is required to submit the dissertation for acceptance to the Dissertation

Committee and to defend the dissertation in a public oral defense in no less than six (6) academic

semesters and no more than ten (10) academic semesters after admission to the S.J.D. Program.

Semesters under an approved Leave of Absence will not be counted toward the minimum or

maximum limits identified herein.

6. ORAL DEFENSE

The public oral defense of a dissertation is intended to be an examination of a completed body of

work and should be scheduled only when the dissertation is completed. All dissertation defenses will

be open to the public. The date, time, and location of the public defense will be posted at least 48

hours in advance.

The Syracuse University community, including all members of the College of Law community, will

be invited to attend the oral defense. During the oral defense, the student will present the dissertation

for no more than 15 minutes. Each member of the Oral Defense Committee will have up to 30

minutes to ask questions and critique the dissertation. The student will then have the opportunity to

respond for up to 30 minutes. Following the oral presentation and the Committee Members’

questioning, the Oral Defense Committee will deliberate in private and will announce its decision to

the student and the public. The Oral Defense Committee will “approve,” “disapprove,” or “approve

with recommendations” the dissertation. A dissertation that is “approved with recommendations”

will be deemed “approved” only after the members of the Committee are satisfied that the

recommendations have been implemented in the final version of the dissertation. All S.J.D.

dissertations must be approved by a majority vote of the Committee.

At least three weeks before the defense, the student must submit the Request for Exam form with the

Syracuse University Graduate School. At least two weeks before the defense, the student must

provide all six members of the Oral Defense Committee (Faculty Advisor, two committee persons,

two readers, and Chair of the Oral Defense Committee) with a final copy of the dissertation.

7. S.J.D. ASSESSMENT

In courses in which both S.J.D. as well as J.D. and LL.M. students are enrolled, the course

instructors may create a form of assessment for the S.J.D. students separate and distinct from that

used for J.D. and LL.M. students. S.J.D. assessment is to be conducted in accordance with the goals

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of that course. Such assessment may include, but is not limited to, research papers, class

participation, oral assessment, and practicums.

S.J.D. students are to be assigned grades separately from J.D. and LL.M. students. S.J.D. grades

have no effect on J.D. curves or other J.D. grading requirements.

S.J.D. students are not subject to any mandatory grading curve. In general, S.J.D. students who

satisfactorily complete the instructor’s course requirements may expect to be awarded a grade of “B”

or higher.

7.1. Pre-Matriculation Credit

Except for transfer students from another S.J.D. Program in the United States offered by a law

school accredited by the American Bar Association, no credit toward the S.J.D. degree will be

given for offerings taken prior to full matriculation in the College of Law S.J.D. Program.

Course credit earned by transfer students may be accepted for credit by the College of Law at the

time of admission into the S.J.D. Program, and may be accepted only for offerings graded “C” or

higher (or the equivalent), and if accepted, will be recorded by the College of Law on a Pass

basis.

7.2. Good Standing

S.J.D. students must maintain a cumulative grade-point average of at least 2.200 to be

considered in good standing at the College of Law. The S.J.D. Hearing Officer, in

consultation with the S.J.D. Program Director, will determine whether S.J.D. students who fall

below a grade-point average of 2.200 at the completion of any semester will be

administratively dismissed from the program, or will be allowed to continue with a restricted

number of credits and/or courses in future semesters.

8. FULL-TIME STUDENT STATUS

Any student admitted to the S.J.D. Program shall be deemed a full-time student and shall be required

to satisfy the course load requirements of full-time students.

8.1. Full-Time Student Course Loads

Full-time students are required to enroll in at least twelve (12) credit hours per semester,

unless they qualify for reduced load status. The twelve (12) credits may be coursework or

dissertation research.

8.2. Reduced Course Loads

S.J.D. students, upon a showing of compelling circumstances, may petition the S.J.D. Hearing

Officer to take a reduced course load of no less than six (6) credits per semester. Prospective

or admitted students interested in a reduced course load should contact the S.J.D. Director to

discuss their circumstances and to review the reduced course load guidelines listed below.

Dropping below full-time status may impact a student’s visa eligibility and ability to qualify

for Syracuse University’s Student Health Insurance Program.

Students who take a reduced course load may need to spend a longer time in the Program in

order to complete their graduation requirements. Petitions for taking a reduced course load

should be requested on the Student Service Request Form available on the College of Law

website.

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8.3. Petition for Reduced Course Load

S.J.D. students may petition the S.J.D. Hearing Officer to take a reduced full-time schedule

upon a showing of compelling circumstances which include, but are not limited to, the

following:

• Family emergency or change in circumstances;

• Accommodation for a disability or temporary and long-term health problem;

• English language difficulties.

8.4. Filing of Approved Reduced Course Load Petitions

After approval by the S.J.D. Hearing Officer, the petition will be given to the Office of the

Registrar who shall file the approved petition in the student's permanent record and register

the student accordingly.

8.5. Reduced Course Load in Final Semester of Program

In the final semester of the Program, S.J.D. students must take a minimum of three (3) credit

hours of courses. Approval to register for fewer than nine (9) credit hours in the final semester

requires a petition and approval by S.J.D. Hearing Officer, in consultation with the S.J.D.

Program Director.

9. PROGRAM DURATION

Students must successfully complete the S.J.D. degree requirements in no more than ten (10)

academic year (fall and spring) semesters and no less than a minimum of six (6) academic year (fall

and spring) semesters. Each semester, students must be enrolled full-time, taking a minimum of 12

credits per semester, and are therefore expected to obtain a minimum of 72 credits over the course of

the Program. Semesters taken under a Leave of Absence will not be counted toward the minimum or

maximum limits identified here in these Rules.

10. MINIMUM AND MAXIMUM COURSE LOADS

10.1. Academic Year Minimum Course Load

Full-time students must register for and complete a minimum of twelve (12) credit hours of

courses during each fall and spring semester in residence. Approval to register for fewer than

twelve (12) credit hours requires a petition and approval by the S.J.D. Hearing Officer.

10.2. Academic Semester Maximum Course Load

Full-time students may register for a maximum of sixteen (16) credit hours of courses during

any fall or spring semester. Qualifying petitions for over sixteen (16) credits will be reviewed

by the S.J.D. Hearing Officer.

10.3. Summer Sessions

Students may register for a maximum of nine (9) credit hours of courses during any summer

session. There is no minimum course load requirement for summer sessions.

11. ACADEMIC OFFERINGS FOR CREDIT

11.1. Law Offerings

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Students in the S.J.D. Program may take the following courses for credit towards the S.J.D.

Degree:

• All courses designated as required courses for the S.J.D. Program must be satisfactorily

completed prior to graduation;

• All law courses, including seminars and experiential courses that are not restricted to J.D.

or LL.M. students, may be taken by S.J.D. students as electives, including J.D. courses that

are part of the Required Lower-Division Courses. Electives may be taken in any order, except

as otherwise provided by specific course prerequisites. Instructors in individual courses may

require prerequisites listed in the course schedule. S.J.D. students may request a waiver of

prerequisites and must obtain the permission of the instructor.

Clinics and Externships are not open to S.J.D. students.

Special Activities Credit is not open to S.J.D. students.

12. CONDUCT OF CLASSES

12.1. Class Attendance

Regular and punctual class attendance is required to earn academic credit and to satisfy

residency requirements.

12.2. Recording of Classes

The consent of the instructor is required before a student may make a recording of a class

session or any part thereof. The instructor shall announce his or her policy regarding

recording, if any, on the first day of classes.

13. LEAVES OF ABSENCE

13.1. Approval for Leaves

The S.J.D. Hearing Officer may approve any student petition to take a leave of absence for a

specified period of time not to exceed one year. Such leave allows the student to withdraw

from the College of Law and continue studies later without going through the usual

admissions process. Appeals of the decision may be made to the Academic Standards

Committee.

13.2. Credit Retention When Returning from Leave of Absence

S.J.D. students who are granted a leave of absence and who return from their leave within the

agreed upon time shall retain credit for the work successfully completed prior to taking the

leave of absence.

13.3. Readmission

S.J.D. students who take unauthorized leaves of absence, and those who do not return to the

College of Law when their approved leave expires, shall be considered for readmission only

through the normal admission process upon submitting all application materials required of

first-time S.J.D. applicants. Students seeking readmission may petition the Administrative

Hearing Officer to allow credit for prior courses or prerequisites completed at the College of

Law upon a showing of good cause.

14. DROPPING OR ADDING COURSES

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14.1. Dropping Required Courses

An S.J.D. student may drop a required S.J.D. course or not register for the continuation of a

full-year course only with the advance approval of the S.J.D. Hearing Officer, in consultation

with the S.J.D. Program Director, and the instructor of the relevant course. Approval will be

granted only to students who demonstrate compelling reasons for dropping a required course

and a plan for completing all requirements prior to graduation.

Students who drop courses after the financial drop deadline will receive a grade of WD for the

course. Students may not drop a course after the last day of classes in any semester as

published in the applicable College of Law Academic Calendar.

14.2. Dropping Electives

Any limited enrollment course designated in the registration instructions as a NO DROP

course may not be dropped at any time after the close of the Registration period, except with

the permission of the instructor and the S.J.D. Hearing Officer.

14.3. All Other Courses

All other courses may only be dropped in accordance with the first day of classes.

14.4. Financial Deadline to Drop Courses

Students who drop, or are dropped from, a course will only receive a refund of registration

fees (if applicable) if the course is dropped prior to the financial deadline for dropping a

course, as published in the relevant Academic Calendar.

14.5. Faculty Drop

At any time during the semester, if a student’s absences exceed those permitted by a faculty

member’s attendance policy previously announced in the course syllabus, the faculty member

may, with the approval of the Vice Dean and two weeks’ advance notice to the student, direct

that the student be dropped or withdrawn from the course.

14.6. Adding Courses

Students may add courses during the Add/Drop period specified in the Academic Calendar, or

with the written consent of both the instructor and the S.J.D. Hearing Officer.

15. AUDITING COURSES

No limited enrollment course may be taken as an audit. All other courses may be audited, or changed

to an audit, with the advance approval of the Administrative Hearing Officer and the consent of the

faculty member at any time prior to the thirty-fifth class day of the Fall or Spring semester or the

seventeenth class day of the Summer session. Non-law courses may be audited with the approval of

the faculty member and the Administrative Hearing Officer.

16. GRADES

16.1. Minimum Grade-Point Average

S.J.D. students must obtain a cumulative grade-point average of 2.200 or above on a 4.00

scale. The grade-point average will be computed at the end of each academic year, or every

two semesters, over the student’s course of study.

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16.2. Letter Grades

S.J.D. students will be graded in courses offered for J.D. and LL.M. students using the same

grading system as is utilized for J.D. students. Courses graded with letter grades, between “A”

to “F” shall be graded by assignment of one of the following grades with indicated grade

points:

GRADE

POINT

4.000

A-

3.667

B+

3.333

3.000

B-

2.667

C+

2.333

2.000

C-

1.667

1.000

D-

0.667

0.000

Courses graded on a High Honors (HH), Honors (H), Pass (P), Fail (F) basis for J.D. and

LL.M. students will be graded in the same manner for S.J.D. students. S.J.D. students will be

assessed separately.

16.3. Pass/Fail Grades

Courses offered on a pass/fail basis only or for a grade or on a pass/fail basis are approved by

the College of Law faculty and are so designated in each semester's registration instructions.

16.4. Pass/Fail Option

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The Pass/Fail option is not available for (1) courses graded on the Alternative Grading

System; and (2) courses that are not permitted to be graded Pass/Fail according to the

Academic Handbook for J.D. and LL.M. students.

16.5. Pass/Fail Defined

College of Law offerings taken on a Pass/Fail basis, a grade of “Pass" shall be given only

when a student's performance would have merited a “C+” or higher grade had the offering not

been subject to Pass/Fail grading. Students who earn a grade of “C”, “C-”, “D”, “D-”, or “F”

in College of Law offerings shall receive that grade irrespective of an election to take the

course on a Pass/Fail basis. As a result, a Pass/Fail election is effectively an election to

receive a “Pass”, “C”, “C-”, “D”, “D-”, or “Fail”, as appropriate.

16.6. Incomplete Grades