Course-Load Rules - Law Students

Fall or Spring Semester: A student is permitted to take up to 17 credit hours, which include credits taken toward the JD and any other credits, without the approval of the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. A student may take additional credits with good cause and with written permission from the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. 

NOTE: Credit hours earned taking courses during the Winter Intersession will be counted as a part of the Spring semester. For example, if a student takes a 3-credit course during Winter Intersession and then wants to take 15 credits in the Spring semester, the student will need to seek the written permission of the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs because the total is 18 credits.

Summer Session: A student is permitted to take up to six credit hours, which include credits taken toward the JD and any other credits, without the approval of the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. A student may take additional credits with good cause and with written permission from the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.  

Full-Time Status: A student must be enrolled in a minimum of 12 credit hours during a semester in order to be considered a full-time student unless the student is in the final semester of law school when they are permitted to take 9 credits provided that the student will satisfy the 89 credits for graduation upon completion of that semester. There is no minimum number of credits to be full-time for the summer session.