Juris Doctor

6. Academic Program

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6.1 Course Descriptions 6.2 Academic Program 6.3 Length of Program  6.4 Required Courses 6.5 Elective Courses

6.6 Sample Four-Year Curriculum 6.7 Legal Internship 6.8 Certificates of Concentration 6.9 Directed Study 6.10 Credit for Study at Another Law School

6.1 Course Descriptions

(See separate left-hand Menu option for all Course Descriptions.)

6.2 Academic Program

A.    Educational Objectives

        The School has established three institution-wide learning competencies, Knowledge of Law, Practical Skills, and Ethical and Professional Values, as detailed in Section 3.4, Educational Objectives. For the Juris Doctor program, the following Program Objectives and Student Learning Outcomes have been established: 

J.D. Program Learning Objectives	J.D. Student Learning Outcomes
1.1 Legal Doctrine Students will examine fundamental legal principles and conceptual frameworks of American law essential to competent law practice and licensure in California.	1.1        Students will demonstrate knowledge of fundamental legal principles and the structure, branches and functions of the U.S. and California legal systems.
1.2 Policy Students will examine the role of public policy in the American legal system.	1.2         Students will examine and identify applicable public policies and demonstrate the ability to understand the relationship between law and policy.
2.1 Legal Analysis Students will demonstrate the ability to perform competent legal analysis.	2.1a       Students will demonstrate the ability to analyze statutes, cases and regulations.
	2.1b      Students will demonstrate the ability to identify applicable legal issues, link rules and significant facts, explain how the law applies to the facts, and articulate the predicted outcome.
	2.1c      Students will demonstrate the ability to assess complex legal and societal problems by identifying potential options, solutions, strategies, and policy implications for both law and non-law disciplines.
2.2 Research Students will demonstrate the ability to perform effective legal research.	2.2         Students will perform efficient legal research, using hard copy and electronic resources, by effectively identifying, locating, updating and citing primary and secondary sources.
2.3 Oral and Written Communication Students will demonstrate knowledge of the principles of effective oral and written legal communication.	2.3a       Students will demonstrate the ability to orally advocate a particular legal position.
	2.3b      Students will demonstrate the ability to present a written legal analysis of a fact pattern that effectively states the issues, rules, application and conclusion in a format that is well-organized and clearly written.
2.4 Problem Solving Students will demonstrate the ability to identify legal problems and strategize to achieve client goals.	2.4a       Students will demonstrate the ability to determine relevant from irrelevant facts and omit irrelevant material.
	2.4b      Students will demonstrate the ability to effectively develop legal strategies to achieve client goals
2.5 Dispute Resolution Students will demonstrate understanding of the options and techniques for resolving legal disputes.	2.5a      Students will identify options and techniques for resolving legal disputes.
	2.5b      Students will identify and apply rules applicable in dispute resolution proceedings.
3.1 Ethics and Professional Conduct Students will identify and examine ethical concerns in the legal profession and demonstrate professionalism.	3.1        Students will identify ethical impacts in current legal issues and demonstrate knowledge of professional attributes of legal professionals such as adherence to ethical practice, civility, preparation, composure, team contribution, and excellence in work product.
3.2  Diversity Students will acquire skills necessary to function in a diverse, multi-cultural world.	3.2        Students will demonstrate knowledge and ability to work effectively with individuals and groups with a variety of identities, cultures, backgrounds, and ideologies in a global legal environments

 B.     Locations/Units/Credit Hours

1.     The Juris Doctor (J.D.) Program is offered on site at both campuses. A limited number of elective courses may be offered in the online format; State Bar regulations permit a J.D. student to earn academic credit for up to 12 units of online coursework. Students must successfully complete at least 84 units of credit to be eligible for award of the Juris Doctor degree.

2.     Each unit of credit requires 15 clock hours of instruction (or equivalent, as determined by the School). Each regularly scheduled 3-hour class constitutes 3 clock hours of instruction.  One clock hour of classroom instruction is defined as 50 minutes of instruction, consistent with the CBE Guidelines for Accredited Law School Rules, Guideline 6.5(I)(3). Each clock hour of instruction presupposes substantial outside study and preparation by the student-between 2 to 3 hours of outside preparation for each hour of class time.  Legal Internship and Directed Study are considered practicum courses and require 65 hours of participation to equal the 15 clock hours of instruction required for 1 unit of credit. Partial credits are not granted. Thus, for the 84-credit hour JD program, 1,260 clock hours of instruction are required and an additional 3,780 hours of outside study are expected for the degree.  

Face to Face Lecture or Seminar Course

Each course conducted as a face to face lecture or seminar constitutes the following:

a.     3 unit course: 45 clock hours of instruction and, generally, an additional 135 hours of outside preparation/study.

b.     2 unit course: 30 clock hours of instruction and, generally, an additional 90 hours of outside preparation/study.

c.     1 unit course: 15 clock hours of instruction and, generally, an additional 45 hours of outside preparation/study

Distance Online or Hybrid Course

For distance online or hybrid courses, the total hours of work typically required for any class of work reflects:

1) synchronous and asynchronous components that facilitate faculty-student and student-interaction (virtual classrooms, discussion boards, and chats) and 2) independent learning components (readings, recorded lectures, written assignments, and quizzes). Each course conducted as a distance online or hybrid courses constitutes the following:

a.     3 unit course: 45 clock hours of synchronous/asynchronous interaction and up to 135 hours of independent learning.

b.     2 unit course: 30 clock hours of synchronous/asynchronous interaction and up to 90 hours of independent learning.

c.     1 unit course: 15 clock hours of synchronous/asynchronous interaction and up to 45 hours of independent learning.

C.     Semester/Session Length

        Fall and Spring semesters are generally 15 weeks long. A separate two-week study and exam period follows each Fall and Spring semester, except that final exams for 4th year courses, when used, take place during the last class meeting or the following week. Summer sessions are generally 10 weeks long.

D.    Regular Class Schedule

        Generally, regularly scheduled classes for each course meet once each week from 6:30 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. during the semester or session.  During the regular academic year, regularly scheduled classes generally meet at the Santa Barbara campus on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday and at the Ventura campus on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday. During Summer session, regularly scheduled classes meet on Monday through Thursday evenings at both campuses and, at times, on Saturdays during the day.  Exceptions to the above may occur and will be posted on the bulletin boards, on TWEN, in course syllabi or otherwise announced.

E.     Units Per Semester

        Each Fall and Spring semester, all students must be enrolled in 9 units (typically 3 courses) with two exceptions:

1.     Advanced students (those who have successfully completed the first year curriculum, including Legal Research and Legal Writing) who are in good academic standing may also enroll in Legal Internship with the Faculty Chair’s permission.

2.     Fourth-year students in their final semester must enroll in the number of units needed to graduate, but at least 6 units exclusive of Legal Internship/Directed Study units (except to the extent the 6 units offered include such units).

F.     Units During Summer Session

1.     Minimum units: Students MUST enroll in 3 Summer sessions to complete required courses and additional units so that, when added to units completed during Fall and Spring semesters, the total will be at least 84 units. The 84 units must be earned by the end of the fourth Spring semester following the first Fall semester of enrollment.  A student who skips a Summer session will likely be unable to complete required courses for graduation until the Summer session following the student’s fourth Spring semester.

2.     Maximum units:  Students may enroll in up to 6 units, excluding previously approved Legal Internship/Directed Study units. Students with GPAs of 2.2 or above may file a Petition for Excess Units Form with the Dean for permission to enroll in up to 7 units (not including pending or proposed Legal Internship units) with good cause. Such petitions must provide all information required on the form and be filed no later than the first business day after close of registration for Summer. Pending the Dean’s decision, students may register for up to 6 units; petitions from First Year students will not be decided until after grades have been posted.

G.    Principal (“Home”) Campus

        Students are expected to complete their entire degree program at the campus where they initially enroll (the student’s “principal campus”) except they may enroll in Summer elective courses offered at either campus.  With the Administration’s consent, a student may change his or her principal campus.  A student will not be permitted to selectively enroll in courses at both campuses, with the exception of Summer electives.

6.3 Length of Program

A.    The School’s curriculum is designed to be completed no later than the end of the fourth Spring semester following the first Fall semester of enrollment (just under 4 calendar years); limits are set forth below.

        Stronger students (generally, students with a cumulative GPA of 2.2 or above) may consider accelerating the program to approximately 3-1/2 years (from the first Fall semester through the fourth Fall semester). To accelerate, a student must complete at least 21 units during his/her three Summer sessions and through Legal Internship/Directed Study. Students wishing to accelerate to the 3-1/2 year program should be aware that this requires substantial additional Summer session attendance during all summers in the program, and that a student must obtain permission from the Dean to take more than 6 units during any Summer session (except as noted in Section 6.2.F.2). The School does not encourage acceleration and not all students will be able to accelerate. Petitions from First Year students will not be decided until after grades have been posted.

B.     A student’s program may be required to depart from the above norms in special situations, such as when a student is on probation,  is a transfer student, or has interrupted the customary sequence of study for any reason.

C.     Each student is responsible for planning his or her own program, within the limits of the School’s policies, so as to complete all course and graduation requirements within the time limits stated above. Students who do not carefully plan (by failing to take required Summer courses in an appropriate sequence, for example) may find it impossible to graduate at the intended time.  The School has no provisions for partial course credit, so students may find it necessary to complete more than 84 units of credit to meet graduation requirements.

D.    In extraordinary circumstances and for good cause shown, a student may petition the Dean for permission to extend his or her program to include the Summer session following the fourth Spring semester. Degrees will not be awarded to students who have not completed the required 84 units by that time, except with the Dean’s permission upon good cause shown. A student who fails to complete requirements for the J.D. degree but meets eligibility requirements of the State Bar of California based on law school attendance may nonetheless be eligible to sit for the California State Bar. The law school does not undertake nor assume any duty to advise students of the State Bar’s eligibility requirements; information should be sought from the Office of Admissions, Eligibility Department, of the State Bar of California (www.calbar.ca.gov).

E.     The Committee of Bar Examiners disallows the granting of a J.D. degree by an accredited law school to a student who has failed to complete the degree within 84 months of commencing the study of law.

7. Financial Information

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7.1 Tuition 7.2 Fees 7.3 Books and Supplies 7.4 Tuition Payment Plan Program 7.5 Cancellation and Refund Policy

7.6 Default in Financial Obligations 7.7 Financial Options 7.8 Scholarships and Awards  7.9 Loan Deferment

7.1 Tuition

A.    Tuition

1.       For students enrolling as new students (whether as First Year or as transfer students) in Fall 2014, tuition is $660.00 per academic unit.  For these students, per-unit tuition will be “locked in” at this level for the duration of their continuous enrollment in the J.D. program.

2.       For Continuing Students who enrolled in Fall 2013, tuition is $640.00 per academic unit.  For these students, per-unit tuition is “locked-in” at this level for the duration of their continuous enrollment in the J.D. program.

3.       For Continuing Students who enrolled in the J.D. program in either Fall 2011 or 2012, tuition for 2014-2015 is $570.00 per academic unit.

4.       Any tuition refunds are subject to policy as set forth in this Catalog, including Section 7.5, Cancellation and Refund Policy.

B.     Customized Bar Review Program (with BARBRI)

1.     The School offers a Customized Bar Review Program at each campus; in 2014-2015 this program is conducted in partnership with BARBRI. Enrollment and participation in the program is mandatory for all J.D. students enrolling for the first time, or reentering after an absence, during or after the 2012-2013 academic year, as a condition of graduation and certification by the School for the California Bar Examination. Participation is strongly encouraged but voluntary for those who were continuing J.D. students as of 2012-2013.

a.     Transfer students admitted in 2013-2014 and thereafter will be required to pay a BARBRI supplement fee. The fee is due and payable upon enrollment but payment over the first two semesters of enrollment may be arranged with the Finance Office.

2.     School Subsidy

        Upon payment of the amount(s) set forth below (“required student payment”), as applicable, and by transfer students, of any supplement charged by a commercial provider with which the School partners, the School will contribute the remaining fees to the commercial provider toward an individual student’s costs of participating in the School’s Customized Bar Review Program within the time limit set forth in Section 7.1.B.4 below. The School will not subsidize the cost of any other Bar Review program, or any program taken outside the specific time limit.

3.     Reimbursement for Class of 2015

        Except as otherwise provided by the law school in an agreement readmitting a student, a J.D. student graduating from the School in the Class of 2015 who takes the School’s Customized Bar Review Program (currently offered with BARBRI) within the timeframe as specified below will be eligible for reimbursement by the School of $500 if, after first sitting for the California Bar Exam, he or she passes within 3 consecutive administrations of the exam, upon written request to the Administration Office. Taxes and book deposits will not be refunded. This provision does not apply to students graduating in the Class of 2016 and thereafter.

4.     Required Student Payment

a.     To be eligible for the benefit described in paragraphs b. below, transfer students must have paid the BARBRI supplement during their first two semesters of enrollment at the School.

b.     Students who complete graduation requirements through the end of Summer session 2015 (Class of 2015) who take the Customized Program no more than one year after completing the School’s J.D. program will be required to pay:

        $500 + applicable tax on $1,000 (per State of CA, estimated to be about $90, depending on residence) + any book deposit then applicable (refundable on return)

c.     Students who complete graduation requirements after the end of Summer session 2015 (Class of 2016 and thereafter), for whom the Customized Program is a mandatory requirement of graduation and certification for the Bar, are required to pay any book deposit then applicable to the School’s commercial bar review partner, if any.

7.2 Fees

A.    All fees are non-refundable.

B.     All fees and tuition charges are mandatory, as applicable.  Please note the following:

1.     The Payment Plan Application Fee is payable only by students using the Payment Plan, per plan.

2.     The Graduation Processing Fee is payable by students in the graduating Classes of 2015 and 2016 during the academic year of their expected graduation (payment is mandatory even for a graduate not participating in the ceremony).

3.     Special Materials Fees (typically $5.00 to $40.00) are required for some course activities or when materials substitute for a textbook. Students will be advised, before or at the beginning of a course, of any Special Materials fees for that course.

4.     The Online Course Fee is payable only when a student enrolls in an Online course.

5.     An administrative fee of $150 is deducted from any refund due a student who withdraws from a semester or session.

C.     A student paying less than the full amount of tuition and fees due upon registration is liable for the remaining balance and for any other amounts owing to the School even if the student withdraws.  The School will enforce its rights to payment, through legal action if necessary. A graduate’s failure to pay mandatory amounts will also be reported to the State Bar in connection with its inquiry into the graduate’s moral character.

D.    In general, all tuition and fees are due and payable at the time of registration for the semester or session to which they apply.  Payments to the Colleges are accepted via the Intuit Portal, by mail and in person, by credit card or check. Cash is not accepted.  Students may make credit card payments by telephone to their home Administration Office. Graduating students will be notified of the payment deadline for the Graduation Processing Fee, prior to the end of Fall semester.

E.     Except as set forth in subparagraph 1 of this paragraph, the School reserves the right to change at any time: 1) the amount for tuition and fees and 2) refund and cancellation policies.  However, any such change will take effect at the beginning of the semester (or Summer session) immediately following the semester (or Summer session) in which the School announces the change, unless a later effective date is specified.

1.     Locked-in Tuition Policy

        Beginning with 2013-2014, a locked-in tuition rate will be established for new and transfer students entering the School’s J.D. program during that academic year. Those students will be charged that locked-in tuition rate for a period of four years. For example, J.D. students entering in Fall 2014 will pay tuition of $660 per unit during Academic Years 2014-2015 through 2017-2018. Their per-unit tuition rate will not increase during the normal time-to-graduation of four years.

  

G.    J.D. Program Fees  (All non-refundable.)

 

1.     First and Second Year Students (Classes of 2017 and 2018) and Transfer Students (Fall 2013 on):             

    

Special Materials Fee	Determined per course
Online Course Fee	$45.00 per course
Payment Plan Application Fee	$50.00 per Plan
Late Payment Fee	$50.00 per Late Payment
Late Payment Fee (Pay Plan payment)	$25.00 per Late Pay Plan Payment
Late Registration Fee	$100.00 per semester or session
Add/Drop Class Fee	$35.00 per occurrence
Administrative Fee upon withdrawal (term or session)	$150.00 per withdrawal (semester or session)
Returned Check Fee	$30.00 per check
Transcript Fee	$15.00 each
Letter of Standing Fee	$40.00 per request plus $10.00 each additional letter with request
Late ExamSoft Examination Upload Fee	$125.00 per exam
Early/Late Examination Fee	$100.00 per exam
Make-up Examination Drafting Fee	Not less than $400.00 per examination
Additional Diploma Fee	$45.00 per diploma
BARBRI Supplement Fee (transfer students only)	$36.00 for each unit of transfer credit awarded

    

2.     Third and Fourth Year Students (Classes of 2015 and 2016), except Transfer Students entering Fall 2013 on:     

 

General Materials Fee	$180.00 per semester/session
Online course Fee	$45.00 per course
Special Materials Fee	Determined per class
Per Payment Plan Application Fee	$50.00 per Semester/session
Late Payment Fee	$50.00 per Late Payment
Late Payment Fee (Pay Plan payment)	$25.00 per Late Pay Plan Payment
Student Bar Association Fee	$15.00 per Fall and Spring semester
Late Registration Fee	$100.00 per semester or session
Add/Drop Class Fee	$35.00 per occurrence
Administrative Fee upon withdrawal (term or session)	$150.00 per withdrawal (semester or session)
Returned Check Fee	$30.00 per check
Transcript Fee	$15.00 each
Letter of Standing Fee	$40.00 per request plus $10.00 each additional letter with request
Graduation Processing Fee	$200.00 (Includes first diploma)
Late ExamSoft Examination Upload Fee	$125.00 per exam
Early/Late Examination Fee	$100.00 per exam
Make-up Examination Drafting Fee	Not less than $400.00 per examination
Additional Diploma Fee	$45.00 per diploma

 

7.3 Books and Supplies

Every course requires the purchase of course materials, which may include casebooks, hornbooks, and other relevant materials.  Costs vary depending on courses taken, texts used, whether the student buys new or used textbooks, etc.  A reasonable estimate of book cost is $1,000.00 per academic year, excluding Summer sessions.  Supplies generally cost about $100.00 per academic year.  Costs for Summer session vary widely depending on the units and subjects taken.  The School does not sell books.

7.4 Tuition Payment Plan Program

A.    Students may apply to use the School’s Tuition Payment Plan (the Plan) to pay their tuition for one semester or session, in monthly installments.  The $50 Per Payment Plan Application fee must be paid when the application is filed; the Plan will be processed only after the fee is paid. Payment may be made through Intuit or by check or credit card to the student’s home Administration Office. A fee of $25.00 will be charged if any scheduled payment is not made within 5 business days (Monday-Friday) of the payment plan due date, typically the 15th of the month.

B.     For First Year and Transfer students, Payment Plans apply to tuition and (for transfer students) BARBRI Supplement Fees only; all fees other than BARBRI Supplement Fees for transfer students are due at registration (or as incurred, for those not payable at registration) and cannot be included in the Payment Plan option. For Continuing Students, Payment Plans include Materials Fees and SBA fees.

C.     Any student (whether paying tuition under the Plan program or otherwise) who pays less than the full amount of tuition or fees due upon registration is liable for any remaining tuition balance and for any other amounts owing to the School even if the student withdraws. (See also 7.5, Cancellation and Refund Policy, below.) The School will enforce its rights to payment, through legal action if necessary.

D.    Current payment plan options, and the Payment Option Form, can be found on the Gateway. Please contact the Administration Office for further information. 

7.5 Cancellation and Refund Policy

A.    Students may withdraw from J.D. courses at the School at any time prior to the first final examination for the semester or session in which the student is enrolled, by signing and filing the Notice of Withdrawal Form with the Administration Office of the student’s principal campus. (The form is available on the Gateway (https://My.CollegesofLaw.edu/), or by request to the Administration Office). Students may also be deemed to have withdrawn from the School, or from certain Summer courses, for failure to attend classes or to timely complete attendance or other course requirements. See Section 10, Withdrawal and Leave of Absence.

B.     Students who withdraw (or are administratively withdrawn or deemed to have withdrawn) from the School or from permitted courses may be entitled to a partial refund of tuition paid, depending on the date and circumstances of withdrawal, as follows:

1.     A student suspended or dismissed from the School for disciplinary reasons during the semester or session is not eligible to receive a refund.

2.     Except as limited by paragraph 1 above, the amount of refundable tuition will be computed on a course-by-course basis as follows.

a.     All J.D. students who withdraw from all classes during a semester or session are subject to an Administrative Fee of $150, which will be deducted from any refund owing to the student.

b.     All fees are non-refundable, except that if a student withdraws on or before the first day of classes prior to attending any class for that academic term (semester or session), an administrative fee of $150 will be deducted from the total amount paid for tuition and any Materials fees paid for that term, and the remainder will be refunded.

c.     Otherwise, if the student withdraws from a course before 60 percent of the scheduled classes (clock hours) for that course have been given, tuition is refundable in an amount equal to the total tuition for that course, multiplied by a fraction where the numerator is the number of scheduled classes (clock hours) for that course that have not yet been given and the denominator is the total number of scheduled classes (clock hours) for that course, reduced by an Administrative Fee of $150 if the student is withdrawing from all courses in which the student is then enrolled. Withdrawal during a class session is not permitted.     

d.     No tuition will be refunded to a student who withdraws from a course upon or after 60 percent of the scheduled classes (clock hours) for that course has been given.

             Examples

             1 unit course (15 clock hours): No refund will be given after the class that includes the 9^th hour (generally, 3^rd class.)

             2 unit course (30 clock hours): No refund will be given after the class that includes the 18^th hour (generally, 6^th class.)

             3 unit course (45 clock hours): No refund will be given after the class that includes the 27^th hour (generally, 9^th class.)

C.     Any refund due to the student will first be applied toward reducing any amount owed by the student to the School.  The remaining refund balance, if any, will be forwarded to the student.

D.    The amount of tuition subject to refund to the withdrawing student will be the aggregate refundable amount for all courses reduced by the aggregate amount of all tuition owed but not yet paid.  Moreover, all amounts payable for tuition (as, for example, from a student on the Tuition Payment Plan) pursuant to other provisions of this Catalog remain due after reduction for any credit due under the above provisions.  For example, a student on the Tuition Payment Plan program is obligated to pay the per-unit tuition for three 3-unit courses (9 units) during a given semester.  If the student withdraws (or is deemed withdrawn) before that amount has been paid, he or she may have a balance owing to the School after withdrawal, even after offset for any refund due. (See the Finance Office for a specific calculation of amounts owing and subject to refund.)

E.     In special cases where state or federal law may require a different refund schedule (for example, for students receiving veteran’s benefits), the amount of refundable tuition will be determined according to such laws.

F.     Any student who is academically disqualified from the School may receive a full tuition refund for any course or courses in which he or she had enrolled after academic disqualification but before being notified of the disqualification.  The refund will be granted upon written notification by the student by filing a signed Notice of Withdrawal, provided the student’s withdrawal is effective before the student sits for final exams or otherwise completes all of the requirements for credit for such course or courses. 

G.    For purposes of entitlement to refunds, a student must give notice of withdrawal and request a tuition refund by completing, signing, and submitting a Notice of Withdrawal form to the Administration Office of the student’s principal campus. Verbal requests will not be accepted for either withdrawal or refunds. The Notice of Withdrawal form is available on the Gateway (https://My.CollegesofLaw.edu/), or by request to the Administration Office.

H.    A student will be considered withdrawn, and to have cancelled her or his enrollment agreement, on the date of withdrawal, which is at the earliest of the following dates:

1.       Date on which a completed and signed Notice of Withdrawal form is hand delivered to or otherwise received by the Administration Office of the student’s principal campus.

2.     Postmark date imprinted by U.S. Postal Service, if Notice of Withdrawal form is mailed by U.S. mail to the Administration Office.

3.     Date as of which the student is deemed to have withdrawn pursuant to this Catalog for failure to complete attendance or other course requirements.

I.      Refund checks will be mailed to withdrawing students no later than 30 days from the date of withdrawal or discontinuation of a course or educational program in which the student is enrolled.  Fees and non-tuition charges are not refundable except as set forth in this section.

7.6 Default in Financial Obligations

A.    A student who fails to make timely payment, including any payment tuition due under the Tuition Payment Plan, or who otherwise defaults in any financial obligations to the School, will be subject to the following administrative actions:

1.     A student who has failed to make payments required for registration for a semester or session will be deemed absent from all classes until the student makes the payment due. Such absences will remain unexcused and are not subject to waiver even after payment is made.

2.     A student who has failed to make payments required for registration, or due under the Tuition Payment Plan, or has submitted a payment by check or debit card with non-sufficient funds, will be charged fees as listed in Section 7.2 above.

3.     A student who submits a payment by check or debit card with non-sufficient funds or fails to make any payment on time may be administratively dismissed.

B.     A student will be subject to administrative dismissal if past due payments on his or her account with the School are not paid prior to the first final examination (or due date of any final paper or other final assignment) for any course in which the student is enrolled. The student will not be permitted to sit for final examinations or to have any examination answers, papers, or other assignments submitted to instructors for grading.

C.     A student whose account is or has been in arrears may be declared ineligible for further or future participation in the Tuition Payment Plan.

D.    A student whose account is in arrears for any semester or session will not be allowed to register for any subsequent semester or session. Requests for transcripts or grades from that student will not be honored.

E.     A student will not be permitted to graduate and receive a degree from the School until his or her outstanding balance has been paid. Failure to pay amounts owing will be reported to the State Bar in response to a moral character inquiry.

8. Registration Procedures

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A. Approximately 8 weeks prior to the start of each semester or session continuing students will be notified by JURIS e-mail about the availability of registration materials through the Gateway (https://My.CollegesofLaw.edu/.) Materials will include information about tuition, fees, class schedules, academic calendar, registration deadlines, required books, and registration period dates. Continuing students must register online through the Intuit link on the School’s website or the Gateway. Students are responsible to purchase or otherwise obtain the required books through outside vendors.

B. Students registering for the first time will be e-mailed information about registration and First Year Orientation. At Orientation, student identification photographs will be taken; these pictures may be used by the School at its discretion, including for pictorial class rosters distributed to faculty.

C. Before the start of the semester/session, the updated General Catalog and course syllabi will be available through the Gateway (https://My.CollegesofLaw.edu/) .

D. New students will be provided with a JURIS e-mail account, student ID card, Examination ID number and Westlaw password.

9. Class Attendance

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9.1 Attendance Policy 9.2 Roll Call/Attendance Roster

9.3 Make-Up Classes 9.4 Ban on Commercially-Prepared Briefs

 

9.1 Attendance Policy

A. The Committee of Bar Examiners of the State Bar of California (CBE) requires part-time students at an accredited law school such as this school to complete at least 1200 hours of study in residence. The hours of study must extend over a period of not less than 120 weeks to meet the legal educational requirements to sit for the California State Bar Examination and be certified to practice law in California. Under CBE standards “regular and punctual attendance” at classes is necessary to satisfy the educational requirement.

B. Each student is responsible for satisfying the educational requirement of the CBE by regular and punctual class attendance. The CBE expects attendance at “at least 80% of the regularly scheduled class hours in each course in which a student is enrolled”. Students are considered absent if, for whatever reason, they are not marked present when roll is called or have not signed the roll sheet.

C. Under the School’s separate attendance standards, a student is expected to attend substantially all classes in each course and to be absent only under compelling or unavoidable circumstances. For example, absences for planned personal events such as vacations do not qualify as compelling or unavoidable circumstances. Under the School’s standards, a student is also expected to arrive punctually, return from break on time, and depart only at the end of each session, so as to attend substantially all of the session and avoid disrupting the class.

D. Students may be marked absent for non-participation in class, without further notice. The study of law requires active participation by each student, so “attendance” requires more than mere physical presence during the class session. All students are expected to be prepared to brief and discuss assigned cases and materials. If an instructor deems student participation essential to the educational objectives of the class, he or she may mark a student absent from class if the student does not present a brief or a substantive response when called upon to brief a case or otherwise participate in class. If an instructor adopts this rule it shall be applied equally to all students. If the student presents a case brief or otherwise participates in class discussion at the request of the instructor, the instructor shall not mark the student absent based on the quality of the student’s presentation.

E. A student’s attendance record is relevant to and may be considered in all matters involving the student, such as petitions to continue on probation or be readmitted, scholarship applications, and nominations to Inns of Court. Attendance, per se, will not be factored into a course grade unless so stated in the course syllabus.

F. A student who exhibits a pattern of absences, or untimely arrivals and departures, raises serious doubts that he or she is making a good faith effort to meet the School’s attendance standards, and is subject to any disciplinary action that the Dean considers appropriate. For example, such discipline may include probation, loss of academic credit, course withdrawal, administrative withdrawal, or dismissal.

G. Serious doubts that a student is making a good faith effort to attend substantially all classes are also raised by a student’s absence: 1) in excess of those permitted by a special attendance policy announced in the syllabus of any course, or 2) from more than 20% of the regularly scheduled class hours in any course in which no special attendance policy is announced. Thus, a student incurs an excess absence: 1) when his or her absences exceed those permitted under an announced special attendance policy, or 2) if no special policy has been announced, when those absences exceed one class in a 1-unit course, two classes in a 2-unit course, or three classes in a 3-unit course. As set forth in Paragraph F above, an excess absence exposes the student to any disciplinary action the Dean considers appropriate, unless the Dean waives such consequences. Waiver is subject to the limits set forth in Paragraph H below.

H. A student may petition the Dean for waiver of consequences for an excess absence in a single course. A student may file no more than two such petitions while enrolled at the School, whether or not the Dean has granted any of a student’s earlier petitions. Such a petition must be submitted within one week of the excess absence, explain the nature of each absence in that course, demonstrate that each absence was compelling or unavoidable, and show good cause why consequences should not be imposed. In deciding upon the petition, the Dean will consider whether the student’s absences in that course were compelling or unavoidable, as well as the extent to which the student’s overall pattern of absences demonstrates that the student has, or has not, been making a good faith effort to attend substantially all classes.

I. A student may be administratively withdrawn for any excess absence. However, upon the third excess absence during a student’s enrollment, the student will be administratively withdrawn, whether or not the Dean waived the imposition of consequences for earlier absences. An administratively withdrawn student lacks good standing and must seek readmission to the School through the Academic Standards and Admissions Committee. (See Section 10, Withdrawal & Leave of Absence.) Students are cautioned that the ASAC rarely grants readmission. Further, readmission may be subject to conditions imposed by the Committee of Bar Examiners (such as a requirement that the student seeking readmission must submit an LSAT score.)

9.2 Roll Call/Attendance Roster

A. The instructor will call roll at the beginning of each class. At the end of the class the instructor will circulate an attendance roster so that each student may sign. Students must be present at roll call and sign the attendance roster to be considered present.

B. By signing the attendance roster students state to the School that they have attended substantially the entire class and did not leave the class before the instructor dismissed the class. Under no circumstances may a student sign the attendance roster for a class at which he or she was not in attendance for substantially the entire class, nor may any student sign the attendance roster for or on behalf of any other student. Violation of any of the provisions of this Paragraph is grounds for administrative discipline, up to and including expulsion, under Section 3.7, Student Code of Ethics and Conduct.

9.3 Make-Up Classes

A. Occasionally a regularly scheduled class must be cancelled and rescheduled. The Administration Office will attempt to notify students by e-mail should this occur. Due to time constraints, it is not always possible to contact each student when a class is cancelled.

B. Make-up classes will be scheduled on evenings when classes are not usually held or on weekends. Attendance requirements for make-up classes are the same as for regularly scheduled classes. Thus, failure to attend a make-up class is counted as an absence.

9.4 Ban on Commercially-Prepared Briefs

The use of commercially prepared briefs in the classroom is prohibited under any circumstances; it is recommended that students prepare their own outlines.

10. Withdrawal and Leave of Absence

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10.1 General Provisions  10.2 Voluntary Withdrawal  10.3 Withdrawal in Continued Good Standing 10.4 Withdrawal Other Than in Continued Good Standing

10.5 Leave of Absence  10.6 Administrative Withdrawal  10.7 Readmission After Withdrawal or Leave of Absence

 

10.1 General Provisions

A.    Students may elect to discontinue J.D. studies while currently enrolled in classes (voluntary withdrawal) or while between semesters and not currently enrolled, with the intent of returning (leave of absence); students may be withdrawn by the School (administrative withdrawal).

B.    Readmission to the J.D. program after withdrawal or leave of absence is dependent on factors described below.

10.2 Voluntary Withdrawal

A.        Voluntary withdrawal is not available to students who are academically disqualified or otherwise dismissed from the program.             

B.     Voluntary withdrawal from Academic Year courses (Fall and Spring semesters) is permitted only on a total basis. Partial withdrawal (withdrawal from one or more selected courses) is not permitted.

C.     Voluntary withdrawal from Summer session courses is permitted on a partial basis; (withdrawal from one or more selected courses). Withdrawal from one or more Summer session courses will not be treated as withdrawal from the School unless the student gives written notice of total withdrawal to the Administration Office of his or her principal campus.

D.    A student will be permitted to voluntarily withdraw only if he or she delivers, prior to the first final examination for the semester or session in which the student is enrolled, a signed and completed Notice of Withdrawal form to the Administration Office of the student’s principal campus.  Notification of withdrawal delivered after the close of business on the first day of examinations will not be effective or accepted until the first day after that semester or session ends.

E.     Except as provided in Paragraph D above for purposes of this section, a student shall be deemed to have withdrawn from the School on the date the student delivers a signed and completed Notice of Withdrawal form to the Administration Office of the student’s principal campus, unless the notice specifies a later date.

F.     A student will be considered withdrawn, and to have cancelled her or his enrollment agreement, on the date of withdrawal, which is at the earliest of the following dates:

1.     Date on which a completed and signed Notice of Withdrawal form is hand delivered to or otherwise received by the Administration Office of the student’s principal campus.

2.     Postmark date imprinted by U.S. Postal Service, if Notice of Withdrawal form is mailed by U.S. mail to the Administration Office.

10.3 Withdrawal in Continued Good Standing

A.    To withdraw in continued good standing, a student must:

1.     Be in good academic standing at the time of withdrawal.

2.     Give written notification to the Administration Office on a Notice of Withdrawal form prior to or as of the day of withdrawal.

3.     Pay, as of or prior to the day of withdrawal, all tuition and other amounts then owing to the School.

B.     For purposes of entitlement to readmission to the School, a student may withdraw in continued good standing only once; an additional withdrawal will be treated as other than in continued good standing.

C.     Readmission after withdrawal in good standing is addressed in Section 10.7.A.

10.4 Withdrawal Other Than in Continued Good Standing

A.    Any student who withdraws without meeting all the requirements for withdrawal in continued good standing will be considered to have withdrawn other than in continued good standing.  This includes students who are not in good academic standing at the time of withdrawal, students in good academic standing who withdraw without giving the written notification required, or have been administratively withdrawn, or students who fail to timely pay all amounts owing to the School. 

B.     Readmission after withdrawal in other than good standing is addressed in Section 10.7.B.

10.5 Leave of Absence

A.    A leave of absence is not available to a student who has been academically disqualified or otherwise dismissed from the School.

B.     To be granted a leave of absence in either continued good standing or having accepted the terms of probation by the Academic Standards and Admissions Committee (ASAC), a student must:

1.       Not be considered to have already withdrawn from the School.

2.       Be in good academic standing, or have accepted the terms of probation by the ASAC.

3.       Give written notification of leave of absence on the Notice of Leave form to the Administration Office prior to the first day of the semester immediately following the last semester during which the student was enrolled.

4.       Pay all tuition and other amounts then owing to the School as of or prior to the time the leave of absence begins.

C.     A student requesting a leave of absence who does not meet the conditions listed above will be deemed to have withdrawn in other than good standing.

D.    For purposes of entitlement to readmission to the School a student may take a leave of absence in continued good standing or having accepted probation only once; an additional leave of absence will be treated as withdrawal other than in continued good standing.

E.     For purposes of this section, a student eligible to do so shall be deemed to have taken a leave of absence at such time as the student delivers written notification of leave of absence on the Notice of Leave form to the Administration Office.

F.     Written notification of leave of absence shall be deemed delivered as of the earlier of:

1.       The postmark date, if written notification on the Notice of Leave form is mailed by U.S. Mail to the Administration Office.

2.       The date written notification of leave of absence on the Notice of Leave form is hand delivered to or otherwise actually received by the Administration Office.

10.6 Administrative Withdrawal

A.    A student shall be deemed administratively withdrawn from the School, as opposed to voluntarily withdrawn, when the student fails to timely complete any of the attendance or other requirements for one or more courses in which the student was enrolled during a semester (not including any Summer session) unless upon the student’s demonstration of good cause, the Dean waives or grants an extension to such student to complete such requirements. Such permission is rarely granted.

B.     A student shall be deemed administratively withdrawn from any Summer session course in which the student was enrolled when the student fails to complete any of the attendance or other requirements for that course, unless upon the student’s demonstration of good cause, the Dean waives or grants an extension to such student, to complete such requirements. Such permission is rarely granted.

C.     Without limiting the generality of the foregoing paragraphs, failure to timely complete course requirements includes failure to sit for a regularly scheduled examination, or to submit, when due, any final paper or other final assignment required in that course. A student deemed to have withdrawn because of failure to timely complete course requirements remains subject to the consequences of such failure as described under other sections of this Catalog. For example, a student who fails to sit for a final examination as scheduled will receive a grade of “F” for that course and will be administratively withdrawn.

D.    For purposes of this section, the date of a student’s administrative withdrawal shall be deemed the day on which the student failed to complete the attendance or other requirements for the student’s course(s).

E.     The cumulative grade point average of a student who is deemed administratively withdrawn from the School under Paragraph A shall be recomputed immediately as of such withdrawal, notwithstanding any contrary provisions of Section 9.9, Academic Standing or elsewhere in this Catalog. If the resulting cumulative grade point average would result in academic disqualification, that student will be academically disqualified, and his or her transcript will reflect such disqualification. See Section 10.7, Readmission After Withdrawal or Leave of Absence.

10.7 Readmission After Withdrawal or Leave of Absence

A.    Readmission of Students in Continued Good Standing or Having Accepted Probation

1.     A student who, in continued good standing or having accepted the terms of probation by the Academic Standards and Admissions Committee, voluntarily withdraws or takes a leave of absence from the School is entitled to readmission as a matter of right, provided that the student reenters (re-enrolls and begins classes at the School) as of or prior to the first day of the second academic year beginning after the last academic year during which the student was enrolled (“Paragraph 1 time limit”).  For example, a student who withdraws in continued good standing or on probation at any time during the 2012-2013 academic year would have to re-enroll and begin classes as of or prior to the Fall semester of 2014 to be entitled to readmission as a matter of right.

2.     The student reentering within the Paragraph 1 time limit will receive credit for all courses for which credit was previously awarded at the School except where withdrawal was prior to completing a course of more than one semester duration (such as Contracts or Civil Procedure) or where the student was required to repeat courses under the conditions of probation imposed by the Academic Standards and Admissions Committee; no credit will be given for any semester or portion of such courses.

3.     A student eligible for readmission under Paragraph 1  must re-enter at the beginning of a Fall semester unless he or she has completed at least the entire first year curriculum, in which case the student may also reenter during a Summer session within the Paragraph 1 time limit.

4.     A student eligible for readmission under Paragraph 1, but who does not reenter within that section’s time limit, is eligible for readmission only on the discretionary basis applicable to students who withdraw or take leave other than in good standing. (See Section B, below.) Students are cautioned that State Bar restrictions on the time for completing law school may penalize a student who unduly delays seeking readmission.

B.     Readmission of Students Other Than in Good Standing or Having Accepted Probation

1.     A student who, in other than good standing or having accepted the terms of probation, voluntarily withdraws, takes a leave of absence, or is administratively withdrawn, is not entitled to readmission as a matter of right, but only at the discretion of the Academic Standards and Admissions Committee (ASAC). In addition, the student may be required to meet conditions on readmission as imposed by the Committee of Bar Examiners.  This section also applies to a student who, having once withdrawn or taken a leave of absence, re-enters and then withdraws or takes a leave of absence any subsequent time.

2.     In deciding whether to readmit a student not entitled to readmission as a matter of right, the ASAC must find good reason to anticipate that the student will successfully complete the requirements for graduation.  The ASAC may consider the student’s entire academic record, including attendance, and may impose conditions to readmission, including for example academic probation and the repetition of one or more courses.

3.     Where the student withdrew or took a leave of absence prior to completing a course of more than one semester duration (such as Contracts or Civil Procedure) no credit will be given for any semester or portion of that course.

11. Grading and Grades

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11.1 General Provisions  11.2 Calculation of Letter-Graded Exam Grades  11.3 Calculation of Course Grades  11.4 Calculation of Cumulative Grade Point Average  11.5 Notification of Grades and Review of Papers

11.6 Petition for Change of Grade 11.7 Repetition of Courses 11.8 Academic Honors  11.9 Academic Standing  11.10 Transfer Credits

 

11.1 General Provisions

A.    In administering its J.D. grading policies, the School seeks to maintain standards of scholarship that will benefit students as they prepare to meet the significant demands of law practice and the California Bar Examination.  Further, the School is governed by the Committee of Bar Examiners (CBE), which requires that all California-accredited law schools:

        “[M]ust adopt sound written scholastic standards that ensure that students who lack the capability to satisfactorily complete the law school’s J.D. program are not allowed to continue in the program.”

        All courses are graded on the same standards of scholarship.  To ensure equity between multiple sections at the School’s two campuses and relative uniformity of grades from academic year to academic year, all grades are subject to review and normalization. Grades become final after approval by the Faculty Chair.

B.     Letter Grades

1.     A letter grading system is used for most courses. In letter-graded courses, grades are assigned from “A” to “F”, with numerical point equivalents on a 4-point scale:

        A     4.0                          B-            2.7                          D+           1.3

        A-    3.7                          C+           2.3                           D             1.0

        B+   3.3                           C            2.0                           D-            0.7

        B     3.0                          C-            1.7                           F              0.0

2.     Grade designations denote the following:

        A/A-          excellent scholarship

        B+/B/B-    very good to good performance

        C+              satisfactory performance

        C                satisfactory performance; at the minimum level of competence for good standing and satisfactory progress toward graduation

        C-              performance below minimum level of competence for good standing and satisfactory progress toward graduation

        D+/D/D-   performance well below minimum level of competence for good standing and satisfactory progress toward graduation

        F                failing performance, insufficient for academic or residence credit

3.     As a further guideline and not as a guarantee, letter grades on individual essay examination questions generally reflect the following appraisal by faculty members: 

           A/A-          STRONG ANSWER.  All major issues were spotted, rules were accurately stated, and facts were incorporated into analysis of issues in a relevant and focused manner.  Some minor shortcomings may be present, but overall an excellent answer.

           B+/B/B-    GOOD ANSWER.  All or most issues were spotted, rules were generally correct, and analyses were relevant, but not as developed or detailed as they could be.  Some weaknesses are present; but some very good material as well; an overall good to very good answer.

           C+/C          PASSING.  Answer demonstrates knowledge of doctrine and ability to apply it to a new fact scenario, but is not uniformly strong. Most issues were spotted and some good analysis, but several areas need improvement; all in all, a satisfactory answer.

           C-              BELOW MINIMUM LEVEL OF COMPETENCE. Answer has several missed issues, too much doctrine not clearly presented, or too little analysis (use of facts) of issues.  Some good material, but can’t pass when important issues were not recognized or handled well.  May be able to improve into passing range with sustained work and practice.

           D/D+       WEAK ANSWER. Some issues spotted and some doctrine covered, but rules and analyses were often incomplete, incorrect, and/or confused.  Demonstrates difficulty comprehending and/or applying several doctrines.  Needs serious improvement to move into passing range.

           D-            NEAR FAILING.  The answer needs major improvement in most respects.   Missed major issues and inaccurately stated doctrine. Overall does not demonstrate sufficient fluency with material or basics of analysis.  Unlikely to recover without extensive and intensive work. 

           F              FAILING.  Answer fails to adequately address the question in all respects.  Demonstrates a lack of comprehension of the materials and of legal analysis.  Answer has few or no redeeming qualities, and is clearly failing.

C.     Pass/Fail-Graded Courses

1.     Pass/Fail grading is used for Introduction to Law, Legal Analysis, Bar Studies, Legal Internship, Directed Study, Appellate Advocacy, and certain elective courses, particularly those based on oral performance.

2.     Grades in Pass/Fail courses are not computed in the cumulative GPA, but will appear on the student’s transcript.  To pass and receive credit, a student’s performance must equal or exceed that which would earn a “C-” in a letter-graded course.  No credit will be awarded for the grade of Fail, which denotes performance that would earn a grade of “D+” or below in letter-graded courses.  The following grades may be assigned:

         High Pass           (performance equal to A, A- or B+)

         Pass                    (performance equal to B through C)

         Marginal Pass    (performance equal to C-)

         Fail                      (performance equal to D+ or lower)

D.    Other grade/status designations used to indicate a student’s grade or status at the School, and which may appear on the student’s transcript and/or other records, are:

  Academically Disqualified     Student has been academically disqualified from the School.

  Academic Probation                 Student is on probation.

  Graduate                                    Student has graduated from the School.

  Leave of Absence                     Student is on a leave of absence, without indicating whether in continued good standing or otherwise than in continued good standing.

  INC                                              Incomplete.  Used in the very rare circumstance where the student has been permitted to have additional time to complete the requirements for a particular course. Where a student is permitted to receive an incomplete, the student must complete the mandated course requirements within the period of time specified by the Administration; otherwise, the course grade will revert to an “F” or, if a Pass/Fail course, to a “Fail”.

  IP*                                              In progress.  Used in two-semester courses with respect to completion of the first semester.  Courses of more than one semester (such as Torts, etc.) carry no credit until successful completion of both semesters.

                                                     *Note:  IP grades given at the end of the first semester of a two-semester course will be changed upon completion of the entire course to reflect the final course grade.  For example, at the end of Fall semester, the transcript of a student enrolled in Contracts I will indicate “IP”; if that student earns a final course grade of “C+” in the Contracts course, the student’s transcript for the Fall semester Contracts I course will, at the end of Spring semester, reflect the grade of “IP/C+” for Contracts I and the grade of “C+” for the Spring semester Contracts II course.

  R                                                Course repeated.  This notation appears next to the effective grade, which is the most recent of the two grades in a repeated course. The prior grade also appears.

 TC                                               Transfer Credit.  Unit credit from prior law school attendance (when granted).

       W                                               Withdrawal.  Student is withdrawn (or deemed withdrawn), without indicating whether in continued good standing or otherwise than in continued good standing.

11.2 Calculation of Letter-Graded Exam Grades

 

A.    Each letter-graded exam that is counted toward the final grade in any course is considered a separate, closed, and completed event.  (An exam is defined to include an examination, paper, project, or other work product or activity used to measure performance.)  Several steps may be involved in determining a letter-graded exam grade.

1.     The instructor assigns a separate letter grade to each constituent part of the exam, such as each essay question on a typical three-essay exam. For example:

        Essay 1                   C+

        Essay 2                   B

        Essay 3                   C

2.     Based on the College’s 4-point scale (set forth below), the equivalent numerical points are assigned for each letter grade.  For example:

        Essay 1                   C+   2.3 points

        Essay 2                   B      3.0 points

        Essay 3                   C      2.0 points

        4-Point Scale (Letter Grades and Points)

                  A       4.0                      C        2.0

                  A-      3.7                      C-      1.7

                  B+     3.3                      D+     1.3

                  B       3.0                      D       1.0

                  B-      2.7                      D-      0.7

                  C+     2.3                      F        0.0

3.     If all parts of the exam are of equal weight (worth the same percentage of the exam grade), the points for all parts are added together and divided by the number of equal parts to determine the pre-rounded exam score.  A pre-rounded exam score is calculated to the nearest thousandth (3 digits after the decimal point) and that number is not rounded.  In the example, if the three essay questions are of equal weight, the pre-rounded score is calculated as follows and the pre-rounded score is 2.433.

        Essay 1                   C+   2.3 points

        Essay 2                   B      3.0 points

        Essay 3                   C      2.0 points

        Total points:                  7.3 points

        (7.3 points divided by 3 (equal parts) = 2.433 points)

4.     If the pre-rounded score is a number on the 4-point scale, the exam grade is the corresponding letter grade.  For example, a pre-rounded score of 2.3 is the point equivalent of “C+”, which becomes the exam grade.  If the pre-rounded score is not a number on the 4-point scale, the score is rounded up or down.  The pre-rounded score is rounded down if it falls below the mid-point between the two numbers closest to the pre-rounded score on the 4-point scale. In the example in Paragraph 3 above, the pre-rounded score of 2.433 falls between “B-” (2.7) and “C+” (2.3). Because the pre-rounded score falls below the mid-point between the two (2.5), it is rounded down to 2.3 and the exam grade would be “C+”. In contrast, the pre-rounded score is rounded up if it falls at or above the mid-point between the two closest numbers on the 4-point scale. For example, a pre-rounded score of 2.566 points falls above 2.5, which is the halfway point between “B-” (2.7) and “C+” (2.3).  The resulting exam grade would be “B-“.

             This chart shows pre-rounded scores, corresponding exam grades, and mid-points:

        Pre-rounded score              Rounds to exam grade        (Midpoint)

        3.85+                                       A             4.0                          (3.85)

        3.50 to 3.849…                       A-            3.7                          (3.50)

        3.15 to 3.499…                       B+           3.3                          (3.15)

        2.85 to 3.149…                       B             3.0                          (2.85)

        2.50 to 2.849…                       B-            2.7                          (2.50)

        2.15 to 2.499…                       C+            2.3                          (2.15)

        1.85 to 2.149…                       C              2.0                          (1.85)

        1.50 to 1.849…                       C-             1.7                          (1.50)

        1.15 to 1.499…                       D+           1.3                          (1.15)

        0.85 to 1.149…                       D             1.0                          (0.85)

        0.35 to   .849…                       D-            0.7                          (0.35)

        0.00 to   .349                        F             0.0

11.3 Calculation of Course Grades

A.    Each letter-graded course is considered a separate, closed, and completed event, including courses longer than one semester.  To calculate a course grade, the School multiplies each exam grade (usually for a mid-term or a final examination, but also for an assignment or other graded activity) by its relative weight to the overall grade.

B.     Only exam grades, not pre-rounded grades, are used when calculating course grades.  These examples compare the proper calculation of a course grade in Contracts (based on exam grades) with an improper calculation (based on pre-rounded grades):

1.     Assumptions:

        First year midterm exam worth 15 percent of course grade:

        pre-rounded score=   2.433

        exam grade                           =   C+ (2.3 points)

        Final exam worth 85 percent of course grade:

        pre-rounded score=   2.866

        exam grade                           =   B (3.0 points)

2.     Correct calculation, using rounded exam scores:

        Midterm:       2.3 points  x  .15           =        .345

        Final:              3.0 points  x  .85           =     2.550

        Total points                                          =     2.895

        Course grade:                                       =      B (3 points)

 3.     Incorrect calculation, using unrounded exam scores:

        Midterm:       2.433   x  .15                 =        .365

        Final:              2.866   x  .85                 =     2.436

        Total points                                        =      2.800

        Course grade:                                     =      B- (2.7 points)

11.4 Calculation of Cumulative Grade Point Average

A.    In calculating the cumulative GPA, only course grades are used-not exam grades or pre-rounded grades. As explained in Paragraph B below, letter grades in Summer session are calculated into the GPA after Summer session but generally are considered for the purpose of determining academic standing only at the end of the following academic year.

B.     To calculate the cumulative GPA, multiply the final grade in each letter-graded course by its unit value, total the sum of the products for all such courses, and divide that sum by the total number of letter-graded units.  The cumulative GPA is expressed on the transcript as a number.  For example, the cumulative GPA for a first-year student who had course grades of “B” (3.0 points) in Contracts, “B+” (3.3) in Torts and “B” (3.0) in Criminal Law is calculated at the end of the first year as 3.12, in this manner:

First Year Grades

Introduction to Law                     (pass/fail-not considered)

Legal Analysis                              (pass/fail-not considered)

Contracts                                       3.0   x 6 (units)      =              18.0

Torts                                               3.3   x 6 (units)      =              19.8

Criminal Law                                 3.0   x 3 (units)      =                9.0

Grade points                                 (for 15.0 units)     =              46.8

GPA (46.8 points divided by 15 units)                                      =              3.12

The student advances in good standing past the first year of law school. Grades earned in subsequent years would then be added to the prior year(s) grades to determine a student’s cumulative GPA.

Summer Grades (counted towards GPA at end of Second Year)

For example, as the student above continues into the Summer session following his first year, and earns grades of “C” in Legal Research, “C+” in Consumer Law and Pass in Client Interviewing and Counseling, the grades earned are calculated below:

Client Interview                            (pass/fail-not considered)

Legal Research                             2.0   x 2 (units)      =                4.0

Consumer Law                              2.3   x 2 (units)       =                4.6

Grade points                                 (for 4.0 units)        =                8.6

Grade Points (First Year)                                             =              46.8

Grade Points  (Summer Session)                               =                8.6

Total Grade Points thus far                                                        55.4

As the student continues into the Second Year curriculum, his GPA based on grades of “B-” in Community Property and Real Property, “C” in Civil Procedure, and “B+” in Wills and Trusts would be calculated at the end of the second year as:

Second Year Grades

Community Property                          2.7  x 3 (units) =                 8.1

Real Property                                     2.7  x 6 (units) =                16.2

Civil Procedure                                  2.0  x 6 (units) =                12.0

Wills & Trusts                                   3.3  x 3 (units) =                  9.9

Grade Points                                    (for 18.0 units) =                46.2

Grade Points (First Year)                 15 units           =                46.8

Grade Points (Summer Session)      4 units           =                  8.6

Grade Points  (Second Year)           18 units           =                46.2

Total Grade Points                          37 units            =              101.6

Pre-truncated GPA (101.6 grade points divided by 37 units)     =        2.7459

Because the cumulative GPA is expressed to 3 digits then truncated, this student’s cumulative GPA will be 2.745 at the end of the second year.

11.5 Notification of Grades and Review of Papers

A.        Grades are released for the Fall and Spring semesters only when grades from all courses taken by the student that semester have been submitted by the instructors and approved by the Faculty Chair.  Grades will be disseminated by e-mail to the student’s JURIS e-mail account or available online through the password-protected Intuit Portal.  Summer session grades will be e-mailed or posted on the Portal as they become available.  Grades will not be released by telephone.

B.     Students may review their own examination papers and other papers used to determine course grades.  Each student is encouraged to review the instructor’s written feedback and to compare the student’s exam answers to the instructor’s issue sheets or model answers, to better understand the grade assigned. If questions remain, a student may benefit from discussing his or her performance with the instructor.

        Review must be done within 30 days of the date the Administration Office sends the student e-mail notice that exam answers for the student’s courses are available for review, and during regular office hours only.  Papers will not be available after that time, for any reason.

C.     Student papers used as a basis to determine grades must be retained at the School according to State Bar policy.  Papers may not be removed from the School’s premises for any reason; however, students may scan or make a copy of their own papers at their own expense using equipment on campus.  Student papers are the property of the School and may be made available as examples to other students.

11.6 Petition for Change of Grade

A.    Except as otherwise provided in this Catalog, grades will not be changed after approval by the Faculty Chair except to correct an arithmetic error or other material mistake by the instructor, such as incorrect calculation of points noted in the margin or clear failure to read two pages of an exam stuck together. An allegation that an instructor has not fairly graded an examination or other paper of the student, or has departed from established policy, is treated as an allegation of material mistake.

B.     Authority to decide student petitions for change of grade is held by the faculty’s Academic Standards and Admission Committee (ASAC). The ASAC will not authorize a change in any grade without a showing of material mistake by the instructor by clear, convincing, and objectively verifiable evidence; the ASAC will not permit or require a change of any grading decision by an instructor which represents qualitative judgment concerning a student’s performance. Objectively verifiable evidence is not shown by a student’s belief that the analysis deserved a higher grade.

C.     A student is not permitted to lobby an instructor for a change of grade. A student who has identified a potential material mistake may ask the instructor to review the claimed error. At the instructor’s election, the instructor may require the student to submit a written analysis of the claimed error or to present the analysis to the instructor in person.

D.    A student who wishes to appeal a grade must do so by timely filing a written petition for grade change to the ASAC. All such petitions must: 1) be filed at the Administration Office within 14 calendar days of the date the Administration Office sends the student e-mail notice that exam answers for the student’s courses are available for review; 2) state clearly, specifically, and fully the basis for the claim of material mistake; 3) provide clear, convincing, and objectively verifiable evidence of the claimed mistake; and 4) include a copy of any written analysis submitted to the instructor.

E.     Decisions on petitions to the ASAC are made pursuant to the procedures and standards set forth in the Charter for the Academic Standards and Admissions Committee of The Santa Barbara & Ventura Colleges of Law (“the Charter”), a copy of which is available on the Gateway (https://My.CollegesofLaw.edu/.)

11.7 Repetition of Courses

Except as provided by Section 13.4, Probation, students may repeat courses only with the permission of the Dean or as required by decision of the Academic Standards and Admissions Committee (ASAC) as a condition of probation or readmission.  When a course is repeated, both course grades will be shown on the student’s transcript. The most recent of the two course grades will determine a student’s academic standing and academic units earned, and, if a letter grade, will be used to calculate the student’s cumulative GPA. Thus, duplicate credit will not be granted for any repeated course. A student who has repeated a course is not eligible to receive the “highest grade in course” award for that course.

11.8 Academic Honors

A.    The Dean’s Award for Academic Achievement is presented each year to the student in each class year with the highest cumulative GPA.  The Dean’s Honor List is announced annually and includes students in each class year whose cumulative grade point averages place them in the top 15 percent of the class.

B.     Honors are awarded at graduation to students who complete the degree requirements with distinction, as follows:

1.     High Honors: Students in the top 5 percent of graduating class, including the student with highest GPA, who will be designated Valedictorian and awarded Highest Honors.

2.     Honors: Students in next 10 percent of graduating class.

11.9 Academic Standing

A.    Except as listed below, each student’s academic standing (good academic standing, academic probation, or academic disqualification) is based on the student’s cumulative GPA and is determined as of the end of the Spring semester of each academic year. Summer session grades are first used in calculating the cumulative GPA as of the end of the Spring semester of the next academic year. Thus, for example, the academic standing of a student who began studies at the School in the Fall 2014 semester would be based upon the student’s cumulative GPA for all letter-graded courses taken through the Spring 2015 semester. If the student continued studies at the School without interruption, the student’s letter grades, if any, from the Summer 2015 session would be calculated into the GPA only at the end of the Spring 2016 semester. Letter grades earned during the Summer 2015 would have no bearing on the student’s cumulative GPA for the purpose of determining that student’s academic standing as of the end of the 2014-2015 academic year.

B.     If a student voluntarily withdraws or takes a leave of absence before the end of any Spring semester when academic standing would be determined under the above provisions, the student’s academic standing will be based on all letter-graded courses completed prior to such withdrawal or leave of absence. If a student is administratively withdrawn, the student’s academic standing will be based on all letter-graded courses completed prior to such administrative withdrawal, except that a student who is administratively withdrawn for failure to sit for a scheduled examination will receive an “F” and will have his or her cumulative GPA recalculated as of the end of that semester.

C.     If in granting a petition for probation or readmission, the ASAC requires that a student maintain a certain cumulative GPA or meet other requirements as of the end of a certain interval (such as the end of each semester and Summer session), the student’s academic standing will be based on the student’s cumulative GPA and fulfillment of the ASAC’s requirements at the end of each such interval.

11.10 Transfer Credits

Unit credit from prior law school attendance, if granted by the School, is entered on the student’s transcript with a grade of “TC” and is disregarded in computing the cumulative GPA. See Section 6.10 for limits on transfer credit and Section 7 for BARBRI Supplement Fees payable by transfer students based on transfer credits granted.

12. Exams and Assignments

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12.1 General Provisions 12.2 Exam Schedule  12.3 Exam Supplies and Procedures  12.4 Conduct During the Exam  12.5 Handwriting the Exam

12.6 Use of ExamSoft - Protected Laptops  12.7 Special Accommodations for Examinations  12.8 Failure to Take an Examination 12.9 Requests for Early or Late Examinations  12.10 Make-up Examinations

 

12.1 General Provisions

A.    Anonymous Grading

1.     All graded written examinations will be taken and graded on an anonymous basis; all graded written assignments will be submitted and graded on an anonymous basis except as provided below.  All ungraded work may be evaluated non-anonymously and, of necessity, non-anonymous grading will be used for all performance-based graded activities.

2.     The Administration Office at each campus will provide students with a randomly selected exam number at the beginning of each academic year.  The numbers are completely confidential and are not available to anyone outside the Administration Office.  Students are cautioned not to reveal their exam numbers to faculty under any circumstance. The student’s exam number, not the student’s name, is to be written on the front of all exam answers and written assignments.  It is up to each student to use the correct number on all exam answers and assignments. Graded written exams and assignments will be evaluated by student exam number, except as noted below.

3.     Instructors in some elective courses may evaluate graded written work on a non-anonymous basis where such evaluation is necessary to advance the educational objectives of the course (Appellate Advocacy Briefs, for example). Non-anonymous evaluation of graded written work may take place only with the Faculty Chair’s permission and with prior notice to students. Instructors in all courses may evaluate responses to ungraded written exercises non-anonymously.

4.     Instructors in elective online courses may evaluate graded student work submitted through Canvas on a non-anonymous basis without any further notice.

B.     Take Home Examinations/Assignments

        Students must deliver take-home examinations/assignments to their instructor as directed. The Administrative Office will not accept delivery of take-home examinations/assignments via fax, e-mail, or other method of electronic delivery, except where the instructor has obtained the Faculty Chair’s prior permission for a form of electronic delivery by all students in the course.

C.     Weight of Examinations

1.     In each first year course of more than one semester the midterm exam will count for 15 percent, and the final exam will count for the remaining 85 percent, of the final course grade.

2.     In advanced courses, the relative weight of the midterm and final examinations, and any graded assignments, will be announced at the beginning of each course.

12.2 Exam Schedule

A.    Posting of Exam Schedule

        A schedule listing the times and dates of the midterm and final examinations for the current semester or session will be posted on bulletin boards or the Gateway.  The schedule will also list deadlines by which students requesting to use ExamSoft or receive special examination accommodations must submit their request to the Administration Office. Mid-semester exams, when given, will be administered during class as announced by the instructor.

B.     Exam Schedule

        All examinations for first through third year students will be given on a comprehensive basis for each class year, except for Summer session examinations, midterms in one-semester courses, Fall semester first-year examinations, and the Professional Responsibility course final examination. 

        During Fall and Spring semesters, an Exam Preparation Period is scheduled between the end of classes and the Exam Period. Comprehensive examinations for academic year classes will be given on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of the Exam Period, from 6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Students must be prepared to answer questions in any subject being tested during the Exam Period.  Questions will be labeled by subject, but the order of questions will be random.

1.     First Year

        Fall Semester: Torts and Contracts will be tested (grades for courses in Introduction to Law and Legal Analysis will be based on assignments and/or testing previously completed).  Tests will be given Monday and Wednesday evenings (6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.) for a total of six hours over the two-night period.  Over such exam period, testing will be done on Torts one night and Contracts the other night, but students will not know in advance which subject will be tested.  For example, if Torts were tested on Monday night then Contracts would be tested on Wednesday night, or vice versa.  Exams will be labeled as to subject.

        Spring Semester: Torts, Contracts, and Criminal Law will be tested.  Tests will be given Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday evenings (6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.) for a total of nine hours over the three-night period. Over such exam period, testing will be evenly divided among the three subjects.  The questions will be randomly selected from the three subjects, but labeled as to subject.

2.     Second Year

        Fall Semester: Civil Procedure, Community Property, and Real Property will be tested.  Tests will be given Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday evenings (6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.)  for a total of nine hours over the three-night period. Over such exam period, testing will be divided among the three subjects.  The questions will be randomly selected from the three subjects, but labeled as to subject.

        Spring Semester: Civil Procedure, Wills & Trusts, and Real Property will be tested. Tests will be given Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday evenings (6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.) for a total of nine hours over the three-night period. Over such exam period, testing will be evenly divided among the three subjects.  The questions will be randomly selected from the three subjects, but labeled as to subject.

3.     Third Year

        Fall Semester:  Constitutional Law and Business Associations will be tested. Tests will be given Monday and Wednesday evenings (6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.) for a total of six hours over the two-night period. Over such exam period, testing will be evenly divided between each subject.  The questions will be randomly selected from the two subjects, but labeled as to subject. (The final exam in Professional Responsibility will be given during the last class session; a final exam will be given in Evidence at the end of Spring Semester.)

        Spring Semester:  Constitutional Law, Remedies, and Evidence will be tested. Tests will be given Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday evenings (6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.) for a total of nine hours over the three-night period. Over such exam period, testing will be evenly divided among the three subjects.  The questions will be randomly selected from the three subjects, but labeled as to subject.

4.     Fourth Year

Fourth Year final examinations are given in the last class session or during Exam Preparation Week, as posted.

C.     Summer Session Exam Schedule

Exams will not be rescheduled to accommodate vacation plans. Students should consult course syllabi prior to making vacation plans to determine exam schedules. Final exams, when given for a Summer session course, will be given as follows:

1.     Onsite Courses:  Final exams will be given during the last class session of an onsite course.

2.     Online Courses:  Final exams will be given at each campus on the Saturday afternoon prior to the last week of an online course, under regular exam conditions. Final exams will not be given online.

12.3 Exam Supplies and Procedures

A.    Examination Supplies

Students must bring a sufficient supply of pens (blue or black ink only) to the exam.  Students who are typing their exams must bring their own laptop and pens to be used in the event of laptop failure.  The School will provide bluebooks and scratch paper. Earplugs are permitted but other devices (headphones, iPods, MP3 players, etc.) are not.

B.     Exam Room Procedures

1.     All exams are scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. unless otherwise posted. Anyone arriving after the exam has begun will not be given extra time at the end of the exam period. Repercussions for late typists are discussed in Section 12.6, Use of ExamSoft-Protected Laptops. Students should arrive on campus early when taking examinations.

2.     Books, study notes, other course materials, purses, briefcases, headphones, iPods, and cell phones are not permitted in the exam room, unless placed in the front or back of the room away from the student’s desk.  Students may not access such materials until after the exam has ended.  Students may not bring timers into the examination room, nor may they use cell phones at any time during the exam in the exam room or outside of it. Eating, drinking (this includes water), and smoking in the exam room are absolutely prohibited.

3.     Prior to the Exam: At 6:30 p.m. (unless otherwise posted) the proctor will make several announcements about examination policies in general and the examination to be administered in particular.  Students will be held accountable for the content of the announcements.

C.     Labeling Bluebooks

1.     Bluebooks and scratch paper will be distributed at the start of the exam period.  Special time before the beginning of the examination period will not be given to label bluebooks.  Students must label their bluebooks within the allotted time allowed for the examination.  All exams must be properly labeled during the examination period.  No extra time will be given to label answers after time has been called at the end of the examination.  Students may not use highlighter pens on their examination answers. Students should label bluebooks in the following manner:

STUDENT EXAM NUMBER                         #22222 (EXAMPLE)

COURSE NAME                                                TORTS, Q #1, BOOK 1 OF 2 (EXAMPLE)

INSTRUCTOR                                                    SMITH (EXAMPLE)

DATE                                                                     12-14-07 (EXAMPLE)

2.     Students must start each question in a new bluebook, if handwriting.

12.4 Conduct During the Exam

A.       No breaks are given during examinations. A student may leave the examination room during the exam to use the restroom or lounge facilities. Exam questions and bluebooks may not be removed from the exam room.  If a student becomes ill during the exam and cannot continue, the student should contact the proctor for instructions.

B.       If a student finishes the exam more than 10 minutes before the end of the exam period, the student may hand his/her exam answers and the exam questions to the proctor and quietly leave the examination room.  The student may not shut down, pack up or remove his or her laptop from the exam room until the exam is over.  If less than 10 minutes remains in the exam period, the student must remain in his or her seat and wait until time is called.  It is the student’s responsibility to see that his or her bluebooks have been received and checked-in by the proctor.

C.     Unless otherwise expressly permitted by the instructor (as in an open book exam), students may not use books, notes, or any review materials during an examination. Talking is prohibited during the exam. During an exam, use of any electronic device other than an ExamSoft-protected laptop computer and watch is forbidden and subject to disciplinary action.

D.    When time is called, the student must stop writing or typing immediately.  The proctor will report to the Dean any student who does not stop writing or typing when told to do so.  If a student is in the middle of a sentence, he or she must stop at that point and not attempt to complete the sentence.

E.     Handwritten exam answers cannot be considered for grading unless they are handed, in person, to the proctor before leaving the examination room. Outlines on separate pieces of (scratch) paper are not considered part of the exam answer and will not be accepted. It is the student’s responsibility to turn in to the proctor, in the correct manner, his/her correct bluebooks, the exam questions, and all scratch paper taken by the student, used or unused. Students who fail to properly turn in bluebooks, exam questions, or scratch paper, or who turn in blank, unintended, or incorrect bluebooks will receive a grade of “F” on the exam questions applicable to such bluebooks, with no right of make-up, substitution, or other special consideration.  Students using ExamSoft will be required to electronically submit their exam answers within 12 hours of the end of the exam period. A late fee of $125 applies. See Section 12.6.

F.     When time is called at the end of the exam period, students must line up in an orderly manner to hand their exam answers for each exam question to the proctor.  Students should not leave the exam room until their bluebooks have been recorded as received by the proctor.  All students must also turn in the examination questions. Students may not take the questions from the exam room in any form.

12.5 Handwriting the Exam

Exams must be written in blue or black ink, never in pencil, and on only one side of the page.  Students must start each question in a new bluebook. Only answers recorded in the bluebooks or designated answer sheets distributed by the proctor may be submitted for grading.  Outlines or other writing on loose or stapled pieces of paper will not be accepted as part of the student’s answer, unless otherwise specified at the start of the exam.

12.6 Use of ExamSoft - Protected Laptops

A.    Students may use laptops (PCs or Macs) to take graded examinations only if they are protected by ExamSoft software, which blocks access to other software. (ExamSoft is not available for practice exams except as necessary for ADA accommodations.) Detailed information about the use of ExamSoft is provided below and on the Gateway (https://My.CollegesofLaw.edu/.)

B.     Students wishing to use ExamSoft must make all the following prior arrangements:

1.       Prior to the examination period, register online with ExamSoft. Contact ExamSoft at   www.examsoft.com/sbvcl.  For technical support, call (866) 429-8889, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 8:30 p.m. EST.

2.       Prior to arriving at the School to take an exam, complete download of the current ExamSoft program, “SofTest”, as well as the exam file that will be used during the exam period.

C.     ExamSoft users are required to bring their laptops to the assigned typing room at least one half hour before the start of each examination unless otherwise directed by the campus exam administrator (generally, the Assistant Dean in Ventura or Director of Student Services in Santa Barbara).  Late laptop users will be reassigned to a handwriting room. 

D.    ExamSoft users are expected to follow the examination procedures outlined above (except as applicable to the use of bluebooks), including the proper labeling of exam answers.  Laptop users may use earplugs.  Students are advised to bring a watch or clock, because the positioning of typing tables may make it difficult to monitor the time otherwise.

E.     Students must start each question on a new screen.

F.     Students may not shut down, pack up or remove their laptops from the exam room until the exam period has ended.

G.    The School assumes no responsibility for any interruption in power, for any computer mechanical breakdown, or for any problem a student may encounter using a laptop or ExamSoft.  No extra time or any other consideration will be allowed for any interruption, whether it is isolated or widespread.  The student assumes all risks of using a computer to take an examination.

H.    When time is called at the end of the examination, students must submit their exam answers via the Internet within 12 hours of the end of the exam period.  A late fee of $125 will be imposed for each late-submitted exam answer.  The student’s answer will subsequently be printed on one of the School’s printers for submission to the instructor.

12.7 Special Accommodations for Examinations

Students with disabilities or other conditions necessitating special examination conditions should contact the Administration Office as early as possible after enrollment so that appropriate arrangements can be made.  See Section 3.14, Policy on Accommodations for Students with Disabilities.

12.8 Failure to Take an Examination

Students are required to take exams as scheduled; to “take” an exam means the student must sit for the exam sessions and provide an answer to each essay question or other major component of the exam for each course tested. Failure to take either a midterm or final examination in a course will result in receiving an F for that course. A student who takes none of his or her scheduled exams for a semester or Summer session will be administratively withdrawn from the School other than in continued good standing. See Section 10, Withdrawal and Leave of Absence.

12.9 Requests for Early or Late Examinations

A.    By written request made before the examination to the Assistant Dean or Director of Student Services, a student who is unable, for good cause, to take an examination as scheduled may be permitted to take an exam at other than the regularly scheduled time.  Students with potential good cause are encouraged to discuss their circumstances with the Assistant Dean or Director of Student Services, to avoid jeopardizing their academic standing by taking exams while seriously ill or otherwise compromised.

B.     Good cause is defined as, at the time of the examination, a religious holiday observance, unavoidable employment or military duty obligations, or extreme, immediate, unforeseeable, and unavoidable circumstances such as serious illness. Good cause does not include discretionary plans such as vacations. The good cause giving rise to the need to reschedule an examination must be fully documented to the satisfaction of the Assistant Dean (in Ventura) or Director of Student Services (in Santa Barbara).

C.     A student should never contact the instructor about the need to reschedule an exam, to preserve the anonymity of the student’s exam.

D.    In the case of an extreme emergency where the student is physically unable to contact the Administration Office before the exam, the student or his or her representative must contact the Office no later than 2 working days thereafter. The student must then provide a written explanation of the emergency together with documentation, such as a physician’s statement. The Dean will rule whether good cause for not taking the exam existed.  Permission to take late exams is not automatically granted, and under no circumstances will it be granted where the student has failed to meet the requirements of this section.

E.     Upon approval of the student’s timely request under Paragraphs A or D above, an early or late examination must be taken within 1 week of the day the exam had originally been scheduled.  Students taking more than one such exam may be required to take such exams on consecutive days.  Early or late examinations are scheduled only during regular office hours. A rescheduled exam will be deemed to have begun at the new scheduled time; students arriving late or unprepared to begin at the new scheduled time will not be given extra time. A $100 fee is charged to take an early or late examination.

12.10 Make-Up Examinations

A.    Students who are unable to take an early or late examination within the one-week period described above must timely request, under Section 12.9, Paragraphs A or D, a make-up examination.  Untimely requests will not be considered.

B.     A request for a make-up examination generally will not be granted except when serious illness of the student or other severe circumstances would justify a failure to sit for an examination, as set forth above, during the period prescribed for early/late examinations.  In the rare instance that a request for a make-up examination is granted, a fee of not less than $400 will be charged.

C.     In lieu of a make-up exam, the Administration may on occasion allow or require the student who has made a timely request for a make-up exam to receive a grade of Incomplete for the course and to take an exam at the next regularly scheduled examination period for the course concerned. This option is not available as to an untimely request.

13. Academic Good Standing, Probation, and Disqualification

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13.1 General Provisions 13.2 Academic Good Standing for Graduation  13.3 Academic Warning  13.4 Academic Probation

13.5 Academic Disqualification 13.6 Petition to Continue 13.7 Petition for Readmission

 

13.1 General Provisions

A.    Students are required to maintain good academic standing at all times during the course of their law study. The requirements for good academic standing are set forth below. Students failing to meet these requirements will be subject to academic probation or disqualification.

B.     A student who is neither withdrawn nor taking a leave of absence is in good academic standing if the student has a cumulative GPA of 2.00 at the end of the student’s most recent year of study (as defined below).

C.     Except as noted below, for purposes of computing the cumulative GPA and determining whether a student is in good academic standing, academically disqualified, or placed on academic probation, the end of the Spring semester is treated as the end of the student’s year. Letter grades in Summer session, if any, are calculated into the GPA at the end of the following academic year. See Section 11, Grading and Grades.

        For example, the academic standing of a student who began studies at the School in the Fall 2014 semester generally would be based upon the student’s cumulative GPA for all letter-graded courses taken through the Spring 2015 semester. If the student continued studies at the School without interruption, the student’s letter grades, if any, from the Summer 2015 session would be calculated into the GPA at the end of the Spring 2016 semester.

        When a student withdraws from the School, is administratively withdrawn, or takes a leave of absence under terms of this Catalog, the student’s academic standing will be determined by his or her cumulative GPA.  The GPA is based on all letter-graded courses the student has completed at the School since initial enrollment, regardless of when during the year the withdrawal or leave of absence begins.

        For example, if a student who first began studies at the School in the Fall 2014 semester continued his or her studies, without interruption, through all semesters and Summer sessions to the Spring 2016 semester, and withdrew during the Spring 2016 semester (before the first final examination), the student’s academic standing at the time of withdrawal would be determined by his or her cumulative GPA calculated on the basis of all letter-graded courses completed through the Fall 2015 semester.  Any two-semester course, such as Civil Procedure, in which the student was enrolled at the time of such withdrawal, would be disregarded in the calculation.  A student cannot receive credit for, or receive a final grade in, a two-semester course of which only one semester has been completed.  The sole exception is that a student withdrawn for failing to sit for an examination will receive a grade of “F” and his or her academic standing would be determined by his or her cumulative GPA calculated through the end of that semester.

D.    Students readmitted to or continued on probation at the School by decision of the ASAC may be required to meet conditions as to their academic progress each semester or session.  Such conditions address academic progress and do not constitute discipline within the meaning of this Catalog.

E.     Amendments to policies pertaining to academic standing, disqualification, advancement, retention, probation and graduation may be made by the Dean pursuant to Section 1.3, with the advice and recommendations of the Faculty and its committees, subject to the ultimate direction and control of the Board of Trustees. Except as required to comply with the rules and guidelines of the Committee of Bar Examiners, no amendment concerning academic standing, disqualification, advancement, retention, probation or graduation will be effective earlier than the semester/session beginning after notification of the change is given.

13.2 Academic Good Standing for Graduation

To meet the academic requirements for graduation, a student must have attained a minimum 2.00 cumulative grade point average, successfully completed all required courses and bar review program, and accumulated at least 84 units; in addition, to graduate the student must have paid all fees, charges and tuition due.

13.3 Academic Warning

A first-year student who receives a grade of below “Pass” or “C” during any semester before the completion of the first year curriculum will receive an academic warning.  This early warning is given to encourage the student to seek academic assistance or take other steps that might assist the student to improve his or her performance.

13.4 Academic Probation

A.    A student on academic probation is not considered to be in good academic standing for any purpose and will be prohibited from participating in activities or programs where good academic standing is required. The student on probation will be subject to conditions imposed by the Administration and/or the Academic Standards and Admissions Committee (ASAC), which may include but are not limited to, the requirements to obtain a grade of at least “C” or “Pass” in all classes; to participate in the School’s Academic Support program; to repeat a class or classes; and to achieve a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.00 by the end of the academic year.

B.     A student who receives a final grade of “F” in any letter-graded, required course will be placed on academic probation, unless such student is otherwise academically disqualified because of his or her cumulative GPA or withdrawn under Section 10. Such student will have until the end of the academic year following the academic year in which such grade was received to repeat that course.  The student must receive a final grade of “C+” or higher in that course when repeating it, otherwise, the student will be academically disqualified from the School with no right to petition for immediate readmission. See Section 13.7, Petition for Readmission.  It is within the Dean’s discretion to determine what other courses, if any, the student may be allowed to take while the student repeats a course.  While enrolled, the student may repeat only one failed required course, and may do so only once.

C.     A student who receives a final grade of ”Fail” in any Pass/Fail-graded, required course after the Fall semester of the first year will be placed on academic probation, unless such student is otherwise academically disqualified because of his or her cumulative GPA or withdrawn under Section 10. Such student will have until the end of the next semester/session when the class is offered to repeat that course.  The student must receive a final grade of “Pass” or higher in that course when repeating it, otherwise, the student will be academically disqualified from the School with no right to petition for immediate readmission. A student who receives a final grade of “Fail” in Introduction to Law and/or Legal Analysis but who advances into the second year will not be required to repeat those courses but must make up the units by enrolling in additional elective courses.

D.    A student with a cumulative GPA below 2.0 but at or above 1.90 at the end of the academic year, who has not previously been advanced on probation in any prior year, will be allowed to continue on probation for one year, subject to the condition that the student must achieve a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 by the end of that probationary year and fulfill any other conditions imposed by the Administration or (ASAC). By State Bar regulation, the student will not be allowed to advance into the next year unless the student achieves a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 by the end of that probationary year.

13.5 Academic Disqualification

A.    A student is subject to academic disqualification if, following the end of any year:

1.     for a student who was on academic probation during that year, the student has failed to fulfill the School’s requirements for good academic standing or to meet the conditions imposed by the Academic Standards and Admissions Committee (ASAC) in granting such probation, including the requirement that the student maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0. The State Bar requires that such students be academically disqualified.

2.     for a student who was not on academic probation during that year, the student’s cumulative GPA is below 1.9.

B.     Academic disqualification becomes effective as follows:

1.     for any student who was on academic probation during that year, immediately upon the denial by the ASAC of the student’s petition for change of grade that would enable the student to fulfill the School’s requirements for good academic standing and/or the ASAC’s conditions of probation or, if the student has not timely filed such a petition, on the day following the last day for filing such a petition.

2.     for any student who was not on academic probation during that year, immediately upon the decision of the ASAC denying the student’s pending petition(s) that would restore the student to good standing or make the student eligible for academic probation (i.e., for grade change and/or to continue on probation) or, if the student has not timely filed such petition(s), on the day following the last day for filing such petition(s).

C.     A student is no longer subject to academic disqualification if the ASAC:  1) grants the student’s petition to continue on probation (after having completed the prior year in good standing) or 2) authorizes a grade change, such that the student achieves a cumulative GPA sufficient to allow the student to continue on probation or is otherwise able to fulfill the School’s academic requirements and/or his/her conditions of probation.

13.6 Petition to Continue

A.    A petition to the Academic Standards and Admission Committee (ASAC) for permission to continue on probation may be filed only by a student who was in good academic standing during the preceding academic year.  A student is not eligible to file a petition to continue when, after having been allowed to continue in the law degree program on probation during the preceding academic year, the student fails to satisfy the terms of probation or other requirements of the School as to good standing.  State Bar regulations require that such a student be academically disqualified.

B.     A written petition for permission to continue on probation must be filed within 14 calendar days of the date the Administration Office sends the student e-mail or other written notice of his or her grades (not, in this case, when bluebooks/exam papers are available for review.)

C.     Permission to continue on probation is very rarely granted.  If granted, conditions may be imposed, including the requirement that the student repeat coursework.

D.    Permission to continue will be granted only if the student negates, to the satisfaction of the ASAC, the presumption that the student is presently unsuited to pursue the study of law, by demonstrating based on credible evidence that 1) the student’s failure to maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0 was not caused by the applicant’s lack of capability to satisfactorily study law, but resulted from a traumatic event or serious hardship when the relevant exams were given that prohibited the applicant from performing at his or her normal level, and 2) the applicant possesses the requisite ability for the study of law.  No other standard applies.  A claim of continuing trauma or hardships occurring throughout a semester or academic year, or at a time other than when exams were given, will not support a petition to continue.

E.     In making its decision, the ASAC may consider all aspects of the student’s academic and attendance record at the School.

F.     The ASAC will consider a petition to continue at a particular time or concerning essentially the same facts and circumstances only once; reconsideration of the same petition will not be granted. The petitioning student is strongly encouraged to include in his/her petition all facts, circumstances, and issues he or she wishes to have considered. Facts asserted should be corroborated by neutral (unrelated) third parties whenever possible.  Decisions of the ASAC on matters concerning petitions to continue are final and may not be appealed elsewhere within the School. The Dean has no authority, acting alone, to grant a petition to continue.

G.    If granted, permission to continue permits a student to enroll on probation at the beginning of the semester immediately following the semester when academic disqualification occurred, without interruption in his or her studies.

13.7 Petition for Readmission

A.    General Provisions

1.     Any student who is academically disqualified under the standards stated in Sections 13.4, Academic Probation and 13.5, Academic Disqualification may apply for readmission on academic probation.

2.     Under State Bar regulations, a student who has been academically disqualified for academic reasons cannot be readmitted to the School (or admitted to any other California-accredited law school) until the student’s official LSAT score report has been received by the School. A student seeking readmission to the School must provide such a score unless one has previously been provided to the School.

3.     The student must petition the Academic Standards and Admissions Committee (ASAC) under the procedures and standards set forth in the ASAC’s Charter. A copy of the Charter is available on the Gateway or by request to the Administration Office. A student petitioning the ASAC is presumed to know the contents of the Charter.

4.     The ASAC will consider a petition for readmission at a particular time or concerning essentially the same facts and circumstances only once; reconsideration of the same petition will not be granted.  The petitioning student is strongly encouraged to include in the petition all facts, circumstances, and issues he or she wishes to have considered.  Decisions of the ASAC on matters concerning petitions for readmission are final and may not be appealed elsewhere within the School. The Dean has no authority, acting alone, to grant a petition for readmission.

B.     Readmission

1.     Applicants previously dismissed for low scholarship may be granted readmission when there is an affirmative showing by the applicant, to the satisfaction of the ASAC, of matters which justify the conclusion that the applicant has now shown a materially greater potential for the study of law and the successful completion of the School’s curriculum.

2.     Pursuant to State Bar regulations, an academically disqualified student may petition the ASAC for readmission, only as follows:

a.     At any time, if the applicant satisfies the ASAC, through credible evidence, that the student’s disqualification was not caused by the applicant’s lack of capability to satisfactorily study law, but resulted from a traumatic event or serious hardship when the relevant exams were given that prohibited the applicant from performing at his or her normal level, and that the applicant possesses the requisite ability for the study of law. State Bar rules require that the applicant for readmission provide a score on the LSAT; the School requires a score normally at or above the 50th percentile when the petition is filed under this Paragraph.

b.     For a student disqualified upon the completion of his/her first year, at any time, if the applicant has passed the First-Year Law Students’ Examination with a score normally at or above 580. State Bar rules require that the applicant for readmission provide a score on the LSAT; petitions filed under this paragraph should be supported by an acceptable LSAT score.

c.     After two years have elapsed since the disqualification, if the applicant demonstrates to the satisfaction of the ASAC that work, study, or other experience during the interim has resulted in a stronger potential for law study than the applicant exhibited at the time he or she was previously disqualified for academic reasons. State Bar rules require that the applicant for readmission provide a score on the LSAT; the School requires a score normally at or above the 50th percentile when the petition is filed under this paragraph.

3.     A petition for readmission must meet these additional requirements:

a.     The petition must be accompanied by an official LSAT score report, unless such report is already on file with the School; this requirement is imposed by the State Bar and cannot be waived.  Further, the School requires an LSAT score (whether on file or newly submitted) normally at or above the 50th percentile, except that where the student seeks readmission based upon a score on the First-Year Law Students’ Exam at or about 580, an acceptable score is required. (See Paragraph B, above.)

b.     The petition must be filed at least 30 calendar days before the first day of classes for the semester in which the student is seeking readmission.

4.     All petitions for readmission will, if granted, readmit the student at the beginning of a Fall semester or, in some instances, for Summer session; readmission will not be granted to begin in a Spring semester.

14. Graduation

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A.    Graduation Requirements

Upon timely meeting the requirements for graduation, the degree of Juris Doctor (J.D.) will be conferred.  To be eligible to graduate a student must:

1.     Complete the required academic program by the end of the summer after fourth year.

2.     Complete a total of 84 units and satisfy all residency requirements.

3.     Achieve a cumulative grade point average of not less than 2.00.

4.     Pay all fees, charges, and tuition due.

5.     For students in the graduating classes of 2016 and beyond, participation in the required Bar Review course then offered.

B.     Academic Honors are awarded as described in Section 11.8, Academic Honors.

C.     Graduation Dates and Ceremony

        Students may complete their graduation requirements at the end of either the Fall or Spring semester of the fourth year. One graduation ceremony for both groups is held annually in May. The Graduation Processing Fee is owed without regard to whether a student participates in the graduation ceremony. In exceptional circumstances, a student may petition for permission to graduate at the end of the following Summer session. Students will be deemed graduated, and degrees will be dated, as follows:

        Degree requirements completed                     Graduation date

        Fall semester                                                        January 15 (following year)

        Spring semester                                                   May 15 (same year)

        Summer session (by petition only)                   August 15 (same year)

15. Committee of Bar Examiners Regulations

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A.    General Provisions

        It is each student’s responsibility to comply with the rules of the Committee of Bar Examiners (CBE) of the State Bar of California and to determine applicable deadlines with which the student must comply to meet requirements for bar admission. A copy of Rules Regulating Admission to Practice Law in California and further information may be found on the State Bar web site, www.admissions.calbar.ca.gov/

B.     Registration as a Law Student

        Every law student in the State of California is required to register with the CBE to be eligible for CBE exams and to receive important information. It is the student’s responsibility to access the registration form at www.admissions.calbar.ca.gov/.

C.     First-Year Law Students’ Examination (FYLSX)

1.     A student who enters law school with less than 60 units of acceptable academic credit (Special Student) must take the First-Year Law Students Examination (FYLSX) after completing the first-year curriculum.

2.     The CBE administers the FYLSX, a one-day test, twice per year, usually in June and October. The CBE imposes a fee for the examination.  The examination covers the subjects of Contracts, Torts and Criminal Law. Students may apply online at: www.calbarxap.com/Applications/CalBar/California_Bar_1st_Year_Exam/default.asp

3.     A special student will have three consecutive administrations of the FYSLX (whether or not the student sits for the exam) in which to pass the examination and retain credit for course work subsequent to the first-year curriculum.  If the student does not pass the test within the three administrations, he or she will not receive credit for any law studies after the end of the first-year curriculum and will not be allowed to continue law studies until the FYLSX is passed.

D.    Professional Responsibility Examination

        As a prerequisite for admission to practice law in California, all applicants must pass the National Conference of Bar Examiners’ Multi-State Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE). The National Conference of Bar Examiners administers the exam.  Application forms are available by contacting www.ncbex.org.

E.     Application for Determination of Moral Character

        Prior to sitting for the California Bar Examination, students must file an application for determination of moral character with the State Bar. This application is also known as a preliminary evaluation of the State Bar’s Rule X qualification and initiates the moral character screening process.  This process is time-consuming; to avoid delay in bar admission, students are encouraged to begin this process no later than the summer before the year they intend to take the Bar Examination. Instructions and an online application are available at www.calbarxap.com/Applications/CalBar/California_Bar_Moral_Character/default.asp. The State Bar urges all applicants to fully disclose all information asked for on the application so that approval of the application is not delayed.

F.     California Bar Examination

1.     Students planning to sit for the California Bar Examination must file an application with the CBE prior to the exam. The CBE administers the Bar Examination twice per year, in February (Spring examination) and July (Fall examination).  It is a three-day test.  Graduates may apply online at: www.calbarxap.com/Applications/CalBar/California_Bar_Exam/default.asp.

2.     If, for any reason, a student has not successfully completed his or her law school program, that student must apply to the CBE for an evaluation to determine eligibility to take the Bar Examination.

3.     Information on California Bar Examination and statistics about pass rates can be found on the State Bar website at: www.admissions.calbar.ca.gov/Examinations/CaliforniaBarExam.aspx.

G.    Practical Training of Law Students

1.     Under the Rules Governing Practical Training of Law Students, law students may be certified to work with a supervising attorney providing legal services to clients. Rules and application forms are available online at: admissions.calbar.ca.gov/Education/LegalEducation/PracticalTrainingofLawStudentsProgram.aspx.

2.     To qualify as a certified law student, the applicant must either have completed, or be currently enrolled in, the Civil Procedure and Evidence courses and be a student in good academic standing at the School.

3.     A certified law student may perform any function on behalf of a client that would be appropriate for a licensed attorney as long as these functions are performed under the direct supervision of the supervising attorney and with the consent of the client. These functions include appearing on the client’s behalf in a trial, hearing, or proceeding.  A certified law student may negotiate on behalf of a client and render legal services under supervision.