Part-time, Daytime J.D. Program FAQ

How is the part-time curriculum set up?

Our part-time daytime program is fundamentally designed and fully integrated to reflect the first rate programmatic efficiencies that will attract two kinds of students: those who prefer to maximize the number of credits part-students may take in a term so as to progress through the first year as quickly as possible, and those who prefer to take the minimum necessary to qualify for federal student aid (6 credits per term) so as to work as much as possible while attending school. The PSU-DSL part-time program is designed to accommodate both. You will be permitted to take as few as 6 credits or as many as 11 credits per term. For students wishing to take fewer credits, the required first year courses may be distributed over a full four semesters (two years, no summer). Students taking the maximum number of credits are eligible to transfer to full-time status as early as the second semester of their first year depending on their academic performance. The opportunity to register for courses following your first year is assigned on a priority system based on the actual number of credits you have completed to date.  As a result of this priority system, you may find that it is necessary to adjust your planned curricular sequence due to the availability of courses.

Proposed sequence for students taking the maximum number of credits per semester (11):

Proposed sequence for students taking the minimum number of credits (two courses per semester):

 
Am I able to graduate in six semesters?

It is possible for a student who starts in the PT program to graduate in only 6 semesters if the student transfers to the FT program by the start of the student's second or third semester. A PT student who transfers to the FT program at the start of the student's fourth semester or later will need additional time to graduate. The chart below shows what is possible. It is based on the fact that every student needs at least 88 credits to earn the JD and that full-time students may enroll in as many as 17 credits per semester but no more. While it is possible for a PT student to graduate in only 6 semesters if the student transfers to the FT program at the start of the student's third semester, each student must determine whether it is in his or her best interests to do so given the relatively heavy credit load each such student will need to carry each of his or her remaining four semesters. The Associate Deans for Academic Affairs and faculty members are available to provide academic advice to students on this and any other academic matter.

During the summers, may I take courses to catch up, and, if so, should I use my summers that way?

The summer is an opportunity to earn additional academic credit. However, it is generally not in a student's best interest to forgo getting work experience in an effort to graduate in six semesters.

PT students who wish to practice law will put themselves on par with full-time students if they are able to secure two summers of work experience that involve performing legal research and writing assignments. Such work both sharpens students' analytical and writing skills and provides a valuable credential for students as they build resumes for future employment. PT students looking for work after their first year of law school may find that employers have a preference for students with more coursework. However, upon completing their first two semesters, both FT and PT students have secured employment in both the private and public sectors.

PSU-DSL offers part-time students the chance to earn law school credit in its Summer Abroad and Field Placement programs. Additionally, PT students may enroll in electives (but not required courses) offered at any other ABA-accredited law school during the summer as long as the student is in good academic standing and has the permission of the other law school. Credits completed at another law school are eligible for transfer to a student's PSU-DSL transcript according to our policy on students Earning Credits Away From PSU-DSL.

PT students participating in both school and legal work during a summer must be careful to avoid so overloading themselves as to undermine their performance in school or at work or both. PT students who combine school and work during the summer are advised to work no more than 20 hours per week and enroll in no more than one summer course.

May I Enroll in PSU Dickinson School of Law Distance Education Courses?

Can I transfer from part-time status to full-time status?

Students who have completed at least 11 credits in the part-time program and who have not received any grades below B may apply to the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs to transfer into the full-time program. Additionally, students who have completed at least 21 credits in the part-time program, who have not received any grades below C, and who have cumulative grade-point averages of 2.50 or higher may apply to the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs to transfer into the full-time program. Students who have completed at least 28 credits in the part-time program and who have not fallen out of good academic standing at any time since matriculation may apply to the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs to transfer into the full-time program. A student whose application to transfer into the full-time program is rejected may apply again without prejudice after the student completes additional course work.

How are part-time students ranked?

Student Certification to Practice

Can I participate fully on law journals and in moot court?

Part-time students who have earned at least 21 credits in the first-year curriculum may apply for membership on the editorial staffs of the law school's journals, and they may participate in the “write-on” competition each spring. The applications of part-time students will be judged by the same standards as those applied to full-time students, and they will be reviewed in a manner that blinds judges to the status of applications as either full-time or part-time students. If a part-time student is offered a position on the editorial staff of a law journal, that offer will be conditioned on the part-time student's having earned at least 28 credits in the first-year curriculum either before or during the first semester in which the student assumes his or her position on the journal.

Part-time students who have earned at least 21 credits in the first-year curriculum may also try-out for or apply for membership on teams that will compete in interscholastic moot court competitions, but each part-time student must earn at least 28 credits in the first-year curriculum either before or during the semester in which the competition occurs. Additionally, part-time students who have earned at least 21 credits in the first-year curriculum may apply for membership on any Moot Court Board established by the law school provided that the student earns at least 28 credits in the first-year curriculum before or during the semester in which the student assumes his or her position on the board.

What about tuition charges?

Part-time students will be billed tuition charges on a per credit rate on the basis of a full-time credit load and tuition cost. For fees, at less than 9 credits the University has a scaled fee structure depending on per term credit enrollment.

The per credit charge for 2007-08 is $1,217.
Fees for part time students will be based on a per credit rate.

Am I still eligible for financial aid?

While part-time students are not eligible for our institutional scholarships and need-based grants, you will be eligible for student loans. If you have not yet completed your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) you can do so at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov .

Students enrolling in 6 or more credits are eligible for federal student loans; this includes the Stafford Loan Program and the newly introduced Federal PLUS Loan Program. Students may use these loan programs to finance up to the full cost of attendance. It is unlikely that students will have remaining Stafford Loan eligibility for summer, but if they are taking at least 6 credits for summer, they will have eligibility for PLUS and private educational loans.

Outstanding educational loans from undergraduate or other graduate programs may be eligible for deferment provided you are enrolled in 6 or more credits.

Enclosed in the mailing you will find information from our Director of Financial Aid, Ms. Susan Bogart, with regard to financial aid. I encourage you to review this information and proceed with the suggested steps.

Can I still participate fully in student activities?

The law school permits all students regardless of credit loads to enjoy and participate in the life of the law school. This includes participation in all student organizations, including governing boards, law reviews, clinical programs, and moot court teams. We recognize that personal time limitations may need to be considered and planned for.

All students are also eligible to seek participation in our administered Study Abroad Programs and our Semester in Washington D.C. Any student seeking to participate in these and other co-curricular programmatic activities should consult the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs.

How does this affect my health insurance coverage?

Part-time students are eligible for group health insurance coverage through one of two group policies offered by the University. Students who opt to remain with their existing carriers are advised to check with their health care providers to determine whether or not there is a credit enrollment threshold for eligibility.

What do I have to do in order to secure my spot as a part-time entering student?

All candidates admitted for the part-time program will be required to submit a deposit to confirm their anticipated matriculation.

What is the Early Start Program (ESP)?

The Early Start Program or "ESP" is a program for students admitted to our part-time program who could either benefit academically from an early start or who elect to start law school early in order to graduate within three years of matriculation.  Students in ESP take two courses and earn three (3) credits toward the J.D. degree.  Students in ESP may move to the full-time program as early as the fall semester following their completion of ESP as long as they meet the academic standards for doing so.

What are the academic standards that a student must meet in order to move to full-time status in the fall semester following ESP?

A student must earn a  grade of B+ or better in both ESP courses to be eligible to move to full-time status in the fall.

Are there minimum academic standards that students in ESP are required to meet?

Yes, all law students must meet minimum academic standards to continue their legal education.  Students in ESP must receive a grade of C or better in both courses to progress to the fall semester.