2015-2016 Revised Catalog & Student Handbook
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APPALACHIAN SCHOOL OF LAW 2015-2016 Revised Catalog & Student Handbook (effective February 15, 2016) 1169 Edgewater Drive Grundy, VA 24614 276-935-4349 Toll-Free: 1-800-895-7411 FAX: 276-935-8261 Website: www.asl.edu This catalog and handbook (hereafter catalog) is published by Appalachian School of Law (ASL) based on information as of February 2016, and contains information concerning campus life, career preparation, academic policies, and course offerings. Effective in 2016, the catalog is moving to digital publication and will only be available on the website. ASL reserves the right to make alterations in course offerings and academic policies without prior notice in order to further the institution's purpose; however, an email will be sent to the faculty, staff, and student body using ASL listservs each time a substantive policy update is published to the website. Information in this catalog is a guide and not an offer of a contract. It is not intended to, nor does it contain all policies and regulations that relate to students. Students are expected to familiarize themselves with the academic policies contained in the catalog. Failure to do so does not excuse students from the requirements and regulations described herein. Appalachian School of Law admits students without regard to age, race, color, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, religion, political affiliation, veteran status, or national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, gender, sexual orientation, disability, religion, political affiliation, veteran status or national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and/or other school administered programs. ASL is an AA/EEO Employer. Before enrolling in law school, students should determine whether the state in which they intend to practice has special requirements for admission to the bar concerning pre-legal training, domicile, filing notice of intent to practice before entering law school, certification of character and fitness, appointment of a preceptor, law school curriculum, and the like. Students are responsible for ascertaining and meeting these requirements. Appalachian School of Law is fully accredited by the Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar (“Council”) of the American Bar Association (“ABA”). The Council may be contacted through the ABA’s Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar, 321 North Clark Street, Chicago, Illinois 60654-7598; telephone (312) 988-6738. Pursuant to §23-276.4(C) of the Code of Virginia, Appalachian School of Law is not required to obtain another certificate to operate from the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) because it was established in the Commonwealth of Virginia and has maintained a main campus under the same ownership for 20 years and remained fully accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. i Table of Contents Chapter 1 General Information ....................................................................................................... 1-1 Mission .......................................................................................................................................... 1-1 Pillars supporting ASL’s Mission .............................................................................................. 1-1 History of Appalachian School of Law ..................................................................................... 1-1 ASL Governance .......................................................................................................................... 1-2 Philosophy & Faculty Accessibility ......................................................................................... 1-2 Degrees Offered............................................................................................................................ 1-3 Facilities ......................................................................................................................................... 1-3 Law Library ................................................................................................................................... 1-3 Academic Support ........................................................................................................................ 1-3 Career Services ..............................................................................................................................1-4 Student Grievances, Generally ....................................................................................................1-4 Student Grievances, Sexual Misconduct ................................................................................... 1-7 Student Grievances, Violations of ABA Standards ................................................................. 1-7 Students’ Rights, Privileges, and Responsibilities: .................................................................. 1-8 Disability policy and definitions ..............................................................................................1-12 Chapter 2 Admissions – Juris Doctor Program .......................................................................... 2-1 Policy ............................................................................................................................................. 2-1 Eligibility for Admissions .......................................................................................................... 2-1 Application & Admissions Procedure ...................................................................................... 2-1 Seat Deposit ................................................................................................................................. 2-2 Deferrals ....................................................................................................................................... 2-2 Transfer Students ........................................................................................................................ 2-2 Chapter 3 Tuition and Fees ............................................................................................................. 3-1 Withdrawal from Classes and Refund of Tuition ................................................................... 3-1 Financial Assistance .................................................................................................................... 3-2 Chapter 4 Curriculum - Juris Doctor Program ...........................................................................4-1 Program Offered ..........................................................................................................................4-1 Curricular Learning Objectives..................................................................................................4-1 Prescribed Curriculum - Full-time Students - J.D. Program ............................................... 4-2 ii Table of Contents Part-time Students ...................................................................................................................... 4-4 Community Service ..................................................................................................................... 4-5 Externships & Clinics ................................................................................................................. 4-6 Second Year Summer Internship Program .............................................................................. 4-6 Third Year Live Client Clinics ................................................................................................... 4-7 Summer / Intersession Courses ................................................................................................ 4-7 Juris Master’s Degree Program ................................................................................................. 4-7 The J.D. Certificate Programs ................................................................................................... 4-7 Course Descriptions ................................................................................................................... 4-11 Chapter 5 Academic Standards & Policies .................................................................................... 5-1 I. Function of These Standards .................................................................................................. 5-1 II. Status of Students ................................................................................................................... 5-1 III. Student Academic Conduct ................................................................................................ 5-2 IV. Curriculum ............................................................................................................................ 5-5 V. Registration ............................................................................................................................. 5-7 VI. Attendance ............................................................................................................................ 5-8 VII. Examinations ....................................................................................................................... 5-9 VIII.