VALPARAISO UNIVERSITY LAW SCHOOL BULLETIN 2015-2016 The material contained in this bulletin is for information only and does not constitute a contract between the student and the University. The University and its various units reserve the right to revise policies, amend rules, alter or add regulations and requirements, and change financial charges at any time in accordance with the best interests of the institution. VALPARAISO UNIVERSITY BULLETIN, Volume 89, Number 1, August 2015. This bulletin is posted on the Law School web page at: http://www.valpo.edu/law/current-students/law-registrar/c-law-bulletins. Correspondence Address: Valparaiso University Law School, Wesemann Hall, 656 S. Greenwich St., Valparaiso, IN 46383. Phone: 219-465-7829. Fax: 219-465-7808. Valparaiso University provides equality of opportunity to its applicants for admission, enrolled students, graduates, and employees. The University does not discriminate with respect to hiring, continuation of employment, promotion, and tenure, other employment practices, applications for admission, or career services and placement on the basis of race, color, gender, age, disability, national origin or ancestry, sexual orientation, or (as qualified herein) religion. An institution committed to its Lutheran tradition, the University reserves its right to promote the teaching of the church and to exercise preferences in admissions and employment-related practices in favor of Lutherans. 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS Mission and History ......................................................................................... 5 Academic Calendar .......................................................................................... 6 Deans, Faculty, Librarians & Administration .................................................. 7 Degree Programs .............................................................................................. 13 Juris Doctor ............................................................................................................................ 13 Master of Laws Degree (LL.M.) .......................................................................................... 13 Dual Degree Programs ......................................................................................................... 13 Technical Standards for Law School Admissions ............................................ 15 Essential Eligibility Requirements for the Practice of Law ............................ 15 Course of Study for J.D. .................................................................................... 15 First-Year Curriculum ........................................................................................................... 16 Legal Writing and Research ................................................................................................. 17 Ethics ....................................................................................................................................... 17 Clinical Law Program ............................................................................................................ 17 Current Representation......................................................................................................... 17 Externships ............................................................................................................................. 17 Practicum Component .......................................................................................................... 18 Credit Cap/No Classroom Component ............................................................................ 18 Pro Bono Requirement ......................................................................................................... 18 Professionalism Education Requirement .......................................................................... 19 Academic Success Program ................................................................................................ 20 Academic Program Information ....................................................................... 20 Registration Procedures ........................................................................................................ 20 Responsibility Assumed by Registration ........................................................................... 20 Change of Classes: Drop/Add/Withdrawal ..................................................................... 20 Attendance Policy .................................................................................................................. 20 Class Cancellations Due to Weather .................................................................................. 21 Course Load ........................................................................................................................... 21 20-Hour Work Rule .............................................................................................................. 21 20-Hour Work Rule-Summer .............................................................................................. 21 Course Work at Other Approved Law Schools ............................................................... 21 Summer Session on Campus ............................................................................................... 21 Summer Session off Campus ............................................................................................... 22 Summer Sessions Abroad ..................................................................................................... 22 Transcripts .............................................................................................................................. 22 Undergraduate/Graduate Course Work at Valparaiso University ................................ 22 Independent Study ................................................................................................................ 23 Auditing Courses ................................................................................................................... 23 Residency Requirements....................................................................................................... 23 Accelerated J.D. Program..................................................................................................... 23 Honors Program .................................................................................................................... 24 Part-Time Program ................................................................................................................ 24 Honor Code System .............................................................................................................. 24 Examinations .......................................................................................................................... 25 Exam Procedure & Regulations ......................................................................................... 25 Exam Number System ......................................................................................................... 26 Personal Computers and Exams ........................................................................................ 26 Exam Review Process .......................................................................................................... 26 Withdrawal/Leave of Absence from the Law School..................................................... 26 Grading System & Quality Points .................................................................... 27 Grade Point Averages ........................................................................................................... 28 Class Rank .............................................................................................................................. 28 Honors in Scholarship .......................................................................................................... 28 2 Retention & Probation ..................................................................................... 29 Cumulative GPA Requirement, Full-Time Students ....................................................... 29 Cumulative GPA Requirement, Part-Time Students ...................................................... 29 Mandatory Academic Support Participation .................................................................... 29 Cumulative GPA Requirement, LL.M. Students ............................................................ 29 Consequences of Probation ................................................................................................. 30 Petitions & Readmission .................................................................................. 31 Grade Normalization Ranges .......................................................................... 31 Graduation Information ................................................................................... 32 Application for Degree ......................................................................................................... 32 Commencement ..................................................................................................................... 32 Graduation Rate ..................................................................................................................... 32 Bar Exam Standards ......................................................................................... 33 Student Consumer Information