Atlanta's John Marshall Law School

� Atlanta's John Marshall Law School 's rigorous curriculum is challenging and rewarding.�

The study of law is exciting, dynamic, and richly rewarding both personally and professionally. At Atlanta's John Marshall Law School , the program of study is designed to prepare students to enter practice and represent people. The program is thus directed toward the acquisition and development of intellectual, analytical, and lawyering skills. From the first-year curriculum with its pre-determined set of core courses, through the third year with courses that emphasize practical skill development, the degree program is designed to promote analytical reasoning, precision in both oral and written communication, and problem solving skills. With these fundamental skills, students learn the rules of law and how to apply them in an ever-changing society. During their first year, both full-time and part-time students must enroll in and successfully complete the courses listed in the first year required program. Following the first year, students must complete the remainder of the required course load as well as a minimum number of elective courses of their own choosing. All students must take the required courses in the year and division in which they are enrolled. Elective courses may be taken in either the day or the evening by students, subject to the limitations set forth in the Academic Code and the Dean's Office Regulations. These documents may be found in the Student Handbook, a copy of which is provided to each new student at registration.

The program of study at John Marshall leads to the Juris Doctor degree upon successful completion of the required and elective curriculum. Students may enroll in either the full-time day program or in the part-time program where classes are offered primarily during the evening hours.

The full-time day program requires study in residence for six semesters over three academic years. Some part-time students may take their required classes during the day with the full-time students. The part-time program is designed to provide a means to achieve a legal education to those who, for whatever reason, are unable to devote full time to the study of law. The part-time program requires study in residence for eight semesters over four academic years, plus some summer sessions.

The academic year consists of two semesters of fourteen weeks duration followed by an examination period of approximately two weeks in length. There is an abbreviated summer session of seven weeks of instruction followed by an examination period. The summer session is intended primarily for students in the part-time division, although full-time students may enroll in the summer session courses to lighten their class load during the next academic year.

Classes in the full-time day division are normally scheduled during regular business hours of 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, while required classes in the part-time evening division are scheduled three evenings per week (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday) from 6:15 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Students are required to take all required classes in the year and division in which they are enrolled. Elective classes may be taken by both full and part-time students when the classes are offered. The required course load for students in the full-time and part-time divisions are as follows:

* After the first year of study, students take a minimum of 26 credits in elective courses. Also, after completing LWRA I & II, students must take a minimum of two upper division writing courses totaling at least five credits; these five credits must be taken over a two-year period. In other words, full-time students must take one upper-division writing course in their 2L year and another in their 3L year. Part-time students must take an upper-division writing course in two out of their final three years. The following courses fulfill the upper division writing requirement: Advanced Appellate Advocacy (2); Transactional Drafting (3); Trial Advocacy and Writing (3); ADR and Writing (3); Pretrial Practice and Procedure (2); Advanced Legal Writing (2), Seminar—Civil Liberties: Litigation (2); Seminar—Civil Liberties: Legislation (2); Legislative Drafting (2); and, International Criminal Law (3). Students may take additional writing courses to fulfill other elective requirements. Beginning with the Fall 2011 entering class, 1L’s are required to take and pass the non-credit course—Pathways to Academic Success Seminar (P.A.S.S.). In addition, for the class beginning in Fall 2011, students in the bottom half of the class will be required to take and pass Advanced Analytical Methods (2 credits), in their 2L year. Applicable part-time students will be given an opportunity to complete the Advanced Analytical Methods course on-line.

TOTAL REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION: 88 Credits

* After the first year of study, students take a minimum of 26 credits in elective courses. Also, after completing LWRA I & II, students must take a minimum of two upper division writing courses totaling at least five credits; these five credits must be taken over a two-year period. In other words, full-time students must take one upper-division writing course in their 2L year and another in their 3L year. Part-time students must take an upper-division writing course in two out of their final three years. The following courses fulfill the upper division writing requirement: Advanced Appellate Advocacy (2); Transactional Drafting (3); Trial Advocacy and Writing (3); ADR and Writing (3); Pretrial Practice and Procedure (2); Advanced Legal Writing (2), Seminar—Civil Liberties: Litigation (2); Seminar—Civil Liberties: Legislation (2); Legislative Drafting (2); and, International Criminal Law (3). Students may take additional writing courses to fulfill other elective requirements. Beginning with the Fall 2011 entering class, 1L’s are required to take and pass the non-credit course—Pathways to Academic Success Seminar (P.A.S.S.). In addition, for the class beginning in Fall 2011, students in the bottom half of the class will be required to take and pass Advanced Analytical Methods (2 credits), in their 2L year. Beginning Fall 2012, all transfer students are required to take and pass Advanced Analytical Methods (2 credits). Applicable part-time students will be given an opportunity to complete the Advanced Analytical Methods course on-line.

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