Disclosures and Policies

Non-Discrimination Policy

Consistent with sound educational policy, Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School, in compliance with Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972 (45 CFR 86), and Sections 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and other best practices, does not discriminate on the basis of sex, handicap, disability, race, color, religion, age, national or ethnic origin, marital status, veteran status, political affiliation or belief, gender identity, gender expressions, or sexual or affectional preference in the law school’s educational programs, admissions policies, employment policies, or other school administered programs. Inquiries concerning these policies should be directed to the Dean of the Law School.

Licensure and Accreditation

The Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission of the State of Georgia recognizes Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School as an educational institution that is exempt from the application of Commission rules. The exemption applies to any and all activities of Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School. The legal provision warranting this exemption is expressed in O.C.G.A. 20-2-250.3 (a) (7).

Privacy Policy

Access to Student Academic Records

Transcripts are available to students and graduates. Requests for transcripts must be made through the student portal.

All student education records are protected by the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA). Education records are all records directly related to the student.

Student FERPA Rights

FERPA affords students certain rights with respect to their education records. These rights include:

  • The right to inspect and review the student’s education record(s) within 45 days of the day the registrar receives a written request for access identifying the record(s) the student wishes to inspect. The School will make arrangements for access and notify the student of the time and place where the records may be inspected. Students may obtain copies of their education records for a nominal fee.
  • The right to request the amendment of the student’s education records that the student believes is inaccurate, misleading, or in violation of their privacy rights. A written request for amendment that fully describes the specific reason(s) for the requested change must be given to the registrar. Following review, the student will be informed of any amendments or denials of amendment to his or her education records, including a detailed explanation for the decision rendered. Students have a right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment by making a written request to the Grievance and Appeals Committee and presenting evidence relevant to the disputed issues. All decisions made by the Grievance and Appeals Committee are final. Copies of all requests and written documentation regarding the contents of a student’s education record will be retained as part of that student’s permanent record.
  • The right to consent to disclosure of personally identifiable information contained in the student’s education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent.
  • The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures of the School to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The office that administers FERPA is:

Family Policy Compliance Office
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20202

Disclosures without Consent

In specific circumstances, FERPA authorizes disclosure of personally identifiable information from educational records without the prior written consent of the student. One such circumstance is disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official is a person employed by a school in an administrative, supervisory, academic, research, or support staff position, or a member of the board of regents. A school official has legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review education records in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibility. Other instances where student information may be disclosed without the permission of the student include, but are not limited to:

  • Disclosure made to authorized representatives of the U.S. Department of Education, the Office of the Inspector General, accreditation and licensure agencies, and state and local education authorities.
  • Disclosure in connection with financial aid for which the student has applied.
  • Disclosure made to the student’s parent(s) if the student is a minor dependent (as defined by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service).
  • Disclosure made to organizations that are conducting studies concerning the administration of student aid programs on behalf of educational agencies or institutions.

Record of Disclosures

The registrar maintains a record of each request for access and each disclosure of personally identifiable information from the education records of each student. This record will be maintained with the education records of each student and will include the parties who have requested or received information and the legitimate interests the parties had in requesting or obtaining the information.

The School is not required to keep record of disclosures made to:

  • The student.
  • Any school official with a legitimate educational interest.
  • Any party with written consent from the student.
  • Any party receiving records as directed by law enforcement subpoena whereby the court has ordered that the existence of the subpoena not be disclosed.

Academic Records

Permanent student records are maintained, including admission information, academic transcripts, and other relevant information. Students may review the content of their files by logging into the Student Portal. All materials submitted in support of students’ applications, including transcripts from other institutions, resumes, and related documents, become the property of Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School.

Except as required by law, no information regarding attendance, grades, or any other aspect of students’ academic standing will be released to any third party without written student consent.

Academic records are all records directly related to the student and maintained by the School or a party acting for the School. Academic records include, but are not limited to:

  • Academic transcripts from Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School.
  • Dates of attendance.
  • Admission documents, including the application for admission, enrollment agreement, placement examination results, or any other documentation required for admission.
  • Academic achievement documents including proficiency examination results, prior postsecondary transcripts and transfer credit evaluation.
  • Student status change forms: course adds/drops, program changes, grade changes, course withdrawals, names changes, ID changes, withdrawal forms, and academic dismissal appeals.

Document Retention

All academic records for matriculated students, including non-degree seeking students are kept on file for a period of at least five years from the last date of attendance. All academic records for matriculated students who attended Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School are maintained electronically and indefinitely using secure servers following generally accepted practices for the security of student records.

Academic Transcripts

An academic transcript is an official and complete copy of a student’s academic work, which includes any official academic actions or changes, such as degrees, transfers or proficiency credit, special academic status, withdrawals or dismissals. All permanent academic records, including transcripts, are maintained by the School registrar. Requests for academic transcripts are made through the Associate Professor, Associate Dean for Academic Programs, and Associate Dean of Graduate Programs, Jace Gatewood, and the Registrar.

Transfer Credits

Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School does not accept transfer credits into the Master of Laws in Employment Law degree program.

Students and graduates should note that when transferring credits to another educational institution the acceptance of transfer of academic credit earned at Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School is determined by the receiving institution. Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School does not guarantee transferability of academic credits either to other institutions.