Please thoroughly review and ensure you understand the policy below. When you submit your acknowledgement of the academic rules for your program, you are also submitting your acknowledgement, and agreement to abide by, the policies set forth by Syracuse University and The College of Law. To submit your acknowledgement of all policies, please access the academic rules page, and perform the acknowledgement that applies to your program.
PURSUANT TO ABA STANDARD 310
1. CREDIT HOUR POLICY
1.1. CREDIT FOR COURSEWORK
The College of Law adheres to the ABA’s definition of a credit hour when determining the amount of credit awarded for coursework and other academic activities. ABA Standard 310 defines a credit hour as an amount of work that reasonably approximates: (1) not less than one hour of classroom or direct faculty instruction and two hours of out-of class student work per week for fifteen weeks, or the equivalent amount of work over a different period of time; or (2) at least an equivalent amount of work as required in subparagraph (1) of this definition for other academic activities as established by the institution, including simulation, field placement, clinical, co-curricular, and other academic work leading to the award of credit hours. Consistent with that policy and the Managing Director’s Guidance Memo on Standard 310, the COL follows an academic calendar based on 14 weeks of classroom instruction and two weeks of examinations during the fall and spring semesters. Summer session is based on seven weeks of class instruction and one week of examinations. An equivalent amount of work will be required for those courses that meet over a different time-period.
Regardless of course length, one credit hour will be awarded for completion of 42.5 hours of in class instruction and out-of-class student work; two credit hours for 85 hours of in class instruction and out-of-class work; three credit hours for 127.5 hours of in class instruction and out-of-class work; four credit hours for 170 hours of in class instruction and out-of-class work; and five credit hours for 212.5 hours of in class instruction and out-of-class work. Outof-class work includes, among other things: time spent preparing for class, completing class assignments, preparing for and taking examinations, researching and writing required writing assignments.
1.2. CREDIT FOR OTHER ACADEMIC ACTIVITIES
1.2.1. CLINICS
Forty-two and one-half (42.5) hours of in class and out-of-class work per credit is required for clinics. Such time shall include time spent in class, preparation for class, and in the performance of clinic work. Clinical faculty shall ensure that students meet the minimum amount of time required to earn the credit allocated to the clinic. Time sheets or other processes developed by the faculty can be used to demonstrate compliance. Compliance with Standard 310 for the award of credit does not relieve the student from compliance with other time requirements imposed by the clinic.
1.2.2. EXTERNSHIPS
Externship hours are based on the number of placement credits for which the student registers. Fifty (50) hours of in class and out-of-class work per credit is required for externship placement credits. Externship placements greater than 6 credits require 45 hours per credit. Such time shall include time spent in the performance of externship work. Externship faculty shall ensure that students meet the minimum amount of time required to earn the credit allocated to the externship. Time sheets or other processes developed by the faculty can be used to demonstrate compliance. Compliance with Standard 310 for the award of credit does not relieve the student from compliance with other time requirements imposed by the externship program.
1.2.3. INDEPENDENT RESEARCH
Students who seek to earn one credit of independent research shall complete a minimum of 42.5 hours of work; students who seek to earn two credits of independent research shall complete a minimum of 85 hours of work. Students shall submit weekly detailed time sheets to the faculty member who is supervising the independent research project.
1.2.4. CO-CURRICULAR / SPECIAL ACTIVITIES CREDIT
1.2.4.1 ADVOCACY HONOR SOCIETY (FORMERLY MOOT COURT)
The 3L directors of the Advocacy Honor Society Divisions may each earn two credit hours for the academic year by completing all requirements for the Division and performing at least 85 hours of administrative work verified by weekly time sheets approved by the faculty advocacy director or division advisor. The two credit hours may be earned by registering for one credit hour each semester or two credit hours for either the fall or spring semester.
3L members other than directors of the AHS Divisions may earn one credit hour by satisfactorily completing all requirements for the Division and performing at least 42.5 hours of combined intra-school competition and administrative work verified by weekly time sheets approved by the Faculty Advocacy Director or Division Advisor.
In addition to the work requirement, each student seeking administrative credit must submit to the Advocacy Director or Division Advisor an exit memorandum which shall, at a minimum, reflect on the knowledge and skills gained from participating in the program, and identify areas for program improvement. Prior to receiving academic credit for substantial Division work, the Faculty Advocacy Director or Division Advisor must approve the exit memorandum as constituting a good faith work product.
1.2.4.2 INTER-COLLEGIATE ADVOCACY TEAMS
Students may earn one credit hour for at least 50 hours of work in one inter- collegiate competition based on weekly time sheets approved by Faculty Advocacy Director or Division Advisor, and Coach, or two credit hours for at least 100 hours of work in more than one inter-collegiate competition based on weekly time sheets approved by Faculty Advocacy Director or Division Advisor, and Coach.
1.2.4.3 LAW REVIEW, JOURNALS, & IMPUNITY WATCH
Senior Editors of the Syracuse University Law Review, the Journal of International Law and Commerce and the Journal of Science and Technology may earn up to three (3) credit hours, and other third-year student editors of the Law Review and Journal may earn up to two (2) credit hours for their work on the Law Review and Journals. The Managing Editor and the Associate Managing Editor of the NIABA Journal (the Digest) shall be eligible to receive up to one (1) credit hour for each semester, for a maximum of two credit hours. Third-year student Executive Board and Senior Staff members of Impunity Watch may earn up to three (3) credit hours, and other third-year associate members of Impunity Watch may earn up to one (1) credit hour. In order to earn credit, the most senior student member of the Law Review, journals or Impunity Watch and the faculty advisor must approve the successful completion of the work and hours requirement. Students who receive academic credit for one law review or journal are not eligible for credit for services on another law review or journal.
Faculty will review course expectations to ensure that such expectations, including reading and other assignments, require on average a minimum of 120 minutes of out-of-class work per week for each credit earned. Such work may include, but is not limited to, completion of the assigned reading, briefing cases, completing problems or hypotheticals, preparing for quizzes, examinations, presentations, research and writing, participating in out-of-class simulations or role plays, meetings with study groups, attendance at office hours, meetings with academic fellows, review of academic literature, and any other time spent that facilitates comprehension and application of the assigned material.
Faculty will notify students in their syllabi of the minimum amount of out-of-class work expected of the student per week for each credit earned. In determining the amount of time students need to complete a required reading or writing assignment, faculty may use as a guide the findings by the Center for Teaching Excellence that indicates that the time required to complete reading assignments in a typical textbook/academic journal ranges from 5 to 40 pages per hour depending on the difficulty of the text (number of new concepts) and reading purpose (level of understanding and engagement expected), and 90 minutes to 10 hours per page of single spaced text depending on the text genre and degree of drafting and revision expected. The Associate Dean for Academic Affairs will periodically review faculty syllabi to ensure compliance with Standard 310.
The Associate Dean will take into account not only the required reading and writing assignments, but also other work expected of the student to prepare adequately for class and course assessments. All proposals for new courses shall provide justification for the requested award of credit hours. The College of Law’s Curriculum Committee shall review the justification and ensure that the credit hours requested comply with the Credit Hour Policy when approving a course.