College of Law

 

I.    Academic Rules, Policies, and Procedures Bylaws

(Revised 9/7/2021)

 

Section 1     Degrees Awarded by the College of Law

The College currently confers the following degrees upon qualifying students:  the Juis Doctor (J.D.) degree, the Juris Masters (J.M.) degree, and several specialized Masters in Law (LL.M.) degrees. 

 

 

Section 2     Curriculum Committee

2.1   The Dean of the College shall appoint, at regular intervals, a group of at least five tenured or tenure-track faculty members to serve as a Curriculum Committee. The Dean shall appoint the Chair.  A majority of the Committee’s voting members shall constitute a quorum. The Dean may also appoint one or more members to the committee in an ex officio capacity.  Such members shall be included within the committee’s internal deliberations, but they shall not vote on any matters that require the Committee’s approval.

2.2   The Committee shall comply with all rules and regulations promulgated by the Board of Education, the University, and the College. In addition, the Committee shall observe all Standards and Interpretations for Approval of Law Schools of the American Bar Association, as well as the Bylaws and Executive Committee Regulations of the Association of American Law Schools.

Section 3     Curricular Rules, Policies, and Procedures

3.1   The Curriculum Committee must approve any new course or change in the number of academic credits offered by a course, before students can receive credit for completing it.  

3.2    In addition, this Committee may promulgate binding rules, policies, and procedures governing the following matters:

• The requirements that students must fulfill in order to receive the degrees listed above.
• Course attendance requirements for enrolled students
• Limitations on outside employment by currently enrolled students
• Grading policies, including rules governing the appeal of grades, the determination and reporting of class rank, and the criteria for inclusion in the Dean’s List
• Examination policies, including requirements for blind grading of exams
• Rules governing the awarding of course credit for Directed Individual Study under the supervision of a faculty member
• Clinical education offerings 
• Co-curricular programs, and the conditions under which course credit may be awarded for participation in such programs
• Study abroad programs
• Courses taken outside the College of Law, and the conditions under which students taking such classes may be awarded credit towards their graduation requirements
• Registration for courses and withdrawal from courses
• Withdrawal from the College and readmission to the College
• Academic oversight of struggling students, dismissal of chronically underperforming students, and the conditions under which students dismissed for underperformance may be readmitted to the College
• Specialized Certificate Programs, including the requirements that J.D. students must satisfy to earn such certificates at the time of their graduation
• Joint Degree programs
• Rules designating who may qualify as a “Special Student,” with the ability to take College of Law courses despite not being enrolled as a candidate for one of the degrees listed above
• A Student Conduct Code, which shall define various forms of sanctionable academic dishonesty and misconduct, as well as the procedures required for determining whether such misconduct has occurred and for determining the appropriate sanction
• A Credit Hour Policy, designating the manner in which the Curriculum Committee shall determine the number of credit hours that shall be allocated towards each course offered at the College
• Any procedures or policies needed to permit the Curriculum Committee to engage in an ongoing evaluation of the College’s program of legal education, including an evaluation of learning outcomes among the student population and the assessment methods used by faculty members, as needed to improve the curriculum and ensure compliance with the American Bar Association Standards and Rules of Procedure for Approval of Law Schools
• Procedures and policies designed to ensure compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and state requirements regarding applicants and students with disabilities in the administration of courses and the awarding of degrees

3.3    Curricular rules, policies and procedures may be added or amended by one of two procedures.  First, the Curriculum Committee may add, modify, or rescind them by unanimous consent of all voting members, with notice to the College of Law faculty.  Second, the voting members of the College of Law faculty may amend them by majority vote.  

Section 13     Retention and Dismissal Policies

13.1     Policies relating to retention and dismissal for the J.D. program can be found in the FSU College of Law’s Academic Rules, Policies, and Procedures for the Juris Doctor program.

13.2     Policies relating to retention and dismissal for the LLM and JM degree programs can be found within each program’s posted rules, policies, and procedures.
 

II. ADMISSIONS BYLAWS

(Revised 9/7/2021)

Section 1   J.D. Admissions Requirements – Catalogue Statement

1.1   Inquiries regarding admission should be sent to the College of Law, 425 West Jefferson Street, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL  32306-1601.

1.2   All applicants must have a baccalaureate degree from a regionally-accredited college or university (or qualify for admission as part of the College’s 3+3 program) prior to commencing law study. Every eligible applicant must take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT), administered by the Law School Admission Council, or the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE), administered by Educational Testing Services. More information about these examinations is available from LSAC at https://lsac.org or from ETS at https://www.ets.org/gre/. The test should be taken as early as possible so that applicants can be considered without unnecessary delay. 

1.3   Applicants must register with the Credential Assembly Service (CAS) provided by the Law School Admission Council. An official transcript from every college attended should be submitted directly to this service, which analyzes transcripts and sends results to the College of Law. 

1.4   For a first-year applicant to have the best opportunity for admission, applications should be made no later than the priority deadline posted by the College of Law. Applications must be made by the final deadline posted by the College of Law. 

1.5   If an official final transcript was not included in an accepted applicant’s original application, the applicant must update the LSAC CAS system with an official final transcript showing the awarding of the bachelor’s degree as soon as it is available. Transfer applicants must submit a letter from their previous law school’s dean indicating that the applicant is leaving in good standing and is eligible to return to law school.

1.6   First-year students are accepted for entry to the fall semester only. Transfer students may be accepted for entry in any term.

1.7   Acceptance for admission to a particular class or term does not guarantee admission for any subsequent time. Accepted applicants who decline admission must reapply in the appropriate application cycle if they wish to attend the College of Law.

Section 2   Admissions and Recruitment Committee

2.1   Membership and Quorum

• 2.1.1    The Dean shall designate at least four members of the tenure-track faculty to serve on the Admissions and Recruitment Committee (“Admissions Committee”). The Dean shall appoint the Chair. A majority of the Committee shall constitute a quorum. The Dean may designate up to three members of the administration or the administrative staff to serve on the Admissions Committee as ex officio members of the Committee.
• 2.1.2    The ex officio members may vote on issues of policy before the Committee but will not have authority to vote on admission of applicants. In addition, the ex officio members may execute other duties in the admissions process as the Dean from time to time may delegate, including, but not limited to, participation in the recruiting process, counseling applicants, providing written comments or evaluations on admissions applicants, providing recommendations regarding scholarship awards, evaluating applicants who have been accepted, and confirming compliance with the school’s admissions policies.

2.2   Committee Jurisdiction
The authority of the Dean and the faculty to admit students to the College according to these rules is delegated to the Committee.  Subject to the oversight and review of the faculty, the Committee or its administrative staff designees shall make all decisions for the College pertaining to:

• 2.2.1    Admission of First-Year and Transfer Students
• 2.2.2    Readmission of Students in Good Standing Who Withdrew Pursuant to Chapter 11.2.2 of the College of Law Rules 
• 2.2.3    Readmission of Any Student Who Has Been Dismissed for Academic or Other Reasons
• 2.2.4    Recruitment of Students
• 2.2.5    Committee Rules and Procedures
  The Committee shall adopt rules and procedures to implement this authority.
• 2.2.6    Governing Rules and Procedures
  
  • 2.2.6.1     The Committee shall comply with all laws, regulations, and rules of the University, and the College. 
  • 2.2.6.2    The Committee shall observe all American Bar Association Standards and Rules of Procedure for Approval of Law Schools, including but not limited to Standards 501 through 510, and the Bylaws and Executive Committee Regulations of the Association of American Law Schools.

2.3   Meetings and General Procedures

• 2.3.1    Meetings
  • 2.3.1.1     The Committee shall meet at the call of the Chair.
  • 2.3.1.2     The Chair shall call a meeting upon the written request of any member of the Committee.
  • 2.3.1.3     Meetings shall be open to all members of the faculty.
  • 2.3.1.4     The Chair shall give timely notice of all meetings of the Committee (and, on request, to members of the faculty) and shall determine the agenda.
  • 2.3.1.5     The Chair shall place on the agenda any matter requested by the Dean, the Assistant Dean for Admissions, or a member of the Committee.
  • 2.3.1.6     Minutes or other appropriate records shall be maintained of all meetings and other action taken by the Committee.
  • 2.3.1.7     The minutes and records shall be permanently preserved  by the College.
• 2.3.2    General Procedures
  
  • 2.3.2.1     The Committee shall maintain through its Chair liaison with the Dean, the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, and the Assistant Dean for Admissions.
  • 2.3.2.2     The Committee shall adopt procedures to implement its authority.
  • 2.3.2.3     Copies of the Committee's procedures shall be provided to the Dean and the faculty. 

2.4   Assistant Dean for Admissions

• 2.4.1    The Assistant Dean for Admissions (“Assistant Dean”) shall administer the recruiting and admissions program of the College.
• 2.4.2    The Assistant Dean shall review all applications and may grant or deny admission as authorized by the Committee.
• 2.4.3    The Assistant Dean shall prepare and provide to the Committee and to the faculty and Dean periodic and annual reports on the status and results of the admissions process.

2.5   Admissions Standards

• 2.5.1   Review of Applications: General Rule
  The Assistant Dean shall review all applications and may grant or deny admission only as authorized by the Committee or pursuant to procedures adopted by the Committee.
• 2.5.2    Admission Based on Predictive Strategic Enrollment Management Model
  Applications for admissions shall be analyzed by the Assistant Dean following a strategic enrollment-management model that focuses on predictors for student success such as undergraduate cumulative GPA, standardized test scores, and other factors consistent with the law school’s goals and policies as overseen by the Admissions Committee. 
  If an application contains information of a non-academic nature raising a question about the applicant's suitability for law study, it may be referred to the Committee for further evaluation.
• 2.5.3    Reconsideration of Denial of Admission
  An applicant denied admission may be reconsidered on a written petition setting forth reasons for reconsideration. The petition for reconsideration should present information not available at the time of the original application.

  Absent new or additional information, the petition for reconsideration may be denied at the discretion of the Assistant Dean for Admissions.

2.6   Contact Procedure
Admissions Committee members will not conduct evaluative interviews of applicants or petitioners or discuss with them the status of applications or petitions. Applicants and petitioners will be encouraged to present all appropriate information in writing.

2.7   International Applicants
Applicants who are not citizens or permanent residents of the United States, whose native language is not English, and who do not possess an undergraduate degree from an American college or university will be required to submit a report of the score obtained on Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or some equivalent showing.

2.8   Applicants Without UGPAs or LSATs
Notwithstanding any earlier provision of this policy, qualified applicants from colleges not awarding grades capable of UGPA calculation, or who are not eligible to take standardized tests by reason of disability, may be admitted. However, such applicants should still register with CAS.

2.9   Transfer Students
Persons who have previously studied law at an ABA or Association of American Law School (AALS) accredited law school may be considered for admission with advanced standing for any term, provided they are students in good standing and are eligible to return to the law school or schools where they formerly studied.

Section 3    Beginning Student Underload Policy

When justified, by medical circumstances arising from illness or disability, a beginning student's petition to enroll for fewer than the prescribed number of semester hours may be granted by the Dean’s designee. All other beginning students will be enrolled for the prescribed number of hours.

Section 4    Admission of Applicants Previously Dismissed From Another Law School

Admission shall not be granted to any applicant academically dismissed from another law school.

Section 5    Admissions Policy and Procedure for Applicants with a Disability

5.1   General Policy
It is the policy and practice of the Florida State University College of Law to comply with the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and state requirements regarding applicants and students with disabilities.  Under those laws, no qualified individual with a disability may be denied access to or participation in College or University services, programs or activities, solely because of their disability.  The College will provide reasonable accommodations for students with recognized disabilities to the extent that it is feasible to do so, but the College does not make accommodations that are unduly burdensome or that fundamentally alter the nature of its program.

5.2   LSAT and Application
Because extensive accommodations are provided for taking standardized tests, the College will not waive those tests or disregard scores from those tests except in extremely unusual circumstances.  

Applicants are not required to indicate on the application for admission whether they have a disability.  Applicants who wish to have their disability considered as a factor in the admissions process, however, must disclose the disability at the time of application and provide an explanation of why it is a factor in evaluating the applicant’s qualifications for admission.  If the applicant wishes the disability to be considered as a factor, it may be necessary for the applicant to provide appropriate documentation of the disability.  See Appendix A for information relating to documentation requirements and payment for documentation.

5.3   Administrative Review
If an application discloses that the applicant has a disability that adversely affected the applicant's performance in undergraduate school or on standardized tests, the Assistant Dean shall consider the impact of the disability in evaluating the applicant, including the applicant's history of overcoming disadvantages.  The Assistant Dean may request additional documentation from the applicant and may request an evaluation of the disability from the FSU Office of Accessibility Services or any other appropriate agency or expert.

5.4   Committee Review
If the application is referred to the Committee for review, the disability shall be noted in the applicant’s record; the Assistant Dean’s evaluation of the impact of the disability on the applicant's qualifications for admission may also be noted. 

5.5   Documentation Policy

• 5.6.1    Verification of Disability
  A student with a disability must provide professional verification certified by a licensed physician or other professional who is qualified in the diagnosis of the disability.  The verification must reflect the student's present level of functioning and the activities affected by the disability.  The student shall provide the verification documentation to the FSU Office of Accessibility Services. The cost of obtaining professional verification at any time shall be borne by the student.
  If the FSU Office of Accessibility Services determines anything other than that the present extent of the disability requires accommodations, the College of Law does not have the discretion to arrange for any accommodation.

Section 6    Admissions Requirements for LL.M. in American Law for Foreign Lawyers

6.1   Inquiries regarding admission should be sent to the College of Law, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL. Applicants are not required to take the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT). 

6.2   All applicants must have a first degree in law from a foreign college or university that meets accreditation or equivalent standards for the country.

6.3  Applicants must register with the Law School Data Assembly Service (LSDAS), provided by the Law School Admissions Council.  An official transcript from every college attended should be sent directly to LSDAS, which analyzes transcripts, and sends results to the College of Law.  Applicants register with LSDAS on a form supplied by the Law School Admissions Council.

6.4   Language Proficiency Requirement

• 6.4.1  If a foreign applicant's native language is not English, the applicant must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing Service (IELTS) exam.  An applicant whose first language is not English and who is a citizen or permanent resident of the United States will be required to submit a report of the score obtained on TOEFL or IELTS, unless the applicant possesses an undergraduate degree from an American college or university (in addition to meeting requirements of  Section II.6.2).
  • 6.4.1.1    A student must achieve a score of at least 90 points on the Internet-based TOEFL with minimum scores of 22 in each section. 
  • 6.4.1.2    A student must achieve a minimum of 7 on the IELTS exam to be considered for admission.
• 6.4.2    Conditional Admission 
  A student who otherwise meets the requirements for admission to the LL.M. Program may be conditionally admitted.   A student who is conditionally admitted has one year from the beginning of the next law school term to meet the language proficiency requirement and be formally admitted into the LL.M. degree program.  
  • 6.4.2.1    Students who are conditionally admitted and funded by their government must  attend the Florida State University’s Center for Intensive English Studies (CIES) to improve English language proficiency.
  • 6.4.2.2    Students may not register for courses while attending CIES or until the minimum TOEFL or IELTS  score is achieved.

6.5   Application for August admission should be made no later than the previous April 1st for student to have the best opportunity for admission.  An accepted applicant must supply the College of Law with an official final transcript, showing the award of the first degree in law as soon as it is available.

6.6   Beginning students are generally accepted for entry to the Fall Semester only.

6.7   Acceptance for admission to a particular class or term does not guarantee admission for any subsequent time unless the student has requested and been granted deferred admission. Accepted applicants who decline admission must reapply if they later choose to attend the college of Law. 

6.8   Director of Admissions

• 6.8.1    The director shall administer the recruiting and admissions program of the College.
• 6.8.2    The Director shall review all applications and may grant or deny admission.
• 6.8.3    The Director shall prepare and provide to the Committee and to the faculty periodic and annual reports on the status and results of the admissions process.

6.9   Admissions Standards

• 6.9.1    The Director of Admissions or the designee of the Chair shall review all applications and may grant or deny admission only as authorized by the Committee or pursuant to procedures adopted by the Committee.
• 6.9.2    Admission Based on Undergraduate Grade Point Average and Other Factors
  Applicants will have their applications evaluated in light of the following factors:
  • 6.9.2.1    Undergraduate School (program, grade point average, class rank)
  • 6.9.2.2    TOEFL or IELTS Score
  • 6.9.2.3    Graduate School (program, grade point average, class rank)
  • 6.9.2.4    The personal statement provided in the application
  • 6.9.2.5    Performance in particular courses of study
  • 6.9.2.6    History of overcoming economic or other social hardships
  • 6.9.2.7    Significant activities of leadership
  • 6.9.2.8    Work experience that suggests success in the legal profession
  • 6.9.2.9    Life experiences indicting maturity, and ability to undertake positions of leadership
  • 6.9.2.10    Factors which may have detracted from academic performance in undergraduate school
  • 6.9.2.11    Letters of recommendation
  • 6.9.2.12    Applicant’s contribution to a diverse academic environment in terms of life experiences
• 6.9.3    The weight, if any, attributed to a particular factor listed in the paragraph above, or a combination of those factors, may vary from year to year in the discretion of the Committee or its members, depending on the characteristics of the student body and the applicant pool.
• 6.9.4      Reconsideration of Denial of Admission (Refer to Section III.12.3)

6.10   Contact Procedure
Applicants and petitioners must present all appropriate information in writing for committee consideration.  On the initiative of the Director of Admissions or committee members, the Director or committee member may conduct evaluative interviews of applicants or petitioners, particularly in regard to assessment of English language proficiency.   

6.11    Applicants Without UGPAs 
Notwithstanding any earlier provision of this policy, qualified applicants from college not awarding grades capable of UGPA calculation may be admitted.  However, such applicants should register with LSDAS using the procedures established by paragraph II.1.3.

6.12   Status of Accepted Applicants Who Decline Admission
Acceptance for admission to a particular class, or term, does not guarantee admission for any subsequent class, year or term.  An accepted applicant who declines admission must reapply if the applicant thereafter chooses to attend the College of Law.

Section 7    Admissions Requirements for LL.M. in Environmental Law & Policy 

7.1   Inquiries regarding admission should be sent to the College of Law, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL. Applicants are not required to take the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT). 

7.2   All applicants must have a first degree in law from an ABA or AALS-accredited law school or from a foreign college of university that meets accreditation or equivalent standards for the country. The Committee may waive this requirement on a case-by-case basis.

7.3   Applicants must register with the Law School Data Assembly Service (LSDAS), provided by the Law School Admissions Council. An official transcript from every college attended should be sent directly to LSDAS, which analyzes transcripts, and sends results to the College of Law. Applicants register with LSDAS on a form supplied by the Law School Admissions Council.

7.4   Language Proficiency Requirement 

• 7.4.1    If a foreign applicant's native language is not English, the applicant must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOELF) or International English Language Testing Service (IELTS) exam. An applicant whose first language is not English and who is a citizen or permanent resident of the United States will be required to submit a report of the score obtained on TOEFL or IELTS, unless the applicant possesses an undergraduate degree from an American college or university (in addition to meeting requirements of Section II.7.2). 
  • 7.4.1.1    A student must achieve a score of at least 90 points on the Internet-based TOEFL with minimum scores of 22 in each section. 
  • 7.4.1.2    A student must achieve a minimum of 7 on the IELTS exam to be considered for admission. 
• 7.4.2    Conditional Admission. A student who otherwise meets the requirements for admission to the LL.M. Program may be conditionally admitted. A student who is conditionally admitted has one year from the beginning of the next law school term to meet the language proficiency requirement and be formally admitted into the LL.M. degree program. 
  
  • 7.4.2.1    Students who are funded by their government must attend the Florida State University’s Center for Intensive English Studies (CIES) to improve English language proficiency. 
  • 7.4.2.2    Students may not register for courses while attending CIES or until the minimum TOEFL or IELTS score is achieved. 

7.5   Application for August admission should be made no later than the previous April 1st for student to have the best opportunity for admission. An accepted applicant must supply the College of Law with an official final transcript, showing the award of the first degree in law as soon as it is available. 

7.6   Beginning students may be accepted for entry to the Fall or Spring Semester. 

7.7   Acceptance for admission to a particular class or term does not guarantee admission for any subsequent time unless the student has requested and been granted deferred admission. Accepted applicants who decline admission must reapply if they later choose to attend the college of Law.

7.8   Admissions Standards 

• 7.8.1     Admission Based on Undergraduate Grade Point Average, Law School Performance, Work Experience, and Other Factors Applicants will have their applications evaluated in light of the following factors: Undergraduate grade point average and class rank; TOEFL or IELTS Score; Graduate School grade point average and class rank; the personal statement provided in the application; performance in particular courses of study; undergraduate and law school; history of overcoming economic or other social hardships; significant activities of leadership; work experience that suggests success in the legal profession; life experiences indicting maturity, and ability to undertake positions of leadership; factors which may have detracted from academic performance in undergraduate or law school; letters of recommendation; applicant’s contribution to a diverse academic environment in terms of life experiences; the weight, if any, attributed to a particular factor listed in the paragraph above, or a combination of those factors, may vary from year to year in the discretion of the Committee or its members, depending on the characteristics of the student body and the applicant pool. 
• 7.8.2     Reconsideration of Denial of Admission 
  Refer to the rules regarding readmission within the FSU Curricular Rules for the LLM in ELP § 11. 

7.9   Contact Procedure 
Applicants and petitioners must present all appropriate information in writing for committee consideration. On the initiative of the Director of Admissions or Committee members, the Director or Committee member may conduct evaluative interviews of applicants or petitioners, particularly in regard to assessment of English language proficiency. 

7.10   Status of Accepted Applicants Who Decline Admission 
Acceptance for admission to a particular class, or term, does not guarantee admission for any subsequent class, year or term. An accepted applicant who declines admission must reapply if the applicant thereafter chooses to attend the College of Law.