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J.D. Program
Admissions Committee Responsibility: Admissions policies and readmissions decisions are administered by the Admissions Committee of the law school. (AR 102)
Bar Requirements: Because some state bars require students to meet certain requirements for bar admission well before they graduate, each applicant should determine the bar requirements, including character requirements, for the state(s) in which he or she is considering legal practice. (AR 102)
Disclosures: Students are required to disclose certain information on their applications to Hamline and throughout their law school career so the law school can make admission decisions, provide certain kinds of career services assistance, and certify students as eligible to sit for the bar.
Failure to disclose this information, misrepresentation in regards to information requested, or failure to amend any application disclosures or to disclose requested information when an error comes to light may subject a student to penalties, including but not limited to withdrawal of the student’s acceptance to Hamline Law, cancellation of any credits earned, or the Dean’s refusal to certify a student as eligible to be admitted to the bar.
Disclosure Procedure: While enrolled at Hamline Law, students have the continuing responsibility to disclose charges or arrests for any legal violation including traffic offenses other than paid parking tickets. Disclosure is required regardless of the ultimate disposition of the charge or arrest. Students who become aware of any disclosures, or need to amend their application or any other documents they have submitted to the law school should immediately contact the office of the Assistant Dean for Students and Diversity.
Failure to Timely Disclose Application Omissions or Errors: Failure to amend omissions or errors on a student’s law school application by October 1 of the year in which the student matriculates will be presumed to be intentional. The student will have the burden of proving that this failure was not intentional and must demonstrate why he or she was unaware of this omission or error, or was unable to disclose the information at an earlier time. Failure to disclose required information may be investigated as a violation of the Code of Conduct.
Technology Requirements: See Section 4.7 and Appendix A for information on the law school’s required computer and related technology policies.
First-Year Admission from U.S. Undergraduate Institutions
Bachelor’s Degree Requirement: Applicants for admission to the first-year class must possess a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university prior to matriculation, unless the student is enrolled in an approved 3 plus 3 program. (AR 102)
GPA/LSAT Requirements: All applicants for admission to the first-year class must have a cumulative undergraduate grade point average and Law School Admission Test score that indicate probability of success in law study. In addition to the more traditional forms of testing and undergraduate grades, the Admissions Committee may give special consideration to motivation, personal experience, maturity, and the ability to articulate one’s particular interest in, and affinity for, the study of law. (AR 102)
First-Year Admission of Students with Non-U.S. Law Degrees
Admission of Students with Non-U.S. Degree: Students with a law degree from a country other than the United States may apply for admission to the J.D. program. (AR 102)
Advanced Standing for Students with Non-U.S. Degrees Policy and Procedure: Students may apply for credit toward the J.D. degree based upon courses completed as part of a law degree from another country no later than the successful completion of the first year of study in the J.D. program. The Associate Dean for Academic Affairs will determine how many credits will be awarded based upon credits earned for the foreign law degree. In accordance with ABA standards, Hamline requires that the course of study for the J.D. degree be completed no earlier than no later than 84 months after a student has commenced law study at the law school or a law school from which the school has accepted transfer credit.
Maximum Advanced Standing Credits: In no event shall more than one-third of the credits required for graduation be awarded based upon the foreign law degree credits. (AR 102)
Graduation Requirements for Students With Advanced Standing: Students with advanced standing from a foreign law degree must take all required courses and fulfill all other requirements for graduation. (AR 102)
Transfer from Another Law School J.D. Program to Hamline J.D.
Undergraduate and Law School Record: To be eligible for transfer to Hamline Law, a student should have an undergraduate record that would have qualified him or her to enter the law school as a beginning student. No student who is ineligible to return to his or her former law school or who has failed to maintain at least a “C” average (2.000) for all law work attempted will be accepted as a transfer student. (AR 102) In accordance with ABA standards, Hamline requires that the course of study for the J.D. degree be completed no later than 84 months after a student has commenced law study at the law school or a law school from which the school has accepted transfer credit.
Other Considerations for Admission: If minimum academic record requirements are met, transfer applications will be evaluated based on whether such a transfer would be in the best interest of the student and of the law school. (AR 102)
Transfer from Another Law School LL.M. Program to Hamline LL.M.
Transfer Credit Prior Approval: Transfer credit will be accepted toward the LL.M. degree only with the approval of the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. (AR 102)
Limit on Non-LL.M. Credits Transferable: LL.M. students may petition to transfer up to six credits through a Hamline joint degree program or through the general credit exchange to the LL.M. degree. (AR 102)
Readmission of Dismissed Students into the J.D. Program
Limitations on Readmission for Academic Dismissals: A student dismissed because of academic deficiency will not ordinarily be considered eligible for readmission. The dismissed student may not be readmitted for at least one full academic year (fall and spring semester, or spring and fall semester). Any disqualified student considering a possible reapplication should contact the Admissions Office for more information. (AR 102)
Request for Readmission Procedure: Any academically dismissed student will be required to make an affirmative showing that he or she possesses the requisite ability to complete the JD program, and that the prior disqualification does not indicate a lack of capacity to complete his or her studies. In addition to this written requirement, the Admissions Committee may in some cases request an in-person oral presentation by the applicant to the full committee. (AR 102)
Second Request for Readmission: If an application for readmission is not successful, the student must wait another full academic year (another fall and spring semester, or spring and fall semester) before readmission is possible.
Readmission of Students Dismissed for Non-Academic Reasons: A student dismissed for reasons other than academic deficiency may reapply on the terms allowed by the terms of the dismissal. (AR 102)
Readmission of Academically Dismissed Students Into the LL.M. Program
A student dismissed because of academic deficiency in the LL.M. program will not be eligible to apply for readmission to the LL.M. program. (AR 102)
Admission of Non-Degree Seeking and Special Students
With the approval of the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs or authorized Institute staff, Hamline Law may permit persons in the following categories to enroll in a particular course or courses as auditors or as non-degree-seeking students without requiring compliance with its admission standards and procedures:
Students enrolled in other colleges or universities or in other departments of Hamline University;
Students enrolled in certificate programs offered by HU;
Members of the bar, graduates of other approved law schools, and other persons satisfying the requirements for admission set forth in AR 102; and
International students enrolled in an approved exchange program.
Audit fees for the following academic year are set in the summer. Hamline Law Alumni are eligible for a fee waiver to audit one J.D. course per academic year on a space available basis. No academic credit will be awarded for auditing a course, nor can an audit be changed to academic credit once the course has begun.
Auditors cannot take the exam for the course. January and summer term Dispute Resolution Institute, Health Law Institute, and Business Law Institute courses are not eligible for the alumni audit fee waiver. Please contact the Law Alumni Office or the Office of the Registrar for details.
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