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An especially distinctive feature of our law program is its flexible schedule. Entering students may begin legal studies in the summer or in the fall, take classes in the day or evening, and complete their first year in 9, 12, or 15 months, as described here.
All entering students may choose to "start early" by completing a single class in the summer, thereby reducing their fall course loads. Two options are available: one meets in the late afternoon and the other in the evening, Monday through Thursday. Summer term is six weeks.
Students that begin studies in the fall take 16 credits in the fall term and 14 credits in the spring term to complete their first-year legal studies over the traditional nine-month period. Classes convene between the hours of 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., Monday through Friday.
This program of evening-only classes is designed for students with employment or personal obligations during the day, and is the only such program in Washington state. Law school commences in the summer with a single course. The course load over the fall and spring terms is four classes for a total of 21 credits. The final first-year course is completed the second summer. Classes convene after 6 p.m., Monday through Thursday. For more information on part-time enrollment, go to our Evening Program page.
A small group of students is admitted each year through this wholly discretionary admission process because the law school has long recognized that traditional admission criteria are, in some cases, inadequate predictors of success in law school. Individuals considered for the Alternative Admission Program are members of historically disadvantaged, underrepresented, or physically challenged groups, and/or students whose capabilities may not be accurately reflected in GPAs and LSAT scores.
February 1 is the deadline by which an application must be completed to be eligible for consideration for the Alternative Admission Program.
Participants begin legal studies in June, enrolling in a substantive first-year course and participating in intensive writing seminars and sessions on exam-taking and law-study skills. Under the auspices of our Academic Resource Center, a faculty supervisor, legal writing faculty, and other support staff offer guidance for these students during the summer, throughout the first year, and thereafter as appropriate.
Alternative admission is highly competitive. For each candidate admitted, at least 10 others are denied. Enrollment is limited to 10 percent of the class.