Evening Programs
Academic Program
Seattle University School of Law is the only institution in Washington offering a part-time legal studies program. For more than 30 years, it has provided a comprehensive evening program designed for the area's working professionals who want to earn a law degree while continuing to work full-time.
Our current students boast superb academic records, impressive career credentials, and a refreshing range of on-the-job experiences that lend depth and vitality to the practicing bar. Not only do they successfully combine studies with full-time work, many effectively balance job, school, and family. Among our alumni are senior partners at blue-chip law firms, executive officers at major Northwest corporations, law professors, legal consultants, and political officials.
Part-time evening students generally complete requirements for the juris doctor degree in three-and-a-half years. They attend classes beginning at 6 p.m., Monday through Thursday, during summer, fall, and spring terms. Because evening courses are popular with the student body, a high percentage of classes in any given term are scheduled "after hours." In fact, in an average semester, more than 20 classes are offered between 6 and 9:30 p.m.
First-year students complete their studies over a 15-month period. By fall of their second year, all part-time students will have completed the identical number of credits as have their full-time counterparts. The upper-level curriculum combines required and elective courses taken over seven semesters. Some popular courses are:
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The First-Year Schedule
The prescribed first-year course calendar includes six classes scheduled over 15 months. Because we hold classes four days a week, students take advantage of three-day weekends to complete reading assignments and prepare for class. Here is an example of a first-year course schedule.
| First Summer | |
| Criminal Law | Monday through Thursday, 6 - 8 p.m. |
| Fall and Spring | |
| Contracts Property Civil Procedure Legal Writing |
Monday, Wednesday, 7:30 - 8:45 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday, 6 - 7:15 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, 6 - 7:15 p.m. Tuesday, 7:30-9:20 p.m. |
| Second Summer | |
| Torts | Monday through Thursday, 6-8 p.m. |
How to Apply
The application process is the same for full- and part-time prospective students. You must possess a bachelor's degree and register for the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). The test is offered four time annually: September/October, December, February, and June. If you want to be considered for the part-time program, take the LSAT no later than February of the year you wish to enroll. You may request registration materials for the LSAT by going to www.lsac.org or calling (215) 968.1001. To be considered for admission, have on file at the School of Law:
- A completed application for admission and a $60 application fee;
- A typed personal statement telling us something about yourself and your reasons for seeking a law degree;
- The results of your performance on the Law School Admission Test;
- Two letters of recommendation and a résumé.
Deadlines
The Admission Office observes an March 1 priority deadline. We encourage students interested in the part-time program to apply early due to limited class size.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Tuition for the 2008-09 academic year is $1124 per credit hour, $33,720 per year. Part-time students may apply for federal and private loans. In addition, at the time of admission we consider part-time students for merit-based scholarships; a separate application is not required.
Employer Reimbursements
The School of Law is pleased to partner with employers offering employee tuition reimbursement programs. To participate, accepted students should provide a copy of their employer's reimbursement policy, indicating reimbursement percentage, to the law school Business Office.
Resources
Several part-time evening program alumni have volunteered to answer your questions about our program. Here are their names, telephone numbers, e-mail addresses, and professional affiliations. We encourage you to contact them.
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Kathleen Benedict '77 Mary Benfield '89 Lee Brettin '87 Jennifer Browning '88 David Bruno '95 Clemencia Castro-Woolery '97 Troy Cichos '95 Robert Cumbow '91 The Hon. Frank Cuthbertson '93 John Denkenberger '95 Rhys Farren '89 Susan Foster '88 |
Paul Gissing '90 Greg Hanon '89 Lloyd Herman '85 Judith Hightower '83 John Hinand '88 Judy Jasprica '89 Ed Kamai '01 Nate Mellman '93 Landon Miller '77 Annmarie Petrich '98 Kathy Salensky '96 Mary Wechsler '79 |
Learn More About Seattle University School of Law
To receive detailed information about our part-time program and gain an overview of the University, call, e-mail, or make an appointment with a member of our Admission and/or Financial Aid Offices. Better yet, call one week prior to the date you wish to visit and schedule a time to observe an evening class.
For answers to questions about admission, please contact lawadmis@seattleu.edu.
