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Concentrations

Last Updated 9/22/2009 8:57:50 AM
Our Concentration Options
Common Requirements
The concentrations share several common features:
  1. Each concentration requires completion of at least 15 credits, including defined core, required, and elective courses. For example, the health law and international law concentrations require that students take one of three core courses: Evidence, Business Associations, or Administrative Law. 
  2. Each concentration requires achievement of a grade point average of 3.0 or better in all courses defined by the concentration. Students may exercise one of their pass/no credit options per concentration only in purely elective courses defined in each concentration. However, credits subject to pass/no credit will not be counted toward the number of credits required in each concentration. 
  3. Each concentration requires a minimum grade of B+ in a substantial research paper approved by designated concentration sponsoring faculty. Ungraded notes completed for co-curricular journal credit must also satisfy this standard, and such determination shall be made by the supervising faculty member. 
  4. A designation of honors in the concentration will be awarded to each student who obtains a grade point average of 3.5 or better in all courses defined by the concentration. 
  5. Students may declare their intention to complete a concentration in the pre-registration period of any semester during their three years in attendance. Students may not elect more than two concentrations. Students who wish to fulfill the requirements of two concentrations must complete the separate supervised writing requirement for each. If a student takes more than one core course (e.g., Business Associations, Evidence, or Administrative Law), he/she may decide which course to count toward the concentration. Students may take one core course in satisfaction of the core course requirements for two concentrations (e.g., Business Associations for both business organizations and health law concentrations). 
  6. Students who have successfully completed the concentration will receive a special certificate upon graduation (with a notation of honors, if awarded), and the transcript will record such achievement(s) accordingly. 
  7. Any change in the required or elective courses must be made by agreement between the associate dean for academic affairs, curriculum committee, and the faculty member charged with responsibility for the concentration area. Such faculty member will be designated by the dean on an annual basis consistent with the appointment to other service positions (e.g., committees or advisory roles). 
  8. Students will be asked to consult career advisory memoranda prepared by the sponsoring faculty. These memos will provide a list of recommended courses both within and outside the defined concentration area that correspond to different types of practice (e.g., transactional, planning, litigation). 
  9. Deadlines for certification in any concentration is anytime up to and including March of the year of graduation.