2024 - 2025
Student Handbook

Handbook Authority

The Wake Forest University School of Law implements this Student Handbook to guide students in the policies and procedures needed to navigate their program of study. The content contained in the Student Handbook applies to all students in all School of Law programs. Various policies and procedures may outline provisions for specific programs as necessary. All employees of the Wake Forest School of Law are also bound by applicable policies and procedures. 

Student Knowledge of Handbook Expectations

All students of the Wake Forest University School of Law are responsible for reviewing and understanding all information contained in the Student Handbook. Failure to review the Handbook is not an acceptable defense for the failure to adhere to any policy or procedure contained herein, including but not limited to the Honor Code contained in Chapter 11.   

Handbook Updates and Process

The Student Handbook is generally reviewed and updated each summer for the upcoming academic year. Previous versions of the Student Handbook are maintained for historical policy review. From time to time, updates may be made during the course of the academic year. Students and employees will be promptly notified of material changes.

An updated version of the Student Handbook is published by the beginning of the Fall semester each academic year and posted to the Wake Forest University School of Law website. 

Juris Doctor Degree

General Requirements for the Juris Doctor Degree

Credit Hour Determination

Fall and Spring Course Load

Summer Course Load

Classification

First-Year Curriculum

Upper-Level Required Courses

LAWR III

LAWR IV

Experiential Learning Requirement

Statutory Interpretation and Agency Regulation Requirement

Multiple Experiential Learning Experiences in the Same Semester

Limits on Hours Earned Through Field Placements, Other Study Outside of the Classroom, and in Another Department, School, College, or the University

JD Students Visiting Away

JD Degree Transfer Students

Minimum Grade Requirement

Accounts Payable to School of Law

Degree Length

Accelerated Graduation

Visiting JD Students

Concurrent and Dual Degrees

JD/MBA Concurrent Degree

JD/MA in Bioethics Dual Degree

JD/MDiv Dual Degree

JD/MA in Sustainability Duel Degree

Two-Year JD for International Lawyers

Two-Year JD Degree General Requirements

Master of Laws (LLM) Degree

LLM Degree General Requirements

Required Courses

Specializations

Fall and Spring Course Load

Summer Course Load

Degree Length

Minimum Grade Requirement

Accounts Payable to School of Law

Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD) Degree

SJD Degree General Requirements

Required Courses

Fall and Spring Course Load

Summer Course Load

Degree Length

Accounts Payable to School of Law

Master of Studies in Law (MSL) Program

MSL Degree General Requirements

MSL Graduate Certificate and Requirements

MSL Tracks

Course Load and Continuous Enrollment

Term Course Load and Student Status

MSL Degree Length

MSL Graduate Certificate Length

Minimum Grade Requirement

Accounts Payable to School of Law

Academic Eligibility

Exclusion for Academic Reasons

Leaves of Absence and Withdrawals

Voluntary Leave of Absence

Return from Leaves of Absence

Return from Second Medical Leave of Absence

Withdrawal

Readmission for Academically Ineligible Students

Requesting Accommodations

Administrative Implementation Timeline

Class Lecture Recording

Fundamental Alteration

Other Resources

Rights and Responsibilities of Students and the Institution

Confidentiality

Grievance Procedure

Service Animal Guidelines

Students with Temporary Disabilities

Anonymous Grading

Grading Systems for JD Students

Mandatory Grading Policy ("MGP")

Modified Mandatory Grading Policy ("MMGP")

Pass/Fail Grading Policy ("PFGP")

Professional Development Grading Policy

Grading System for LLM and SJD Students

Pass/Fail Course Election for LLM Students

LLM Thesis Optional Grading

SJD Dissertation Optional Grading

Grading System for MSL Students

Grade of Incomplete

Pass/Fail Option for Transfer, Concurrent/Dual Degree, LLM, SJD, and MSL Students

Dissemination of Grades

Change of Grades

Request for Review of an Exam or Other Work

Transcripts

Class Rank

Graduation Honors

Article I: Introduction

Section 1: Preamble

Section 2: Purpose

Section 3: Coverage

Section 4. Publication

Section 5. Bar Admissions and Background Inquiries

Section 6. Definitions

Article II: Scope and Jurisdiction

Section 1: Honor Council Original Jurisdiction

Section 2: Faculty Retention of Jurisdiction

Article III: Prohibited Conduct

Section 1. Coverage

Section 2. Lying

Section 3. Cheating

Section 4. Plagiarism

Section 5. Submitting Work for Multiple Purposes

Section 6. Abuse of Library Privileges

Section 7. Stealing

Section 8. Abuse of Shared Electronic Media

Section 9. Failure to Comply with an Affirmative Duty

Article IV. Affirmative Duties

Article V. Preliminary Hearing Procedures

Section 1. Referral to Student Solicitor

Section 2. Notice of Preliminary Hearing to Respondent

Section 3. Timing of Preliminary Hearing

Section 4. Summer Option for Preliminary Hearing

Section 5. Membership of Preliminary Hearing Panel

Section 6. Virtual Attendance

Section 7. Procedure at Preliminary Hearing

Section 8. Decision of the Panel

Section 9. Record of Preliminary Hearing Panel Proceedings

Article VI. Charge and Sanctioning Hearing Procedures

Section 1. Name and Purpose

Section 2. Timing, Notice, and Exchange of Witness Lists

Section 3. Private or Public Charge Hearing

Section 4. Membership and Voting Rights at the Charge Hearing

Section 5. Recording

Section 5. Marshal's Duties at Charge Hearing

Section 7. Solicitor's Case

Section 8. Respondent's Defense

Section 9. Closing Arguments

Section 10. Instructions to Jury

Section 11. Jury Deliberations

Section 12. Sanction Hearing

Section 13. Referral to the Dean

Section 14. Appeals Procedure

Section 15. Final Disposition

Section 16. Sanctions

Article VII. Organization of Honor Council

Section 1. Membership

Section 2. Election

Section 3. Election of Officers

Section 4. Roles of Officers

Section 5. Election of Solicitors and Counsels

Section 6. Jury Selection

Article VIII. Amendments

Student Account Tuition & Fee Due Dates

Tuition and Fee Details (2024 - 2025 Academic Year)

Academic Year Tuition (Fall/Spring Semesters)

Summer Session Tuition

Student Health Insurance

Wellness Fee

Deacon Health Fee

University Technology Fee

Student Activity Fee

Student Parking Fees

Books, Course Materials, Supplies, and Equipment

Past Due Balances and Course Cancellation Policy

Regular Tuition Payment Procedure

Workday Student Financials

Temporary Tuition Clearance

Refund of Charges Policy

Tuition and Fees Refunds

Schedule of Adjustments for Withdrawal or Leave of Absence

Fall/Spring Semesters

Summer Half Sessions

Summer Full Sessions

Conduct or Honor Code Violations

University Disruption Refund Policy

Fall and Spring Semesters

Summer Half Sessions

Full Summer Session

Return of Title IV Program Funds Policy

Academic Engagement for MSL Students Relating to Financial Aid

Federal Loans

Verification

Loan Disbursement

Title IV Authorization for Use of Federal Funds

Student Account Refunds

Outside/Additional Aid

Satisfactory Academic Progress

Section One. Policy for Federal Financial Aid

Section Two. Qualitative and Quantitative Standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress

Section Three. Financial Aid Warning and Loss of Eligibility

Section Four. Appeals

Section Five. Reinstatement of Aid Eligibility

Loan Exit Counseling

Cost of Attendance

Veterans Benefits & Transition Act of 2018

Scholarships, Loans, and Work-Study

Scholarship Terms and Conditions

Scholarship and Leaves of Absence

Student Employment

Tuition Insurance

Tax Information

Contact Information for Financial Aid and Student Accounts