Courses and Credit

Earning Credit/Credit Hour Definition

Earning Credit/Credit Hour Definition

A “credit hour” is an amount of work that reasonably approximates: 

1. not less than one (1) hours of classroom or direct faculty instruction and two (2) hours of out-of-class student work per week for fifteen (15) weeks, or the equivalent amount of work over a different amount of time; or 

1. at least an equivalent amount of work as required in subparagraph (1) of this definition for other academic activities as established by the School of Law, including simulation, field placement, clinical, co-curricular, and other academic work leading to the award of credit hours. 

For purposes of this definition, fifty (50) minutes equals one (1) hour of classroom or direct faculty instruction, and sixty (60) minutes equals one (1) hour for out-of-class student work.   

The fifteen (15) week semester includes one (1) week for final examinations.  Classes without an examination include additional direct faculty instruction during the course of the semester to account for the exam hours in week fifteen. 

Based on the fifty (50) minutes of classroom or direct faculty instruction and two (2) hours of out-of-class student work per week over the fifteen-week (or its equivalent) period, at least 42.5 hours of total in-class instruction and out-of-class student work is required per credit. Below is the per week work expected for a fifteen (15) week semester course.  

This policy shall be enforced by the Associate Dean for Academics. 

Definitions  

1. Classroom or direct faculty instruction includes all scheduled class meetings, tutorials or other one-to-one or small-group meetings with the instructor and taking in-class examinations.      
2. Out-of-Class work includes time spent preparing for class (reading or completing class assignments); preparing for the in-class exam, completing the take home exam, and/or preparing and completing other assessments; researching and writing any required paper(s) or other writing assignments; performing clinical or field placement work; and attending educational events as mandated by the instructor.  

Classroom and Non-Classroom Hours

Classroom Hours

Lecture, seminar, and skills courses count towards classroom hours.

Non-classroom Hours

Students are limited to 22 credit hours of non-classroom credits that may count towards 86 credits of the J.D. Externship, Independent Study courses, and Co-Curricular Activities for Credit are considered non-classroom hours.

Preparation for Class - Minimum Hours of Work Expected

For exam courses, students are expected to prepare a minimum of two (2) hours outside of class for each hour (calculated on a 50-minute basis) of in-class time. Note that the requirement of two (2) hours of out-of-class work per week per credit hour represents a minimum standard. If necessary to complete assignments, students are expected to spend whatever additional time is needed to complete the assigned work.

For seminars and writing intensive courses in which a paper is required, students are generally expected to work a minimum of two (2) hours outside of class for each hour (calculated on a 50-minute basis) of in-class time. Qualifying work outside of class includes preparing for class as well as researching, drafting, editing, and proofreading papers. The credits awarded may exceed the weekly time spent in regular classroom sessions in recognition of additional time allocated for preparation of a substantial paper.

For other academic activities such as clinical courses, field placements, independent studies, and moot court, students shall keep a log recording the amount of time spent on the activity. These time logs shall be submitted to and approved by the supervising faculty member to ensure that an appropriate number of credit hours is being awarded for the academic activity. In general, students are expected to devote a minimum of three (3) hours, per week, for each credit that is awarded.

Transfer Credits

Credit for a J.D. degree shall only be given for course work taken after the student has enrolled into the J.D. program of study at the School of Law or another ABA accredited law school.

Incoming transfer student

Wilmington University School of Law will begin to accept transfer students into the J.D. program in August 2024.  Students will be able to transfer up to 28 credits for use towards the J.D. at Wilmington University. 

• Incoming transfer courses must have a grade of C or higher. Grades of Pass must be designated as equivalent to at least a grade of C or higher on the transcript.
• Courses must have been taken for academic credit at an ABA approved law school.
• Courses will be evaluated for Wilmington University equivalency through a review of the course description and/or syllabus.
• Credits for Intro to Law School coursework, orientation, remedial skills, co-curricular activities, and externship credits are not transferable.

Current student taking courses outside of Wilmington University School of Law

The following policies govern potential transfer coursework that a current J.D. student wishes to take outside of Wilmington University School of Law.

• All required courses must be completed at Wilmington University, School of Law.
  • Exception: Required courses accepted at the time of transfer admission from another ABA accredited law school to the School of Law.
• Students must earn a grade of C or higher in any course taken at another institution in order to receive academic credit for that course toward the J.D. at Wilmington University.
• If a student transfers into Wilmington University from another law school, such a student may not take any additional non-Wilmington law courses, unless permission to take such non-Wilmington law courses is granted by the Associate Dean for Academics upon a showing of extraordinary circumstances.
• Advance permission must be granted to enroll in non-Wilmington law courses. The student must demonstrate that the non-Wilmington law course is not comparable to one consistently offered at Wilmington University School of Law.
• Students may not exceed the maximum credit loads for the term, which includes coursework taken at Wilmington University and through another academic program at Wilmington University or another institution.

J.D. Courses taken at an ABA accredited Law School

With approval from the Associate Dean for Academics or their designee, a student may spend a summer, a semester, or a year as a visiting student at another law school. Students will work with an advisor to develop an approved course plan. All required coursework (including scholarly writing and experiential learning) must be completed at the Wilmington University School of Law.

J.D. Courses taken through Study Abroad

Students at Wilmington University may seek opportunities to experience other cultures by studying abroad. Overall, students must complete their first-year courses (two semesters for full time; three semesters for part time) before participating in study abroad programs.

A student’s enrollment in a program of study abroad approved for credit by the home institution may be considered enrolled at the home institution for the purpose of applying for assistance under the Title IV, HEA programs.

Students must satisfy the grade point average requirements and must meet with the Associate Dean for Academics or their designee for approval. All applicants seeking approval to study abroad with another institution must have at least a 2.25 grade point average at the time of their application to any of the ABA-approved summer or winter study abroad programs. All applicants seeking approval to study abroad with another institution through a semester exchange program, should have a minimum grade point average of 2.75 at the time of their application. All approvals should be obtained prior to the start of the program/course.

Non-J.D. Courses/Graduate Courses

Graduate coursework will not count towards credits for purposes of the J.D. degree program.