Auditing Law Courses

 

All audit requests must be approved by the instructor, and will be confirmed only at the end of the Add/Drop period for each semester, contingent upon seat availability. Registration for Degree-seeking J.D. and LL.M. students enrolling in classes for credit takes priority over auditors. Auditors are not to create work for the professor (ie, may not turn in assignments to be graded), are expected to attend class and have read the materials, do not take the exam or submit a final paper, and credit hours are not earned. If space is available following the end of the add/drop period and if the professor gives permission, the auditor will be administratively registered for the course. Upon successful completion the course title will show on the auditor's transcript and reflect a grade of 'O.'

Degree-seeking J.D. or LL.M. students may audit a course by completing the appropriate form and submitting to the Law School Registrar.

Non-law students who wish to audit a law course may do so provided 1) it is not a required course, nor a "skills" class, nor a pass/fail course, nor experiential course, nor a seminar; 2) the auditor is not taking a seat from a degree-seeking student; 3) the instructor gives permission. Non-law students, other than Visiting Scholars, should contact the Law School Registrar if interested in auditing a law class.

Visiting Scholars have the option to audit one law course per semester. The Law School provisions on auditing courses apply. For the avoidance of doubt, Visiting Scholars should note the following:

  • In order to audit a course, the Visiting Scholar fees for the semester have been paid.
  • The Visiting Scholar must be able to participate from the first day of class and should complete the entire course term.
  • The Visiting Scholar has discussed the audit course selection with the Director of LL.M. Programs, and has received permission from Dean of Academic Affairs and the faculty member teaching the course.
  • Audit requests will be confirmed only at the end of the Add/Drop period in each new semester.  Course registration of J.D. and LL.M. students takes priority over Visiting Scholars. Therefore, if all seats in a course are taken, Visiting Scholars may not audit that course. 
  • If seats remain open after J.D. and LL.M. students are registered, and following the end of the Add/Drop period, the Visiting Scholar's audit request will be confirmed. Visiting Scholars are strongly advised not purchase books for any course until the law course registration is confirmed.
  • A limited number of courses are not open to Visiting Scholars' participation, these include:  clinics, externships, J.D. Legal Practice courses: Legal Writing & Research courses (LAW 130); J.D. Lawyering Skills (LAW 131); and J.D. Advanced Writing Practice (LAW 140); courses required for the J.D., which are: Professional Responsibility (LAW 115); The Legal Profession (LAW 117); and courses designated as experiential.
  • Visiting Scholar auditors may not create work for the professor (i.e., may not turn in assignments to be graded), are expected to attend class and have read the material, will not take exams, and will not receive credit hours for the course.  
  • Visiting Scholars who do not follow the formal audit request process will be provided one warning. If the Visiting Scholar audit policy is violated, the Visiting Scholar is at risk of dismissal from the International Scholar-in-Residence Program.