Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law policies

Academic integrity

Academic integrity code

The legal profession, a self-regulating association, depends on the integrity, honor and personal morality of each member. Similarly, the integrity and value of a Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law degree depends on a reputation for fair competition. The ASU Law Academic Integrity Code (PDF) is intended as a measure to preserve the integrity of the school’s diploma and to create an arena in which students can compete fairly and confidently.

Notice of nondiscrimination

ASU prohibits all forms of discrimination, harassment and retaliation. Students should review ASU’s policy ACD 401: Prohibition Against Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation.

Title IX protects individuals from discrimination based on sex in any educational program or activity operated by recipients of federal financial assistance. As required by Title IX, ASU does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education programs or activities that we operate, including in admission and employment. Inquiries concerning the application of Title IX may be referred to the ASU Title IX coordinator or to the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights or to both. For more information, students should email titleixcoordinator@asu.edu, call 480-965-0696, or visit the office located at 1120 S. Cady Mall, INTDSB 284. For information on making a report, students should reference the Report It website.

Graduate policies

Academic standing

Retention standards - JD students

If a student’s 1L GPA is above 2.00 but below 2.33 after the first year, that student shall be disqualified from ASU Law but may be reconsidered for readmission, if the student applies. If a student’s 1L cumulative GPA is below 2.00, that student shall be permanently disqualified in accordance with ASU Law policies. If an upper-class student’s cumulative GPA is below 2.33 (2.00 for students who started law school prior to fall 2020), that student shall be disqualified from ASU Law but may apply for readmission.

Retention standards - all students

The ASU Law JD Statement of Student Policies (PDF) contains additional retention and academic policies.

Advising

Academic advising for currently enrolled law students is available through the Office of Academic Services with designated points of contact for different degree programs.

Degree requirements

Concurrent degrees

ASU Law students must be in academic good standing to be eligible to pursue a concurrent degree.

Shared credit

Per the Graduate College policy for concurrent master’s degrees, a maximum of 20% of the minimum total credit hours for the completion of both degrees may be common hours shared between the degree programs. The total number of credit hours common to both degree programs may vary from this maximum value only when the Graduate College office has formally approved coordinated degree programs.

The Graduate College policy also states that for a concurrent master’s/doctoral degree, a maximum of 12 credit hours may be common hours shared between the degrees and may only include coursework completed after admission to both degree programs. The total number of hours common to both degree programs may vary from this maximum value only when the Graduate College office has formally approved coordinated degree programs.

The Graduate College policy for concurrent doctoral degrees states that a maximum of 12 credit hours may be common hours shared between the degrees. The total number of hours common to both degree programs may vary from this maximum value only when the Graduate College office has formally approved coordinated degree programs.

Process

Current ASU Law Juris Doctor students who are interested in pursuing a concurrent degree should contact ASU Law's assistant dean for academic affairs or the assistant registrar prior to applying to ASU Law or the department or school offering the desired concurrent degree.

Students in one of ASU Law’s master’s degree programs who are interested in pursuing a concurrent degree should contact ASU Law's associate dean for new education initiatives prior to applying to the college or department or school offering the concurrent degree.

Current ASU students who are not enrolled in ASU Law and who wish to pursue a concurrent degree with ASU Law should contact the admission office.

Admission process

Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law.

JD admission

For the JD program, the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law enrolls only one first-year JD class per year, beginning in the fall semester. The program is a three-year program, and almost all students study on a full-time basis. The college does offer a flexible scheduling option for students with circumstances that make full-time enrollment impossible. To be considered for admission to the Juris Doctor program, applicants must have taken the LSAT (excludes applicants applying to the ASU Achievement Program) and have earned or will earn by the time of enrollment in law school, a bachelor’s degree that has been awarded by an institution that is accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education.

ASU Law is committed to a more sustainable and resilient future and requires applicants to apply electronically through the Law School Admission Council website: https://www.lsac.org/.

An application for admission must include:

  1. electronic application
  2. personal statement (no more than two pages, double-spaced and font size no smaller than 11 point)
  3. resume (no more than two pages and font size no smaller than 11 point)
  4. character and fitness statements; if applicable, explaining affirmative answers to questions 1-9 in the character and fitness section
  5. binding admission contract, if applicable
  6. valid LSAT score (excludes applicants applying to the ASU Achievement Program)
  7. transcripts from each undergraduate and graduate institution attended must be sent to LSAC
  8. proof of English proficiency for applicants whose native language is not English, regardless of current residency.

The application may also include:

  • letters of recommendation: Applicants may submit no more than two letters, and they should be submitted through LSAC to be included in the CAS report. Applicants should note that since they are not required, the admission office will not wait for letters to complete the file for review.
  • optional addenda: undergraduate performance, standardized test performance and other
  • diversity statement

Application deadlines:

  • Priority deadline: March 1
  • Final deadline: August 1

Students should visit the college website for detailed information about the JD application process.