ABA Standard 310

In accordance with Standard 310 of the ABA Standards and Rules of Procedure for Approval of Law Schools, the University of New Mexico School of Law will determine the appropriate number of credit hours and ensure faculty compliance with Standard 310 according to the following policy.

In general, the School of Law requires that for each credit hour awarded, all courses must require a minimum total of 42.5 hours of instruction and out-of-class student work. To meet this requirement, the School of Law generally expects 50 minutes of classroom or direct faculty instruction and at least two hours of out-of-class student work per credit hour per week for 15 weeks, or equivalent amounts of instruction and student work over a different period of time. For a class in which a final examination is required, this calculation may include time necessary for studying for and taking the examination. Seminars, clinics, externships, field placements, journals, and competitions are likely to allocate instructional time and out-of-class student work time differently, but must still require at least 42.5 hours of combined direct faculty instruction and out-of-class student work per credit hour. Faculty are expected to certify that their individual courses comply with this policy.

I. Appropriate Number of Credit Hours for Coursework

A. Traditional Courses

Unless otherwise specified, students will complete at least 42.5 hours of coursework per credit hour. For coursework with a classroom component, for each credit hour awarded, students will receive at least 50 minutes of direct faculty instruction per week for fifteen weeks (or the equivalent amount of work over a different amount of time). Such a course will also require at least two hours of out-of-class academic engagement per week for fifteen weeks. Out-of-class academic engagement time can include a final examination and time spent preparing for that examination.

For these courses, the Fall and Spring semesters consist of fifteen weeks of classroom instruction (plus makeup days for holidays); at least five calendar days for a reading period; and at least ten days for an examination period. The Summer semester consists of (1) nine weeks of instruction (plus makeup days for holidays); (2) at least three calendar days for a reading period; and (3) at least five calendar days for an examination period.

These classes will be scheduled by the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs to comply with the amount of classroom time noted above. Instruction times may be adjusted to account for out-of-class, supervised instruction.

B. Individual Research

A student must complete at least 42.5 hours of work per semester for each academic credit awarded for Individual Research. Credit will be awarded only if the student completes at least 42.5 hours of work per credit hour, as evaluated by the faculty advisor to the Individual Research.

C. Clinics and Practicums

A student must complete at least 42.5 hours of work per semester for each academic credit for courses in the clinical law program or practicums. Student work will include: (1) all aspects of advising and representing clients; (2) meeting with faculty for regularly scheduled supervision sessions, as well as additional sessions as necessary; (4) project work; and (4) preparing for and attending weekly clinic or practicum classes and case rounds

D. Externships

Students in externships must take an appropriate externship course in conjunction with their field placements. Students may enroll in an externship for either 2 or 3 credits, but the allocation of hours between the externship course and fieldwork must meet the requirement of at least 42.5 hours per credit awarded.

E. Co-Curricular Activities

Credit for work completed for a journal will be awarded only if the student completes at least 42.5 hours of work per credit hour, as evaluated by a faculty advisor to the journal.

The work completed for competitions,such as moot courts, mock trials, and other similar activities, must total at least 42.5 hours of work for each credit hour awarded. Writing, legal research, practice, and attendance and participation in competitions will be counted toward the 42.5 hours per credit hour, as evaluated by the faculty advisor to the competition. Travel time and administrative time may not be included in the calculation.

II. Requirements for Faculty Compliance

Faculty members will be required to submit a form each semester with their syllabi certifying that their courses comply with this policy. The Associate Dean for Faculty Development will review syllabi for compliance.