Academic regulations

Academic regulations, grading policy, and policy on field placements

Academic regulations
Grading policy
Policy on field placements

Academic regulations

Section 1. Awarding of J.D. and LL.B. Degrees

A student who meets the requirements for graduation is entitled to receive:
(1) The degree of Doctor of Jurisprudence (J.D.), if the student has a baccalaureate degree; or
(2) The degree of Bachelor of Law (LL.B.), if the student does not have a baccalaureate degree.

Section 2. Graduation Requirements for J.D. Degree

2.1 Course Requirements
(1) Students must complete successfully all of the following first year courses:

Civil Procedure I
Legal Profession I & II
Constitutional Law I
Legal Research and Writing I and II
Contracts
Property
Criminal Law
Torts

Students who begin their studies at the School of Law before the start of the regular fall semester (that is, in the “early start” or “summer start” program) must successfully complete an additional course in the fall or spring semester, as approved by the Dean, to ensure that all full-time students have the same number of courses and approximately the same number of credit hours in the regular fall and spring semesters of the first year.

(2) Students must demonstrate proficiency in legal research and writing by the execution of a complex research project involving problem definition, research for facts and authority, creation of an argument, and completion of a substantial written product. This requirement must be satisfied by completion of a research seminar (as so designated in the schedule).

(3) Students must complete a second substantial upper-level writing experience. This requirement must be satisfied by:

(a) Completion of a second research seminar (as so designated in the schedule);
(b) Completion of an upper-level elective in which writing is used as a means of instruction (as so designated in the schedule); or
(c) Completion of B706 (independent research) project.

Students may not use the independent research project (B706) to fulfill this writing requirement until he or she has completed a research seminar or until their third year of law school.

(4) Students must complete one or more experiential course(s) (as so designated in the schedule) totaling at least six credit hours. An experiential course must be a simulation course, a law clinic, or a field placement.

2.2 Credit Requirement
Students must complete successfully 88 semester hours of credit.

At least 65 of these hours of credit shall be by attendance in regularly scheduled class sessions at the law school. In calculating the 65 credits, students may not include (i) externships or other field placements, (ii) independent study courses, such as B706 or B600; (iii) coursework completed in another department, school or college of the university or at another institution of higher learning; and (iv) co-curricular activities such as law journal, moot court (internal or external), and trial competitions.

The School of Law will designate courses as offering a particular number of credit hours. Each credit hour must reasonably approximate at least:

(1) 750 minutes (12.5 hours) of classroom or direct faculty instruction, which may include up to 50 minutes allocated to a final examination, and 1800 minutes (30 hours) of out-of-class student work; or

(2) For upper-level elective courses in which writing is used as a means of instruction, experiential courses (simulation courses, law clinics, and field placements), independent study courses (B600 directed reading, B706 independent research, and B707 directed research), or co-curricular activities leading to the award of academic credit, an amount of work equivalent to that described in paragraph (1), comprising an appropriate combination of classroom instruction, direct faculty instruction or supervision, and/or out-of-class student work.

2.3 Residency Requirement
Students must be in residence in an approved law school for a total of six fall or spring semesters of full time study.

(1) At least four full semesters of study must be spent in this law school; however, one regular semester of studying abroad in an exchange or consortium program sponsored by this law school may count as one of these four semesters.
(2) Full time study for residency purposes during a regular semester consists of at least ten semester hours of credit.
(3) Partial proportionate residence may be gained if permission of the Dean is granted to take less than 10 semester hours of credit in a fall or spring semester.
(4) Residency requirements must be met within six fall and spring semesters unless the Dean approves a longer period.
(5) No more than 29 credit hours of foreign study may be counted toward the JD degree.

For the purposes of Section 2.3, the fall semester means the semester beginning in August and ending in December; spring semester means the semester beginning in January and ending in April.

2.4 Grade Point Average Requirement
Students must earn a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.300 to be eligible for graduation.

Section 3. Honors

Students who meet the requirements for graduation will receive honors as follows:
Summa Cum Laude: Top 1% (99th – 100th percentile)
Magna Cum Laude: Top 10% (90th – 98th percentile)
Cum Laude: Top 30% (70th – 89th percentile)

Section 4. Course Programs and Rules

4.1 Minimum and Maximum Programs
(1) The minimum load for second and third year students is 12 credit hours during a semester, unless the Dean approves a lower number.
(2) The maximum load for students is 17 credit hours during a fall or spring semester. The maximum load for students during a summer session is 4 credits unless the Dean approves a higher number.

4.2 Full Time Study and Employment
The School is a University facility for full time study. Therefore, the School strongly discourages employment for the first year students. In the second and third year of study, a reasonable amount of employment may be compatible with full time study, but this should not exceed 20 hours per week.

4.3 Class Attendance
Attendance is part of the academic requirements of a course, and regular and punctual in-person class attendance, preparation, and participation are expected of all students.  Sound educational principles, supported by American Bar Association standards and bar admission rules in many states, require regular class attendance.  Instructors ordinarily set their own attendance requirements and prescribe penalties for failure to meet them.  However, in no case may a student’s attendance fall below 80 percent of a course’s scheduled meetings.  A student whose attendance falls below 80 percent will receive a failing grade for the course or, in cases of serious extenuating circumstances and with the approval of the Dean of Students, will be withdrawn from the course.  A student with a serious personal issue that may cause them to miss multiple classes should discuss the situation at the earliest possible opportunity with the Dean of Students.

4.4 Written Papers
(1) Except as provided in subsection (2), in a course in which the grade depends wholly or partly on a written paper other than an examination, the paper may be accepted for credit only if it is presented in final form no later than the date set by the instructor.
(2) For adequate cause shown by the student before the due date, the instructor may assign an “incomplete” and extend the time within which the paper is to be presented for up to one year beyond the original due date. By assigning an “incomplete” the instructor authorizes and requires the School’s Recorder, at the end of the one year period, if the instructor has not otherwise acted to remove the “incomplete”, to change the grade of “incomplete” to an “F”. The Dean, with concurrence of the instructor, may approve an extension of the one year period in exceptional circumstances.

4.5 Independent Research (B706)
A student may enroll in independent research that results in a substantial original written product under the supervision of a faculty member. The faculty member shall determine, after consultation with the student, the subject matter of the research, the scope of the project, the maximum number of credit hours that may be allowed, and the final date for submitting the final written product. A student may not register for a B706 credit research project without the written approval of a faculty supervisor.

Independent research will normally be awarded 2 credit hours and will require substantial written product of equivalent length and quality as is expected in a 3-credit seminar. With the written permission of a faculty member, a student may pursue independent research for 1-4 credits hours, with the expectation for the length and quality of the final written product adjusted accordingly.

Independent research for more than 4 credit hours is possible in unusual situations for third-year students for whom the research serves as a capstone experience. Such research should result in a substantial final written product of publishable quality or its equivalent. Students interested in pursuing independent research for more than 4 credit hours should prepare a written research proposal addressing:

• • The nature, scope, and objective of the proposed research;
  • A plan for completing the research;
  • The intended outcome of the research, including publication plans;
  • Features of the research that would warrant additional credit (such as interviews, surveys, access to archives or other material, or other components that may require more time and effort or work outside of the Bloomington area);
  • Relevant coursework or other experiences that have prepared the student to conduct the research;
  • How the research will provide a capstone experience; and
  • Compliance with any IRB or other applicable research requirements.

Independent research for more than 4 credit hours will require the approval of the supervising faculty member, the Executive Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, and the Associate Dean for Student Affairs.

Regardless of the number of credit hours, a student engaged in independent research shall consult with the faculty supervisor with sufficient frequency to assure that the research is progressing satisfactorily and that it will be completed by the scheduled date. Independent research credit may not be used to compensate a student for work as a research assistant.

4.6 Directed Research (B707)
A student may engage in collaborative research with a faculty member under the faculty member’s supervision. Such research may facilitate a faculty member’s work and may be on a topic identified by the faculty member, but must both involve independent research by the student and convey the fruits of that research through one or more papers, memos, or other written products prepared by the student. The intent is to provide an opportunity for substantive collaborative research with faculty. The faculty member shall determine and clearly convey to the student the subject matter of the research; the scope of the collaboration; the type, number, length, and due dates of written work; the number of credit hours; and the intended duration of the collaboration. A student may not register for a B707 directed research project without the written approval of a faculty supervisor. A student may complete Directed Research for 1-3 credit hours during or between semesters. Directed Research shall not satisfy any writing credit.

4.7 Directed Reading (B600)
(1) A directed reading is an independent project in which a student, in consultation with a supervising faculty member, reads a collection of materials in an area of interest. The list of materials will be generated by the student in consultation with and subject to the approval of the supervising faculty member;
(2) J.D. candidates will be permitted to enroll for a directed reading only once for a maximum of one credit;
(3) A directed reading will require no substantial writing nor generate any writing credit; and
(4) A directed reading will be graded on a “Pass/Fail (F or C-)” basis.

4.8 Adding or Dropping Courses
(1) Second or third year students may not add a regularly scheduled course or research project after the University’s designated “drop” day unless the instructor concerned and the Dean approve.
(2) Regular first year students, including “early start” students, must take the courses prescribed in these Regulations. They may vary their program only with the permission of the Dean. Permission to drop a course will be given only for reasons of serious illness or significant extenuating circumstances.
(3) Second or third year students may not drop a course or research project after the University’s regular “drop” day without special approval from the instructor concerned and the Dean, and permission to drop a course after the last day of classes will be given only for reasons of serious illness or significant extenuating circumstances. Any such late withdrawal will appear as a “W” on the student’s transcript.

4.9 Repeating Courses
No student may repeat a course unless:
(1) An “F” or “C-” was received in the course; and
(2) Permission has been obtained from the instructor teaching the course at the time the student desires to repeat it; and
(3) Permission has been obtained from the Dean.

4.10 Credit for Courses Taken Elsewhere
(1) Non-law courses, not exceeding six (6) credit hours, may be credited toward law school semester hours and residence graduation requirements, provided that they:
(a) Are approved in advance by the Dean;
(b) Are non-duplicative of law courses;
(c) Have significant intellectual challenge; and
(d) Are relevant to the student’s education in the law.

(2) Cross-listed courses that are taught in other schools or divisions and cross-listed at the School of Law may be credited toward law school semester hours and residence graduation requirements. Such courses follow the calendar of the school in which the course is taught and are counted in computing a student’s grade point average. To apply more than fifteen (15) credit hours of cross-listed courses towards law school requirements, a student must receive permission from the Associate Dean of Students.

A joint-degree student taking a cross-listed course may choose to apply the credits towards the credit requirement of one, but not both, schools.

(3) With advance approval by the Petitions and Appeals Committee, students may take up to 28 hours during a regular academic year at another ABA-approved law school in the United States, with the payment of an appropriate administrative fee, for extraordinary and compelling reasons.

(4) Students may not take courses in other law schools during the summer without special, advance approval by the Dean.

(5) Grades for courses taken elsewhere shall be recorded on the student’s academic record as a Pass (P), provided the grade received meets or exceeds the grade average required for graduation at the host school, or Fail (F or C-).

Permission to take courses elsewhere may be withheld because of the quality of education offered by another school.

4.11 Auditing of Courses
A person may audit a course if the instructor and the Dean approve. An auditor must register in accordance with University Regulations and pay the prescribed University auditing fees. An auditor receives no credit for attendance, but the student’s transcript will reflect an NC notation. Classroom policies for participation by auditors are at the discretion of the instructor.

4.12 Clinic/Class Conflict
When a student who is enrolled for credit in a client-contact clinic is confronted with a conflict between regular class attendance and a clinic-supervisor order that the student appear in court or at an administrative hearing on behalf of a client of the clinic, the student must follow the order of the client-contact supervisor. For the purposes of this rule it does not matter whether the student is appearing as counsel for the client or in some other formal capacity. Further, the student shall not be penalized for following the orders of the clinical supervisor provided that:
(1) The student has notified the Clinical Supervisor of the conflict. The Clinical Supervisor shall then make reasonable efforts to eliminate the conflict by requesting that the court hearing or trial or the administrative hearing be rescheduled; and
(2) The student has notified the professor whose class he or she will miss of the reason for their absence. The professor may require the student to produce some form or forms of evidence that he or she is, in fact, required to appear in court or at an administrative hearing.

4.13 Course Enrollment
Law school courses are generally open to Maurer students only. Graduate students in other schools at the university may request permission from the Associate Dean of Students to enroll in law courses. The courses must apply towards the degree or certificate program of the graduate student. In addition, individual faculty members who are participating in formal collaborative relationships with other schools, departments, or programs at the university may seek special permission from the Executive Associate Dean to allow one or more undergraduate students to enroll in an upper-level law school course taught by that faculty member.

4.14 Computer Requirement
All students in the J.D. program shall possess a laptop computer or its equivalent. The specifications for the computer will be established each year and will be made available to each entering class. For purposes of establishing financial aid, the cost of such computer shall be established by the Dean.

4.15 Course Recordings
The Law School adopts a general policy that, without the express permission of the relevant faculty member(s), a student may not make any kind of audio or visual recording of any of the following: (1) classroom discussion; (2) discussion with any faculty member(s); (3) presentations by any faculty member(s) and/or guest speaker(s); (4) visual aids (including but not limited to PowerPoint slides; (5) exam review sessions, examination test questions, or other assignments; (6) answer to any examination, test question or other assignment; or (7) any post-exam review session. An individual faculty member, however, can expressly vary this policy with respect to their own course(s) or discussion(s).

Section 5. Evaluation and Grades

5.1 Examinations
(1) Except as provided in subsection (2), a student who has completed a course must take the examination regularly scheduled for it. Failure to take the examination or to hand in an examination paper results in the grade of “C-” for the course.
(2) A student is excused from complying with subsection (1) and receives the mark of “I” if the Dean finds that the absence from the scheduled examination or the failure to hand in the examination paper resulted from illness or other contingency beyond control. A failure to remove that mark within one year after the date of the missed examination period results in the grade of “F” for the course. The mark of “I” may be removed by taking the instructor’s next regularly scheduled examination in that course, taking a special written examination for a grade, retaking the course, or preparing a special research paper, whichever method is approved by the instructor and the Dean.
(3) A student who is eligible to continue in the School may not repeat an examination.
(4) Students shall not identify themselves on written examinations, except by the number provided them by the Recorder’s Office. A new number is assigned each examination period.
(5) Computers may be used during an in-class examination in accordance with prescribed policies.

5.2 Grades and Marks: Grade Points
(1) Student performance is graded and credited according to the following scale:

(2) Where appropriate, the following marks shall be used:
W - (Withdrawal); I - (Incomplete); S - (Satisfactory); P - (Pass)
(3) Within one week of the date of submission of a grade for a written examination to the Recorder, the instructor may identify the student and adjust the grade to reflect other relevant aspects of the student’s performance in the course. Any alterations must occur within the period for submitting exams.
(4) If a student withdraws from a course without the required approval, the grade of “C-” shall be entered for that course, except that a grade of “F” may be entered in cases of academic misconduct. If the student withdraws with approval, the mark of “W” shall be entered.
(5) After the grades for a semester or term have been reported by the Recorder to the University’s Office of the Registrar, no grade or mark received for that semester or term other than the mark of “I” may be changed without the approval of the Executive Associate Dean.

5.3 Grade Point Averages
(1) A student’s grade point average for a period shall be computed by dividing the total grade points earned for that period, under Section 5.2(1), by the total semester hours taken during that period. Only courses that have been taken for credit and for which the student has received letter grades may be counted.
(2) Courses completed in another law school or in another school or division of the University shall not be counted in computing a student’s grade point average unless they are courses cross-listed at the School of Law.
(3) Credit hours assigned to a course in which a student received the grade of “F” or “C-” may not be counted toward meeting the requirements of Section 2, but they shall be included in determining the student’s grade point average.
(4) If a course or examination is repeated, both the original grade in the course and the grade received upon repeating the course or examination shall be entered on the student’s record and, in the computation of the student’s grade point average, each grade shall be treated as if it represented a different course.
(5) Notwithstanding subsection (4), if the student is readmitted to the School under Section 7.1, the prior grades will not be counted in computing the student’s grade point average.

Section 6. Academic Eligibility

6.1 Student in Ordinary Course
(1) A student is ineligible to continue in the School, either as a regularly enrolled student or as an auditor, if the student fails to earn a grade point average of at least 2.10 on all work taken in the student’s first academic year, or if thereafter, the student’s cumulative grade point average at the end of any semester or summer term falls below 2.10.
(2) Students who have been academically excluded at the end of their first year shall not audit courses during the twelve month period after exclusion. Following the expiration of that twelve month period such students may audit courses upon written approval by the Dean. Such students continue to have the option of sitting for re-examination under Section 7.1.
(3) Notwithstanding subsection (1), if a student’s grade point average at the end of the first academic year is below 2.10, but the student has earned grades of “C+” or better in all courses except one, the student is entitled to continue in the School on probation. If a student’s cumulative grade point average at the end of a semester or summer term is at least 2.10 but less than 2.30, the student is entitled to continue in the School on probation. In either case, if the student fails to earn a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.30 by the close of one academic year following going on probation, the student is ineligible to continue in the School.

6.2 Students Admitted with Advanced Standing
The academic eligibility of a student who has been admitted with advanced standing shall be determined under Section 6.1, except that in determining the period within which the student must complete the requirement for graduation under Section 2.3, the period of law school residence represented by the student’s advanced standing shall be included.

Section 7. Readmission

7.1 Readmission on Examination
A student who has been excluded from the School on academic grounds at the end of the first year is entitled in either of the next two years (except for the first summer after exclusion), to take the regularly scheduled examination in all first year courses in which the student received a grade of “C” or below. If the student receives a grade of “C+” or better on each retaken examination, the student is eligible to be readmitted to the School.

7.2 Readmission on Petition
A student who has been excluded from the School on academic grounds, or is ineligible on such grounds to continue in the School, may petition the Petitions and Appeals Committee for readmission or permission to continue. The Committee may approve the petition, subject to such conditions as it may impose, if it finds that the petitioner has had insufficient opportunity to show their capacity for the study of law and that there is good reason to believe that a further opportunity will result in satisfactory performance.

Section 8. Graduation Requirements for Graduate Programs and Joint/Combined Degrees

8.1 S.J.D. Degree
To be eligible to receive the degree of Doctor of Juridical Science, a student must:
(1) Complete one academic year in residence in the Law School after matriculating in this program;
(2) Complete the following required coursework:
• B560 Academic Legal Writing: Dissertation Fundamentals, for 2 credits in the first semester
• B560 Academic Legal Writing: LLM & SJD Students, for 1 credit in the second semester
• B639 Advanced Legal Research: LLM & SJD Students, for 2 credits in the second semester;
(2) Submit a satisfactory dissertation, which comprises 30 semester credit hours, including the 5 credit hours of required coursework (above), any courses required by the faculty advisor, and the remainder made up of B705 Dissertation Research credits; and
(3) Comply with other provisions as may be prescribed by the Graduate Admissions and Programs Committee.
(4) Up to 8 of the 30 credit hours may be taken as coursework, subject to approval by the dissertation advisor and the Director of Graduate Legal Studies.

8.2 LL.M. Degree
To be eligible to receive the degree of Master of Laws, a student must complete one of the following two programs:
LL.M. with Thesis (30 credits)
(1) Complete at least one semester in residence in the Law School;
(2) Complete B504 Introduction to American Law for 2 credits, B530 Legal Discourse and Writing for 2 credits, and B560 Academic Legal Writing for Thesis for 1 credit;
(3) Carry no fewer than 8 credit hours per semester, except the final thesis semester;
(4) Complete a 6-credit thesis;
(5) Maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0;
(6) Complete the degree requirements in no more than four consecutive semesters.
*All required courses are subject to waiver by the Director of Graduate Legal Studies.

LL.M. (24 credits)
(1) Complete at least one semester in residence in the Law School;
(2) Complete B504 Introduction to American Law for 2 credits and B530 Legal Discourse and Writing for 2 credits;
(3) Carry no fewer than 8 hours of course credit per semester;
(4) Maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0; and
(5) Complete the degree requirements in no more than three consecutive semesters.
*All required courses are subject to waiver by the Director of Graduate Legal Studies.

Applicants who will have received a J.D. degree from an American law school prior to matriculation in the LL.M. program at Indiana University may not earn an LL.M. degree without thesis and may be subject to alternative requirements in order to earn an LL.M. degree with Thesis. Such applicants should contact the Graduate Admissions and Program Committee to obtain more information about these alternative requirements.

8.3 M.C.L. Degree (20 credits)
The M.C.L. is a two-semester program that offers international students without a first degree in law but with legal experience or a strong interest to gain familiarity with American law and legal institutions. Degree requirements:
(1) Complete at least one semester in residence in the Law School;
(2) Complete B504 Introduction to American Law for 2 credits and B530 Legal Discourse and Writing for 2 credits;
(3) Carry no fewer than 8 hours of course credit per semester;
(4) Maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0; and
(5) Complete the degree requirements in no more than three consecutive semesters.
*All required courses are subject to waiver by the Director of Graduate Legal Studies.

8.4 Ph.D. in Law and Social Science (Currently not accepting students)
(1) Complete a minimum of three academic years in residence;
(2) Complete 60 credit hours divided between law courses and graduate courses in one or more collaborating departments (as specified by the candidate’s academic advisory committee), no fewer than 12 of which shall satisfy the requirements of the candidate’s academic advisory committee for designation as a Minor;
(3) Complete a comprehensive exam; and
(4) Complete 30 credit hours for dissertation research and a dissertation defense.

8.5 Ph.D. in Law and Democracy
(1) Complete a minimum of two years in residence;
(2) Complete 69 credit hours divided between courses in law and graduate courses in anthropology, political science, and area studies (15 credits of which shall satisfy the requirements of the candidate’s academic advisory committee for designation as a Minor);
(3) Complete 21 credit hours for dissertation research and a dissertation defense;
(4) Demonstrate proficiency in the language of the country or countries studied;
(5) Complete fieldwork related to the country or countries studied;
(6) Complete an internship with the Center for Constitutional Democracy; and
(7) Complete a comprehensive exam.

A PhD student in Law and Democracy who has successfully completed most of the coursework for the PhD degree but does not wish to complete the dissertation may terminate the program and elect to receive a Master of Arts in Law and Democracy

8.6 “Dual Major” Ph.D. in Law & Democracy and Near Eastern Languages & Cultures

Coursework Requirements for the Law and Democracy Major
(1) Complete 51 credit hours of graduate course work, including 30 credit hours of law courses and 21 credit hours in a combination of courses in political science and anthropology;
(2) The usual 15 credit hours of a doctoral minor will be satisfied by the courses taken in area studies in the NELC major (see below); and
(3) Complete independent comprehensive exam administered by the Center for Constitutional Democracy.

Coursework Requirements for the NELC Major
(1) Complete 54 credits of graduate course work, including 12 credits of advanced language instruction (Advanced 1-4), or demonstration of fourth-year proficiency; 12 credits of a second Middle Eastern language (Elementary 1 through Intermediate 2), or demonstration of second-year proficiency; a minimum of 15 credits of advanced seminars in which the major language is used substantially; and a minimum of 15 credits of courses on the history, politics, culture, and religious traditions of the Middle East;
(2) The usual 15 credit hours of a doctoral minor will be satisfied by the courses taken in the Law and Democracy major (see above);
(3) Students may transfer a maximum of 30 credits from an appropriate MA program to satisfy the NELC Ph.D. coursework requirements. Graduate courses in elementary and intermediate instruction in the major language may not be counted towards the Ph.D.; and
(4) Complete independent comprehensive exam administered by NELC

Dissertation Requirements
(1) Complete 15 credit hours of dissertation research and a dissertation defense, the topic of which must have a substantial relationship between NELC studies and law and democracy. The dissertation committee will include at least two faculty members from the Maurer School and two from NELC.

8.7 Joint J.D. and Ph.D. in Law and Democracy
To be eligible to receive the degrees of Doctor of Jurisprudence and Ph.D. in Law and Democracy, which must be received simultaneously, a student must:
(1) Complete 82 credit hours in the School of Law, including all of its required course work;
(2) Complete 36 graduate credit hours in anthropology, political science and area studies in accordance with all of the requirements for the Ph.D. in Law and Democracy (see above), including the requirements for 21 additional credits for dissertation research, a comprehensive exam, and a minor (see above at 8.5).

Up to 33 credits taken in the School of Law may be counted toward fulfillment of both degree programs.

8.8 Joint J.D. and M.B.A. Degrees
To be eligible to receive the degrees of Doctor of Jurisprudence and Master of Business Administration, which must be received simultaneously, a student must:
(1) If enrolled in the joint degree program with the Graduate School of Business at Indiana University--Bloomington:
(a) Complete 79 semester hours of credit in the School of Law, including all its required course work;
(b) Complete 42 semester hours of credit in the Graduate School of Business, including all its required course work; and
(c) Earn a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.3 on all course work in the School of Law and at least 2.75 on all work taken in the Graduate School of Business.
(2) If enrolled in the joint degree program with the Sungkyunkwan Graduate School of Business:
(a) Complete 88 semester hours of credit in the School of Law, including all of its required course work;
(b) Complete the first-year MBA requirements then in effect at Sungkyunkwan University; and
(c) Earn a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.3 on all course work in the School of Law and at least the minimum grade point average then required to meet graduation requirements at the Sungkyunkwan University GSB MBA program on all work taken at Sungkyunkwan University.

8.9 Joint J.D. and M.B.A. in Accounting Degrees
To be eligible to receive the degrees of Doctor of Jurisprudence and Master of Business Administration in Accounting, which must be received simultaneously, a student must:
(1) Complete 79 semester hours of credit in the School of Law, including all its required course work;
(2) Complete 54 semester hours of credit in the Graduate School of Business, including all its required course work; and
(3) Earn a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.3 on all work taken in the School of Law and at least 2.75 on all work taken in the Graduate School of Business.

8.10 Joint J.D. and Master of Science in Accounting Degrees
To be eligible to receive the Doctor of Jurisprudence and the Master of Science in Accounting, which must be received simultaneously, a student must:
(1) Complete 79 semester hours of credit in the School of Law, including all its required course work;
(2) Complete 18-21 semester hours of credit in the Graduate School of Business, including all its required course work;
(3) Earn a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.3 on all work taken in the School of Law and at least 2.75 on all work taken in the Graduate School of Business; and
(4) Highly qualified students may complete this degree in three years if they are admitted to such program in the spring before the commencement of legal and graduate business studies and meet the requirements of this rule and all other applicable graduation requirements.

8.11 Joint J.D. and M.P.A./M.S.E.S. Degrees
To be eligible to receive the degrees of Doctor of Jurisprudence and Master of Public Administration or Master of Science in Environmental Science, which must be received simultaneously, a student must:
(1) Complete 79 semester hours of credit in the School of Law, including all its required course work;
(2) Complete 36 semester hours of credit in the School of Public and Environmental Affairs, including all its required course work; and
(3) Earn a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.3 on all work taken in the School of Law and at least 3.0 on all work taken in the School of Public and Environmental Affairs.

8.12 Combined JD/MA Media Arts and Sciences
To be eligible to receive the degrees of Doctor of Jurisprudence and Master of Media Arts and Sciences, which must be received simultaneously, a student must:
(1) Complete 79 semester hours of credit in the School of Law, including all of its required course work;
(2) Complete 27 semester hours of credit in the Media School, including all of its required course work; and
(3) Earn a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.3 on all work taken in the School of Law and at least 3.0 on all work taken in the Media School.

8.13 Combined J.D./MS in Media
To be eligible to receive the degrees of Doctor of Jurisprudence and Master of Science in Media, which must be received simultaneously, a student must:
(1) Complete 79 semester hours of credit in the School of Law, including all of its required course work;
(2) Complete 30 semester hours of credit in the Media School, including all of its required course work; and
(3) Earn a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.3 on all work taken in the School of Law and at least 3.0 on all work taken in journalism.

8.14 Joint J.D. and M.A. in Russian and East European Studies Degrees
To be eligible to receive the degrees of Doctor of Jurisprudence and Master of Arts in Russian and East European Studies, which must be received simultaneously, a student must:
(1) Complete 79 semester hours of credit in the School of Law, including all of its required course work;
(2) Complete 27 semester hours of credit in the Russian and East European Studies, including all of its required course work, of which 20 credits will be in the College of Arts and Sciences;
(3) Complete a language oral proficiency examination (Russian at intermediate level or other area language at the 2nd year level);
(4) Complete an M.A. Essay and Examination;
(5) Earn a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.3 on all work taken in the School of Law and at least 3.0 on all work taken in the Russian and East European Studies..

8.15 Joint J.D. and M.A. in Latin American and Caribbean Studies Degrees
To be eligible to receive the degrees of Doctor of Jurisprudence and Master of Arts in Latin American and Caribbean Studies, which must be received simultaneously, a student must:
(1) Complete 79 semester hours of credit in the School of Law, including all of its required course work;
(2) Complete 24 semester hours of credit in Latin American and Caribbean Studies, including all of its required course work;
(3) Meet the language proficiency and thesis requirements for the M.A.; and
(4) Earn a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.3 on all work taken in the School of Law and at least 3.0 on all work taken in Latin American and Caribbean Studies.

8.16 Joint J.D. and M.A. in European Studies Degrees
To be eligible to receive the degrees of Doctor of Jurisprudence and Master of Arts in European Studies, which must be received simultaneously, a student must:
(1) Complete 79 semester hours of credit in the School of Law, including all of its required course work;
(2) Complete 24 semester hours of credit in European Studies, including all of its required course work;
(3) Meet the language proficiency and thesis requirements for the M.A.; and
(4) Earn a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.3 on all work taken in the School of Law and at least 3.0 on all work taken in European Studies.

8.17 Joint J.D. and M.P.H. Degrees
To be eligible to receive the degrees of Doctor of Jurisprudence and Master of Public Health, which must be received simultaneously, a student must:
(1) Complete 79 semester hours of credit in the School of Law, including all of its required course work; and
(2) Complete 43 semester hours of credit in the School of Public Health, including all of its required course work; and
(3) Earn a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.3 on all work taken in the School of Law and at least 3.0 on all work taken in the School of Public Health.

8.18 Joint J.D. and Master of Library Science Degree
To be eligible to receive the degrees of Doctor of Jurisprudence and Master of Library Science, which must be received simultaneously, a student must:
(1) Complete 79 semester hours of credit in the School of Law, including all of its required course work, Copyright, and Constitutional Law II; and
(2) Complete 30 semester hours of credit School of Library and Information Science, including all of its required course work; and
(3) Earn a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.3 on all work taken in the School of Law and at least 2.75 on all work taken in the Library and Information Science.

8.19 Combined J.D. and Master of Science in Cybersecurity Risk Management
To be eligible to receive the degrees of Doctor of Jurisprudence and Master of Science in Cybersecurity Risk Management, which must be received simultaneously, a student must:
(1) Complete 88 semester hours of credit in the School of Law, including all of its required course work;
(2) Complete thirty (30) credit hours of graduate course work to be distributed as follows: (a) 6 credits (typically 2 courses) in law courses, (b) 6 credits (typically 2 courses) in informatics or computer science courses, (c) 6 credits (typically 2 courses) in business courses, (d) completion of the 3-credit Cybersecurity Risk Management Capstone, and (e) at least 9 credits of cybersecurity-related electives offered by the Maurer School of Law, the Kelley School of Business, or the School of Informatics, Computer Science, and Engineering; and
(3) Earn a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.3 in the coursework completed for the J.D. degree and at least a 3.0 cumulative grade point average for the coursework completed for the M.S. degree.

Up to 15 credits taken in the School of Law may be counted toward fulfillment of both degree programs

8.20 Joint J.D. and LL.B. (OP Jindal) Degrees
To be eligible to receive the degrees of Doctor of Jurisprudence and Bachelor of Laws (from OP Jindal in India), a student must:
(1) Complete 64 semester hours of credit in residence in the School of Law, including all of its required course work; and
(2) Complete 24 specified courses in residence at Jindal, including all of its required course work.

8.21 JD with Minor in Gender Studies
To be eligible to receive the degree of Doctor of Jurisprudence with a minor in Gender Studies, a student must:
(1) Complete 82 semester hours of credit in the School of Law including all its required course work;
(2) Complete one core Gender Studies course;
(3) Complete three 3-4 credit hour courses at or above the 500 level offered by Gender Studies; and
(4) Complete 6 credit hours of law courses that satisfy the Gender Studies cross-listing requirements. See the Dean to ascertain specific courses available each year.

8.22 JD with Minor in Business
To be eligible to receive the degree of Doctor of Jurisprudence with a Minor in Business, a student must:
(1) Complete 82 hours of credit in the School of Law, including all its required course work; and
(2) Complete 12 semester hours of credit in the Graduate School of Business.

8.23 JD with Minor in Education Policy
To be eligible to receive the degree of Doctor of Jurisprudence with a minor in Education Policy, a student must:
(1) Complete 82 credit hours of credit in the School of Law including all its required course work and at least six credit hours in law courses that relate to this minor, as determined by the Associate Dean of Students; and
(2) Complete an additional 12 credit hours in the School of Education, consisting of the following 4 courses :
(a) B658/A608--Legal Perspectives on Education;
(b) B658/A615--Advanced School Law;
(c) B658/A675--Leadership in Special Education; and
(d) either one of the following courses:
i. B658/A720--Workshop on Selected Problems in Educational Leadership; or
ii. B658/C705--Legal Aspects in Higher Education.
(Course substitutions may be possible with compelling reasons and permission from Law and Education.)

8.24 Certificate in Rule of Law and Constitutional Design
To be eligible to receive the certificate in Rule of Law and Constitutional Design, a student must:
(1) Complete at least 12 credit hours in courses offered by the law school, including two core courses B575 (Constitutional Design I: Multiethnic Societies) and L684 (Constitutional Design II: Rights, Equality, and States of Emergency) as well as 6 credits in elective courses chosen from a designated list;
(2) As a condition of admission to the certificate program, JD students must apply to and be admitted to the Center for Constitutional Democracy’s JD affiliated program;
(3) Students without prior legal experience, who are not concurrently enrolled in the JD program, must complete B504 Introduction to U.S. Law; and
(4) Earn a grade point average of at least 3.0 in the courses for the certificate.

8.25 Certificate in Cybersecurity Law & Policy
To be eligible to receive the certificate in Cybersecurity Law & Policy, a student must:
(1) Complete at least 12 credit hours in the courses specified in a, b, c, and d below.
(a) All students must complete one of the two following core courses (and may take both): B587 Information Security Law or B730 Cybersecurity Law;
(b) Students without a technical background must complete the CSCI A541 Cyber Boot Camp course offered at the School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering;
(c) Students without prior legal experience, who are not concurrently enrolled in the JD program, must complete at least one credit of B504 Introduction to U.S. Law; and
(d) Students shall complete the balance of the 12 credit hours required for the certificate by enrolling in elective courses at the law school chosen from a designated list.
(2) As a condition of admission to the certificate program, JD students must apply to and be accepted as a JD affiliate of an IU Research Center with cybersecurity or information privacy as a principal area of focus; and
(3) Earn a grade point average of at least 3.0 in the courses for the certificate.

8.26 Certificate in Information Law & Policy
To be eligible to receive the certificate in Information Law & Policy, a student must:
(1) Complete at least 12 credit hours in the courses specified in a, b, c, and d below.
(a) All students must complete one of the two following core courses (and may take both): B708 Information Privacy Law I or B728 Information Privacy Law II;
(b) Students without a technical background must complete the CSCI A541 Cyber Boot Camp course offered at the School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering;
(c) Students without prior legal experience, who are not concurrently enrolled in the JD program, must complete at least one credit of B504 Introduction to U.S. Law; and
(d) Students shall complete the balance of the 12 credit hours required for the certificate by enrolling in elective courses at the law school chosen from a designated list.
(2) As a condition of admission to the certificate program, JD students must apply to and be accepted as a JD affiliate of an IU Research Center with cybersecurity or information privacy as a principal area of focus; and
(3) Earn a grade point average of at least 3.0 in the courses for the certificate.

8.27 Minor in Law (for non-JD students)
Designed for Ph.D. students from other fields at IUB, the minor in law requires that a student must:
(1) Complete 13 to 16 credit hours of course work in the Maurer School of Law, including one of the following courses: Contracts, Torts, Civil Procedure, Criminal Law, Property, Constitutional Law, or a basic methodological course that has been approved by the law minor advisor;
(2) Complete 2 credit hours in either a research seminar or independent research.

Students who wish to minor in law must meet with the law minor advisor (the Associate Dean of Students at the law school) to discuss their proposed educational plan and courses and to register for classes.

8.28 Graduate Certificate in Legal Studies
Designed to serve the needs of law graduates and advanced law students from foreign schools, the Graduate Certificate in Legal Studies requires that a candidate must:
(1) Complete at least 8 semester credit hours;
(2) Be in residence for at least one semester or such shorter period the Director of Graduate Legal Studies approves;
(3) Earn a cumulative G.P.A. of at least 3.0; and
(4) Comply with other provisions as may be prescribed by the Graduate Admissions and Program Committee.

8.29 Early Admissions (3+3) Program in Biotechnology
(1) The School of Law may admit students who have completed three years of undergraduate study toward a BS-Biotechnology degree at Indiana University-Bloomington.
(2) A student admitted under the 3+3 program must successfully complete ten upper-level credits in law school courses relevant to biotechnology, including at least one course that requires a substantial research project.
(3) After a student has completed the coursework for their BS-Biotechnology degree, he or she will be permitted to count up to nine graduate-level credits toward the credit requirements for the JD.
(4) Compliance with the requirements of the 3+3 program must be certified by the faculty advisor to the program or the Associate Dean of Students.

Section 9. Standards of Conduct for Students

Law students are bound by the following rules and procedures, which have been adapted from the University Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Conduct (referred to as “the Code” in Sections 9 through 12 of these Academic Regulations). The Code is located at http://studentcode.iu.edu/.

9.1 Jurisdiction
The Faculty and administration of the School of Law have jurisdiction over cases of academic or personal misconduct of students enrolled in the School of Law (referred to as the “School” in Sections 9 through 12 of these Academic Regulations), except in cases of sexual misconduct as defined in the University Sexual Misconduct Policy, UA-03, found at https://policies.iu.edu/policies/ua-03-sexual-misconduct/index.html. The reporting and resolution of any sexual misconduct claim must follow the procedures set forth in Policy UA-03. “All reports of sexual misconduct . . . will be shared with the Deputy Title IX Coordinator(s) as well as the University Title IX Coordinator in a timely manner.”

9.2 Reports of student misconduct; determinations; notice; and right of appeal
The Associate Dean of Students (referred to as the “Dean of Students” in Sections 9 through 12 of these Academic Regulations) shall receive:
(a) Reports and complaints of academic misconduct allegedly engaged in by students enrolled in the School;
(b) Appeals from determinations that a student has engaged in academic misconduct, which will be referred to the Petition and Appeals Committee (as described in Section 9.3);
(c) Reports and complaints of personal misconduct allegedly engaged in by students enrolled in the School; and
(d) Appeals from determinations by the Dean that a student has engaged in personal misconduct, which will be referred to the Petition and Appeals Committee (as described in Section 9.3).

(1) Academic Misconduct
Procedures for resolving academic misconduct allegedly committed by a student address two key issues: (1) whether academic misconduct has occurred, and (2) if so, what sanctions are appropriate.

(a) Academic misconduct is defined as any activity that tends to undermine the academic integrity of the institution, and includes the following:
• “Cheating” - intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly:
i. Using unauthorized materials, information, or study aids in any academic exercise or examination, including any obtained through use of technology;
ii. Engaging in unauthorized collaboration through any means, including the use of technology, in any academic exercise or examination;
iii. Copying from or otherwise utilizing another student’s examination;
iv. Presenting material prepared by anyone else as one’s own work;
v. Obtaining or providing unauthorized information about the contents of an examination prior to its being administered; or
vi. Failing to comply with rules or instructions set by the instructor or administrators of the School with the purpose of seeking, or the practical effect of creating, an advantage over other students.

• “Plagiarism” - intentionally, knowingly or recklessly representing the words or ideas of another as one’s own in any academic exercise, including, but not limited to, the intentional, knowing or reckless failure to give attribution when making a direct quotation or when paraphrasing or borrowing facts or information.

• “Unauthorized multiple submission” - intentionally, knowingly or recklessly submitting the same or substantially the same work, including drafts, to satisfy requirements for academic credit in more than one course, unless such duplication is expressly permitted.

• “Forgery, falsification or misrepresentation” - intentionally, knowingly or recklessly: (1) making a false statement, concealing material information, or forging a signature on any academic record or document, including resumes, transcripts, and applications submitted for admission to the School; (2) making a false oral or electronic statement or concealing material information during an oral or electronic communication with respect to any academic exercise or program; or (3) falsifying any information pertaining to the student’s affiliation or standing with the School.

• Intentionally or knowingly stealing, destroying, damaging or hiding library materials or academic records or documents of others.

• Intentionally or knowingly impeding or damaging the academic work of others, including with respect to School competitions and prizes.

• Intentionally or knowingly attempting to commit an act of academic misconduct, assisting another to commit or conceal an act of academic misconduct, bringing a false accusation of academic misconduct, giving false information concerning academic misconduct, or failing to notify a faculty member from whom a recommendation is requested of a prior sanction imposed under this Section against the student requesting the recommendation.

• Professional misconduct, defined as a violation of applicable rules of professional responsibility, in a law school practice setting, including participation in a clinic, externship, or law school pro bono project.

• Other academic misconduct as defined in the Code at http://studentcode.iu.edu/responsibilities/academic-misconduct.html.
(b) Potential sanctions for academic misconduct are as follows:
• A lower or failing grade for the assignment in which the misconduct occurred;

• Repeating the assignment(s) or course in which misconduct occurred;

• Completing additional assignment(s);

• A lower or failing grade for the course;

• Required withdrawal from the course, with a grade of either F or W at the faculty member’s discretion, regardless of when during the semester the student withdraws from the course); or

• Other sanctions appropriate under the circumstances.

(c) Procedures for reports of academic misconduct

The determination whether academic misconduct by a student has occurred and imposition of the appropriate sanction, if any, are made by the faculty member responsible for the course in which academic misconduct is alleged or reported. Prior to making any determination that academic misconduct has occurred or imposing any sanction, the faculty member shall consult with the Dean of Students. If the alleged or reported academic misconduct is unrelated to a particular course, the Dean of Students shall make the determination whether the misconduct has occurred and the sanction, if any, to be imposed.

If the faculty member is uncertain about a material issue of fact regarding suspected course-related academic misconduct, the faculty member may request that the Dean of Students conduct an informal advisory investigation as to whether the act of misconduct occurred. Alternatively, at the request of the faculty member in consultation with the Dean of Students, the Dean shall appoint an Investigatory Committee consisting of two faculty members and one student. Members of the Investigatory Committee ordinarily should be drawn from the members of the Petitions and Appeals Committee described in Section 10 below, excluding the Chair who may not serve as a member of the Investigatory Committee. The Investigatory Committee shall promptly conduct an investigation which may include an informal hearing. Upon the completion of its investigation, the Investigatory Committee shall provide the faculty member with a written report, which shall state the Investigatory Committee’s advisory findings as to the fact of misconduct and any recommendations as to sanctions to be imposed by the faculty member.

The faculty member thereafter shall determine whether the student committed the act of misconduct as alleged and, if so, whether one or more academic sanctions should be imposed. In making these determinations, the faculty member should give due consideration to the advisory views of the Dean of Students or the Investigative Committee, but is not bound by their findings as to misconduct or recommendations as to sanctions.

A faculty member who determines that a student has committed academic misconduct shall promptly report this decision, as well as any sanctions to be imposed, to the Dean of Students.

The Dean of Students shall promptly report any adverse determination of academic misconduct and sanctions to the student. The Dean of Students will keep a record of any determination of academic misconduct and the imposition of sanctions in the student’s file, although no such record shall be created during the pendency of any appeal.

(d) Obligation to report other students’ academic misconduct

A student who knows that another law student has committed academic misconduct as defined in this Section that raises a substantial question as to that student’s honesty, trustworthiness, or potential fitness as a lawyer in other respects, is expected to inform the responsible faculty member or the Dean of Students.

(2) Personal Misconduct
Procedures for resolving personal misconduct allegedly committed by a student or student organization raise two key issues: (1) whether personal misconduct has occurred, and (2) if so, what sanctions are appropriate.
(a) Personal misconduct is defined to include:
• Any conduct involving material dishonesty that does not constitute academic misconduct;

• Any criminal conduct;

• Discriminatory or harassing conduct as defined by the Code (at http://studentcode.iu.edu/rights/discrimination.html and http://studentcode.iu.edu/rights/harassment.html) that does not constitute a sexual misconduct claim; or

• Any act of personal misconduct that occurs either on university property as defined in the Code at http://studentcode.iu.edu/responsibilities/on-campus-personal.html (28 types of such personal misconduct are identified in a non-exclusive list in the Code), or not on university property as defined in the Code at http://studentcode.iu.edu/responsibilities/off-campus-personal.html.

• Any action in violation of other university policies, which may be found at http://policies.iu.edu, including: GR-01, Contact with Federal and State Government Officials; GR 02, Political Activities; UA-14, Event Management; IT-01, Appropriate Use of Information Technology Resources; IT-02, Misuse and Abuse of Information Technology Resources; PS-03, Possession of Firearms and Weapons; and PS-04, Tobacco-Free Policy.

(b) Potential disciplinary sanctions for personal misconduct include:
• Require that the conduct must cease and not be repeated;

• Require that the student who engaged in personal misconduct receive appropriate counseling or treatment as a condition of remaining at the School;

• Require withdrawal or suspension from the School for a specified period of time;

• Expulsion from the School; or

• Other sanctions appropriate under the circumstances.

(c) Procedures for reports of personal misconduct
The Dean of Students shall receive reports of personal misconduct by a law student or law student organization, regardless of whether the conduct took place within or outside the School. The Dean of Students may determine and resolve the matter independently, provided the personal misconduct alleged does not involve a sexual misconduct claim. The reporting and resolution of any report that involves a sexual misconduct claim must follow the procedures set forth in Policy UA-03.

When the Dean of Students determines and resolves a report of personal misconduct by a student or student organization, the student or complainant who is dissatisfied with the resolution may appeal to the Dean within 14 days of receiving notice of resolution by the Dean of Students.
The Dean of Students shall also have the discretion to refer a report of personal misconduct by a student or student organization directly to the Dean for resolution.

The Dean of Students, in consultation with the Dean, may alternatively refer a report of personal misconduct by a student or a student organization to the University’s Office of Institutional Equity or Office of Student Conduct. Those Offices may also receive reports from complainants directly.

Once the Dean or Dean of Students makes a final determination as to personal misconduct and any sanction, if appropriate, the Dean of Students will notify the student and keep a record of the determination of personal misconduct and the imposition of sanctions in the student’s file, although no such record shall be created during the pendency of any appeal.

9.3 Appeal of Adverse Determination within the School

The Dean of Students shall notify the student determined to have engaged in academic or personal misconduct of the student’s right of appeal.

(1) Academic misconduct
The student has a right of appeal from any adverse determination of academic misconduct to the Petitions and Appeals Committee (section 10.1), which serves as the School’s Unit Hearing Board for appeals pursuant to the Code. The student must appeal an adverse determination within 14 days of receiving notice of the adverse determination.

The student also has the subsequent right to appeal the finding of the Petitions and Appeals Committee to the Dean. The student must appeal an adverse determination by the Petitions and Appeals Committee within 14 days of receiving notice of the adverse determination.

(2) Personal misconduct
The student has a right of appeal from any adverse determination of personal misconduct by the Dean to the Petitions and Appeals Committee (section 10.1). The student must appeal an adverse determination by the Dean within 14 days of receiving notice of the adverse determination.


9.4 Finality of Decisions Regarding Student Misconduct

(1) Academic misconduct
A student who has exhausted all appeals within the School and wishes to appeal the School’s final decision may have a right of appeal to the Vice Provost for Faculty and Academic Affairs within ten (10) days after the School’s proceedings have concluded and the student has received notice of a final decision (see http://studentcode.iu.edu/procedures/bloomington/discipline/academic-misconduct/step-three.html). Any written factual conclusions by the School are final. Appeals to the VPFAA must be based on allegations of serious procedural error.

(2) Personal misconduct
After all appeals and proceedings within the School have concluded and the student has received notice of a final decision, the student may request that the matter be referred to the Office of Student Conduct of the campus Division of Student Affairs.

9.5 Reporting to Other University Offices; State Bar Examiners

(1) Other University Offices
The School may, and in some instances must, report determinations that a student has engaged in misconduct (whether academic or personal) to other offices within Indiana University, including the Office of Student Conduct of the campus Division of Student Affairs, which may pursue additional university-wide sanctions pursuant to procedures set out in the Code.

(2) State Bar Examiners
Determinations that a student has engaged in misconduct (whether academic or personal) almost always require reporting to State Bar Examiners, although the specific requirements vary from state to state. Some states require the reporting of accusations of misconduct, regardless of the ultimate determination.

Section 10. Petitions and Appeals

10.1 The Petitions and Appeals Committee

The Petitions and Appeals Committee (“Committee”), whose membership varies from year to year, is composed of both faculty and student members. The Committee does not hear sexual misconduct claims. The Committee may hear the following matters:

(1) Appeals from law school determinations by the law school that students have committed academic or personal misconduct, and the imposition of sanctions resulting from such determinations, except that any member of the Committee who participated on an Investigatory Committee about suspected academic misconduct as set forth in Section 9 above may not also serve on an appeal about that student’s alleged misconduct;
(2) Grade appeals by students, for which the Committee is designated as the law school’s Academic Fairness Committee (see Bloomington Faculty Council Resolution Document H-XXVII);
(3) Petitions by faculty members to change final grades for reasons other than mathematical or administrative error;
(4) Petitions by students for readmission after exclusion or ineligibility to continue in the School based on academic grounds (see Section 7.2);
(5) Petitions by students for readmission in cases of absence from the School not triggered on academic grounds. In these cases, the Dean of Students will make the initial determination which shall be subject to review by the Committee;
(6) Petitions by students to enroll as a visiting student at another law school (see Section 4.10(3)). In these cases, the Dean of Students will make an initial determination which shall be subject to review by the Committee; and
(7) Other matters, as directed by the Dean, including matters that implicate a possible violation by a member of the School’s faculty, administration, or staff of a student’s rights, as defined by the Code (see Section 12.3 below).

10.2 Procedures
A student or faculty member who wishes to pursue a petition or appeal to the Committee shall discuss the matter with the Dean of Students, who will notify the chair of the Committee. Student petitioners may exclude the student members of the Committee from considering their case, in which case only the faculty members of the Committee will consider the case.

At the Chair’s discretion, the Dean of Students or the Chair of the Committee may first attempt to resolve the matter informally. If informal resolution is not possible or successful, the Chair of the Committee will contact the petitioner and the members of the Committee. The Chair will convene the committee, receive supporting documentation, and arrange a time for the petitioner to appear before the Committee. The Committee will make its determination based on the documentation, witness statements, and other relevant considerations. The petitioner and any individual accused of misconduct are entitled (but not required) to testify, cross examine witnesses, and be accompanied at the hearing by counsel or an advisor of their choice (see http://studentcode.iu.edu/procedures/iu-wide/advisors.html).

Appeals from Committee determinations must be made within 14 days of receipt of notification of the determination to the Dean, who will review the case presented to the Committee (except in cases of personal misconduct by students for which there is no rehearing or appeal from the Committee’s determination to the Dean). After prompt consideration, the Dean shall issue a decision resolving the matter. At that point, the decision is final except for appeals in cases of academic or personal misconduct (see Section 9.4).

Students who believe their rights under the Code, including their right to due process, have been violated by a faculty member, administrator, or staff member in the School, have the right to pursue complaints (see Section 12.3) according to procedures in the Code at http://studentcode.iu.edu/procedures/bloomington/complaints/index.html.

Section 11. Prohibition against Discrimination or Sexual Misconduct

11.1 Harassment or Discrimination
The School does not tolerate harassment or discrimination on the basis of age, color, disability, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status. The School investigates every complaint and provides proper remedies for discrimination in violation of the Code. For further information, see http://studentcode.iu.edu/rights/discrimination.html and http://studentcode.iu.edu/rights/harassment.html.

11.2 Sexual Misconduct
The School does not tolerate sexual misconduct, as defined in Policy UA-03. The School responds to every complaint of sexual misconduct, and is a mandatory reporter to the University, which investigates all claims of sexual misconduct.

Section 12. Student Complaints against the Administration, Faculty, and Staff

12.1 Harassment or Discrimination Claims
In cases of complaints of discrimination or harassment on the basis of age, color, disability, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status, the School follows the procedures in Policy UA-01 for referral as required, notice, and/or consultation with the University’s Office of Institutional Equity for any reports of claims of discriminatory or harassing conduct as defined in Policy UA-01. Any such student complaint may be reported at any time to the Dean of Students or the Dean, or directly to the University Office of Institutional Equity.

12.2 Sexual Misconduct Claims
Any student complaint of sexual misconduct against a faculty member, administrator, or staff member in the School shall be reported to the University Title IX Coordinator, per Policy UA-03.

12.3 Violation of the Code
Students are directed to the procedures set forth in the Code at http://studentcode.iu.edu/procedures/bloomington/complaints/index.html for any complaint that a faculty member, administrator, or staff member in the School has violated a student’s rights under the Code, except that all references to the Dean of Students should be interpreted to mean the Dean of Students at the School of Law. If the Dean of Students is the subject of the complaint, the student should file the written complaint with the Dean of the School of Law. If the Dean is the subject of the complaint, the student should file the written complaint with the Vice Provost for Faculty and Academic Affairs.

12.4 Student Complaints Implicating Compliance with ABA Standards
Consistent with the American Bar Association Standards and Rules of Procedure for Approval of Law Schools (the “ABA Standards”), found at https://www.americanbar.org/groups/legal_education/resources/standards/, students at the School of Law have the opportunity to notify the administration of significant concerns that directly implicate the School of Law’s compliance with the ABA Standards. The School of Law’s procedures for responding to such notifications and addressing such significant concerns are set out at https://www.law.indiana.edu/about/complaints.shtml.

Grading Policies

Grades and Marks

1. Academic Regulation 5.2 sets out the basic grading system used by the School of Law.

2. Ranges and Averages
The faculty has established the following grading policy (effective fall 2017 and beyond):
Exemptions: The following courses are exempt from the grading policy:
a. Courses in which 10 or fewer J.D. students receive final grades;
b. Clinical courses, including Independent Clinical Projects (B710);
c. Seminars and other writing courses in which students draft, and instructors provide feedback upon, multiple iterations of a substantial writing project or multiple iterations of a series of writing projects;
d. Courses graded on a Pass/Fail basis;
e. Independent Research (B706) and Directed Research (B707) courses; and
f. Courses exempted by the Dean or the Executive Associate Dean, upon the written request of an instructor setting forth exceptional circumstances that justify an exception. Unless otherwise indicated, an exemption shall be limited to a particular set of grades for a particular course for a single semester only.

First Year Courses: Notwithstanding any exemption, for all required first-year courses, instructors are required to give grades such that the average of grades awarded to the J.D. students in a class is between 3.20 and 3.30. Instructors are also expected to give grades such that the standard deviation for grades awarded to the J.D. students in a class is no greater than 0.40.

Midsize, Simulation, and Writing Courses: Unless exempt from the grading policy, for the following courses –
a. Skills/Simulation courses;
b. Courses satisfying the “Advanced Writing” requirement; and
c. Upper-level courses in which 11 to 18 J.D. students receive final grades.
Instructors are required to give grades such that the average of grades awarded to the J.D. students in a class is between 3.30 and 3.60.

Large Lecture Courses: Unless exempt from the grading policy, for all other courses instructors are required to give grades such that the average of grades awarded to the J.D. students in a class is between 3.30 and 3.40. Instructors are also expected to give grades such that the standard deviation for grades awarded to the J.D. students in a class is no greater than 0.40.

The minimum grade point average required for graduation is 2.30.

The grade point averages for honors are:
Cum Laude Top 30% (70th – 89th percentile)
Magna Cum Laude Top 10% (90th – 98th percentile)
Summa Cum Laude Top 1% (99th – 100th percentile)

3. Class Averages
To calculate your class average for purposes of the grading range, multiply the number of students receiving each letter grade by that grade’s numerical equivalent. Add the products and divide by the total number of students in the class.

Total = 37.0 (Divide by 12 students)
Class average = 3.08

3. Exam Feedback

Instructors should provide feedback to students regarding student performance.  Means of doing this include providing students with model answers to exams, providing students with student answers receiving high grades (where the student’s anonymity is preserved), and/or individual conferences with students in which their performance, including on examinations, is discussed.

4. Changes to Grades
Once an instructor has submitted final grades for a class, no changes may be made to grades without the approval of the Dean or the Executive Associate Dean, or the Petitions and Appeals Committee.

The Dean and Executive Associate Dean shall grant approval to change a grade only in cases of mathematical or administrative error. Examples of mathematical and administrative errors include arithmetic errors, technical errors, and clear scoring errors.

 
Policy on Field Placements

The faculty of the Maurer School of Law has adopted the following policy governing field placements:

1. Scope
This policy applies to most field placements offered by the law school, including:
• B514 – Private Practice Externship
• B545 – Criminal Law Externship
• B547 – Public Interest Externship
• B551 – Intellectual Property Externship Program
• B698 – Judicial Field Placement

This policy does not apply, however, to field placements as part of formal, long-term collaborative relationships with certain outside organizations. The following field placement programs fall outside the scope of this policy:
• B512 – Global Externship Program
• B538-B539 – Semester Public Interest Program
• B616-B618 – Modern Legal Practice Field Placement

2. Eligibility Requirements
(a) Students pursuing a J.D. or joint degree may enroll in a field placement only after successfully completing all required first-year courses.

(b) Under the law school’s academic regulations, students must complete at least six (6) credit hours in experiential courses, including field placements, to earn a J.D. degree. See Academic Regulations § 2.1(4). At least 65 of the 88 credit hours required to earn a J.D. degree, however, must involve “attendance in regularly scheduled class sessions at the law school.” Field placement credits do not count toward that requirement. See Academic Regulations, § 2.2.

(c) In addition, a maximum of 12 credit hours for field placements may be counted toward the 88 credits required to earn a J.D. degree. In extraordinary circumstances, upon a compelling showing of need for a particular student, the Associate Dean of Students may authorize an exception to the 12-credit maximum for field placements.

3. Enrollment Limits
(a) Ordinarily, no student may enroll in a field placement concurrently with a law clinic. The Associate Dean of Students may authorize exceptions to that restriction, but only: (1) after consultation with the student concerning the required time commitment; (2) upon a determination that the concurrent enrollments will not present conflicts of interest; and (3) with the approval of the clinical instructor, the field placement faculty instructor, and the field placement site supervisor. No student may enroll concurrently in more than one law clinic.

(b) Ordinarily, no student may enroll concurrently in more than one field placement at separate sites. The Associate Dean of Students may authorize exceptions to that restriction, but only: (1) after consultation with the student concerning the required time commitment; (2) upon a determination that the concurrent enrollments will not present conflicts of interest; and (3) with the approval of the faculty instructors and site supervisors for both field placements.

(c) Students enrolled in field placements with a judge are subject to special limits on outside activity, including the practice of law. See U.S. Code of Conduct for Judicial Employees, Canon 4D. Accordingly, except in extraordinary circumstances, and notwithstanding paragraphs (a) and (b), no student may enroll in a judicial field placement concurrently with a law clinic or another field placement. The Faculty Director of the Judicial Externship Program may authorize exceptions to that restriction, with the concurrence of the Associate Dean of Students, but only: (1) with the approval of the judge supervising the field placement; and (2) with the approval of the clinical instructor or field placement faculty instructor and site supervisor.

(d) Ordinarily, students may enroll in a field placement at a particular site only once. To enroll in a second or successive field placement at the same site, the student must establish to the satisfaction of the Associate Dean of Students that the additional field placement will involve a substantially different lawyering experience. In making that determination, the Associate Dean of Students shall consider: (1) the nature of the work performed; (2) the department or practice group to which the student will be assigned; (3) the courts, government agencies, or clients with which the student will engage; and (4) the identity of the site supervisor.

(e) During the fall and spring semesters of an academic year, students ordinarily may not earn more than three (3) credit hours per semester for a field placement. In extraordinary circumstances, upon a compelling showing of need for a particular student, the Associate Dean of Students may authorize an exception to that credit limit and permit the student to earn a maximum of four (4) credit hours.

4. Field Placement Policies
(a) Field placement courses shall be graded on a Satisfactory / Fail basis.

(b) Consistent with the policy of the ABA, the law school does not categorically prohibit students from receiving both academic credit and paid compensation for field placements. With proper supervision, the educational value of a field placement does not depend on whether students receive compensation. The faculty also recognizes that the opportunity to earn money and academic credit simultaneously is especially valuable to students who face financial pressure, scheduling constraints, family commitments, or legal obligations.

To qualify for academic credit, however, the primary purpose of the field placement must be the educational benefit of the student, rather than the financial benefit of the student or employer. Accordingly, no student may enroll in a field placement for which the student will be paid more than $20 per hour of work, or the reasonable equivalent of that rate. In extraordinary circumstances, upon a compelling showing of need for a particular student, the Associate Dean of Students may authorize exceptions to that limit.

The Assistant Dean for Career Services will monitor and report to the faculty on the frequency of paid field placements, and of requests by students for paid field placements. Within the next two years, by the spring semester of 2022, the faculty will reevaluate and update its policy concerning paid field placements.