Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law

Academics

In addition to the J.D., the law school offers the LL.M. and M.L.S. (Master in Legal Studies). Students may take relevant courses in other programs and apply credit toward the J.D.; a maximum of 6 credits may be applied. The following joint degrees may be earned: J.D./M.B.A. (Juris Doctor/Master of Business Administration), J.D./M.D. (Juris Doctor/Doctor of Medicine with Mayo Medical School), J.D./Ph.D. (Juris Doctor/Ph.D. in justice and social inquiry), and J.D/Ph.D. (Juris Doctor/Ph.D. in Psychology).

Students must take 16 credits in their area of concentration. The Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law offers concentrations in environmental law, intellectual property law, international law, tax law, and certificates in Indian law, intellectual property, environmental law, health law, and law, science, and technology. In addition, current offerings include a Criminal Practice Clinic, a Civil Justice Clinic, and a Technology Ventures Clinic, each worth 6 credits. Third-year students are given preference for clinics and seminars; 25 to 30 seminars per semester are offered (worth 2 or 3 credit hours). Externships and field work allow upper-level students to gain up to 12 credits while working in one of the more than 150 organized externships. A number of research opportunities are also available for students. Professor Joe Feller’s Natural Resources Field Seminar provides an opportunity to observe first-hand some of the places and resources discussed in the courses on Water Law and Natural Resources Law. The course is held in Northern Arizona, north of the Grand Canyon. Visiting old-growth forests, an ecological restoration project, the site of the Bridger fire, desert rangelands, and the Colorado River in Glen Canyon, participants meet with federal and state resource managers and scientists to discuss the application and implementation of environmental laws. The college sponsors numerous annual lecture series and several major symposia yearly. Study abroad is possible through a semester exchange program with Universidad Torcuato Di Tella, Buenos Aires, University of Victoria, British Columbia, National University, Singapore, and Universit

Admissions

In the fall 2007 first-year class, 3082 applied, 731 were accepted, and 159 enrolled. Twenty-four transfers enrolled. The median LSAT percentile of the most recent first-year class was 78; the median GPA was 3.6 on a scale of 4.33 The lowest LSAT percentile accepted was 26; the highest was 97.

Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree and take the LSAT. No specific undergraduate courses are required. Candidates are not interviewed.

The application deadline for fall entry is November 1 and February 1. Applicants should submit an application form, LSAT results, transcripts, a personal statement, TOEFL, a nonrefundable application fee of $50, and a r

Financial Aid

About 86% of current law students receive some form of aid. The average annual amount of aid from all sources combined, including scholarships, loans, and work contracts, is $22,833; maximum, $58,003. Awards are based on need and merit. Required financial statement is the FAFSA. The aid application deadline for fall entry is rolling. Special funds for minority or disadvantaged students include Minority Legal Writing Program funds; Bureau of Reclamation funds for Native American students; and various privately funded scholarships. First-year students are notified about their financial aid application throughout the spring and summer.

Students

About 43% of the student body are women; 26%, minorities; 3%, African American; 4%, Asian American; 13%, Hispanic; 6%, Native American; 2%, Foreign National; and 10% , Unknown. The average age of entering students is 25; age range is 21 to 63. About 39% of students enter directly from undergraduate school, 16% have a graduate degree, and 59% have worked full-time prior to entering law school. About 8% drop out after the first year for academic or personal reasons; 98% remain to receive a law degree.

Students edit the Arizona State Law Journal. Students also assist faculty in editing Jurimetrics: The Journal of Law, Science, and Technology. Students also publish their own newspaper: Res Ipsa Loquitur. Students are urged to participate in the ABA Dispute Resolution Section’s “Representation in Mediation” Competition, the Jessup International Moot Court Competition, and a Client Counseling Competition. Other competitions include the Judge Tang Essay Competition, the Oplinger Closing Argument Competition, the Jenckes Competition, and numerous other writing competitions. Student organizations include Government and Public Interest Law, Law and Science Student Association, and Corporate and Business Law Student Association. Local chapters of national associations include the American Bar Association Law Student Division, John P. Morris Black Law Students Association, and Native American Law Student Association. Other organizations affiliated campuswide include Phi Alpha Delta, the ASU Graduate and Professional Association, and the Chicano/Latino Law Student Association.

The law school operates on a traditional semester basis. Courses for full-time students are offered both day and evening and must be completed within 5 years. For part-time students, courses are offered and There is no part-time program. New students are admitted in the fall. There are 1 2-week, 1 8 to 10-week, and 2 5-week summer sessions. Transferable summer courses are offered.

This website and its associated pages are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by this school.
StateUniversity.com has no official or unofficial affiliation with Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law.