Degree Programs, page 2
The Law Center
Tuition and Fees (Estimated)
Students in the Law Center's professional programs pay tuition of $10,600 per semester (13-17 units); for less than 13 units, the tuition is $815 per unit, and tuition is an additional $815 for each unit over 17. The university reserves the right to assess new fees or charges as it may determine. The rates listed are subject to change without notice by action of the Board of Trustees.
These fees are based upon current information available at the time of publication and are subject to possible later change.
In addition to the mandatory fees charged to all USC students, law students must also join the Student Bar Association. In 1994-95, this membership fee was $10 per semester.
Grading and Attendance Policies
Grading
Numerical grades are given in most courses. A grade of 90 is equivalent to highest honors and is very rare; from 85 to 89, high honors; from 80 to 84, honors. Grades from 70 to 79 indicate satisfactory work, and the median grade in first year courses is usually 76; grades from 66 to 69 are unsatisfactory; and a 65 is failing. Students receiving a grade of 65 will not be given credit for the course toward graduation. A student who fails a first-year course must repeat the course, but both grades will be included in computing that student's general average. Other courses may not be repeated except on petition to the Administrative Board. A student with a weighted cumulative average of less than 70 at the end of any year will not be permitted to continue.
Credit/69/65
After the first year, a student may take up to a total of eight units on a CR/69/65 basis, chosen from among courses otherwise graded in a normal manner. No more than four such units may be taken in a semester. The student must elect to take a course CR/69/65 during the first two weeks of the semester. Students on academic probation may not elect this option. Courses or seminars may, at the instructor's option, be designated prior to registration as not available for CR/69/65 grading.
Students may also take such courses regularly offered on a CR/69/65 basis, in addition to courses taken under this rule.
Withdrawals from Courses
A student may not withdraw from a course later than two weeks after the first day of classes of any semester without permission of both the Administrative Board and the instructor.
Attendance
Class attendance is an important part of law school education. It assists both the individual and fellow students in making the most of the educational opportunity offered. Students should, therefore, attend class regularly and participate in the discussion. Professors may take attendance into account in evaluating student performance. Professors will announce before the end of the first week of classes the extent to which attendance will be taken into account in evaluation.
Admission Requirements
First-year students must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited college by the beginning of their Law Center classes. The Law Center does not require applicants to take any specific college courses, and discourages pre-law students from enrolling in college courses which duplicate the law school curriculum. The faculty recommends college courses that are intellectually challenging and require disciplined study. Training in careful reading and skilled writing is most valuable, as are courses involving seminar discussion and sustained research. The student will find that a broad exposure to such fields as economics, philosophy, history, political science, anthropology, mathematics, and psychology is more useful than narrow exposure to vocationally oriented courses.
All applicants are required to take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) administered by the Law School Admissions Service. Applicants are urged to take the test in October or December if they seek to start law school the following August.
Like most law schools, the USC Law Center requires students to use the Law School Data Assembly Service (LSDAS). The LSDAS assembles an applicant's transcripts and LSAT scores and forwards copies of them to law schools of the applicant's choosing. An applicant who has previously registered with the LSDAS need only request on the appropriate form that the name of the University of Southern California Law Center be added to the list of schools to which the student is applying. Further information about the LSAT and the LSDAS may be obtained from the Law School Admissions Service, Box 2000, Newtown, Pennsylvania 18940.
Detailed information regarding admission application procedures is available from the Director of Admissions, USC Law Center, University Park, Los Angeles, California 90089-0071.
Transfer Students and Visiting Students
A student in good standing at a law school which is a member of the Association of American Law Schools may apply for admission with advanced standing either as a transfer student or as a visiting student. Transfer students usually enter the USC Law Center after one year at another law school; they then spend two years at the Law Center and earn the J.D. degree from USC. Visiting students spend less than two years at the Law Center; most enroll for their third year of law school; they are not eligible for a USC degree. For further information, please request Transfer/Visitor Information from the Admissions Office at the Law Center.
Registration
Details of the registration procedure are handled through the Registrar's Office of the Law Center. Registration information will be mailed to accepted applicants approximately two to three weeks prior to the registration date indicated on the Law Center calendar.
Privacy Act Guidelines
In accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, the Law Center, at the discretion of authorized officials of the university, will release information classified as "directory information" unless an applicant or student indicates in writing that such information should not be released. Directory information includes the student's name, address, telephone number and dates of enrollment. Written requests to withhold this information should be directed to the Registrar of the Law Center. In addition, an applicant or student may have access to all of his or her records maintained by the university except those considered confidential under the Privacy Act. Students who wish to review their records should direct their request in writing to the Associate Dean for Student Services of the Law Center. A small charge may be made to cover the time and costs of duplication of the record.
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Produced by the USC Division of Student Affairs, Office of University Publications, May 1, 1995
Joye Day
day@mizar.usc.edu