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The University of Tennessee

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Academics


Academics

Procedures

Petition for Variance

Petitions for permission to vary the required program of the first three semesters should be submitted to the Student Records Office. When the petition is based on hardship, it must indicate what steps have been taken to alleviate the hardship and why other remedies are not reasonably feasible. In the event a variance is granted, the Dean or the Dean's designee will determine (subject to any requirement established by the Academic Standards Committee) the student's course load, the sequencing of required courses, and which, if any, upper-class courses may be taken before all first-year courses are completed.

Five-year Rule Applicable

a student who is granted a variance is expected to comply with the ordinary rule requiring completion of requirements for the JD degree within a period of five years. Waivers of the five-year requirement may be granted only in accordance with procedures established under that rule.

Upper Class Course Load

In order to complete the JD degree in six semesters the normal upper-class load is 14 or 15 hours per semester. To be eligible to receive College of Law scholarships students must carry at least 12 hours. To receive residence credit for an academic term a student must carry at least 10 hours and successfully complete at least nine hours. Hour requirements for veterans and other benefits may vary. Students should check with individual agencies.

Maximum Course Load

The maximum course load for a law student is eighteen (18) hours in any one semester. During the summer term, the maximum course load is eight (8) hours.