University of Tennessee College of Law Academic Policies (Student

University of Tennessee College of Law

Academic Policies (Student Handbook)

2022-2023

Table of Contents

A. J.D. ....................................................................................................................................... 1

1. J.D. Degree Requirements ............................................................................................... 1

a. Course Requirements. ...................................................................................................... 1

b. Academic Standards......................................................................................................... 1

c. Additional Non-Course Requirements. ............................................................................ 2

2. Learning Outcomes for Graduating J.D. Students ........................................................... 2

3. Flexible Schedule J.D. Programs ..................................................................................... 2

4. J.D. Curriculum ................................................................................................................ 3

a. The First Year .................................................................................................................. 3

b. The Second Year .............................................................................................................. 4

c. Other Curricular Requirements for the J.D. ..................................................................... 4

d. Non-Law Electives for J.D. Students ............................................................................... 6

5. Distance Education Standards for J.D. Classes and Students .......................................... 7

6. Course Load Policies for J.D. Students .................................................................................. 7

a. Maximum Course Load for J.D. Students ....................................................................... 7

b. Typical Upper-Class Course Load for J.D. Students ........................................................... 8

c. Full-Time Status and Half-Time Status for J.D. Students. .................................................. 8

7. Concentrations for J.D. Students ..................................................................................... 8

a. Concentration in Advocacy and Dispute Resolution ....................................................... 8

b. Concentration in Business Transactions .......................................................................... 8

8. Dual Degree Programs and Certificates for J.D. Students ............................................... 8

9. J.D. Grading Scale & Curve ............................................................................................ 8

10. J.D. Academic Honors, Class Rank, Dean’s List, and Scholarships..................................... 9

a. Academic Honors............................................................................................................. 9

b. Class Rank ....................................................................................................................... 9

c. Dean’s List ....................................................................................................................... 9

d. Scholarships ..................................................................................................................... 9

11. Probation, Academic Alert, and Exclusion for J.D. Students ............................................ 10

a. Academic Probation ....................................................................................................... 10

iii

b. Academic Alert .............................................................................................................. 10

c. Academic Exclusion ...................................................................................................... 11

B. Master of Legal Studies ..................................................................................................... 11

1. Master of Legal Studies Degree Requirements ............................................................. 11

2. Curriculum ..................................................................................................................... 11

3. Class Registration .......................................................................................................... 12

4. Grading .......................................................................................................................... 12

5. Part-Time Study Permitted ............................................................................................ 12

6. Admission ...................................................................................................................... 12

7. Transfer of Credit Hours ................................................................................................ 12

8. Distance Education Courses for M.L.S. Students ................................................................. 12

C. Graduate Certificate in Legal Studies Degree Requirements ............................................ 13

1. Curriculum ..................................................................................................................... 13

2. Class Registration .......................................................................................................... 13

3. Grading .......................................................................................................................... 14

4. Part-Time Study Permitted ............................................................................................ 14

5. Admission ...................................................................................................................... 14

6. Transfer of Credit Hours ................................................................................................ 14

7. Distance Education Courses for Graduate Certificate Students .................................... 14

D. Academic Policies for All Law Students ........................................................................... 15

1. Auditing Courses ........................................................................................................... 15

2. Repeating Courses ......................................................................................................... 15

3. Withdrawal from Courses .............................................................................................. 15

4. Withdrawal from College .............................................................................................. 16

5. Temporary Grades ......................................................................................................... 16

6. Grade Appeals ................................................................................................................ 16

7. Grade Changes ............................................................................................................... 16

8. Class Attendance ............................................................................................................ 16

9. Recording Class ............................................................................................................. 17

10.Variances from Course Load................................................................................................ 17

11.Waivers of Prerequisite or Co-requisite Course and for Taking a Prerequisite Course as Co-

requisite course .......................................................................................................................... 18

12. Right to Appeal Academic Decisions ................................................................................. 18

13.Examinations ........................................................................................................................ 18

a. Anonymous Grading ...................................................................................................... 18

b. Examination Procedure .................................................................................................. 19

c. Examination Period ........................................................................................................ 19

14.Readmission ......................................................................................................................... 19

15.Reenrollment After Voluntary Withdrawal.......................................................................... 20

16.Complaint Procedure ............................................................................................................ 20

17. Disability Accommodations ................................................................................................ 20

E. Code of Academic Conduct ................................................................................................... 21

1. Chapter One: Statement of Purpose ............................................................................... 21

2. Chapter Two: Scope .............................................................................................................. 21

3. Chapter Three: Standards of Conduct ............................................................................ 22

a. 3.01 Prohibited Conduct ................................................................................................ 22

b. 3.02 Reporting Prohibited Conduct ............................................................................... 23

4. Chapter Four: Administration of the Code .................................................................... 23

F. Writing Standards .................................................................................................................. 33

1. Introduction .................................................................................................................... 33

2. Plagiarism ...................................................................................................................... 33

3. Related Forms of Academic Misconduct Involving Writing ......................................... 34

4. Conclusion ..................................................................................................................... 34

Appendix A - Learning Outcomes for Graduating J.D. Students ................................................. 36

Appendix B – Field Placements .................................................................................................... 37

Faculty Supervision. .............................................................................................................. 37

Field Work. ............................................................................................................................ 37

Credit. .................................................................................................................................... 37

Student Journal. ..................................................................................................................... 37

Grading .................................................................................................................................. 37

Repeatability. ......................................................................................................................... 37

Appendix C - Determination of Credit Hours for Coursework .................................................... 39

Appendix D - Dual Degree and Certificate Programs for J.D. Students ...................................... 41

1. Dual J.D. – MBA Degrees ............................................................................................. 41

a. Admissions Requirements ............................................................................................. 41

b. Curriculum ..................................................................................................................... 42

c. Approved Dual Credit .................................................................................................... 42

2. Dual J.D. – M.S.S.W. Degrees ...................................................................................... 42

a. Admissions Requirements ............................................................................................. 43

b. Academic Standards....................................................................................................... 43

c. Credit Hours Required ................................................................................................... 44

d. Concentrations ............................................................................................................... 44

e. Non-course Requirements .............................................................................................. 44

f. Curriculum ..................................................................................................................... 45

3. Dual J.D. – MPPA Degrees ........................................................................................... 45

a. Admission requirements ................................................................................................ 45

b. Curriculum ..................................................................................................................... 46

c. Awarding of Grades ....................................................................................................... 46

4. Dual J.D. – MA Degrees ................................................................................................ 47

a. Admissions Requirements ............................................................................................. 47

b. Curriculum ..................................................................................................................... 47

c. Awarding of Grades ....................................................................................................... 48

5. Graduate Certificate in Law & Social Welfare .............................................................. 48

a. Admissions Standards/Procedures ................................................................................. 48

b. Credit Hours Required ................................................................................................... 48

c. Program Curriculum ...................................................................................................... 48

6. Health Policy Graduate Certificate ................................................................................ 50

Appendix E - Dual Degree for M.L.S. Students ........................................................................... 51

A. J.D.

1. J.D. Degree Requirements

The degree of Doctor of Jurisprudence (J.D.) will be conferred upon candidates who have

achieved all of the following. These requirements can also be found in the Graduate

Catalog for the University of Tennessee.

a. Course Requirements.

J.D. candidates must fulfill the following course requirements:

• complete all required courses which include the first year curriculum (detailed

below), Professional Responsibility, and Constitutional Law;

• complete courses satisfying the following requirements (detailed below):

Expository Writing; Perspective; Planning & Drafting; Experiential; and (for

students entering in Fall 2022) Bias, Cross-Cultural Competency, and Racism;

and

• earn 89 credit hours or more of academic credit.

o Of the required 89 credit hours, no more than 18 credit hours may be

earned in any combination of the following courses:

 Externships (Law 947, Law 948, Law 949)

 Field Placement (Law 992)

 Directed Research Paper (Law 993)

 Independent Study (Law 995)

 Journals (Law 991, Law 995, Law 996, Law 997)

 Moot Court and Moot Court Executive Board (Law 989, Law

997)

 Planning and Drafting Project (Law 998)

 Approved Non-Law Electives (See Non-Law Electives for J.D.

Students)

b. Academic Standards.

J.D. candidates must fulfill the following academic standards:

• Earn a grade of 2.0 or better in at least 21 hours of required, numerically graded

first year courses;

• Achieve a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or better at the end of their

final semester; and

• Achieve a grade point average of 2.0 or better for courses completed during the

final two semesters of coursework at the College.

A student required to repeat course work pursuant to the policy regarding a grade of

2.0 or better in at least 21 hours of first year courses shall repeat at the earliest possible

time the course(s) in which he or she received the lowest grade or such other course(s)

as may be approved by the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. A student required

to repeat course work pursuant to this rule may not count the original course work

toward the 89 credit hours required for graduation. (For example, a student who is

required to repeat a three-credit course under this rule would be required to complete

at least 92 credit hours to graduate.)

c. Additional Non-Course Requirements.

J.D. candidates must fulfill the following additional requirements.

• earn at least 58 hours in residence at the University of Tennessee;

• earn at least 64 hours in courses that require attendance in regularly scheduled

classroom sessions or direct faculty instruction as defined by ABA Standards

for Approval of Law Schools;

• earn no more than 29 of the 89 credits required for graduation through distance

education courses, as defined by ABA Standards and as more fully detailed

below; and

• complete the course of study for the J.D. no earlier than 24 months and no later

than 60 months after a student has commenced law study at the College of Law

or a law school from which the College has accepted transfer credit. Any

exception to this rule must be approved by the Dean or the Dean’s designee.

It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that all graduation requirements have been

met. Additional information on requirements can be obtained from the Student Records

Office.

2. Learning Outcomes for Graduating J.D. Students

Learning Outcomes for Graduating J.D. Students can be found in Appendix A.

3. Flexible Schedule J.D. Programs

A student admitted as part of the Flexible Schedule J.D. program may take a maximum of

11 credit hours in a semester. A student who is admitted as part of this program may not

switch to full-time status unless the student receives permission from the Dean or the

dean’s designee. (As amended Fall 2017)

For purposes of the policies applicable to the College of Law that address eligibility for

participation in activities, programs, and related matters, the terms “first-year student,”

“second-year student,” “third-year student,” and similar terms ordinarily apply to students

enrolled in the Flexible Schedule J.D. Program in the following manner:

1. First-year student: a student who has completed fewer than 30 credit hours.

2. Second-year student: a student who has completed 30 – 60 credit hours.

3. Third-year student: a student who has completed more than 60 credit hours.

These terms should be interpreted in a manner consistent with the underlying purposes of

the policy in question.

4. J.D. Curriculum

a. The First Year

The first-year course of study is designed to provide students with a solid theoretical

and analytical foundation for upper-division elective courses. Since the first-year

course work is fundamental to a solid legal education, the curriculum is mandatory.

Full-time study and the regular sequence of required courses are ordinarily expected.

Only students admitted as part of the Flexible Schedule J.D. program are permitted to

take less than the prescribed full course load for full-time students unless they receive

permission from the Dean or the Dean’s designee.

1. Full-Time Students

For full-time students, the first-year curriculum is as follows:

First Semester Second Semester

Civil Procedure I or Civil Procedure in Practice* (3) Civil Procedure II (3)

Contracts I (3) Contracts II (3)

Criminal Law (3) Legal Process II (3)

Lawyering & Professionalism (1) Legal Research (.5)

Property (4)

Legal Process I (3)

Legal Research (.5) Torts II (2)

Torts I or Torts in Practice* (3) Transactional Lawyering

Lab (1)

(Amended Fall 2022 to add Legal Research to required 1L curriculum).

*First-year students enroll in an “in practice” section of either Civil Procedure I or Torts

I. Civil Procedure in Practice or Torts in Practice include three graded, simulation-

based assignments. Each simulation places students in the role of lawyer, raises

professionalism issues, requires students to perform a lawyering skill, and results in a

written and/or oral work product. In addition to a final examination, the course also

includes a midterm exam that includes at least one essay question.

2. Flexible Schedule J.D. Students

For students admitted as part of the Flexible Schedule J.D. program, the first-year

curriculum is as follows:

First Semester Second Semester

Legal Process I (3) Legal Process II (3)

Legal Research (.5) Legal Research (.5)

Criminal Law (3) Property (4)

Contracts I (3) Contracts II (3)

Lawyering & Professionalism (1) Transactional Lawyering Lab (1)

(Effective Fall 2018, amended Fall 2022 to add Legal Research to required 1L curriculum)

b. The Second Year

1. Full-Time Students

For full-time students, the following courses are required to be taken in the second

year or a previous summer term:

Professional Responsibility (3)

Constitutional Law (4)

2. Flexible Schedule J.D. Students

For full-time students, the following courses are required to be taken in the second

year or a previous summer term and will ordinarily be taken in the following

sequence:

First Semester Second Semester

Civil Procedure I or Civil Procedure in Practice* (3) Civil Procedure II (3)

Torts I or Torts in Practice* (3) Torts II (2)

Prof. Responsibility (3) Prof. Responsibility (3)

or Con. Law (4) or Con. Law (4)

*Students admitted as part of the Flexible Schedule J.D. program will enroll in an

“in practice” section of either Civil Procedure I or Torts I during the second year.

Civil Procedure in Practice or Torts in Practice include three graded, simulation-

based assignments. Each simulation places students in the role of lawyer, raises

professionalism issues, requires students to perform a lawyering skill, and results

in a written and/or oral work product. In addition to a final examination, the course

also includes a midterm exam that includes at least one essay question.

**A student admitted as part of the Flexible Schedule J.D. program may take

Professional Responsibility and Constitutional Law during the summer after the

first year. However, a student admitted as part of this program may not take any

upper-level electives until both of these requirements are satisfied. Any exception

to this rule must be approved by the Dean or the Dean’s designee.

(Effective Fall 2018)

c. Other Curricular Requirements for the J.D.

The following requirements reflect the faculty’s conviction that each student should

develop essential lawyering skills and the ability to view law and the legal system in

broad perspective. A single course cannot be used to fulfill both the expository writing

requirement and the experiential requirement.

• Perspective

• Expository Writing

• Planning and Drafting

• Experiential

• Bias, Cross-Cultural Competency, and Racism

Students must satisfy these requirements at some time prior to graduation. These

requirements may be met through successful completion of any number of elective

courses. The Associate Dean for Academic Affairs maintains and publishes a list

of courses that satisfy these requirements.

1. Perspective

All students must successfully complete one course devoted to the study of other

legal systems, insights of other academic disciplines (such as history, literature,

economics, philosophy, anthropology, or sociology), or other non-traditional

viewpoints on legal concepts or problems.

The Dean may designate courses and seminars (including non-law courses

approved for law school credit) as satisfying this standard.

2. Expository Writing

All students must successfully write under faculty supervision a substantial

research paper involving in-depth research and analysis of a legal issue. The paper

should propose a solution to an important legal problem or present a sensible way

of thinking about an important legal question. To satisfy this requirement, the paper

must be well written, include proper citation to authority, and give appropriate

attention to opposing arguments. The final version of the paper must respond to the

professor’s feedback on the draft or drafts. The paper must be a minimum of 5,000

words in length (disregarding footnotes or endnotes).

The Expository Writing requirement may be satisfied through: (1) a College of Law

Course (including a course used to fulfill another graduation requirement other than

the experiential requirement), (2) a Directed Research Paper (993); or (3) a

comment or other article written for a College of Law journal, subject to the policies

of the relevant journal and approval of the faculty advisor for the journal.

(Effective Spring 2017)

3. Planning and Drafting

All students must successfully complete a substantial planning and drafting project

that requires them to do the following: anticipate problems and changes in

circumstances and plan for their resolution in documents that govern future

behavior; and draft those documents in precise language so that the effected persons

understand their future rights and responsibilities.

The Dean may designate courses and seminars as satisfying this standard. The

requirement may not be fulfilled in conjunction with non-law courses approved for

Law College credit.

4. Experiential Courses

All students must successfully complete experiential learning courses totaling at

least six credit hours. An experiential course must be a simulation course, a law

clinic, or a field placement

as defined by ABA Standards. To satisfy this

requirement, a course must be primarily experiential in nature and must:

• integrate doctrine, theory, skills, and legal ethics, and engage students in

performance of one or more of the professional skills identified in Standard

302;

• develop the concepts underlying the professional skills being taught;

• provide multiple opportunities for performance; and

• provide opportunities for self-evaluation.

The Academic Standards & Curriculum Committee shall designate courses that

meet this requirement.

5. Bias, Cross-Cultural Competency, and Racism.

All students must complete at least two courses that address the topics of bias,

cross-cultural competency, and racism. This requirement will be satisfied by

students completing Lawyering & Professionalism in the first-year curriculum and

completing an additional course from the upper-division curriculum that is

designated as satisfying this requirement. (Effective for students entering in Fall

2022 and later).

d. Non-Law Electives for J.D. Students

Eligible law students may receive credit toward the JD degree for acceptable

performance in a maximum of six semester hours in upper-level courses taken in other

departments at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville which materially contribute to

the study of law. Course selection and registration are subject to guidelines approved

by the law faculty. These guidelines include the requirement that any such course be

acceptable for credit towards a graduate degree in the department offering the course.

Courses in which the primary content consists of substantive law will not be accepted

for JD credit under this option. Prior approval of the associate dean for academic affairs

is required.

Non-law courses will be credited on a Satisfactory/No Credit basis and a grade of B or

better is required in order to receive a Satisfactory. Students enrolled in the J.D.-M.B.A.

degree program and the J.D.-M.P.A. program may not receive credit toward the JD

degree for courses taken in other departments of the University except for those taken

in conjunction with the dual degree.

Detailed information about the requirements for Field Placements can be found in Appendix B.

5. Distance Education Standards for J.D. Classes and Students

Distance courses may be offered synchronously or asynchronously, in accordance with

ABA Standards. Distance courses must provide regular and substantive interaction

between students and faculty teaching the course.

Regular interaction is defined as providing the opportunity for substantive interactions with

the student on a predictable and scheduled basis commensurate with the length of time and

the amount of content in the course based on the number of credit hours, monitoring the

student’s academic engagement and success, and ensuring that the faculty member is

responsible for promptly and proactively engaging in substantive interaction with the

student when needed on the basis of such monitoring or upon request by the student.

Substantive interaction is defined as engaging students in teaching, learning, and

assessment” and includes at least two of the following:

• Providing direct instruction;

• Assessing or providing feedback on a student’s coursework;

• Providing information or responding to questions about the content of a course; or

• Facilitating a group discussion regarding the content of a course.

J.D. students may count no more than 29 distance course credits towards the 89 credits

required for graduation. Students should be aware that some states place limits on distance

learning in a J.D. program for bar applicants. For example, New York allows 15 credits of

distance education courses to count towards the 64 credits of live classroom instruction and

the 83 credits needed for graduation at an ABA accredited school. Students should consult

bar admission rules in the states where they may seek bar admission to determine any

distance education limits.

Student online participation in a course as an ADA accommodation or under exceptional

circumstances, consistent with ABA standards, shall not cause the course to count towards

the distance education credit limits for that student. Students seeking such an

accommodation will provide documentation as required by the College and Office of

Disability Services. Please contact that Associate Dean for Academic Affairs for questions

about seeking such an accommodation.

6. Course Load Policies for J.D. Students

a. Maximum Course Load for J.D. Students

The maximum course load for a J.D. student is eighteen (18) hours in any one semester.

During the summer term, the maximum course load is eight (8) hours. Amended

November 2015.

b. Typical Upper-Class Course Load for J.D. Students

The required first-year course load is described in Part 4, above. In order to complete

the J.D. degree in six semesters the typical upper-class course load is 14 or 15 hours per

semester. Students admitted as part of the Flexible Schedule J.D. program may take no

more than 11 credit hours per semester. Any student admitted as part of the Flexible

Schedule J.D. program who wishes to take more than 11 credit hours must obtain

permission from the Dean or the Dean’s designee.

c. Full-Time Status and Half-Time Status for J.D. Students.

The College of Law defines full-time enrollment as 9 credit hours or more during the

spring and fall semesters and 5 credit hours or more in the summer semester. The

College of Law defines half-time enrollment as 5 credit hours in the fall and spring

semesters and 3 credit hours in the summer semester. Students should refer to the J.D.

curriculum requirements (beginning on page 1 of this Handbook) in order to timely

complete the degree in accordance with Section A.1.c, above.

7. Concentrations for J.D. Students

The following concentrations are available to J.D. students.

a. Concentration in Advocacy and Dispute Resolution

There has never been a greater need for both zealous, skilled advocacy on behalf of

individuals and institutions in our courts, and at the same time the need for wisdom,

people skills and creativity for the peaceful resolution of those disputes. The Advocacy

Concentration curriculum allows second-and third-year students to concentrate their

studies on the legal and practical skills aspects of courtroom and alternative dispute

resolution methods.

b. Concentration in Business Transactions

Business Transactions curriculum allows second- and third-year students to

concentrate their studies on the legal aspects of business and finance, emphasizing the

needs of business concerns both large and small.

8. Dual Degree Programs and Certificates for J.D. Students

Appendix D contains the Dual Degree Programs and Certificates Available to J.D.

Students.

9. J.D. Grading Scale & Curve

A. J.D. students receive numerical grades and grades of Satisfactory/No Credit. Numerical

grades are reported in 0.1 increments, with 0.0 being the lowest possible grade, 0.8 the

lowest passing grade, and 4.3 the highest possible grade. Grades of 4.1–4.3 are considered

to reflect extraordinary performance.

Grade point averages will all be rounded to the nearest tenth point by the college when

determining class rank and honors distinctions, although the official university transcript

reflects grade point averages rounded to the hundredth decimal place.

Effective in the fall of 2016, all required J.D. courses shall have a mean of 3.1, plus or

minus 0.04. The mean shall be calculated after all adjustments for class participation,

attendance, etc. have been made. A grade of incomplete shall not count toward calculation

of the mean. A faculty member wishing to submit grades in which the mean is outside the

designated range must submit a written justification to the Associate Dean for Academic

Affairs and obtain written permission from the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.

10. J.D. Academic Honors, Class Rank, Dean’s List, and Scholarships

a. Academic Honors

The J.D. degree will be awarded with honors to all students who have a cumulative

grade point average of 3.0 or better and rank in the top 33 percent of their class,

with high honors to all students who have a cumulative grade point average of 3.3

or better and rank in the top 15 percent of their class, and with highest honors to

students who have a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or better and rank in the

top 5 percent of their class.

b. Class Rank

Because grade point averages will all be rounded to the nearest tenth point, several

students may have the same grade point average. To report information concerning

class rank, the Dean of Students will prepare a summary each semester showing the

class rank based on grade point averages. For students having the same average,

class rank will be reported as the highest rank assigned to a particular grade point

average along with the number of students with the same average. Class rank is

determined using the cumulative grade point average. More than one student may

hold a given rank. To illustrate, if three students share the highest grade point

average, the class rank for each of those students would be reported as 1st in the

class tied with two other students. Similarly, if ten students share an average of 3.3

and the highest assigned rank for those ten would be 23rd, each student would

report a class rank of 23rd tied with nine other students. If you have questions

regarding any aspect of the grading policy or its application, please feel free to

contact the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.

c. Dean’s List

The Dean’s List will be compiled to honor the College’s best performing students

each semester. The list will be generated using the aforementioned honors

designations applied to the term grade point average. To be eligible, a student must

have successfully completed 9 graded credit hours in the relevant semester.

(Amended August 2021.)

d. Scholarships

To be eligible to receive College of Law scholarships, students must carry at least

9 hours.

11. Probation, Academic Alert, and Exclusion for J.D. Students

a. Academic Probation

1. Probation Defined

To remain in good standing, a student must maintain at least a 2.0 average

on the work of any one semester and cumulatively. A student who receives

a grade point average of below 2.0 for a grading period or who fails to

maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 shall be placed on

academic probation for his or her next grading period.

2. Notice

To remain in good standing, a student must maintain at least a 2.0 average

on the work of any one semester and cumulatively. A student who receives

a grade point average of below 2.0 for a grading period or who fails to

maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 shall be placed on

academic probation for his or her next grading period.

3. Academic Requirements

A student on academic probation shall meet with the Assistant Dean for

student Affairs and the Academic Success Program (ASP) Director within

the first two weeks of each semester in which a student is on probation. For

all required courses, a student on probation is required to review final exams

from the prior semester unless impracticable. A student on academic

probation at the end of the first semester shall participate in the Academic

Enrichment Program. A student on academic probation must obtain a

written certification from the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs (or his

or her designee) prior to the conclusion of the add/drop period that the

student has consulted with the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs about

the courses in which the student is enrolled. A student placed on probation

should be encouraged to withdraw from all extracurricular activity at the

University and, if employed, should curtail or eliminate his or her

employment or reduce his or her other academic load proportionately.

b. Academic Alert

1. Academic Alert Defined

For any grading period, a student who has a grade point average in the

bottom 25% of the class shall receive a notification of Academic Alert for

his or her next grading period.

2. Notice

The Assistant Dean for Student Affairs shall provide students on Academic

Alert with notice of his or her academic status and its requirements,

described below.

3. Academic Requirements

A student on Academic Alert at the end of the first semester shall participate

in the Academic Enrichment Program. Upper-level students on Academic

Alert are required to meet with the ASP Director in the first two weeks of

the following semester. A student on Academic Alert at any time after

completion of their first year shall be required to enroll in Bar Examination:

Law, Skills, and Strategies and complete the course prior to graduation.

(Effective Fall 2017, amended Spring 2019)

c. Academic Exclusion

If a student receives a grade point average below 2.0 for a grading period in which

the student is on academic probation, the student shall be excluded from the College

of Law. A student who fails to achieve an overall average of at least 2.0 upon

completion (receipt of grade) of the first two semesters of academic study shall be

excluded.

B. Master of Legal Studies

1. Master of Legal Studies Degree Requirements

The Master of Legal Studies degree is intended for working professionals and

graduate/Ph.D. students whose fields intersect with the law and who would benefit from

legal studies but do not wish to pursue the J.D.

The degree of Master of Legal Studies will be conferred upon candidates who complete all

30 required credit hours and meet all the requirements of the Graduate College. It is the

student’s responsibility to ensure that all graduation requirements have been met.

Additional information on requirements can be obtained from the Student Records Office.

Students must earn all 30 hours at the College of Law. The course of study for the M.L.S.

degree must be completed no earlier than 12 months and no later than 48 months after a

student has commenced study at the College of Law. Any exception to these rules must be

approved by the Dean or the Dean’s designee.

2. Curriculum

Students pursuing the M.L.S. degree must complete the following courses:

• The Structure and Operation of the American Legal System (3 credit hours)

• Introduction to Legal Reasoning and Communication (3 credit hours)

• At least two courses based from the required first-year JD curriculum (excluding

Lawyering Skills & Professionalism and Transactional Lawyering Lab) (minimum

of 5 credit hours)

• Written Project in Lieu of Thesis (Directed Research Paper or Independent Study)

(1 credit hour)

• First-year or upper-level electives

Students pursuing the M.L.S. degree are not permitted to take any clinical offering or

externship. Enrollment in other upper-level electives is subject to the approval of the

relevant faculty member.

3. Class Registration

M.L.S. students will register for classes after the registration period for J.D. students has

closed.

4. Grading

A cumulative grade point average of 3.0 is required on all graduate course work taken at

the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, to remain in good standing and to receive any

graduate degree or certificate from the university. M.L.S. students will be graded

separately from J.D. students on a scale that correlates with the University’s grading

policies for graduate students. The grades of any M.L.S. student in particular class will not

be taken into account for purposes of determining any applicable required course mean or

median.

5. Part-Time Study Permitted

Students may pursue the M.L.S. degree on a full-time or part-time basis.

6. Admission

Students seeking admission to the M.L.S. program must meet the admissions standards

established by the Graduate Council.

7. Transfer of Credit Hours

Students enrolled in the J.D. program may, subject to approval and other applicable

procedures, transfer from the J.D. program to the M.L.S. program. No more than 15 credits

earned in the J.D. program may transfer towards the M.L.S. degree.

(Effective Fall 2021)

8. Distance Education Courses for M.L.S. Students

Distance courses may be offered synchronously or asynchronously. Distance courses must

provide regular and substantive interaction between students and faculty teaching the

course.

Regular interaction is defined as providing the opportunity for substantive interactions with

the student on a predictable and scheduled basis commensurate with the length of time and

the amount of content in the course based on the number of credit hours, monitoring the

student’s academic engagement and success, and ensuring that the faculty member is

responsible for promptly and proactively engaging in substantive interaction with the

student when needed on the basis of such monitoring or upon request by the student.

Substantive interaction is defined as engaging students in teaching, learning, and

assessment” and includes at least two of the following:

• Providing direct instruction;

• Assessing or providing feedback on a student’s coursework;

• Providing information or responding to questions about the content of a course; or

• Facilitating a group discussion regarding the content of a course.

C. Graduate Certificate in Legal Studies Degree

Requirements

The Graduate Certificate in Legal Studies is intended for working professionals and

graduate/Ph.D. students whose fields intersect with the law and who would benefit from

legal studies but do not wish to pursue the J.D. or M.L.S. degrees. The certificate is

available to individuals who are 1) pursuing other academic programs at the master’s or

doctoral levels, or 2) post-baccalaureate and enrolled solely in a graduate certificate

program.

The Graduate Certificate in Legal Studies will be conferred upon candidates who complete

all 15 required credit hours and meet all the requirements of the Graduate College. It is the

student’s responsibility to ensure that all graduation requirements have been met.

Additional information on requirements can be obtained from the Student Records Office.

Students must earn all 15 hours at the College of Law. The course of study for the Graduate

Certificate must be completed no earlier than 12 months and no later than 48 months after

a student has commenced study at the College of Law. Any exception to these rules must

be approved by the Dean or the Dean’s designee.

1. Curriculum

Completion of the Certificate is obtained though completion or other method of satisfaction

of the following courses representing a minimum of 15 credit hours. Students will be able

to select a course of study that best suits their particular interests.

Required Courses (4-6 credit hours)

• Structure and Operation of the American Legal System (2-3)*

• Introduction to Legal Reasoning and Communication (2-3)*

Electives (9-11 credit hours)

• Students may take any J.D. course that students pursuing the Master of

Legal Studies degree are permitted to take.

Students pursuing the Graduate Certificate are not permitted to take any clinical offering

or externship. Enrollment in other upper-level electives is subject to the approval of the

relevant faculty member.

2. Class Registration

Students pursuing the Graduate Certificate in Legal Studies will register for classes after

the registration period for J.D. students has closed.

3. Grading

A cumulative grade point average of 3.0 is required on all graduate course work taken at

the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, to remain in good standing and to receive any

graduate degree or certificate from the university. Graduate Certificate students will be

graded separately from J.D. students on a scale that correlates with the University’s grading

policies for graduate students. The grades of any Graduate Certificate student in particular

class will not be taken into account for purposes of determining any applicable required

course mean or median.

4. Part-Time Study Permitted

Students may pursue the Graduate Certificate in Legal Studies on a full-time or part-time

basis.

5. Admission

Students seeking admission to the Graduate Certificate program must meet the admissions

standards established by the Graduate Council.

6. Transfer of Credit Hours

Students enrolled in the Graduate Certificate in Legal Studies program may, subject to

approval and other applicable procedures, transfer from the Graduate Certificate program

to the M.L.S. program. No more than 9 credit hours from the Graduate Certificate program

may transfer toward the M.L.S. degree.

7. Distance Education Courses for Graduate Certificate Students

Distance courses may be offered synchronously or asynchronously. Distance courses must

provide regular and substantive interaction between students and faculty teaching the

course.

Regular interaction is defined as providing the opportunity for substantive interactions with

the student on a predictable and scheduled basis commensurate with the length of time and

the amount of content in the course based on the number of credit hours, monitoring the

student’s academic engagement and success, and ensuring that the faculty member is

responsible for promptly and proactively engaging in substantive interaction with the

student when needed on the basis of such monitoring or upon request by the student.

Substantive interaction is defined as engaging students in teaching, learning, and

assessment” and includes at least two of the following:

• Providing direct instruction;

• Assessing or providing feedback on a student’s coursework;

• Providing information or responding to questions about the content of a course; or

• Facilitating a group discussion regarding the content of a course.

D. Academic Policies for All Law Students

1. Auditing Courses

Space permitting, a student otherwise regularly enrolled may audit a course with the

permission of the instructor.

2. Repeating Courses

A student may repeat a course which he or she has completed, provided that no course may

be repeated in which the student has earned a 2.0 or better on a graded basis or a

Satisfactory on an S/NC basis. The course must be repeated on the same grade basis (either

numerical or S/NC) as originally taken. A student repeating a course in which credit was

earned will receive no additional credit toward graduation. Both grades, however, will

appear on the transcript, except for S/NC grades, and both grades will be used when

determining cumulative average.

3. Withdrawal from Courses

A student’s freedom to withdraw from courses for which he or she has registered, the

procedures required for withdrawal, and how a withdrawal will be recorded on the

student’s permanent record depend on the type of courses for which the student has

registered and the timing of withdrawal.

Students may not withdraw from required courses without securing the permission of the

Dean or the Dean’s designee.

Students may withdraw from any elective course prior to the withdrawal deadline for that

course by executing a change of registration form and submitting it to the Student Records

Office at the College of Law. The signature of the Dean or the Dean’s designee is required.

A change of registration form processed through other offices of the University will not be

recognized. The withdrawal deadline for oversubscribed courses and other courses

designated by the Dean or the Dean’s designee as a limited withdrawal course is 5 p.m. on

the sixth calendar day after the beginning of classes. A list of the courses subject to this

early withdrawal deadline will be maintained in the Student Records Office. The

withdrawal deadline is 5 p.m. on the 29th calendar day after the beginning of classes. If a

student withdraws from an elective course prior to the withdrawal deadline for the course,

the course will not be shown on the student’s permanent record.

Students may withdraw from required courses or from elective courses after the withdrawal

deadline only for good cause shown to the Dean or the Dean’s designee. To be granted

permission to withdraw, the student must clearly demonstrate that one of the following

conditions exist:

• illness or injury as verified by the student health service or private physician;

• serious personal or family problems as verified by the student’s family minister,

physician, etc.;

• necessary change in work schedule as verified by the student’s employer;

• financial inability to continue at the University;

• call to active military service.

If a student is granted permission to withdraw from a required course or from an elective

course after the withdrawal deadline, the grade of “W” will be entered on the student’s

permanent record.

A student will not be permitted to withdraw from a course simply to avoid a low grade in

the course. A student who fails to complete the requirements for a course from which the

student has not withdrawn in accordance with the above rule will be assigned a grade of

0.0.

4. Withdrawal from College

A student wishing to withdraw from the College of Law must present the request to the

Dean of the College of Law or the Dean’s designee. If the request is approved, the Student

Records Office will send a letter, which must be accompanied by a signed Withdrawal

Form to the University Registrar and provide written notification to the course instructor(s)

and the student’s advisor. To complete official withdrawals from the College, the student

must also report to the Withdrawal Office, 212 Student Services Building, to be cleared

through the Treasurer’s Office, University Housing, and other University service centers.

5. Temporary Grades

When, for good cause shown (such as serious illness or other disability), a student fails to

complete all requirements for a course in which he or she is enrolled, the course instructor

may assign the student a temporary grade of “I” (incomplete). A student receiving this

grade should arrange with the instructor to take whatever action is needed to remove the

grade at the earliest possible date, and, in any event, within one year after the course was

attempted. A grade of “I” which is not removed within the succeeding year in which the

student is enrolled will revert to “F.” However, a student need not be formally enrolled at

the College of Law to remove a temporary grade by examination.

6. Grade Appeals

The process for appealing grades is set forth in the University of Tennessee Graduate

Catalog.

7. Grade Changes

A grade in a class may only be changed in the following instances: 1) to correct an error

in computing or recording the grade, 2) to correct an error in reading or evaluating work

that the student has submitted prior to the time the final grade was submitted, 3) to cure an

error in the structure or administration of the examination, or 4) to replace a grade entered

for a graduating student before that student has completed all work for a course.

8. Class Attendance

Regular and punctual class attendance is an important part of the learning process and is

expected. Students should be aware that an instructor may bar a student from taking an

examination or may lower a student’s grade because of excessive absences.

9. Recording Class

The College of Law wants to maximize every student’s learning experience. Professors

vary in terms of their views and policies as to whether to allow recording of classes. Each

professor decides this for his or her own class.

Unless otherwise expressly allowed by the professor, students may not record a class.

Permission to record a class applies exclusively to the student who received permission

from the professor. The recording may be accessed or utilized only by that individual and

any other individual expressly designated by the professor. No replication or publication

of the recording may be made in any form without the express permission of the professor,

nor may any transcribed or summarized version of the recording be distributed in any form

without the express permission of the professor. Students who violate this policy are

subject to disciplinary action under the Code of Academic Conduct.

A professor may rescind permission to record his or her own classes.

Students who request recording of classes under the Americans with Disabilities Act must

contact the Assistant Dean for Student Affairs.

A student who has additional questions or concerns associated with this policy should

contact the Assistant Dean for Student Affairs.

In accordance with the above policy, all students should be aware that any class, and

discussions held therein, may be subject to recording.

10.Variances from Course Load

Variances – Variances from the standard course load will only be granted in unusual

circumstances, as specified under the standards and procedures set forth below.

Prior to Commencement – Prior to commencement of legal education, a variance from the

applicable first-year course load will be granted to an entering law student: by the Dean or

the Dean’s designee (a) upon determining that the student has a disability that makes taking

the standard course load impracticable, or (b) upon determining that a denial of a variance

would result in substantial hardship to the student or his or her family.

After Commencement – After commencement of legal education, the Dean or the Dean’s

designee may grant a variance of the required course load or sequence to a student who has

already matriculated at the College of Law if emergency, substantial hardship, or other

unusual circumstances make a variance appropriate.

Hardship Factors — Factors relevant to a determination of substantial hardship include

(but are not limited to) the need to care for children or other family members, the effect

that taking the standard course load will have on family income and indebtedness, and the

impact that taking the standard course load will have on the student’s long-term career

objectives.

11.Waivers of Prerequisite or Co-requisite Course and for Taking a Prerequisite

Course as Co-requisite course

There is a strong presumption against the granting of waivers of a prerequisite or co-

requisite course. This presumption may be overcome in exceptional cases.

Unless the course description provides for the means by which to obtain a waiver, a student

may seek waiver of a prerequisite or co-requisite course by filing a petition with the

Academic Standards and Curriculum Committee. If the petition is granted, the student does

not have to take the prerequisite or co-requisite course. This same petition process applies

when a student seeks to treat a prerequisite course as a co-requisite and desires to enroll in

both courses concurrently. If that petition is granted, the student shall enroll in both courses

for the semester in question.

The petition for waiver must be submitted to the chair of the Academic Standards and

Curriculum Committee no later than the second day of classes in the semester for which

the waiver is sought, except that students added to a class after the second day of classes

must submit the petition for waiver within three days of being added. These late added

students are conditionally admitted to the course and failure to submit the petition for

waiver of a prerequisite or co-requisite shall result in the student’s conditional admission

being revoked. In the petition, the student should include information on the student’s

background (including relevant academic, work and life experiences) and academic

progress at the College of Law (including a College of Law transcript). The petition should

specifically address why waiving the prerequisite or co-requisite course is appropriate. The

Committee may grant the petition only if convinced that the student’s academic, work and

life experiences are such that the student already has the required knowledge or skills the

prerequisite or co-requisite course is designed to impart so that it would serve no

meaningful pedagogical purpose for the student to have to take the prerequisite or co-

requisite course. In deciding the petition, the Committee will ordinarily seek and give

weight to the course instructor(s)’s views on whether waiver is appropriate.

12. Right to Appeal Academic Decisions

A College of Law student may appeal academic decisions to the University Graduate

Council as provided for in the University Graduate Council Appeal Procedure.

(Approved January 2017)

13.Examinations

a. Anonymous Grading

Examinations in the College of Law are graded anonymously. Each semester prior

to the examination period students are given a computer-generated list of exam

identification numbers. There is a different number for each course. This number is

the only identifying information recorded on the examination materials. After the

professor submits a signed grade sheet, grade adjustments for class performance

are made in the Records Office. Final grades are posted on the web using these

numbers prior to the grades appearing on the official transcript. Professors do not

receive information linking a particular student with a grade until all grade sheets

pertaining to a course have been submitted to the Records Office.

b. Examination Procedure

Students are expected to arrive at the location of the examination approximately

20-30 minutes prior to the scheduled commencement of the examination in order

to sign the roll, log-on to the examination software, and receive instructions.

Students are to identify their examination materials by recording only their

anonymous examination numbers - not their student identification numbers, social

security numbers, or names. Students who write their answers in examination books

must indicate the examination number, course name, and instructor on the front of

each book and on each page of the book. Students are to write their examination

number on the upper-right hand corner of the examination. All examination

materials, including examination questions, will be collected at the end of the

examination, counted, and returned to the professor. Answers submitted

electronically will be printed in the Records Office and given to the professors

along with any examination books.

c. Examination Period

Examinations in the College of law are given during the examination period

outlined by the University; however, since College of Law examinations are three

to four hours in duration, the examination period is generally longer.

14.Readmission

A student who was excluded from the law school because of poor academic performance

may petition for readmission and may be readmitted on a satisfactory showing that he or

she:

• is capable of performing academically at the level required for graduation;

• has identified the problems that led to his or her exclusion; and

• has taken sufficient steps to prevent those or similar problems from interfering

with his or her performance in subsequent semesters.

The petition will be considered by the Academic Standards & Curriculum Committee, or,

if that is not feasible, by a faculty committee consisting of at least three faculty members

as appointed by the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. The committee will prepare a

report summarizing its decision and the basis for that decision. In reaching its decision,

the committee should, when feasible, seek input from faculty members who have had the

student in class. Readmission may be granted upon such terms and conditions as the

committee in its discretion shall deem appropriate. However, a student who is readmitted

following academic exclusion shall resume his or her studies on academic probation for

the grading period for which readmission is granted.

A student who wishes to appeal the decision of the Academic Standards & Curriculum

Committee has the right to appeal to the full College of Law faculty, which may readmit

the student upon such terms and conditions as the faculty in the faculty’s discretion shall

deem appropriate. A student who has been excluded more than once may be readmitted

only by a vote of the College of Law Faculty.

(Approved January 2017)

15.Reenrollment After Voluntary Withdrawal

Any student who enrolls in the College of Law and voluntarily withdraws shall be re-

enrolled as a matter of right provided he or she has completed at least one full semester of

study and was eligible to continue at the time of withdrawal. The student must re-enroll

within one year of withdrawal and give the College of Law at least one semester’s notice

of intention to re-enroll. A student who withdraws prior to the completion of all courses

that are required to be taken in a specified semester may only re-enroll in a semester in

which the uncompleted courses are offered, and such courses shall be taken. In addition,

the faculty shall have the same power to determine what upper-division courses such a

student may take as it possessed when the variance was granted.

Students who voluntarily withdraw from the College of Law who have not completed one

semester of work or who do not seek to re-enroll within one year shall be considered for

readmission with regard to presently prevailing admission standards, reasons for

withdrawal, law school records, and all other relevant factors.

16.Complaint Procedure

Complaints regarding any significant problem relating to the law school, law school

program, or law school community (other than grade appeals) should be submitted in

writing to the Assistant Dean for Student Affairs.

The Assistant Dean of Student for Student Affairs will process any complaint for

consideration and resolution coordinating with other staff and faculty as appropriate and

will inform the Dean of the complaint and any action taken.

The Assistant Dean for Student Affairs will communicate any resolution or action taken

regarding the complaint to the complaining student, generally within two weeks of

submission.

This complaint process is not intended to displace informal discussion regarding law school

issues or concerns between students, faculty, staff, and administrators.

17. Disability Accommodations

At the University of Tennessee College of Law, all requests for disability accommodations

are received and reviewed by the Office of Student Disability Services (SDS) on main

campus. The SDS website outlines the registration process:

https://sds.utk.edu/students/register/. No medical documentation should be provided

directly to the College of Law. Once a student’s request for accommodations is granted,

notice of the accommodations are sent by SDS via email to the College of Law’s Assistant

Dean for Student Affairs and Records and the Student Records Office Assistant. The

Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and the Student Records Office Assistant are

responsible for ensuring implementation of a student’s granted accommodations. The

Student Records Office notifies professors of the accommodations granted to students in

their courses each semester without identifying the individual student(s) to protect the

anonymous grading system in place at the College of Law. Students with accommodations

are responsible for notifying SDS each semester of the student’s desire to utilize their

accommodations for each of the courses in which they are registered. Accommodations

will only be implemented at the College of Law based on direct notification from SDS.

Information about requesting accommodations is provided to incoming students prior to

new student orientation. Information related to requesting disability accommodations is

also provided and discussed at new student orientation. Students with accommodation

inquiries are invited to schedule an appointment with the Assistant Dean for Student Affairs

prior to matriculation or as soon as the need for accommodations arises to discuss their

individual needs and answer questions about how the student’s specific accommodations

will be implemented for law school coursework.

E. Code of Academic Conduct

Preamble

The Code of Academic Conduct establishes and provides a system for the enforcement of

minimum standards of integrity, fairness, equal opportunity, and professionalism in the

conduct of academic pursuits at The University of Tennessee College of Law. As with the

attorneys’ Rules of Professional Conduct, the touchstone of our system is self-regulation. The

policy of self-regulation underlying the Code of Academic Conduct demands the cooperation

of each member of the Law School community. All work should be done in full compliance

with both the spirit and letter of the Code.

1. Chapter One: Statement of Purpose

The purpose of the Code of Academic Conduct is to promote and secure academic integrity,

fairness, equal academic opportunity, and professionalism at The University of Tennessee

College of Law.

2. Chapter Two: Scope

2.01 This Code of Conduct applies to all students who are enrolled in the College of Law

and are involved in academic matters pertaining to the College of Law.

2.02 A student is enrolled in the College of Law if he or she is registered for a course

offered by the College of Law or is engaged in any of the academic matters specified in §

2.03(A)-(G).

2.03 “Academic matters pertaining to the College of Law” means any activities which may

affect a grade, satisfaction of requirements for graduation, or the award of professional

honors at the College of Law, and any other activities sponsored or administered by the

College of Law in which such grades, satisfaction of degree requirements, or professional

honors are relevant. Academic matters include but are not limited to:

• Examinations;

• Research or other assignments to be done for a course;

• Any work which is in whole or partial satisfaction of requirements to receive

credit for participation in any activity for which credit is given;

• Registration for enrollment in courses which may be taken in whole or partial

satisfaction of requirements for graduation;

• Competitions for professional honors awarded by the College of Law or under

its auspices, including but not limited to Law Review membership, Moot Court

awards, and essay prizes;

• Participation in the activities of the Academic Review Board of the College of

Law or the activities of any individual, committee, or board authorized to

establish or administer policies pertaining to academic matters at the College of

Law; and

• Representations about one’s participation or performance in an academic matter

in connection with any activity sponsored or administered by the College of

Law.

3. Chapter Three: Standards of Conduct

a. 3.01 Prohibited Conduct

It shall be a violation of the Code of Academic Conduct for any student enrolled in

the College of Law to commit an act of academic dishonesty. A student has

committed an act of academic dishonesty if the student:

• With respect to any academic matter, intentionally

o Misrepresents a fact or fails to state a fact in circumstances which render

any statement made misleading;

o Sequesters, mutilates, destroys, or uses without permission the books or

work product of another student; or

o Sequesters, mutilates, or destroys library materials; or

• With respect to an examination, intentionally

o Acquires or attempts to acquire a copy of any examination without the

permission of the instructor responsible for the examination;

o Uses or attempts to use materials other than those specifically

authorized by the instructor responsible for the examination;

o Provides or acquires, or attempts to provide or acquire, information or

assistance when specifically prohibited from doing so by the instructor

responsible for the examination;

o Copies or attempts to copy the examination answer of another student

or permits or attempts to permit another student to copy his/her answers;

o Engages or attempts to engage in any other form of cheating, i.e.,

conduct specifically intended to secure an unfair advantage or to subject

another to an unfair disadvantage; or

• With respect to research or other writing assignments in connection with the

academic matters specified in § 2.03(B), (C), or (E), intentionally

o Uses or attempts to use materials the use of which has been specifically

prohibited by the instructor or other person responsible for the academic

matter;

o Plagiarizes;

o Gives or receives, or attempts to give or receive, information or

assistance when specifically prohibited from doing so by the instructor

or person responsible for the academic matter; or

o Engages or attempts to engage in other forms of cheating, i.e., conduct

specifically intended to secure an unfair advantage or to subject another

to an unfair disadvantage; or

• With respect to his/her participation in the activities of the Academic Review

Board of the College of Law or of any individual, committee, or board

authorized to administer policies about academic matters pertaining to the

College of Law, intentionally

o obstructs the administration of such policies by sequestering, mutilating,

or destroying relevant materials;

o refuses to provide relevant information within his/her possession when

requested to do so by an individual, committee, or board acting within

their authority to administer policies pertaining to academic matters,

except where permitted to do so by law or by regulations of The

University of Tennessee; or

o where prohibited by law or by regulations of The University of

Tennessee, discloses to others information about specific students or

identifiable groups of students which was acquired by virtue of his/her

participation in the administration of such policies, except where such

disclosure is necessary to report an act of academic dishonesty to the

Dean of the College of Law.

b. 3.02 Reporting Prohibited Conduct

Students enrolled in the College of Law who know of acts of academic dishonesty

committed by another student enrolled in the College of Law are expected to report

such acts to the Dean of the College of Law.

4. Chapter Four: Administration of the Code

4.01 When an alleged act of academic misconduct is reported, the Dean of the Dean’s

designee shall investigate. A faculty member who has firsthand knowledge of the

misconduct shall not participate in the investigation except as a witness.

• If the Dean or the Dean’s designee believes that it may be appropriate to refer a

possible act of academic misconduct to the Office of Student Conduct for further

proceedings, the Dean or the Dean’s designee shall consult with a committee,

consisting of three members of the Academic Standards Committee to be appointed

by its chair, before making a final decision to refer the matter. The Dean or Dean’s

designee also shall consult with the three-member committee regarding the

appropriate penalty under the Code of Academic Conduct, should there be an

admission of guilt by the student or a final determination by an Academic Review

Board or by adjudication under the Tennessee Administrative Procedures Act that

the student has committed an act of academic misconduct.

• In addition to any penalties imposed under the Code of Academic Conduct, a

faculty member may impose an appropriate grade penalty for academic misconduct

affecting work done for academic credit. Grade penalties for academic misconduct

shall not be imposed unless there has been a final determination that the student is

guilty of the offense for which the penalty is imposed. A grade of “incomplete”

does not constitute a penalty and may be given while the process described is

pending. Before imposing such a grade penalty, the faculty member shall consult

with the Dean or the Dean’s designee and a committee consisting of three members

of the Academic Standards Committee to be appointed by its chair. Imposition of a

grade penalty for academic misconduct shall be recorded on the student’s

permanent academic record and reported to bar admission authorities in connection

with the Dean’s certification of the student’s attendance at the College of Law.

• Apart from the imposition of grade penalties for academic misconduct, nothing in

this policy is intended to interfere with each faculty member’s prerogative to assign

a student a grade that reflects the professor’s evaluation of the student’s academic

performance.

4.02 There shall be established an Academic Review Board of the College of Law.

• Composition and Membership

The Academic Review Board of the College of Law shall consist of both appointed

faculty and elected student members as set forth below. Additionally, the Academic

Review Board shall consist of a member of the Office of the Dean of Students who

shall serve as the non-voting chairperson of the Board; the responsibilities of the

chairperson shall include the scheduling of meetings, notification of parties and

witnesses, and reporting regularly to the Student Affairs Council the activities of

the College of Law’s Academic Review Board.

o Faculty members: As each case arises, the Dean of the College of Law shall

appoint an appropriate number of faculty members to the Academic Review

Board to ensure the availability of a quorum, as set forth below;

o Student members: Two members from each College of Law class shall be

elected by the student body at large to serve as the student members to the

Academic Review Board. Student members shall be subject to the Dean’s

approval and shall serve until their successors are elected. Elections shall be

held once a year at the beginning of the fall semester. Three student

members, selected from the elected six, shall be chosen by the Dean as each

case arises to ensure the availability of a quorum, as set forth below. If a

quorum cannot be obtained from duly elected student members of the

Academic Review Board, the Dean shall appoint additional student members

from a list of students submitted to him/her by the Executive Council of the

Student Bar Association.

o Quorum: A quorum shall consist of the non-voting chairperson, three voting

faculty members appointed as set forth above, and three voting student

members elected or appointed as set forth above.

4.03 The Academic Review Board shall have jurisdiction: To adjudicate charges that an

individual has committed an act of academic dishonesty in connection with an academic

matter pertaining to the College of Law while that individual was enrolled in the College

of Law and to impose, subject to the authority of the Dean of Students, any of the following

penalties:

• Loss of Privileges. These penalties are intended to serve as reminders of operating

regulations and are for specific periods of time. Such penalties may include loss of

scholarship, stipend, right to participate in certain extracurricular activities, use of

facilities, etc.

• Disciplinary Reprimand. Disciplinary reprimands are used for minor infractions. A

reprimand indicates that further violations will result in more severe disciplinary

actions.

• Disciplinary Probation. Disciplinary probation means that a student is permitted to

remain in the University on a probationary status. Conviction of a similar violation

during probation will result in suspension. Other conditions of probation are

specific to the individual case and may include loss of eligibility to serve as a

student organization officer or to participate in specified student activities. The

Director of the Office of Student Conduct, who is charged with the responsibility

of supervising those on probation, may also specify the terms of probation.

• Suspension for a Specific Period of Time. Suspension for a specific period of time

is used in cases of serious misconduct or repeat offenders and means that the student

is withdrawn from the University and is not eligible to apply for readmission for

the designated period of time. Usually, the period of designated suspension does

not exceed one year.

• Indefinite Suspension. Indefinite suspension means that no specific date has been

recommended by the Board for the readmission of the suspended student. This

penalty is used when the prognosis of rehabilitation is uncertain and the Board

desires that some additional evidence of rehabilitation be presented by the student

before he/she is readmitted to the University. Applications for readmission shall be

considered by the Student Affairs Council.

• Permanent Dismissal. Permanent dismissal means that a student is permanently

barred from matriculating as a student on the Knoxville campus. This penalty is

used when the violation of one or more of the institution’s Standards of Conduct is

deemed so serious as to warrant total and permanent disassociation from the

University community without the possibility of re-enrollment; or when, by his/her

repeated violation of the institution’s Standards of Conduct, a student exhibits

blatant disregard for the health and safety of other members of the University

community or the University’s right to establish rules of conduct.

• In cases where a Board desires to impose suspension, it may so recommend to the

Dean of Students. In the event a recommendation of suspension is not approved by

the Dean of Students, he may substitute any less severe penalty; if probation is

substituted, it may be for a greater period than the period specified for suspension.

The Dean of Students shall notify the Dean of the College of Law when a

recommendation for suspension is not approved.

• To hear appeals by an individual against whom a penalty has been assessed by an

instructor in the College of Law for alleged acts of academic dishonesty in

connection with academic matters for which that instructor was responsible and to

either uphold or make findings and recommendations at variance with the

determination of the instructor.

• To hear such other academic matters as may be appropriate under the standards set

forth in Hilltopics.

4.04 The procedures for adjudication of alleged acts of academic dishonesty by the

Academic Review Board of the College of Law shall be as follows:

• Allegations that an individual has violated the Code of Academic Conduct shall be

communicated in writing to the Dean of the College of Law. If the Dean concludes

that there are reasonable grounds to believe that a violation has occurred, he or she

shall refer the matter to the office of the Dean of Students for prosecution and shall

empanel an Academic Review Board as provided in 4.01.

• A quorum, consisting of six board members, must be present in order to hear a case.

A two-thirds vote of the members is required for all decisions of the Board. Any

board member who cannot hear the evidence fairly and objectively for any reason

shall dismiss himself/herself from the case.

• The chairperson shall ascertain that the accused has been advised of his/her rights

and shall read the statement of charges. The accused shall have the right to:

o Exercise or waive his/her right, as set forth in Hilltopics, to a hearing

conducted in accordance with the Uniform Administrative Procedures

Act (T.C.A. § 4-5-101 et. seq.).

o Written notice of charge(s), an account of the alleged misconduct, the

name of any witnesses to the misconduct, and notice of the scheduled

hearing delivered 72 hours before the hearing. The student may request

additional time by showing good cause.

o A public or closed hearing. A public hearing can involve only a limited

number of spectators, and appropriate control measures will be

established by the Dean of Students. If there is difficulty with crowd

control, the hearing board chairperson can designate those parties to be

present.

o Notice of the maximum allowable penalty (i.e., permanent dismissal).

o The assistance of the counsel of his/her choice.

o Testify or remain silent at his/her option.

o Present witnesses.

o The presumption of innocence. The burden of proof rests with the

University to establish by a preponderance of the evidence that the

accused has committed the alleged act of academic dishonesty.

o A written decision specifying the rule violated, penalty assessed, and

right to appeal.

o Challenge the seating of any board member for good cause. The

dismissal of a challenged hearing board member shall be at the

discretion of the hearing board chairperson. If the chairperson is

challenged, he/she may be excused at the discretion of the majority of

the hearing board.

o Have his/her case heard only on the misconduct specified in the written

notice.

o Challenge the admissibility of evidence.

o Confront or cross-examine all available adverse witnesses.

o Appeal to the Student Affairs Council as provided in §4.03(0).

• A student who fails to appear before the Academic Review Board in accordance

with proper notification shall be deemed to have waived his/her right to be present

during the presentation of evidence to the Board, to know the evidence against

him/her, to present evidence in his/her own behalf, and to exercise reasonable cross-

examination of witnesses appearing against him/her. This waiver shall become

effective if the student fails to appear at the designated time and place of the hearing

unless, prior to the time set for the hearing, the student communicates in writing to

the Dean of Students good cause for granting a continuance of a scheduled hearing.

• The accused shall enter a plea of guilty or not guilty. If a guilty plea is entered,

he/she shall be advised of the maximum penalty.

• The chairperson is in charge of maintaining an orderly discussion throughout the

hearing. Proceedings should be conducted with fitting dignity and should reflect

the importance and seriousness of the hearing. Any person who fails to follow the

instructions of the chairperson, after a warning, shall be referred to the Dean of

Students for appropriate disciplinary action.

• In the event that the accused pleads guilty, the Board shall review the circumstances

of the case and make appropriate decisions or recommendations regarding the

penalty.

• The Dean of Students or his/her designee shall present such evidence as he/she has

at the hearing, including any witnesses. He/she shall not present written statements

as evidence unless circumstances make such presentation necessary and

unavoidable. Under similar restrictions the accused may present written statements

in his/her defense. Unsigned statements shall not be admitted as evidence.

• After the presentation of evidence by the Dean of Students, the accused shall be

allowed to present all relevant evidence. If a not guilty plea has been entered,

evidence in mitigation of the alleged offense shall be presented only after the Board

has determined the issue of innocence or guilt.

• During Board deliberations all persons except the board members shall be excused

from the hearing room. All matters upon which the decision may be based must be

introduced at the hearing, and the decision shall be based solely upon the evidence

presented.

• No mention will be made during the hearing on innocence or guilt of the student’s

previous disciplinary record, unless appropriate as rebuttal to character evidence

introduced by the accused.

• Upon a determination of guilt by the Board, the previous disciplinary record of the

accused, if any, shall be given to the Board together with the recommendation of

the Dean of Students as to an appropriate penalty.

• After the Board determines the penalty, the accused shall be advised in writing of

its decision.

• The results of the Board’s decision shall be kept on official University judicial

forms, and such a record will be considered sufficient. If a verbatim record of the

hearing is prepared, it shall be retained in the custody of the Dean of Students and

considered a confidential disciplinary record. If necessary for adjudication of an

appeal, the Dean of Students may prepare a summary, certified by the chairperson

of the Academic Review Board, of that portion of the record that has been

designated by the Student Affairs Council as material to the appeal.

• A Board member shall not discuss cases prior to or after the hearing. The

information received by members of a judicial board during a case is considered

strictly confidential.

• An individual who has been found guilty and penalized by the Academic Review

Board of the College of Law shall have the right to appeal those decisions to the

Student Affairs Council, the final decision-making board of The University of

Tennessee, Knoxville judicial system. All appeals shall be taken in accordance with

the following:

o In all cases the request for appeal must be submitted in writing to the

Dean of Students within seven (7) calendar days of written notice of the

board decision. If the seventh (7th) day falls on a weekend or holiday,

the time is extended to the next regular workday.

o If written briefs are submitted, they must be submitted within the same

time allowed for filing a request for appeal. Under normal

circumstances, appeals will be heard within fourteen (14) days after they

have been filed.

o Unless the Student Affairs Council elects to hear the case de novo, all

appeals must be taken upon the record made before the Academic

Review Board of the College of Law.

o The Student Affairs Council will review the request for appeal together

with any written briefs or other supporting documents to determine if

the appeal presents a substantial question within the scope of review.

The scope of review shall be limited to the following:

 Penalty. In cases appealing the appropriateness of the penalty,

the appeal board shall uphold the penalty unless the penalty is

shown to be “clearly unreasonable” (i.e., “that which has been

clearly and fully proven to have no sound basis or justification

in reason”).

 In cases appealed on grounds of new evidence, the moving party

must show that such evidence is material to the decision of the

board on the issue of innocence or guilt, and that said evidence

could not have been discovered by due diligence prior to the

original hearing.

 In cases appealed on the grounds of denial of due process, the

moving party must show that the adjudicatory process of the

initial hearing was not conducted in conformity with properly

prescribed procedures. In this regard, the moving party must also

show that the alleged discrepancy was materially adverse to the

moving party’s interest. Nothing contained in the foregoing shall

be construed as limiting the right of the Dean of Students to

request the Student Affairs Council to review the decision of the

Academic Review Board of the College of Law.

o The decision of the Student Affairs Council is subject to review by the

Chancellor and the President of The University of Tennessee.

4.05 The procedures for an appeal of a penalty assessed by an instructor for alleged acts of

academic dishonesty shall be as follows:

• Penalties for academic dishonesty may be imposed by an instructor. He/she has full

authority to suspend a student from his/her class, to refuse to allow a student to take

an examination, to lower a student’s grade, to assign a grade of 0.0 in an exercise

or examination, or to assign a grade of 0.0 in the course. In addition to or prior to

establishing a penalty, the instructor may refer the case to an Academic Review

Board by notifying the Dean of the College of Law. In all cases involving

suspension of a student from a class, the student must be provided a hearing, as

hereinafter described, prior to the effective date of such suspension.

• An instructor shall notify the student in writing of the penalty, the nature of the

misconduct for which the penalty was assessed, the names of any witnesses to the

misconduct, and the student’s right to appeal, and shall have the writing

countersigned by the Dean of the College of Law. Copies shall go to the Office of

the Dean of Students, and, if the student is enrolled in another academic unit, to the

head of that academic unit.

• A student who has been penalized by an instructor shall first discuss the penalty

with the instructor involved and, if necessary, the Dean of the College of Law. If

the student is unable to resolve the penalty with the instructor and the Dean, he/she

may appeal the penalty to the Academic Review Board by notifying the Dean

within seven calendar days of receipt of written notice of the penalty from the

instructor.

• An appeal by a student to an Academic Review Board must be in writing. It is the

responsibility of the student to make a complete and thorough case for the appeal

to the board. This is particularly important because of the procedure which allows

the Academic Review Board to make a determination based on documentary

evidence without providing the student an opportunity to make an oral presentation.

The appeal statement should contain the following information:

o The name of the person the appeal is against, what class (if any) is

involved, and when and where the problem took place.

o The nature of the complaint; the specific way in which the student was

allegedly aggrieved, harmed, injured, or denied rights. (Example: unjust

allegation of academic dishonesty.)

o The specifics of the problem. A mere statement like, “I did not cheat,

misuse materials, etc.” is not sufficient. The student must state why

he/she feels the penalty imposed by the instructor was improper or

unfair.

o The existence of papers, exams, reports, etc. which verify the complaint;

the names of persons (another student, advisor, etc.) who can verify the

facts.

o The steps which have been taken to solve the problem and the names of

the persons, including the instructor, with whom the student has talked

in an effort to resolve the problem.

o The remedy desired by the student.

o The student’s name, address, telephone number, student identification

number, and signature.

• Upon receipt of a student appeal statement, the Dean of the College of Law shall

empanel an Academic Review board as provided in § 4.01.

• A quorum of six board members must be present in order to hear an appeal. A two-

thirds vote of the members is required for all decisions of the Board. Any board

member who cannot hear the appeal fairly and objectively for any reason shall

dismiss himself/herself from the case.

• The chairperson shall ascertain that the student who has been penalized has been

advised of his/her rights in connection with the appeal of the penalty. The student

shall have the right to:

o As provided in §4.04(b), written notice of the penalty, account of the

misconduct for which the penalty was imposed, the names of any

witnesses to the misconduct, and the student’s right to appeal the

penalty.

o Assistance of the counsel of his or her choice.

o The presumption of innocence. The burden of proof rests with the

University to establish by a preponderance of the evidence that the

accused has committed the alleged act of academic dishonesty for which

the penalty was imposed.

o A written decision specifying the Academic Review Board’s

determination of the appeal and the student’s right to appeal an adverse

decision, as provided in § 4.04(K) and (L).

o Challenge the seating of any board member for good cause. The

dismissal of a challenged hearing board member shall be at the

discretion of the Hearing Board chairperson. If the chairperson is

challenged, he/she may be excused at the discretion of the majority of

the hearing board.

o Have his/her case heard only on the misconduct specified in the written

notice.

o If a formal hearing is approved by the Academic Review Board, the

additional rights to

 At least 72 hours’ notice of the time and place of the hearing.

 Testify or remain silent at his/her option.

 Challenge the admissibility of evidence.

 Confront or cross-examine all available adverse witnesses.

 Present witnesses.

 A public or closed hearing. A public hearing can involve only a

limited number of spectators, and appropriate control measures

will be established by the Dean of Students. If there is difficulty

with crowd control, the chairperson of the Academic Review

Board can designate those parties to be present.

 A student who fails to appear before the Academic Review

Board in accordance with proper notification shall be deemed to

have waived his/her rights to be present during the presentation

of evidence to the Board, to know the evidence against him/her,

to present evidence in his/her own behalf, and to exercise

reasonable cross-examination of witnesses appearing against

him/her. This waiver shall become effective if the student fails

to appear at the designated time and place of the hearing unless,

prior to the time set for the hearing, the student communicates

in writing to the Dean of Students good cause for granting a

continuance of a scheduled hearing.

• The Academic Review Board shall first review all written documentation submitted

to it by the appellant and the instructor and, if necessary, conduct a preliminary

investigation to determine if a full evidentiary hearing by the Board is necessary. If

the Board determines that a full evidentiary hearing is not necessary to ensure that

fundamental fairness is extended to both the student and the instructor involved, the

Board shall forthwith render its determination of the appeal.

• If a formal hearing is approved by the Academic Review Board, the Board shall

inform the appellant, the instructor, the Dean of the College of Law, and the Office

of the Dean of Students of that determination.

• The formal hearing shall be conducted in accordance with the appellant’s rights as

specified § 4.04(G) and in accordance with the following procedures:

o The chairperson is in charge of maintaining an orderly discussion

throughout the hearing. Proceedings should be conducted with fitting

dignity and should reflect the importance and seriousness of the hearing.

Any person who fails to follow the instructions of the chairperson, after

a warning, shall be referred to the Dean of Students for appropriate

disciplinary action.

o The Dean of Students or his/her designee shall present such evidence as

he/she has at the hearing, including any witnesses.

o He/she shall not present written statements as evidence unless

circumstances make such presentation necessary and unavoidable.

Under similar restrictions, the accused may present written statements

in his/her defense. Unsigned statements shall not be admitted as

evidence.

o After the presentation of evidence by the Dean of Students, the accused

shall be allowed to present all relevant evidence.

o During Board deliberations, all persons except the board members shall

be excused from the hearing room. All matters upon which the decision

may be based must be introduced at the hearing, and the decision shall

be based solely upon the evidence presented. No mention will be made

during the hearing of the student’s previous disciplinary record, unless

appropriate as rebuttal to character evidence introduced by the accused.

o A board member shall not discuss cases prior to or after the hearing. The

information received by members of a judicial board during a case is

considered strictly confidential.

• If the Board supports the determination made by the instructor, the case is

terminated. However, an appeal based upon procedural due process may be made

to the Student Tribunal in accordance with its prescribed procedures by notifying

the Office of The Dean of Students within (7) calendar days of written notice of the

Board’s determination.

• If the Board makes findings and recommendations at variance with the

determination of the instructor, these recommendations shall be forwarded to the

instructor and the Dean of the College of Law.

o If the instructor accepts the recommendations of the Board, the case is

terminated.

o If the instructor elects not to follow the recommendations of the

Academic Review Board, the student may appeal the penalty to the

Student Affairs Council in accordance with its prescribed procedures by

notifying the Office of the Dean of Students within seven (7) calendar

days of written notice of the instructor’s election.

 If the Student Affairs Council supports the determination of the

instructor, the case is terminated.

 Any other recommendation of the Student Affairs Council will

be forwarded to the Chancellor for final adjudication.

 The results of the appeal shall be forwarded by the Office of the

Dean of Students to the administrative head of all academic units

involved.

• The decision of any Board or administrative officer of The University of Tennessee

is subject to review by the Chancellor and the President of the University of

Tennessee.

4.06 Matters referred to the Academic Review Board pursuant to 4.02(c) shall be

governed by the procedures set forth in Hilltopics.

4.07 In the event an individual has been adjudicated guilty of an act of academic dishonesty

committed while he/she was enrolled in the College of Law, or was penalized by an

instructor in the College of Law for acts of academic dishonesty, and such adjudication or

penalty has not been appealed or has been upheld upon appeal, the College of Law shall

report such fact to duly authorized bar examiners when requested to report on that

individual’s academic record at the College of Law.

F. Writing Standards

1. Introduction

This document is intended to clarify what constitutes plagiarism and related forms of

academic misconduct involving legal writing under the Code of Academic Conduct. The

document is intended to apply to all academic matters pertaining to the College of Law, as

defined in § 2.03 of the Code of Academic Conduct. This includes, but is not limited to,

research papers completed as part of a course; assignments completed as part a course or

other activity for credit; and writing undertaken as part of College of Law and related

academic competitions, such as essay prizes, moot court competitions, and law journal,

moot court, and similar types of candidacy processes.

Plagiarism and related forms of related academic misconduct call into question an

individual’s fitness to practice law and undermine the mission of the College of Law. The

Administration and Faculty of the College of Law view any departure from these standards

to be a serious matter. Sanctions may include any of the following: a failing grade in the

course, expulsion or suspension from the College of Law, and a report to the Board of Law

Examiners (or comparable body) which may exercise authority to prohibit the individual

from being admitted to practice law.

2. Plagiarism

The Code of Academic Conduct prohibits intentional plagiarism. Plagiarism is the

“unauthorized use or close imitation of the language and thoughts of another author and

the representation of them as one’s own original work.” Random House Webster’s

Unabridged Dictionary 1479 (2d ed., Random House 2001). Implicit in the determination

of plagiarism is the idea that a writer may not appropriate in his writing either the language

or the ideas of another without giving proper credit to the source of such language or ideas,

except as otherwise specifically provided for herein.

Plagiarism may take various forms. A significant phrase, sentence, or longer passage in a

writing, taken verbatim from another’s writing, must be identified by quotation marks and

a citation indicating the source of the quoted language. A writer may paraphrase the

language of another author. However, mere change of a few words without citation does

not constitute acceptable paraphrasing. Acceptable paraphrasing consists of a restatement

of ideas in the writer’s own words. In any event, however, the writer must provide a

citation to the source of those ideas.

The Code of Academic Conduct classifies intentional plagiarism as academic dishonesty.

Intentional plagiarism most obviously occurs when the individual acts with the intent to

deceive or to pass off another’s writing or ideas as the individual’s own original work.

However, intentional plagiarism also occurs when the individual knows that appropriate

citation or quotation is required, but intentionally fails to include such citation or quotation,

regardless of the intent to deceive or knowledge as to the likelihood of deception.

In contrast, negligent plagiarism occurs when a student fails to include appropriate quotation

marks or appropriate citation through a lack of care. Negligent plagiarism does not violate the

Code of Academic Conduct, but it is still conduct that falls below the College of Law’s academic

standards. Accordingly, negligent plagiarism may result in a reduced grade or similar

consequences, subject to the reasonable discretion of the faculty member or other individuals

involved.

When deciding whether plagiarism was intentional or negligent, all relevant circumstances will

be considered. The fact that law students are professional students who have completed a course

of undergraduate study and will have received instruction regarding plagiarism and appropriate

citation while in law school will weigh heavily when determining whether plagiarism is

intentional or negligent.

3. Related Forms of Academic Misconduct Involving Writing

Any statement, either express or reasonably implied in a writing, that the writer has read a source

that the writer has not in fact read amounts to academic dishonesty under the Code of Academic

Conduct. Citation of any source shall be construed to mean that the writer has read the cited

source. In the event that it may be infeasible or impractical to read a primary source that is

referred to in a secondary source – as, for instance, where the primary source is not available, or

the secondary source cites a general or preponderant rule that is accepted or is not in central issue

in the writing – then the writer must make it clear that he read the secondary source only. Such

clarification may generally be achieved by citing, or quoting from and citing, the secondary

source only.

The use of any writing or dictation that is done by another for the specific use of a writer who

then presents the material as his own amounts to prohibited conduct on the part of both the

furnisher and recipient thereof. Except in the case of examinations, consultation by a writer with

another person for purposes of obtaining ideas to be used in a writing is ethically acceptable,

unless the teacher for whom the writing is being prepared expressly provides otherwise.

However, collaboration in the actual writing of a paper amounts to academic dishonesty on the

part of all collaborators, unless the teacher otherwise expressly provides. When consultation or

collaboration is ethically permissible, explanation of the source thereof is ethically required if

the writing is substantially based on ideas suggested by such source.

4. Conclusion

Any standard expressed in this policy may be varied by any teacher in specific instances. But

the writer whose conduct has been called into question bears a substantial burden in establishing

that the variation in question was authorized.

The definition of ethical standards in writing for law school involves questions of degree. The

purpose of this policy is to provide guidance in order to obviate a plea of ignorance in what

should be the more obvious situations. If the writer is confronted with a situation that the writer

cannot reasonably resolve by reference to the rules described in this policy, the writer should

consult with the faculty member who is supervising the assignment (or the appropriate faculty

advisor in other instances) in order to obtain clarification. It is intended that henceforth a plea of

ignorance as to ethical standards will not be acceptable.

(Approved June 1991. Amended November 2017.)

Appendix A - Learning Outcomes for Graduating J.D.

Students

The University of Tennessee College of Law has established five learning outcomes that describe

the required knowledge, skills, and values that will be achieved by our graduates. In order to help

our students achieve these learning outcomes, the faculty has adopted a rigorous curriculum that

includes core first year courses, required professional responsibility and constitutional law

courses, required first year and upper division courses that address bias, cross-cultural

competence, and racism, and elective courses in which students must complete at least six credits

of experiential coursework, an expository writing course, a planning and drafting course, and a

perspectives course. Throughout the curriculum and in co-curricular activities, the faculty

endeavors to help students develop their professional identities. In our Legal Clinic and other

experiential courses, our students learn and utilize the knowledge, skills, and values essential to

legal practice.

Learning Outcome 1: Substantive and Procedural Law. Graduates will attain knowledge of

substantive and procedural law sufficient to begin the practice of law.

Learning Outcome 2: Legal Analysis & Reasoning. Graduates will be proficient in legal analysis

and reasoning skills.

Learning Outcome 3: Legal Research, Problem-Solving, and Communication Skills.

Graduates will be proficient at conducting legal research, utilizing research and analysis in solving

problems, and effectively communicating information appropriate for a given audience.

Learning Outcome 4: Professional and Ethical Responsibilities. Graduates will understand how

to act in a professional manner, how to comply with the standards of professional conduct, and

how to fulfill a lawyer’s responsibilities as a representative of clients, an officer of the court, and

a public citizen responsible for the quality and availability of justice.

Learning Outcome 5: Professional Self-Development Planning. Graduates will demonstrate the

ability to create, execute, and adapt a plan for reaching their professional goals.

(Approved April 2015. Revised May 2018, May 2022)

Appendix B – Field Placements

Students may attain academic credit through field placements. The field placement experience

will combine a practical component – learning by doing – with a reflective component – reflecting

upon what has been done and upon relevant facets of the legal system as illuminated by the field

experience.

A full-time faculty member agrees to oversee the field placement, helps develop the design of the

course with the student and field supervisor(s) as memorialized in a Field Placement Memo (FPM),

review the student’s journal, and periodically discusses the experience with the student and field

supervisor. The details of the requirements and the approval process are set forth below.

Academic Requirements

Faculty Supervision. Faculty supervision must be provided by a member of the full-time faculty.

Faculty Supervision will include creation of the FPM, periodic review of the student journal,

regular, periodic meetings with the student and field placement supervisor, whether in person, by

e-mail, or by telephone. Generally, in any one semester, no faculty member is to supervise more

than two (2) field placements nor more than six (6) students.

Field Work. The core of the course would be actual field work by the student in a selected

placement. The placement would entail uncompensated work involving legal matters. Student

should be an active participant, not passive observer, directly supervised by designated lawyers

with sufficient experience and understanding of the educational purpose of the placement.

Credit. A student can earn up to four (4) hours of credit for a field placement. Students are

expected to work fifty (50) hours per credit.

Student Journal. Subject to ethical constraints and requirements, students will be required to

submit to the faculty supervisor a weekly journal describing, analyzing, and reflecting upon the

professional work they are undertaking and their working relationships in the placement setting

with their supervisor, clients, client representatives, other lawyers, other professionals and staff.

Grading. Field Placements may be graded or ungraded (S/NC).

Repeatability. A student may repeat the field placement experience once so long as the field

placement is sufficiently different from the prior field placement. Credit for field placements

subject to the limit of 18 hours total for non-classroom courses (e.g. externships, directed research,

independent study, moot court, and law reviews or journals).

Course Development/Approval Process

Placement Selection. A student selects a field placement and submits a proposal to a faculty

member who is willing to supervise the placement. The placement must entail uncompensated

legal work.

Course Development. The student and faculty member contact the proposed placement and

develop a set of agreed upon pedagogical goals for the student’s field experience. The field

placement designates an individual who will be responsible for supervising the student in his or

her field placement.

Initial Approval. The student and faculty member will submit the field placement proposal to the

Associate Dean for Academic Affairs for initial approval.

Field Placement Memo. After initial approval by the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, the

faculty member will develop a field placement memorandum (FPM) with the field placement. The

FPM will describe 1) the types of activities the student will engage in, 2) the pedagogical goals of

the placement, and 3) the supervision expected of the designated field placement supervisor. The

faculty member and field placement supervisor must agree upon the frequency and nature of the

contact between the faculty member and the field placement supervisor. Some field placements

may become recurrent placements. In this case, it would not be necessary to develop a new field

placement memorandum with the field placement.

Final Approval. The FPM is submitted to the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs for final

approval. The Associate Dean then sends that information to Records Office.

(Amended Oct. 2017)

Appendix C - Determination of Credit Hours for

Coursework

Pursuant to ABA Standards for Approval of Law Schools, a credit hour is an amount of work that

reasonably approximates:

• not less than one hour of classroom or direct faculty instruction and two hours of

out-of-class student work per week for fifteen weeks, or the equivalent amount of

work over a different amount of time; or

• at least an equivalent amount of work as required in subparagraph (1) of this

definition for other academic activities as established by the institution, including

simulation, field placement, clinical, co-curricular, and other academic work

leading to the award of credit hours.

Consistent with the relevant Standard, fifty minutes suffices for one “hour” of classroom or direct

faculty instruction, but an “hour” for out-of-class student work is sixty minutes. The fifteen-week

period may include one week for a final examination. Therefore, a one-credit class reasonably

approximates 750 minutes of class time or direct faculty instruction, but that time can include class

time dedicated to a final examination. This same one-credit class must include 1800 minutes of

out-of-class student work. Thus, the total number of minutes of work for a one-credit class is 2,550

minutes (or 42.5 60-minute hours).

If a course meets for more than the minimum number of minutes or requires more than the

minimum amount of work, no additional credit will be awarded beyond the amount approved for

the course at the time of enrollment.

Effective Fall 2016, all new course proposals must include a justification for the number of credits

to be awarded, considering both the out-of-class work and classroom or direct faculty instruction

hours. For existing courses, faculty must assess whether the assigned reading and other out-of-

class work is consistent with this policy.

In making the hours determination for new and existing courses, a faculty member should consider

how long it would take the faculty member to complete the assigned reading or other out-of-class

work if the faculty member were a student in the same situation at the relevant stage of a student’s

career. For example, reading assignments for upper-level classes might be significantly longer than

reading assignments early in the first semester of a required first-year course. Ultimately, it is for

each faculty member to assign an amount of out-of-class work consistent with this standard. By

distributing the syllabus for a class, a faculty member certifies that the faculty member has engaged

in this assessment.

In order to engage in an ongoing assessment of compliance with this standard, the Academic

Standards and Curriculum Committee will take the following steps in coordination with the

faculty:

• Each year, the Academic Standards and Curriculum Committee will request the

syllabi for approximately one-third of courses (excluding courses addressed by

Paragraph (2)) currently offered by the College of Law, so that the full curriculum

is reviewed within a three-year period. The Committee will review those syllabi to

determine compliance with the standard. Faculty members will be invited to

respond to any questions or concerns regarding compliance with the standard after

the Committee’s receipt of the syllabi.

• Faculty members who supervise students in clinics, field placements, moot courts,

law journals, directed research papers, independent studies, and similar classes and

activities for credit will communicate with students the hours of work required for

each hour of credit (at least 2,550 minutes for each hour of course credit) and

require students to record their time and a description of work throughout the

semester. At the conclusion of the semester, a faculty member will report to the

Academic Standards and Curriculum Committee if the credit hours regularly

offered for a given activity do not align with the time that students report for that

activity.

Appendix D - Dual Degree and Certificate Programs for

J.D. Students

The University of Tennessee College of Law offers several dual degree programs for J.D. Students.

These programs enable students to obtain dual degrees in less time than it would normally take to

earn both degrees separately. Students admitted to the College of Law as first-year students should

ordinarily expect to pay law school tuition for three years, in addition to any graduate school tuition

required. Students admitted to the College of Law as transfers should ordinarily expect to pay law

school tuition for two years, in addition to any graduate school tuition required. Students who are

participating in the Flexible Schedule J.D. Program are eligible to participate in a dual degree

program, subject to all other applicable rules.

1. Dual J.D. – MBA Degrees

The College of Law and the College of Business Administration offer a coordinated dual

program leading to the conferral of both the Doctor of Jurisprudence and the Master of

Business Administration. The dual program saves the student approximately 15 hours (one

semester) over the time that would be required to earn both degrees independently. The

establishment of the dual program recognizes the increasingly complex body of knowledge

necessary to the creative conduct of business and business-related law practice, the

complementary nature of many aspects of the graduate programs of the College of Law

and the College of Business Administration and the intellectual benefits inherent in the

concurrent study of both business and business-related law. The program is designed to

accommodate the interests of students who:

• contemplate a career in public service and want to acquire the skills and perspective

of the lawyer and the business-oriented manager

• contemplate a career in business management and want to acquire the skills and

perspective of a lawyer, or

• contemplate a career as a lawyer specializing in business-related law and want to

acquire the skills and perspective of the business-oriented manager.

a. Admissions Requirements

Applicants for the J.D.-MBA program must submit separate applications to, and be

competitively and independently accepted by, the College of Law for the J.D., The

Graduate School and College of Business Administration for the MBA degree, and by

the Dual Program Committee.

Students who have been accepted by both colleges may apply for approval to pursue

the dual program any time prior to, or after, matriculation in either or both colleges.

Such approval will be granted, provided that dual program studies are started prior to

entry into the last 28 semester hours of J.D. coursework and prior to the third semester

of the MBA program. Students interested in entering the dual degree program should

submit a letter of application to the Dual Program Committee. Upon receipt of the

application, the Dual Program Committee will determine eligibility and assign students

to advisors who will be responsible for course approval and supervision of the student’s

progress through the dual program.

b. Curriculum

A dual program candidate must satisfy the graduation requirements of each college.

Students withdrawing from the dual program before completion of both degrees will

not receive credit toward graduation from either college for courses in the other college,

except as such courses qualify for credit without regard to the dual program.

The College of Law will award up to nine semester hours of credit toward the J.D. for

acceptable performance in approved graduate-level courses offered by the College of

Business Administration. The College of Business Administration will award up to six

semester hours of credit toward the MBA for acceptable performance in approved

courses offered in the College of Law. The approval of courses is the responsibility of

the Dual Program Committee and the student’s assigned advisor.

Students may begin their studies in either the J.D. or the MBA program but may not

enroll in MBA coursework while completing the first year of the law curriculum and

may not enroll in J.D. coursework while completing the first year of the business

curriculum. During the first year in the J.D. program, students register through the

College of Law. During the first year in the MBA program, students register as graduate

students. After the first two years, any term in which students take law courses or a

mixture of law and graduate courses, they are classified and registered as law students.

If taking only graduate courses, they are classified and registered as graduate students.

c. Approved Dual Credit

MBA courses in which the student has earned a B grade or higher and are to be counted

toward the J.D. program must include nine semester hours approved by the College of

Law. The six hours of law courses in which the student has earned a 2.3 or C+ grade

or higher and are to be counted toward the MBA must be selected from those approved

by the Assistant Dean of the MBA Program.

2. Dual J.D. – M.S.S.W. Degrees

The College of Social Work and The College of Law offer a combined program of study

in graduate level social work and law to students who seek to earn both a Master of Science

in Social Work (MSSW) degree and Juris Doctor (JD) degree. This interdisciplinary

program offers individuals interested in social work and law the opportunity to obtain

graduate degrees in both programs in four academic years, rather than the five years needed

if pursued separately.

The program consists of an integrated curriculum specifically designed for those who are

interested in acquiring the knowledge and skills pertinent to both disciplines. The goal of

the program is to prepare future professionals who are competent in both disciplines. The

areas of work in which both fields play significant roles are often complex and require

expertise in counseling, administration, and policy-making, beyond the underlying

substantive knowledge. The program stresses an interdisciplinary approach, which values

collaboration and communication skills.

The dual degree program is challenging but rewarding. A dual degree student in social

work and law studies the skills and material of both disciplines and enters field placements,

summer internships, and eventually the workplace with a unique skill set of valuable

practice experiences. Alumni of the dual degree program in social work and law at The

University of Tennessee will go on to work in a variety of settings in law and social work.

Some alumni will choose to practice law, while others will find employment as social

workers, program directors, and therapists.

Students must apply separately for admission to the two colleges. Once admitted to both

colleges, applicants will be selected for participation in the program by a special

admissions committee consisting of representatives from both institutions.

a. Admissions Requirements

• Applicants for the JD-MSSW program must make separate application to, and

be competitively and independently accepted by, each of the following:

o the College of Law for the JD degree,

o the Office of Graduate Admissions and the College of Social Work for

the MSSW degree, and

o the Dual Program Committee.

• Students who have been accepted by both colleges may apply for approval to

pursue the dual program any time prior to or after matriculation in either or both

colleges.

o Such approval will be granted, provided that dual program studies are

started prior to entry into the last 28 credit hours of JD course work and

prior to the third semester of the MSSW program.

• Students interested in entering the dual degree program should submit a letter

of application to the Dual Degree Program Committee. Upon receipt of the

application, the Dual Degree Program Committee will determine eligibility and

assign students to advisors who will be responsible for course approval and

supervision of the student’s progress through the dual program.

• Enrollment in the program will ordinarily be capped at 10 entering students per

year.

b. Academic Standards

• The College of Law will award up to nine credit hours for MSSW courses, as

approved by the JD advisor, that materially contribute to the dual degree

student’s study of law and career goals. Any such course cannot primarily

address substantive law. The student must earn a B grade or higher in any such

course.

• The College of Social Work will award up to nine credit hours for JD courses

that have been approved by the student’s advisors and in which the student has

earned a 2.30 or C+ grade or higher.

• A dual program candidate must satisfy the graduation requirements of each

college.

• Students withdrawing from the dual program before completion of both degrees

will not receive credit toward graduation from either college for courses in the

other college, except as such courses qualify for credit without regard to the

dual program.

c. Credit Hours Required

• 131 credit hours

o 89 credit hours of the JD including nine credit hours from the MSSW,

for 80 credit hours.

o 60 credit hours of the MSSW including nine credit hours from the JD,

for 51 credit hours.

d. Concentrations

Social Work (Required)

Evidence-Based Interpersonal Practice (EBIP) — Course Only with Comprehensive

Exams

Organizational Leadership —Course Only with Comprehensive Exams

e. Non-course Requirements

• Students may not enroll in MSSW course work while completing the first year

of the law curriculum and, except as indicated or approved, may not enroll in

JD course work while completing the first year of the social work curriculum.

• During the first year in the JD program, students register through the College

of Law. During the first year in the MSSW program, students register as

graduate students. After the first two years, any term in which students take law

courses or a mixture of law and graduate courses, they are classified and

registered as law students. If taking only graduate courses, they are classified

and registered as graduate students.

f. Curriculum

• Year I: Students may begin their studies in either the JD or the MSSW program but

may not enroll in MSSW course work while completing the first year of the law

curriculum and may not enroll in JD course work while completing the first year of

the social work curriculum.

• Year II: For a student who begins course work in the College of Law, Year II of

the program is undertaken largely in the College of Social Work and consists

largely of the traditional first year MSSW curriculum. For a student who begins

course work in the College of Social Work, Year II of the program is undertaken at

the College of Law and consists of the traditional first year JD curriculum.

• Years III and IV: Years III and IV consist of courses taken at both colleges.

• Field Practicum - Social work practicums are required in Years II and III. The Year

III practicum for students in this program allows students to study under

professionals in both fields. The Year III practicum involves enrollment in (a) a

six-credit course as part of the College of Law’s Legal Clinic (excluding the

Business Law Clinic), (b) the College of Law’s six-credit Public Defender

Externship, or (c) a six-credit field placement that is approved by the appropriate

representatives at both colleges.

3. Dual J.D. – MPPA Degrees

The College of Law and the Department of Political Science in the College of Liberal Arts

offer a coordinated dual degree program leading to the conferral of both the Doctor of

Jurisprudence and Master of Public Policy and Administration degrees. In this dual degree

program, a student may earn the M.P.P.A. and J.D. degrees in about four years rather than

the five years that otherwise would be required for the two degrees. Students pursuing the

dual degree program should plan to be enrolled in course work or an internship for one

summer term in addition to taking normal course loads for four academic years.

a. Admission requirements

Applicants for the J.D./M.P.P.A. Dual Degree Program must make separate

application to and be independently accepted by the College of Law for the J.D.

degree and the Department of Political Science and the Graduate School for the

M.P.P.A. degree.

Applicants for the Dual Degree Program must also be accepted by the Dual Degree

Committee. All applicants must submit a Law School Admission Test (LSAT)

score. An applicant’s LSAT score may be substituted for the Graduate Record

Examination (GRE) score, which is normally required for admission to the

M.P.P.A. program. Application may be made prior to or after matriculation in either

the J.D. or the M.P.P.A. program, but application to the Dual Degree Program must

be made prior to entry into the last 29 semester hours required for the J.D. degree

and prior to entry into the last 15 hours required for the M.P.P.A. degree.

b. Curriculum

A dual degree candidate must satisfy the requirements for both the J.D. and the

M.P.P.A. degrees together with the requirements listed here for the dual degree

program. The College of Law will award a maximum of nine semester hours of

credit toward the J.D. degree for successful completion of approved graduate level

courses (500 or 600 level) offered in the Department of Political Science. The

M.P.P.A. Program will award a maximum of nine semester hours of credit toward

the J.D. degree for successful completion of approved courses offered in the

College of Law. All courses for which such cross-credit is awarded must be

approved by the J.D./M.P.P.A. coordinators in the College of Law and the

Department of Political Science. All candidates for the dual degree must

successfully complete Administrative Law (Law 821). An internship is strongly

recommended for students in the dual degree program, as it is for all M.P.P.A.

candidates, but an internship is not required.

During the first two years in the dual degree program, students will spend one

academic year completing the required first year of the College of Law curriculum

and one academic year taking courses solely in the M.P.P.A. Program. During those

first two years, a student may not take M.P.P.A. courses in the year in which he or

she is concentrating in law, nor law courses in the year in which he or she is

concentrating in the M.P.P.A. program, without the approval of J.D./M.P.P.A.

coordinators in both the College of Law and the Department of Political Science.

In the third and fourth years, students are strongly encouraged to take both law and

political science courses each semester. During the first year in the J.D. program,

students register through the College of Law. During the first year in the M.P.P.A.

program, students register as graduate students. After the first two years, any term

in which students take law courses or a mixture of law and graduate courses, they

are classified and registered as law students. If taking only graduate courses, they

are classified and registered as graduate students.

Dual degree students who withdraw from the dual degree program before

completion of the requirements for both degrees will not receive credit toward

either the J.D. or the M.P.P.A. degree for courses taken in the other program, except

as such courses qualify for credit toward those degrees independently of the dual

degree program.

c. Awarding of Grades

For grade recording purposes in the College of Law and the Department of Political

Science, grades awarded in courses in the other unit will be converted to either

Satisfactory or No Credit and will not be computed in determining a student’s grade

point average or class standing. The College of Law will award a grade of

Satisfactory for an approved M.P.P.A. course in which the student earns a grade of

B or higher and a grade of No Credit for any lower grade. The Political Science

Department will award a grade of Satisfactory for an approved law course in which

the student earns a grade of 2.3 or higher and a grade of No Credit for any lower

grade.

4. Dual J.D. – MA Degrees

The College of Law and the Department of Philosophy in the College of Arts and Sciences

offer a coordinated dual-degree program leading to the conferral of both the Doctor of

Jurisprudence degree and the Master of Arts degree in philosophy. In this program, you

may earn the JD and MA in about four years rather than the five years that otherwise would

be required.

a. Admissions Requirements

Applicants for the JD-MA (Philosophy major) program must make separate

application to, and be independently accepted by, the College of Law for the JD

and the Department of Philosophy and Office of Graduate Admissions for the MA

degree, with a major in Philosophy. Applicants must also be accepted by the dual

degree committee (the membership of which will include a program coordinator

from both the College of Law and the Department of Philosophy). Upon petition,

an applicant's LSAT score may be accepted by the Department of Philosophy as a

substitute for the normally required GRE score. Application to the dual degree

program may be made prior to or after matriculation in either the JD or the MA

(Philosophy) program, but application must be made prior to the last 29 hours

required for the JD and prior to the last 15 hours required for the MA (Philosophy).

b. Curriculum

A dual degree candidate must satisfy the requirements for both the JD and MA

(Philosophy) degrees, as well as the requirements of the dual degree program. The

College of Law will award a maximum of 9 hours of credit toward the JD degree

for successful completion of approved graduate level courses (500- or 600-level)

offered in the Department of Philosophy. The Department of Philosophy will award

a maximum of 15 hours of credit toward the MA degree for successful completion

of approved courses offered in the College of Law. All courses for which such

cross-credit is awarded must be approved by the JD-MA (Philosophy) program

coordinators in the College of Law and Department of Philosophy. Upon admission

to the dual degree program, a dual degree candidate will take, if he or she has not

already taken, the required first year courses in the College of Law.

During the first year in the J.D. program, students register through the College of

Law. During the first year in the Philosophy program, students register as graduate

students. After the first two years, any term in which students take law courses or a

mixture of law and graduate courses, they are classified and registered as law

students. If taking only graduate courses, they are classified and registered as

graduate students.

Dual degree students who withdraw from the program before completion of the

requirements for both degrees will not receive credit toward either the JD or the

MA (Philosophy) degree for courses taken in the other program except as such

courses qualify for credit without regard to the dual degree program.

c. Awarding of Grades

For grade recording purposes in the College of Law and Department of Philosophy,

grades awarded in the other unit will be converted to either Satisfactory or No

Credit and will not be computed in determining a student's GPA or class standing.

The College of Law will award a grade of Satisfactory for an approved Philosophy

course in which the student earns a grade of B or higher and a grade of No Credit

for any lower grade. The Philosophy Department will award a grade of Satisfactory

for an approved law course in which the student earns a grade of 2.3 or higher and

a grade of No Credit for any lower grade. The official academic record of the

student maintained by the Office of the University Registrar shall show the actual

grade assigned by the instructor without conversion.

5. Graduate Certificate in Law & Social Welfare

The add-on graduate certificate in Law and Social Welfare is a partnership between the

College of Law and the College of Social Work. The certificate is intended for current J.D.

students. This certificate provides students with the coursework and practical experience

needed to provide legal representation to traditionally under-represented clients in a variety

of settings including but not limited to prisons, juvenile justice settings, child welfare,

public defender offices and legal aid, programming and policy development.

a. Admissions Standards/Procedures

• Students must submit an application to the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs

prior to the commencement of the student’s final semester.

• Students selected for admission must be formally admitted to the certificate

through the Office of Graduate Admissions.

b. Credit Hours Required

c. Program Curriculum

• Law Doctrinal Requirement: At least three credit hours from among the

following courses:

o LAW 848 - Civil Rights Actions (3)

o LAW 854 - Criminal Procedure (3)

o LAW 855 - Adjudicatory Criminal Procedure (3)

o LAW 862 - Family Law (3)

o LAW 933 - Elder Law (3)

o Law 990 - Special Topics and other courses as approved by the Associate

Dean for Academic Affairs

• Social Work Doctrinal Requirement: Students will take ONE three credit

course chosen from:

o SOWK 503 - Introduction to Direct Social Work Practice (3)

o SOWK 511- Introduction to Macro Social Work Practice (3)

• Students must also take at least three credit hours from among the following

courses:

o SOWK 510 - Social Welfare Policies and Programs (3)

o SOWK 515 - Human Development in Context: Prenatal through

Adolescence (3)

o SOWK 531 - Trauma Theory (3)

o SOWK 535 - School Social Work (3)

o SOWK 538 – Social Justice and Anti-Oppressive Practices (3)

o SOWK 545 - Resource Development and Management (3)

o SOWK 564 - Substance Use Disorders (3)

o SOWK 573 - Forensic Social Work (3)

o Other College of Social Work courses as approved by the Associate Dean

for Academic Affairs in consultation with the MSSW Program Director

• Law Experiential Requirement: At least six credit hours from among the

following courses:

o LAW 905 - Advocacy Clinic (6)

o LAW 908 - Mediation Clinic (3)

o LAW 911 - Family Law Mediation Clinic (6)

o LAW 946 - Business Law Clinic (6)

o LAW 950 - Community Economic Development Clinic (6)

o LAW 951 - Domestic Violence Clinic (3)

o LAW 953 - Wills Clinic (4)

o LAW 948 - Public Defender Externship (6)

o Law 992 - Field Placements (up to 6) as approved by the Associate Dean

for Academic Affairs

o Law 982 - Semester in Residence Placement (10) as approved by the

Associate Dean for Academic Affairs

• Law Skills/Perspective Requirement: At least one credit hour from among the

following courses:

o LAW 914 - Alternative Dispute Resolution (3)

o LAW 929 - Interviewing and Counseling (3)

o LAW 906 - Expungement Mini-Clinic (1)

o LAW 990 - Access to Justice Lab (3)

o LAW 993 - Directed Research Paper (1) as approved by the Associate Dean

for Academic Affairs

o LAW 994 - Independent Study (1) as approved by the Associate Dean for

Academic Affairs

6. Health Policy Graduate Certificate

JD students may earn a Health Policy Graduate Certificate. The certificate is offered jointly

by the College of Nursing and the Department of Public Health in the College of Education,

Health, and Human Sciences. The certificate program prepares students to be active in all

aspects of policymaking relative to health. Application is made through the Graduate

School. Requirements for the Certificate can be found in the Graduate Catalog.

Appendix E - Dual Degree for M.L.S. Students

Dual M.L.S. – M.S.S.W. Degree

The College of Social Work and The College of Law offer a combined program of study in

graduate level social work and legal studies to students who seek to earn both a Master of Science

in Social Work (MSSW) and a Master of Legal Studies (MLS). This interdisciplinary program

offers individuals interested in social work and law the opportunity to obtain graduate degrees in

both programs in two academic years (including summers), rather than the three years needed if

pursued separately.

The program consists of an integrated curriculum specifically designed for those who are interested

in acquiring the knowledge and skills pertinent to both disciplines. The MSSW program seeks to

prepare its graduates to make demonstrable improvements in the quality of life of at-risk and

vulnerable populations of individuals, families, groups, organizations, communities, the state of

Tennessee, the nation, and internationally. The MLS program is designed for professionals whose

fields intersect with the law and who would benefit from legal studies but do not wish to pursue

the JD or practice law.

The program stresses an interdisciplinary approach, which values collaboration and

communication skills. Alumni of the dual degree program in social work and legal studies at The

University of Tennessee will go on to work in a variety of settings, including as social workers,

program directors, and therapists.

Students must apply separately for admission to the two colleges. Once admitted to both colleges,

applicants will be selected for participation in the program by a special admissions committee

consisting of representatives from both institutions.

Curriculum

• Year I: Year I of the program is ordinarily undertaken completely at The University of

Tennessee College of Social Work and consists of the traditional first-year curriculum.

• Year I Summer: Students will complete MSSW and MLS courses.

• Year II: Year II of the program consists of courses taken at both colleges.

• Year II Summer: Students will complete MSSW and MLS courses.

Admissions

• Applicants for the MLS-MSSW program must make separate application to, and be

independently accepted by, each of the following:

o the Office of Graduate Admissions and the College of Law for the MLS

degree,

o the Office of Graduate Admissions and the College of Social Work for the

MSSW degree, and

o the Dual Program Committee.

• Students who have been accepted by both colleges may apply for approval to pursue

the dual program at any time prior to or after matriculation in either or both colleges.

o Such approval will be granted, provided that dual program studies are

started prior to entry into the last 10 credit hours of College of Law course

work and prior to the third semester of the MSSW program.

• Students interested in entering the dual degree program should submit a letter of

application to the Dual Degree Program Committee. Upon receipt of the application,

the Dual Degree Program Committee will determine eligibility and assign students to

advisors who will be responsible for course approval and supervision of the student’s

progress through the dual program.

Academic Standards

• The College of Law will award up to six credit hours for MSSW courses, as approved

by the MLS advisor, that materially contribute to the student’s study of law and career

goals. Any such course cannot primarily address substantive law. The student has

earned a B grade or higher in any such course.

• The College of Social Work will award up to nine credit hours for law courses that

have been approved by the student’s advisors, provided the student has earned a 2.30

or C+ grade or higher.

• A dual program candidate must satisfy the graduation requirements of each college.

• Students withdrawing from the dual program before completion of both degrees will

not receive credit toward graduation from either college for courses in the other college,

except as such courses qualify for credit without regard to the dual program.

Credit Hours Required

75 credit hours

• 30 credit hours for the MLS, including six credit hours from the MSSW, for 24 credit

hours.

• 60 credit hours for the MSSW, including nine credit hours from the College of Law,

for 51 credit hours.

Required Courses

• Law: See the requirements for the Master of Legal Studies.

• Social Work: See the requirements for the Master of Science in Social Work.

• Law courses may satisfy the Advanced Policy requirement for the MSSW, subject to

approval by the student’s advisors

Concentrations

Social Work (Required)

Evidence-Based Interpersonal Practice (EBIP) — Course Only with Comprehensive Exams

Organizational Leadership —Course Only with Comprehensive Exams

Non-Course Requirements

Students may not enroll in MLS course work while completing the first year of the social work

curriculum.