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The Six-Credit Experiential Learning Requirement

According to ABA Standard 303 and the ABA's Guidance Memo, all JD students who are expected to graduate in or after the Spring of 2019 are required to satisfactorily complete at least one or more experiential courses totaling at least six credit hours.

What is the Six-Credit Experiential Learning Requirement?

The ABA’s Standard 303 mandates that an accredited law school must offer a curriculum that requires each student to satisfactorily complete at least one or more experiential courses totaling at least six credit hours. Therefore, Emory Law School requires that each student satisfactorily complete at least one or more experiential courses totaling at least six credit hours.

Does the Six-Credit Experiential Learning Requirement apply to me?

The Six-Credit Experiential Learning Requirement applies to all JD students who are expected to graduate in or after the Spring of 2019.

How does the ABA define an experiential course?

According to ABA Standard 303, an experiential course must be a simulation course, a law clinic, or a field placement (as defined by the ABA) that meets certain additional requirements. Specifically, in addition to being primarily experiential in nature, the course must integrate doctrine, theory, skills and legal ethics; engage students in performance of one or more of the professional skills identified by the ABA (see below); develop the concepts underlying the professional skills being taught; provide multiple opportunities for performance; and provide opportunities for self-evaluation.

ABA Standard 302 requires that a law school’s learning outcomes must include competency in the following professional skills: knowledge and understanding of substantive and procedural law; legal analysis and reasoning, legal research, problem-solving, and written and oral communication in the legal context; exercise of proper professional and ethical responsibilities to clients and the legal system; and other professional skills needed for competent and ethical participation as a member of the legal profession.

What are the experiential courses offered at Emory Law School?

Experiential courses at Emory Law that meet the Six-Credit Experiential Learning Requirement are identified on the Approved List of Experiential Courses (the “Approved List”) and include: (1) all in-house law clinics; (2) all externships (referred to as field placements in the ABA standards); (3) trial techniques; and (4) all approved simulation courses. The Approved List can be found here. If a course does not appear on the Approved List, then Emory Law has not classified it as an experiential course according to the ABA’s definition and it will not count toward the Six-Credit Experiential Learning Requirement.

What must I do to satisfy the Six-Credit Experiential Learning Requirement?

Prior to commencement, you must satisfactorily complete at least one or more experiential courses from the Approved List totaling at least six credit hours.

Can mock trial, moot court, and similar activities be “simulation courses” and count toward the Six-Credit Learning Requirement?

In order to count toward the Six-Credit Experiential Learning Requirement, the activity must appear on the Approved List. Mock trial and moot court activities generally do not qualify as experiential courses as defined by the ABA, in part, because they do not have a rigorous classroom instructional component.

Can I use a course toward satisfying both the Six-Credit Experiential Learning Requirement and the upper level writing requirement?

As a general matter, a traditional seminar course that requires a substantial, traditional scholarly paper is not a simulation course pursuant to the ABA’s definition. Even if the course does appear on the Approved List, you may not use the course to satisfy both the Six-Credit Experiential Learning Requirement and the upper level writing requirement.

Can my work on one of the law journals count toward satisfying the Six-Credit Experiential Learning Requirement?

No, work on one of the law journals cannot count toward satisfying the Six-Credit Experiential Learning Requirement. The law journal activity does not qualify as a simulation course for a number of reasons, including that it does not have a rigorous classroom instructional component.

Where can I find ABA Standards 302 and 303 and the ABA’s Guidance Memos regarding ABA Standards 302 and 303?

ABA Standards 302 and 303 can be found here. The ABA’s Guidance Memos regarding ABA Standards 302 and 303 can be found here (302) and here (303).

What is my responsibility with regard to meeting the Six-Credit Experiential Learning Requirement?

You are responsible for making sure that you have met the Six-Credit Experiential Learning Requirement by the time you graduate. Plan your schedule carefully so that, by the time you graduate, you will have taken at least one or more experiential courses from the Approved List totaling at least six credit hours.

To whom should I address additional questions about the Six-Credit Experiential Learning Requirement?

Address all additional questions about the Six-Credit Experiential Learning Requirement to the Registrar.