LLS | Commencement | Graduation Checklist

Graduation Checklist

In order to be eligible for the degree of Juris Doctor from Loyola Law School, a student MUST complete each of the following requirements.

Please note: This checklist is intended as a summary and is accurate for most students -- but in some cases, exceptions or special circumstances apply. Your definitive source is the Student Handbook, and if you have any questions, please contact the Office of the Registrar.

— I have completed the Required Courses with a grade of C- or higher.*

* The policy directly below applies to all 1L, 2L, 3L and 4L students.

The minimum passing grade is C-, with the following exception for required courses (i.e., Civil Procedure, Constitutional Law I, Constitutional Law II, Ethical Lawyering, Evidence, Contracts, Criminal Law, Legal Research and Writing, Property, and Torts). Any student who has a cumulative grade point average of 2.10 or lower at the conclusion of an academic year must repeat any required course for which a C- (or lower) was earned during that year as well as in a subsequent year. (To clarify, once a student earns a cumulative grade point average of 2.10 or lower at the conclusion of any academic year, for the academic year in which the 2.10 or lower was earned as well as from that point onward the student must repeat any required course for which a C- or lower was earned.) A student required to retake a course must do so no later than the succeeding academic year.

The student must retake the course until he/she receives a grade of at least a C. (Reference should be made to the section on Repeating Courses, 5.8 (page 26) or online by using the 1L-4L Student Handbook).

* The policy directly below applies to all 5L students.

The minimum passing grade is C-, with one exception (pertaining to those who entered as first year students in August 2005). Any student (entering as a first year student in August 2005) who, at the conclusion of the first year Day, or at the conclusion of the first year Evening or second year Evening, has a cumulative grade point average of 2.10 or lower and receives a grade of C- in a first year required course (i.e., Civil Procedure, Constitutional Law I, Contracts, Criminal Law, Legal Research and Writing, Property, and Torts) must retake the course in the next semester that it is available to that student.

The student must retake the course until he/she receives a grade of at least a C. (Reference should be made to the section on Repeating Courses, 5.8 (page 26) or online by using the 5L Student Handbook).

— I have completed the Breadth Requirement (see Breadth Courses).

— I have completed the Upper Division Writing Requirement.

— I have completed at least 87 units.

At least 58 units must be completed at Loyola Law School, keeping within the maximum number of units permitted for pass/fail elections, externships, and directed research (see the JD Handbook, Sections 3.4 and 3.5).

— My GPA is at or above 2.0.

To check your GPA, log in to SWS.

— I have satisfied the Residence Requirement.

Day students must complete six full-time semesters.
Evening students must complete at least eight part-time semesters.
Summer terms do not count toward the residence requirement.
Transfer students should consult their admittance letter and the JD Handbook for their requirements.
Students participating in the 3.5 Program should consult their program acceptance letter and the JD Handbook for their requirements.

— I will complete all my degree requirements before the expiration of the Five-Year Rule.

For example, if I started law school in August of 2005 + 5 = 2010 -- the Five-Year rule expires at the end of Summer 2010.
For transfer students, "started" means the year in which you began your law degree at your prior school.

— I have completed my 40 hours of Pro Bono legal services.

Public Interest Law Department

— I do not have an outstanding balance on my Student Account.

Office of Student Accounts

— I have completed a Financial Aid Exit Interview.

— I have completed an Employment Survey, and (if required) an Exit Interview with the Office of Career Services.

The Graduate Employment Survey may be completed on the Loyola Law School Symplicity website at https://law-lls-csm.symplicity.com/students/. Your username is your LLS e-mail address. If you need assistance logging in, please contact the Office of Career Services at (213) 736-1150 or careerservices@lls.edu. Once you have logged in, click profile in the navigation bar and select the Graduate Employment Survey tab.
Students who have not yet secured some kind of post-graduate employment will be required to schedule an Exit Interview.

— I have been properly admitted to the Law School.

Willful and material misrepresentation or nondisclosure concerning qualifications for admission to the Law School are sufficient grounds for denial or revocation of the Juris Doctor degree.

— I have notified the Office of the Registrar of any arrests, legal proceedings, bankruptcies, or other updates to my administrative files that may reflect on my moral character.

— I have NOT already taken a bar exam (any jurisdiction).

Any student who takes a bar examination before satisfactorily completing all requirements for the Juris Doctor degree will not be permitted to graduate.