What Is A Typical Law School Schedule?

What Is A Typical Law School Schedule?

Many incoming law students often wonder the same thing: what does a typical law school class schedule look like? Do law students take as many classes as undergraduate students? Do they take more credit hours? Should I expect to be in class from 8:00 am until 5:00 pm? This post breaks down a general law school schedule for incoming students, including what to expect during the final two years of law school.

What Is A Typical Law School Schedule?

Law School Schedule In General

Most law schools offer classes at a variety of times during the day. Morning classes might start as early as 7:45 am, and the final evening class can begin later than 6:00 pm. This does not mean that students are in classes all day every day. Most students take an average of four classes each semester. Just like in undergrad, law school courses are not scheduled every day. Some classes are scheduled for Mondays and Wednesdays, others for Tuesdays and Thursdays, and some follow other combinations.

Generally, classes worth more credits meet only once or twice a week but for longer sessions; classes worth fewer credits may meet only once or may meet more frequently but for a shorter amount of time. Additionally, many schools have a “lunch hour” when no classes are held. This time not only allows students to recharge for the afternoon but also provides time for student-run clubs to meet and for special guest speakers to offer presentations. Most classes are scheduled Monday through Thursday while only a handful of classes are offered on Fridays.

1L Schedule

Many law schools provide 1L students with a preset schedule for the first semester (and some schools provide a set schedule for the entire first year!). While some students find it frustrating not to have the ability to select their classes, class times, or professors during their first year of law school, law schools often assign schedules because all 1L students have to take the same required course during their first year of law school. These courses include contracts, civil procedure, torts, constitutional law, property, criminal law, and a 1L writing course.

2L/3L Schedule

The final two years of law school allow students more flexibility when it comes to creating a class schedule. Students have the ability to really shape their education by taking more advanced courses.  Additionally, students might also want to take a class to go more in depth about a particular area of the law. While most law schools recommend students balance elective courses with courses featuring material that will be tested on the bar exam,  there are plenty of opportunities for students to tailor their schedules to their particular interests. In addition to elective courses, 2Ls and 3Ls might also earn credit through other educational programs such as legal clinics, externships, moot court, or law review.

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