7.1 Academic Support Programs
William Mitchell is committed to helping students achieve their full academic potential. In addition to the Writing & Representation (WRAP) tutors, there are a number of resources available to students who seek academic support. The courses listed below are managed by the College’s Academic Achievement Program (AAP). The mission of the AAP is to help all students master the analytical and communication skills necessary to succeed in law school and on the bar exam. For more information on the APP see:
http://www.wmitchell.edu/current
7.1.1 Legal Reasoning Workshop I
Legal Reasoning Workshop I is a one-credit course required for selected first-year students during the fall semester. The course focuses on learning strategies, case reading, case briefing, synthesis, outlining, and exam-taking skills. Because the curriculum uses torts doctrine, students are not required to prepare additional legal materials. There are frequent written assignments. Students also receive individualized feedback on every assignment. Instructors also meet with each student one-on-one to discuss the assignments and any concerns they may have. Students enrolled in Legal Reasoning Workshop I are not allowed to add courses in the Spring semester of the first year.
7.1.2 Legal Reasoning Workshop II - Constitutional Law Powers (Intensive)
Legal Reasoning Workshop II is a one-credit course offered in the fall semester to second-year students. It provides in-depth focus on performance of legal analysis as well as strategies for preparing for and taking law school exams. Completion of the workshop is required for students ranked in the lowest 15% of the class after the first year but is open to all students if space is available. The course involves small group work and one-on-one meetings with the instructor.
7.1.3 Bar Preparation Strategies
Bar Preparation Strategies is a two-credit, graded course offered the semester before graduation. It is a required course for students ranked in the lowest 15% of the class after the first year but is open to all students if space is available. The course is designed to help students refine the skills necessary to succeed on the bar exam and to give them a head start on the bar-preparation process. A full course description can be found on line.
7.1.4 Academic Support Initiative
See Appendix for requirements of students ranked in the lowest 15% and lowest 25% of the class after the first year.
7.2 Semester or Year Long Independent Study Abroad Program An independent study abroad program undertaken at a foreign law school provides an excellent opportunity for students to expand their knowledge of comparative and international legal issues. Credits for an independent study abroad program are governed by the rules of William Mitchell College of Law and the American Bar Association (ABA). William Mitchell works with students to assist in developing a viable plan and in applying for ABA approval.
7.2.1 Requirements
1. Students who have completed their first year or equivalent, if part-time, may submit
their required courses at William Mitchell before seeking to study abroad, so students are generally in their third or fourth year before undertaking this independent study program. 2. The maximum number if credits a student may earn at a foreign institution is governed by
section 4.10 (Limits on Visiting Away). Credits earned abroad may not be used to satisfy required courses at William Mitchell.
3. Credit is given for grades earned of “C” or better, “Pass” or the equivalent. Grades that satisfy
criteria set forth in the Student Handbook may be transferred to William Mitchell. See §4.10 on
Credits Earned at Other Law Schools, Student Handbook.
4. The granting of residency credit shall comply with the requirements of ABA standard 304. See
http://www.americanbar.org/content/dam/aba/publications/misc/legal_education/Standards/c hapter_3_2012_2013_aba_standards_and_rules.authcheckdam.pdf
5. Students must be fluent in the language of instruction at the foreign institution.
6. Students must receive pre-approval from the Associate Dean for Administration at William Mitchell College of Law and the ABA before beginning any independent study abroad program. Courses taken or completed before approval is granted are not transferred to William Mitchell. 7. For your information the ABA Criteria for Approval of Individual Student Study Abroad for
Academic Credit can be found at
http://www.abanet.org/legaled/studyabroad/foreignstudyhome.html 7.2.2 Application Process
Students need to apply no later than the beginning of the semester prior to the time they seek to attend the foreign program, approximately four months in advance – the earlier the better.
Students must submit a proposal for their course of study to the Associate Dean for Administration. Proposal guidelines and a preformatted proposal form are available online at:
http://web.wmitchell.edu/students/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Transferofcreditrequest.pdf and
Independent research proposal or in the Registrar’s Office.
For more information regarding independent study abroad opportunities, contact the Associate Dean for Administration.
Students pay the tuition and fees applicable to the foreign institution and do not pay tuition and fees at William Mitchell for the credits earned abroad.
7.2.3 Academic Advising
The ABA Criteria for Approval of Individual Student Study Abroad for Academic Credit requires a full-time faculty member from William Mitchell and one professor from the foreign institution to supervise the student’s course of study.
Students are strongly encouraged to fulfill all of William Mitchell’s required courses before studying abroad. This includes requirements for a long-paper, two skills course credits, and at least two statutory courses.
7.2.4 Financial Aid
Financial aid availability for Study Abroad is based on the number of credits approved for the course of study (must have at least 4 credits in the Fall or Spring or 2 in the Summer to qualify for financial aid). The Study Abroad financial aid budget is based on estimated and actual costs which are determined by the host school and communicated directly to the William Mitchell financial aid office. William Mitchell scholarships are not portable to other schools. Early termination of your study abroad program may result in financial aid repayment. Summer Study Abroad financial aid applications are available on the William Mitchell financial aid website. Please contact the financial aid office for additional details and instructions.
Study Abroad scholarships may be available. The following web sites provide scholarship search services: The University of Minnesota’s Online Study Abroad Directory and FASTWEB, which lists over 180,000 scholarships and loans.
7.2.5 Passports and Other Information
Passports are required for entry into or for extended stays in most foreign countries. For extended stays, (the duration varies from country to country), most foreign countries also require visas. For the most recent travel information regarding passports, visas, foreign consulates in the U.S., and travel warnings go to www.state.gov/travel/.
Most countries require proof of your ability to cover living expenses while living in their country. Proof often may be satisfied by obtaining a certified letter from a bank or from the Financial Aid Office at William Mitchell or the host foreign school, indicating the amount of your financial aid package. 7.2.6 Other Important Consideration and Helpful Hints
Students are strongly advised to begin the application process as early as possible, as it requires approval from several parties; this task is lengthy and time-consuming.
Students need to develop a reliable contact and gain permission from a full-time professor at the host foreign law school. It is wise to develop a specific contact, students can call at the foreign university, who is able to answer questions regarding the intended course of study.
7.2.7 ABA Approved Foreign Programs
As another option, students may participate in law programs offered by any ABA-approved law school. There are many such programs, located around the world, which are run by ABA approved U.S. law schools. Some of these programs are offered in the summer and some are offered for one semester or longer.
William Mitchell offers several such programs in collaboration with the Consortium for Innovative Legal Education (CILE). Current summer programs exist in England, Chile, Czech Republic, Ireland, the
Netherlands, and Malta. Semester-long programs exist in Denmark and the Netherlands.
See www.abanet.org/legaled/approvedlawschools/alpha.html for a complete list of ABA-approved schools.