University of Iowa College of Law

Student Handbook 2023–2024

Updated: July 21, 2023

This edition is available online at https://law.uiowa.edu/student-handbook. If changes are made during the year, a new document will be posted (with the date of its publication noted) and previous documents will be archived at that website.

Welcome

The Student Handbook is designed to be a source book for your life as a student at the University of Iowa College of Law. Take the time to browse through its contents and note that it contains all the policies and procedures – on course selection, grading, retention, and misconduct – that you’ll need to know while you’re a student.

As the Associate Dean for Student & Career Services, I am the administrator who is specifically charged to serve as a resource for your student concerns and career building. My role is to counsel and assist you. Whether you are concerned with progress toward your degree, course scheduling, classes outside the law school, career goals, personal problems or family matters, or anything that interferes with your having a successful experience at school, I’ll help or find someone else who can. When I hear about problems that are affecting students at the College of Law, I’ll make sure that these concerns are heard by the faculty and other administrators. If the problem can’t be fixed, I’ll attempt to explain why.

I am also available to members of student organizations in the College of Law who need information or counsel on developing programs, getting funding, and negotiating the bureaucratic operations of student activities at the University of Iowa. Members and officers are welcome to stop by at any time.

I look forward to getting to know you and serve you.

Carin N. Crain
Associate Dean for Student & Career Services

Contents

Note: Page references refer to the printed version and may differ online.

Part I: Academic Policies and Procedures Adopted by the Faculty

I. Learning Outcomes of the University of Iowa College of Law

Upon graduating from the University of Iowa College of Law, a student shall have competency in the following:

Outcome 1: Apply key concepts of substantive and procedural law

  • Identify and apply key concepts of procedural and substantive law
  • Recognize the role of law, courts, and political institutions in public policy
  • Understand the structure and foundational principles of the American legal system
  • Use sources and authorities to determine the likely outcome of a legal question

Outcome 2: Communicate legal principles and analyses effectively

  • Present information orally in a well-reasoned and organized manner
  • Write documents that are well-reasoned, organized, and reflect strategic choices
  • Synthesize legal authorities into a logical framework for analysis
  • Provide appropriate attribution to legal authorities
  • Use legal research strategies to identify relevant materials

Outcome 3: Conduct oneself ethically and professionally

  • Demonstrate ethical and professional judgment in client representation
  • Recognize the convergence and divergence of personal and professional values
  • Articulate the relationship between personal and professional values
  • Identify sources of ethical and professional standards
  • Engage respectfully with peers, professors, and staff

Outcome 4: Develop professional skills

  • Cultivate a professional identity
  • Employ reflective practices to increase awareness and performance
  • Build collaborative relationships and manage conflict respectfully

Adopted by the faculty on March 24, 2016 and April 29, 2016; amended January 25, 2018; amended October 21, 2021.

II. Graduation Requirements for the J.D. Degree

A. Overview

To be eligible for a J.D. degree, a student must:

  1. Meet the credit hour requirements
  2. Meet the length of study requirements
  3. Achieve a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.1
  4. Take and complete all required courses
  5. Satisfy the writing requirements
  6. Satisfy the experiential course requirement