Charleston School of Law Juris Doctor Program Catalog and Student Handbook 2023-2024

Administration of Tests and Exams

The Office of Academic Affairs administers all assessments and exams as well as any testing accommodations.  Students wishing to request testing accommodations should refer to Students with Disabilities. Students must affirmatively request and be granted accommodations at least two weeks prior to any testing period.

Students are responsible for reviewing and complying with all policies and procedures, including the Charleston School of Law’s Honor Code and Code of Conduct. Questions about any exam policy or procedure should be directed to the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, 843.377.2420.  Questions about the Honor Code should be directed to the Associate Dean of Students, 843.377.1104.

Testing Overview

All assessments, midterms and final exams are administered during the designated periods for each semester or session, as set forth on the Academic Calendar. Students are expected to be present on campus during testing dates for their courses and to remain in the Charleston area for the duration of the testing period for the semester or session. 

The below policy applies beginning with Fall 2023 Semester

Testing Policy For Required Courses:

• 1L Courses: Contracts I & II, Torts I & II, Property I & II, Civil Procedure I & II.
• Upper-Level Courses:  Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure, Business Organizations, Evidence, Professional Responsibility, Constitutional Law I & II, Sales, Secured Transactions, Wills, Trusts & Estates, and Bar Prep.

Each of the above required courses must have one proctored midterm scheduled and administered by the Office of Academic Affairs. Midterms are scheduled for one hour. The midterm must account for either:

• at least 20% of a student's final grade in the course, or
• at least 10% of a student's final grade in the course plus untimed, non-proctored exercises assigned by the professor.

The midterm must be composed of both multiple choice and essay questions, except in the following circumstances:

• as permitted by the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, or
• in the case of Professional Responsibility, which may be composed of multiple choice questions only, or
• for Wills, Trusts & Estates, Secured Transactions, and Business Organizations, which may be composed of essay questions only.

Each of the above required courses must have a proctored final exam equivalent in length to the course's credit hours, not longer than or shorter than the number of credit hours. Final exams are scheduled and administered by the Office of Academic Affairs. 

Elective Courses

Elective courses may have proctored or non-proctored exams, final projects or papers. For elective courses with final exams, the final exam must be equivalent in length to the course's credit hours, not longer than or shorter than the number of credit hours. Final exams are scheduled and administered by the Office of Academic Affairs.