General Policies

Georgia State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, age, handicap, or ethnic origin in its administration of educational policies, loan, and scholarship policies, or any other faculty, staff, or student program or activity.

It is the policy of the College of Law to admit to its classes only those applicants who possess the intellectual capacity, maturity, moral character, and motivation necessary for the successful completion of its course of study leading to the J.D., a dual degree, or an LL.M.

Professionalism/Honor Code (formerly Professional Responsibility)

Those who study for the practice of law must join with those who practice law and those who teach law to subscribe to the traditional responsibilities of the legal profession, which are:

• the improvement of the law;
• a more effective administration of justice;
• exemplary conduct respecting the personal and property rights of the academic community and others in general;
• ethical representation of persons served by the legal profession, in particular.

The core of professional responsibility is integrity, both intellectual integrity and integrity in objective conduct.

The antithesis of integrity is dishonesty, half-truths, false and misleading communications, plagiarism, cheating, etc. Conduct on the part of law students that violate standards prescribed for lawyers will be referred to as pre-professional misconduct. The College of Law operates under an Honor System and an Honor Code, and all students are subject to it from initial enrollment. Its sanctions may extend to exclusion from the college, as provided in the Honor Code.

University Student Code of Conduct

In addition to the College of Law’s Honor Code, any student attending Georgia State University is governed by the University’s Student Code of Conduct and the Student Handbook. The Student Handbook provides students with information about campus resources, student life, and university procedures.

The university makes this handbook available to each student, and it is students’ responsibility to familiarize themselves with its contents. By enrolling at this institution, students agree to comply with all rules and regulations. Ignorance of a policy or regulation will not be considered an excuse for failure to observe it. The university reserves the right to alter the regulations and policies stated herein through normal channels.

An important part of the handbook is the Student Code of Conduct and Administrative Policies and Procedures.

Attendance

Regular and punctual class attendance is required of all students enrolled in any degree program within the College of Law. It is up to each instructor to determine what constitutes “regular and punctual class attendance” in his or her class, to monitor attendance, and to impose appropriate sanctions (up to and including involuntary withdrawal from the class, for which a student will receive a WF) for noncompliance with announced class policies.

Note-Taking

Note-taking is considered a legal professional’s skill to be encouraged. Recording of class sessions is not permitted except by advance permission from the instructor or when reasonably necessary to accommodate the needs of individuals with disabilities or other extraordinary circumstances. Individuals whose disabilities require that they record classes, or employ note-takers, should consult with the associate dean for students. See “Students with Disabilities,” below.

Student Organizations

The College of Law encourages the advancement of the professional and academic goals of its students through student organizations. These organizations are chartered by the college and assisted by an adviser from the full-time faculty. Information on student organizations, including extra and co-curricular organizations, are available on the COL website as well as The Panther Involvement Network.

In addition, law students are encouraged to participate in the University Student Government Association and other university student organizations that may interest them.

Student Records

All materials submitted to the College of Law become the property of Georgia State University and will be retained or disposed of in accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, the Georgia Records Act, and other statutes as may apply.

A student has the right to review all materials in that student’s record with the exception of those covered by a signed waiver of this right. Students should contact the associate dean for students to inspect any record.

Georgia State University is unable to provide copies of transcripts from other schools, special certifications based upon educational experience from other institutions, or scores from testing agencies. Copies of these materials must be requested directly from the issuing institution or agency.

Fees

Fee Payment Deadline Date

All matriculation, tuition, and mandatory student fees are payable by the last day of the Regular Registration period each semester as published through the Student Financial Services. Registration is not complete until all fees have been paid. For the most up-to-date information about fee payment options and deadline dates, visit https://sfs.gsu.edu/resources/tuition/

Fee Payment Methods

The latest information on payment options is available through the Student Financial Services office website: https://sfs.gsu.edu/resources/tuition/how-to-pay/. The university reserves the right at any time during the semester to drop any student from classes for failure to pay fees. Students who continue to attend classes under these conditions will be held liable for the fees due plus any service fees assessed, applicable collection costs, court costs, and possible legal fees. A student dropped for nonpayment may not be eligible to take final exams/assessments, even if they continue to attend classes.

A Student Accounts “Hold” will be placed on the records of any student who has a financial obligation to the university. This student will not be permitted to register for further course work or receive, or have forwarded to external third parties, transcripts of grades until the obligation is settled.

It is the responsibility of the student to be informed of, and to observe, all regulations and procedures regarding the payment of fees and the entitlement to refunds. In no case will a regulation be waived or an exception is granted because a student pleads ignorance of the regulation or asserts that they were not informed of it by an adviser or other authority. All questions concerning fees and refunds should be directed to Student Financial Services only.

Per University Policy, verbal misinformation is not grounds for a waiver of a regulation.

All matriculation fees and other charges are subject to change without notice.

Mandatory Student Fees

A mandatory student fee is charged each semester to every student registered for courses to be conducted by Georgia State University. This fee must be paid at the time of registration.

Student activity, athletics, recreation, technology, transportation, and health fees make up the mandatory student fee, which is used to provide cultural, social and athletic programs for the entire student body. In addition, this fee provides financial support for student facilities at the university, guest speakers and lecturers, student publications, and many special events that are available exclusively for the students of Georgia State University. The fee also helps to defray shuttle costs for transporting students to campus from remote parking facilities where students may park free. The technology fee supports expansion and enhancements of instructional technology and student access to computers.

Matriculation and Tuition Fees information on the most current tuition rates and any fees assessed by the university are available online.

Special Fees and Charges

Application Fee

All applicants to the College of Law must submit a $50 application fee with their application forms before they will be given consideration as prospective students. The application fee is non-refundable and will not apply toward the student’s registration fees.

Class Deposit

To reserve a place in the incoming class, an applicant, once accepted, must submit a nonrefundable deposit of $500. This deposit will be applied to the student’s matriculation fees at registration.

Late Registration Fee

A student who initially registers during late registration will be required to pay a $50 late registration fee, which is nonrefundable.

Transcripts

A student who has discharged all obligations to Georgia State University is entitled to receive upon written request to the Office of the Registrar or by following the PAWS online request form for Student procedures a transcript of his or her permanent record. There is a 48-hour processing period for transcripts that are to be picked up. Picture identification is required when requesting and picking up transcripts.

Routine copies of other information in the student’s education records, with the exception of transcripts from other institutions and other items excluded from copying by practice or regulation, will be provided upon written request. Special certifications based on education records will be provided upon written request, when permissible.

Graduation Fee

Every student receiving a degree awarded by the College of Law must pay a graduation fee of $50. Students can apply for graduation via their PAWS account and pay the graduation fee online. Additional information on graduation can be found in the graduation section of this bulletin.

Revisions of graduation dates after the midpoint of the semester in which graduation is scheduled will result in a reapplication fee of $50 for a doctoral degree.

Other Fees

The university reserves the right to charge a fee for the use of university property and to levy fines for the improper use of university property.

Tuition Reimbursement

Students eligible for tuition reimbursement by their employers must submit their tuition reimbursement forms to the Office of the Registrar/Student Services, Room 227, Sparks Hall, accompanied by an addressed, stamped envelope. Forms will be processed and mailed within five workdays if grades are available for the applicable term.

Refund of Student Fees

Students formally withdrawing from a class or classes will be subject to the application of the following refund policy for matriculation and tuition. Students formally withdrawing from all classes will also be subject to the following refund policy for mandatory student fees.

Students who formally withdraw from a course or the institution prior to the end of the last scheduled registration period, including those who have been excluded subsequent to registration, are entitled to a 100 percent refund of matriculation, tuition, and all fees paid for that period of enrollment.

Additional information regarding the Refund schedule based on class attendance is available through the Student Financial Services Website at https://sfs.gsu.edu/resources/tuition/withdrawal-refund-schedule/. The date to be used in determining eligibility for a refund will be the date the withdrawal is executed in the Office of the Registrar.

There will be no refund for reducing course loads after the end of the last scheduled registration period.

Refund of elective charges for withdrawing from the institution during the semester may be made on a prorated basis determined by the date of withdrawal.

Placing a stop payment on a check with the institution the check is drawn on does not constitute a formal withdrawal. The student will be held liable for matriculation, tuition, and fees unless the date of official withdrawal from the class or classes at Georgia State University is within the refund schedule; in which case, the student will be held liable for that portion of fees that is not refundable plus the returned check fee and any applicable collection costs.

A student is not entitled to any refund of fees paid if the student:

• Withdraws from the institution after the first 50 percent (in time) of the period of enrollment;
• Reduces his or her course load after the end of the last scheduled registration period;
• Leaves the university when disciplinary action is pending; or
• Does not withdraw formally from the class or classes in which the student is enrolled.

Refunds for students paying with a credit card will be credited to the credit card account upon withdrawal from classes. Refunds for students paying with cash or check will be in the form of checks payable to the student and mailed to the student’s address on file with the Office of the Registrar.

Refunds for withdrawal from classes for students who receive financial aid will be audited to determine amounts to be returned to the financial aid program and any balance due to the student will be processed and mailed as indicated above. Mailing addresses should be kept current with the Office of the Registrar at all times to ensure proper mailing of refund checks.

* This information is subject to change without notice.

Financial Assistance

The College of Law has a limited number of scholarships, assistantships, resident waivers, and loan programs available to qualified students. All students and applicants, once accepted, are considered under the criteria for appropriate scholarships.

Learn more about the College of Law’s financial aid and/or scholarships>>

Law and Graduate Assistantships and Tuition Waivers

Nonresident Tuition Waivers

The College of Law offers a limited number of non-resident tuition waivers to encourage the enrollment of nonresident students who demonstrate high academic achievement. Both first-year students and existing students who are in good standing are eligible for these waivers.

Law/Graduate Assistants

J.D. students who have completed their first year of law study are eligible to apply for law/graduate assistantships. Assistantship positions, based on the responsibilities associated with the position, maybe labeled as Research, Teaching, or Administrative Assistantships.  Students selected for these positions are employed on a per-semester or annual basis and receive a reduction in tuition and a stipend. Law research assistants must meet the minimum cumulative GPA of 2.20 each semester. Graduate/Law assistantships linked to scholarships require a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 each semester. Failure to meet the minimum 2.50 cumulative GPA requirements will result in the loss of the assistantship and the scholarship, if applicable.

Students with Disabilities

The associate dean for students is responsible for ensuring that students with documented disabilities receive the accommodations to which they are deemed entitled. Students who have, or think they may have, disabilities should consult directly with the Access and Accommodations Center (AACE).  Once the appropriate evaluations are done or appropriate documentation is received, AACE will determine which accommodations are warranted in light of the evaluation and the student’s circumstances. That information needs to be provided to the associate dean for students for implementation.

If the accommodations relate only to taking exams, the registrar will communicate directly with AACE and arrange for the administration of the exam(s), in accordance with the prescribed accommodations and the college’s and professors’ policies. If professors’ exams are designed in a manner that makes the suggested accommodations inappropriate, that information will be communicated to AACE for guidance and any amendments/updates to the accommodations granted.

If the accommodations relate to matters other than taking exams (such as note-taking services), the associate dean for students will meet with the student and coordinate accommodations. To the extent that the College of Law has the appropriate facilities, personnel, and expertise to implement the accommodations, it will do so.  As to anything that it cannot do in-house, the Access and Accommodations Center will provide such services. To preserve the college’s anonymous grading system, students are strongly discouraged from discussing these issues directly with their individual professors.

Addressing Student Complaints

1. Students seeking to file a formal complaint related to the College of Law’s compliance with ABA Standards shall do the following:
   1. Submit the complaint in writing to the associate dean for academic affairs. The complaint may be made by email, U.S. mail, or personal delivery. The complaint must describe in detail the behavior, program, process, or other matter that is the subject of the complaint, and explain how the matter implicates the College of Law’s compliance with specific ABA Standard(s).
   2. The complaint must be signed and provide the name, email address, and street address of the complaining student for further communication about the complaint.
2. When the associate dean for academic affairs receives a student complaint, the following procedures will be followed:
   1. The associate dean will acknowledge receipt of the complaint in writing within 10 business days. Acknowledgment may be made by email, U.S. mail, or personal delivery.
   2. Within two weeks of acknowledgment of the complaint, the associate dean, or his or her designee, will provide a written response either to the substance of the complaint or informing the student that additional investigation is needed. If further investigation is needed, the student will be provided with information about what steps are being taken to investigate the complaint and an estimated date for the completion of the investigation by the College of Law. The written response to the complaint will specify what steps are being taken to address the complaint.
   3. After the student receives the written response to the complaint, a dissatisfied student may appeal the resolution of the complaint to the dean of the College of Law. Any decision made on appeal by the dean shall be final.
   4. A copy of the complaint and a summary of the process and resolution of the complaint shall be kept in the office of the associate dean for academic affairs for a period of eight years from the date of final resolution of the complaint.

General Appeals Procedure

Any applicant for admission to the College of Law who is denied admission by the Admissions Committee, or any student enrolled who is aggrieved by a decision of a faculty committee, concerning suspension or termination shall have the right to appeal the decision to the dean. 

The appeal shall be based on the record of the appellant as it exists in the dean’s office and the written petition of the appellant. The dean may call for the personal appearance of the appellant if the dean considers this may serve some purpose. The dean may give consideration to pertinent facts in the record, or developed extrinsic to the record and revise or modify the challenged decision. Otherwise, the appeal will be considered by the dean solely on the record.

The only grounds for appeal are:

1. The decision is contrary to the facts in the record or against the weight of the evidence.
2. The decision violates federal or state law or federal or state rules or regulations or the rules or regulations of the Board of Regents, or the statutes and bylaws of Georgia State University.
3. The decision does not give effect to published rules or regulations of the College of Law pertinent to the matter.
4. The administration of the rules and regulations of the College of Law did not afford appellant due consideration.
5. The decision is substantially affected by malevolent discrimination against the appellant personally.
6. The appeal must be in writing and received by the dean within 10 business days after the date of the letter notifying the appellant of the decision. The time for appeal may be extended by the dean for cause beyond the control of the appellant. The appeal may be in letter form and may include whatever the appellant wants considered by the dean. It must, however, specifically indicate one or more of the grounds enumerated above and, with regard thereto, explain, with particularity, the facts, law, rules, regulations, statutes, and bylaws which are challenged and, also with particularity, how, or in what way, the committee did not afford appellant due consideration. It need not repeat facts that are otherwise in the record unless the appellant challenges the correctness of such facts.

The dean will review the record, thus made, and render a decision within fourteen days of the receipt of the appellant’s letter. The decision of the dean will be final except as further appellate process may be available at the university level.