We Offer Flexibility

Flexibility is a word that describes several aspects of the law school. There is the flexibility afforded by having two fully integrated programs: a part-time program and a full-time program. This means a student may switch from one to the other, after the first year, merely by indicating the wish to do so. Both programs are taught by the same full-time faculty and there is no distinction made as to whether a student is a graduate of the full-time or the part-time program. This flexibility means a student who is willing to go full-time and take full summers of courses can graduate in as little as two-and-a-half years. If a student wants to take advantage of summer school, it's possible, depending on how many summer school courses are taken, to register for one or more part-time semesters, thus creating the opportunity to clerk in Portland. Depending on how much summer school and how many part-time semesters a student decides to take, people can graduate in the typical three years or in three-and-a-half. Students who do not wish to take summer school and who plan to work all the way through law school, graduate in four years.

Along with the flexibility provided by the part-time program, there are other ways in which the word "flexible" captures elements of Lewis & Clark. There is the flexibility to take classes in either and both the day or the evening regardless of whether you are a full-time or part-time student. There is the flexibility to create your own schedule as an upper division student mixing practical skills courses and theoretical courses, and mixing core courses with specialty courses, in the way that best satisfies your educational goals. After the first year of law school, our requirements are few and students decide for themselves in what order and in what courses to fulfill those requirements. There is, finally, the flexibility, created by our location in a major metropolitan area, to work part-time or full-time while in school and earn money to defray some of the expense of going to law school.

We believe that those people who decide to prepare for a career in law are ready to take on a challenging curriculum and to make decisions as upper division students as to how to best craft a curriculum that will suit their educational goals. Faculty and staff are ready and willing to assist students but we also know that you are one short step from becoming a professional who will solve complex and important problems. It is our hope that we can challenge you, build on and hone the skills you bring to the study of law and help you develop new skills, assist you when necessary, and prepare you to step into a diverse and exciting profession.