Entering Class: We enroll new part-time J.D. students each fall. Beginning with the Fall 2009 entering class, each part-time class typically will have between 58 and 65 students. Part-time classes are offered in the evening, typically between 6:00 and 9:30 p.m.; a limited number are offered on weekends.

Student Profile: Stetson's program is designed primarily for working professionals-or others with significant day-time commitments-who wish to pursue a law degree either to change careers or to enhance their current career. Students have substantially similar credentials as our full-time students; many also hold advanced degrees, such as master's degrees in a wide variety of fields, M.B.A.s, Ph.D.s, and M.D.s.

Application Requirements and Procedures: Application requirements and procedures are the same as for the full-time J.D. program. Those requirements and procedures are outlined in our current Viewbook and on the Admissions Web page at the College of Law's web site at: http://www.law.stetson.edu/admissions/. We also urge those interested in the part-time program to read the special brochure on the part-time program. In addition, the College of Law holds information sessions about the part-time program each July and August, and the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid is glad to speak with potential students year-round. To contact the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid, (727) 562-7802 or LawAdmit@law.stetson.edu.

Program Locations: The College of Law's main campus is in Gulfport, FL, which is a suburb of St. Petersburg. The College of Law also has a satellite campus in downtown Tampa. As explained below under "Basic Design and Curriculum," part-time law students may take up to 45 of the 88 credit hours in Tampa. More specifically, part-time students must take 22 hours (out of approximately 30) over the first two years (five semesters) in Tampa. Once part-time students enter the elective curriculum, they may take up to 23 additional credits in Tampa. Or they may opt to take electives entirely in Gulfport.

Length of Program: Students in the part-time program can complete the degree in four years by attending classes during each fall, spring, and summer semester. Although we strongly recommend that students complete the required curriculum with their incoming class, part-time students do have the option to extend their studies over six years by modifying their schedule during the elective curriculum. Students who enter the part-time program may apply to convert to full-time status after four semesters, allowing them to graduate in as few as three years (including summers).

Basic Program Design and Curriculum: During the first two years, students take two or three classes each fall and spring semester and two classes during each summer. During the fall and spring semesters, students typically attend classes Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from approximately 6:00 p.m. until approximately 9:00 p.m. During the summer semesters, students typically attend classes Monday through Thursday from approximately 6:00 p.m. until approximately 9:00 p.m. The first summer is required for all part-time students. Absent a documented disability that prevents a part-time student from taking courses in the evening, we cannot accommodate part-time students in the day-time required curriculum.

While in the required curriculum (first five semesters), students typically will attend class two nights a week in Tampa and one night a week in Gulfport. During the summer, classes meet four evenings a week-two in Tampa and two in Gulfport.

During the third and fourth years, students can expect a similar schedule, but have more flexibility in selecting elective courses. Once in the elective curriculum, part-time students can take classes on either campus, in the evening, or during the day. As noted above, part-time students can take 23 of approximately 58 elective credits at the Tampa Law Center. The College of Law also permits students to take up to 12 credits via distance education; distance courses typically are offered in the summer.

The required curriculum is identical to that taken by full-time students. Members of Stetson's full-time faculty teach required courses; elective courses are taught by members of the full-time faculty and by highly qualified adjunct professors.

Part-time students also have various opportunities to participate in study-abroad programs. Those with flexible schedules may participate in four-week programs in Spain, Argentina, Germany/The Netherlands, and China. Those with more limited flexibility are eligible to participate in a week-long program over spring break, a two-week program in January in the Cayman Islands, or may participate in a two-week program in The Hague, Netherlands.

Part-time students participate in a wide variety of extracurricular activities, such as Law Review, student government, and various clubs and student legal organizations. Several also have been able to participate in internships and clinical programs.

Facilities in Tampa: In addition to several state-of-the-art classroom, the Tampa Law Center also boasts a law library with many small-group study rooms, a large courtroom that is also used regularly by Florida's Second District Court of Appeal, a smaller courtroom used for small classes and advocacy teams, administrative offices, and a break room. Eight Second District Court of Appeal judges and their staffs work on the third floor.