Summer Start

Accelerated Program

Want to finish law school almost a year ahead of schedule? Summer starters who choose the Accelerated Program can complete their J.D. in a little over two years by attending school during summer and winter.

Here's how it's done:

Financial Considerations

For students worried about the cost of law school, the Accelerated Program is one way to keep your debt under control. Because tuition is on a per-credit payment system, you'll still end up paying about the same amount of tuition. So if the cost is the same, how do summer starters in the Accelerated Program save money?

1. One less year in living expenses.
2. Start your career one year early, providing a bonus year of employment.
3. No student fees for the third year.
4. Your scholarship may be affected depending on the terms of your scholarship. The terms will be available at the time of admission.

More information for Summer Starters

How to Apply

The requirements and process for enrollment in the Summer Start program are the same as for the J.D. program, with the following exceptions:

• The deadline to apply for the Summer Start program is April 15.
• You will apply using the J.D. application on the LSAC website. The first question of the application asks whether you are applying for the "Fall Session" or "Summer Session." Please mark "Summer Session."
• Your choice of session is not binding until March 15. If you want to change your selection, you must inform the Admissions Office by that date.

Tuition

KU Law charges students on a per-credit basis, so tuition will be higher in your first year but lower in your second and third years. Comparing fall starters to summer starters demonstrates the difference:

Scholarships

Most scholarships are awarded per year, not per credit, and are disbursed in the fall and spring semesters. For example, if you have been awarded a $5,000 scholarship in the first year, you will receive a $2,500 award in the fall semester followed by a $2,500 award in the spring semester. Scholarships that are awarded on a per credit basis will cover summer classes. For example, Jayhawk, Oread and Rice Scholarships will fully apply to summer classes.

Financial Aid

Financial aid is available for summer starters. For more information, please contact the KU Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships.

Information for 2022 Summer Starters

Textbooks

• Lawyering Skills: "A Lawyer Writes: A Practical Guide to Legal Analysis" by Christine Coughlin, Joan Malmud & Sandy Patrick (Carolina Academic Press 2018) (ISBN 9781531008765).
• Criminal Law: Professor Stacy Course Pack. At the beginning of the term, Professor Stacy will post downloadable materials from the class Blackboard page, or students may purchase the materials from the KU Bookstore (available 1 week prior to class).
• Torts: "Basic Tort Law: Cases, Statutes, and Problems, Fifth Edition" | Best, Barnes, Kahn-Fogel | 9781454899266 | Aspen Publishing

First-Day Assignment

For class on Friday, May 20:

• Go to the About Federal Courts webpage and read the information contained in the sections below. Please also watch this short video on state and federal courts. 
  1. Federal Courts and the Public
  2. Court Role and Structure
  3. Comparing Federal and State Courts
  4. About the U.S. Courts of Appeal
• Read Chapters 1-2 in your Lawyering Skills textbook - A Lawyer Writes: A Practical Guide to Legal Analysis by Christine Coughlin, Joan Malmud & Sandy Patrick (Carolina Academic Press 2018) (ISBN 9781531008765). We will cover Chapter 3 on Monday.

Summer 2022 Class Schedule: First-Year Courses

Summer Starter Orientation and Lawyering Skills:

• May 19, 20, 23

First Session Class Dates:

• May 24 - June 17 (classes will not be held on Memorial Day, May 30)

First Session Exam Dates:

• Torts - June 20
• Criminal Law - June 22

Second Session Class Dates:

• June 23 - July 18 (no classes on July 4)

Second Session Exam Dates:

• Torts - July 20
• Criminal Law - July 22

2022 Entering Student Program Schedule for Summer Starters

May 19-22 and May 23
August 22-24

203 Green Hall (unless otherwise noted on the schedule)

This schedule is subject to change.