Summer Start
The summer start advantage


Summer Start Benefits
As a first-year student, you may choose to begin your studies at KU Law in the summer or the fall. Summer starters enjoy several advantages, including:
- Small Class Sizes: Summer start classes are significantly smaller than typical first-year law classes.
- Lighter Load: You'll work hard in summer school, but you'll only be taking two classes at a time.
- Flexible Start: Summer starters get an 8-credit head start on completing the 90 credits required to graduate, creating the opportunity to take fewer credits per semester and still graduate on time.
- Electives in the First Year: Because summer starters have already completed two substantive courses, they will take two elective courses in their first year.
Sample Schedule
Following is a sample schedule for the path you might take:
Summer | Fall | Winter | Spring | |
---|---|---|---|---|
First Year | 8 | 12 | - | 14 |
Second Year | 2 | 14 | 2 | 14 |
Third Year | - | 12 | - | 12 |
Total Credits | 90 |
More Information About the Summer Start Program
Summer starters also have the option to choose an accelerated path to their degree.
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:
Summer | Fall | Winter | Spring | |
---|---|---|---|---|
First Year | 8 | 16 | - | 16 |
Second Year | 8 | 16 | 2 | 16 |
Third Year | 8 | - | - | - |
Total Credits | 90 |
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?
- One less year in living expenses.
- Start your career one year early, providing a bonus year of employment.
- No student fees for the third year.
- 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:
Fall Starters | Summer Starters | |
---|---|---|
First Year | 29 credits | 37 credits |
Second and Third Years | 61 credits | 53 credits |
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 2023 Summer Starters
Summer 2023 Textbooks
Lawyering Class: "A Lawyer Writes: A Practical Guide to Legal Analysis" (3rd Edition)
Author: Christine Coughlin, Joan Malmud, Sandy Patrick
Published by: Carolina Academic Press 2018
ISBN: 9781531008765Criminal Law: Professor Stacy Course Pack (New Only).
Note: Professors Yung and Stacey are putting together the course pack. Copies will be available near the start of the summer semester.
Author: Non-Returnable Course Pack
ISBN: 2810000111228
Status: Required (not yet available)Torts: "Basic Tort Law: Cases, Statutes, and Problems" (5th Edition Hardbound)
Author: Arthur Best, David W. Barnes, Nicholas Kahn-Fogel
Published by: Wolters Kluwer
ISBN: 9781454895220
First-Day Assignment
Go to Federal Courts and read the information contained in the sections below. Please also watch this short video on state and federal courts.
- Federal Courts and the Public
- Court Role and Structure
- Comparing Federal and State Courts
- About the U.S. Courts of Appeals
Read Chapters 1-2 in your Lawyering Skills textbook - "A Lawyer Writes: A Practical Guide to Legal Analysis." We will cover Chapter 3 on Monday.
Summer 2023 Class Schedule: First-Year Courses
Summer Starter Orientation and Lawyering Skills:
- May 18, 19, 22
First Session Class Dates:
- May 23 - June 21 (no classes on Memorial Day, May 29)
First Session Exam Dates:
- Torts - June 19
- Criminal Law - June 21
Second Session Class Dates:
- June 22 - July 21 (no classes on Independence Day, July 4)
Second Session Exam Dates:
- Torts - July 19
- Criminal Law - July 21
Summer Starters Report for Fall Orientation:
- Aug. 21, 22, 23
Course Title | Catalog Number | Faculty | Room | Day/Time | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
FIRST SESSION | |||||
Criminal Law | 814 | Thomas G. Stacy | 203 | MTWRF 9:00-10:20 | 2 |
Torts | 831 | Laura J. Hines | 203 | MTWRF 10:40-12:00 | 2 |
SECOND SESSION | |||||
Criminal Law | 814 | Thomas G. Stacy | 203 | MTWRF 9:00-10:25 | 2 |
Torts | 831 | Kyle Velte | 203 | MTWRF 10:40-12:05 | 2 |
2023 Entering Student Program Schedule for Summer Starters
May 18-19, 21-22
August 21-23
Room 203, Green Hall (unless otherwise noted)
This schedule is subject to change.
Time | Event |
---|---|
Thursday, May 18, 2023 | |
8:30 - 9 a.m. | Registration and Photos (2nd Floor Commons) |
9 - 9:30 a.m. | Welcome Welcome from the Office of Admissions - Steven Freedman, Associate Dean of Admissions Welcome to KU Law - Stephen Mazza, Dean & Professor of Law |
9:30 - 10:00 a.m. | Practical Issues & Student Services Leah Terranova, Associate Dean of Academic & Student Affairs Jennifer Kent, Registrar |
10 - 10:50 a.m. | Academics, Honor Code & Grading Policies Leah Terranova, Associate Dean of Academic & Student Affairs |
10:50 - 11 a.m. | Break |
11 a.m. - 12 p.m. | Canvas & Library Resources W. Blake Wilson, Assistant Director for Instructional & Faculty Services |
12 - 1 p.m. | Lunch Provided |
1 - 1:30 p.m. | Optional Green Hall Tours Student Ambassadors |
1:30 - 2 p.m. | Career Services Stacey Blakeman, Assistant Dean of Career Services Brett Sitts, Director of Career Services Grace McDonough, Administrative Associate |
Friday, May 19, 2023 | |
9 a.m. - 12 p.m. | Lawyering Skills |
12 - 1:30 p.m. | Lunch on your own |
1:30 - 3:30 p.m. | Lawyering Skills |
Monday, May 22, 2023 | |
9 a.m. - 12 p.m. | Lawyering Skills |
12 - 1:30 p.m. | Lunch on your own |
1:30 - 3:30 p.m. | Lawyering Skills |
Tuesday, May 23 - Wednesday, June 21, 2023: First Session Classes & Exams (no classes on Memorial Day, Monday, May 29, 2023) | |
9 - 10:20 a.m. | LAW 814: Criminal Law (Final: Wednesday, June 21) Thomas G. Stacy, Professor of Law |
10:40 a.m. - 12 p.m. | LAW 831: Torts (Final: Monday, June 19) Laura J. Hines, Professor of Law |
Wednesday, May 31, 2023 | |
12:30 - 2:00 p.m. | Lawyering Skills |
Thursday, June 22 - Friday, July 21, 2023: Second Session Classes & Exams (no classes on Tuesday, July 4, 2023) | |
9 - 10:25 a.m. | LAW 814: Criminal Law (Final: Friday, July 21) Thomas G. Stacy, Professor of Law |
10:40 a.m. - 12:05 p.m. | LAW 831: Torts (Final: Wednesday, July 19) |
Monday, August 21 - Wednesday, August 23, 2023 | |
Summer Starters Report for Fall Orientation |
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:
Summer | Fall | Winter | Spring | |
---|---|---|---|---|
First Year | 8 | 16 | - | 16 |
Second Year | 8 | 16 | 2 | 16 |
Third Year | 8 | - | - | - |
Total Credits | 90 |
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?
- One less year in living expenses.
- Start your career one year early, providing a bonus year of employment.
- No student fees for the third year.
- 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:
Fall Starters | Summer Starters | |
---|---|---|
First Year | 29 credits | 37 credits |
Second and Third Years | 61 credits | 53 credits |
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 2023 Summer Starters
Summer 2023 Textbooks
Lawyering Class: "A Lawyer Writes: A Practical Guide to Legal Analysis" (3rd Edition)
Author: Christine Coughlin, Joan Malmud, Sandy Patrick
Published by: Carolina Academic Press 2018
ISBN: 9781531008765Criminal Law: Professor Stacy Course Pack (New Only).
Note: Professors Yung and Stacey are putting together the course pack. Copies will be available near the start of the summer semester.
Author: Non-Returnable Course Pack
ISBN: 2810000111228
Status: Required (not yet available)Torts: "Basic Tort Law: Cases, Statutes, and Problems" (5th Edition Hardbound)
Author: Arthur Best, David W. Barnes, Nicholas Kahn-Fogel
Published by: Wolters Kluwer
ISBN: 9781454895220
First-Day Assignment
Go to Federal Courts and read the information contained in the sections below. Please also watch this short video on state and federal courts.
- Federal Courts and the Public
- Court Role and Structure
- Comparing Federal and State Courts
- About the U.S. Courts of Appeals
Read Chapters 1-2 in your Lawyering Skills textbook - "A Lawyer Writes: A Practical Guide to Legal Analysis." We will cover Chapter 3 on Monday.
Summer 2023 Class Schedule: First-Year Courses
Summer Starter Orientation and Lawyering Skills:
- May 18, 19, 22
First Session Class Dates:
- May 23 - June 21 (no classes on Memorial Day, May 29)
First Session Exam Dates:
- Torts - June 19
- Criminal Law - June 21
Second Session Class Dates:
- June 22 - July 21 (no classes on Independence Day, July 4)
Second Session Exam Dates:
- Torts - July 19
- Criminal Law - July 21
Summer Starters Report for Fall Orientation:
- Aug. 21, 22, 23
Course Title | Catalog Number | Faculty | Room | Day/Time | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
FIRST SESSION | |||||
Criminal Law | 814 | Thomas G. Stacy | 203 | MTWRF 9:00-10:20 | 2 |
Torts | 831 | Laura J. Hines | 203 | MTWRF 10:40-12:00 | 2 |
SECOND SESSION | |||||
Criminal Law | 814 | Thomas G. Stacy | 203 | MTWRF 9:00-10:25 | 2 |
Torts | 831 | Kyle Velte | 203 | MTWRF 10:40-12:05 | 2 |
2023 Entering Student Program Schedule for Summer Starters
May 18-19, 21-22
August 21-23
Room 203, Green Hall (unless otherwise noted)
This schedule is subject to change.
Time | Event |
---|---|
Thursday, May 18, 2023 | |
8:30 - 9 a.m. | Registration and Photos (2nd Floor Commons) |
9 - 9:30 a.m. | Welcome Welcome from the Office of Admissions - Steven Freedman, Associate Dean of Admissions Welcome to KU Law - Stephen Mazza, Dean & Professor of Law |
9:30 - 10:00 a.m. | Practical Issues & Student Services Leah Terranova, Associate Dean of Academic & Student Affairs Jennifer Kent, Registrar |
10 - 10:50 a.m. | Academics, Honor Code & Grading Policies Leah Terranova, Associate Dean of Academic & Student Affairs |
10:50 - 11 a.m. | Break |
11 a.m. - 12 p.m. | Canvas & Library Resources W. Blake Wilson, Assistant Director for Instructional & Faculty Services |
12 - 1 p.m. | Lunch Provided |
1 - 1:30 p.m. | Optional Green Hall Tours Student Ambassadors |
1:30 - 2 p.m. | Career Services Stacey Blakeman, Assistant Dean of Career Services Brett Sitts, Director of Career Services Grace McDonough, Administrative Associate |
Friday, May 19, 2023 | |
9 a.m. - 12 p.m. | Lawyering Skills |
12 - 1:30 p.m. | Lunch on your own |
1:30 - 3:30 p.m. | Lawyering Skills |
Monday, May 22, 2023 | |
9 a.m. - 12 p.m. | Lawyering Skills |
12 - 1:30 p.m. | Lunch on your own |
1:30 - 3:30 p.m. | Lawyering Skills |
Tuesday, May 23 - Wednesday, June 21, 2023: First Session Classes & Exams (no classes on Memorial Day, Monday, May 29, 2023) | |
9 - 10:20 a.m. | LAW 814: Criminal Law (Final: Wednesday, June 21) Thomas G. Stacy, Professor of Law |
10:40 a.m. - 12 p.m. | LAW 831: Torts (Final: Monday, June 19) Laura J. Hines, Professor of Law |
Wednesday, May 31, 2023 | |
12:30 - 2:00 p.m. | Lawyering Skills |
Thursday, June 22 - Friday, July 21, 2023: Second Session Classes & Exams (no classes on Tuesday, July 4, 2023) | |
9 - 10:25 a.m. | LAW 814: Criminal Law (Final: Friday, July 21) Thomas G. Stacy, Professor of Law |
10:40 a.m. - 12:05 p.m. | LAW 831: Torts (Final: Wednesday, July 19) |
Monday, August 21 - Wednesday, August 23, 2023 | |
Summer Starters Report for Fall Orientation |
Contact KU Law Admissions
103 Green Hall
admitlaw@ku.edu
866-220-3654