Cameron Miranda
Auditing a law class is a great way to gain knowledge without the pressure of exams or assignments. While the specifics vary by institution, the general rule is that auditors must have instructor permission, cannot take up a seat from an enrolled student, and are expected to attend class and complete readings. Auditors do not receive credit for the course, but at some schools, the course title and a grade of 'O' will appear on the auditor's transcript.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Permission required | Yes, from the instructor |
| Conditions | Subject to conditions imposed by the instructor |
| Registration | Confirmed at the end of the Add/Drop period for each semester, contingent upon seat availability |
| Priority | Given to degree-seeking students enrolling in classes for credit |
| Work | Auditors are not to create work for the professor, i.e. no graded assignments |
| Attendance | Expected |
| Materials | Expected to have read the materials |
| Examinations | Auditors do not take exams |
| Papers | Auditors do not write papers |
| Credits | No credit hours are earned |
| Transcript | Course title and grade of 'O' will show on the auditor's transcript upon successful completion |
| Course type | Non-required, non-"skills", non-pass/fail, non-experiential, and non-seminar courses are open to non-law students |
| Seat availability | Auditors cannot take a seat from a degree-seeking student |
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What You'll Learn
Instructor's permission is required
If you are interested in auditing a law class, you will need to seek the instructor's permission. This is because auditing a class is considered "unofficial", and the instructor may impose certain conditions on those wishing to audit. For example, at NYU School of Law, matriculated law students can audit a course with the instructor's permission, but they cannot enrol, take examinations, or write papers for the course. Similarly, at William & Mary Law School, all audit requests must be approved by the instructor and are only confirmed at the end of the Add/Drop period for each semester, depending on seat availability.
Instructors may also require auditors not to create extra work for them, meaning that auditors may not turn in assignments to be graded. Auditors are, however, expected to attend classes, participate in classroom discussions, and read the materials. At the end of the course, the auditor will not receive any credits, but the course title will be reflected on their transcript with a grade of 'O'.
If you are a non-law student interested in auditing a law class, you may have additional requirements to fulfil. For example, at William & Mary Law School, non-law students can only audit a law course if it is not a required course, a "skills" class, a pass/fail course, an experiential course, or a seminar. Additionally, the auditor should not be taking a seat from a degree-seeking student, and the instructor's permission is required. Visiting Scholars at the same institution are allowed to audit one law course per semester, provided they have paid the fees, can participate from the first day, and complete the entire course term. They must also discuss their audit course selection with the Director of LL.M.
It is worth noting that some instructors may be uncomfortable with the idea of auditing. For example, one person who audited a class unofficially on a sabbatical year mentioned that one professor asked them not to audit because the professor was not comfortable with it after having had a bad experience in the past. Therefore, it is important to discuss your interest in auditing with the instructor and clarify any expectations or requirements they may have.
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No credit is given
Auditing a law class means that you can attend the class and gain knowledge without receiving any official recognition or credit for it. While auditing a law class, you will not be enrolled in the course and will not be able to take examinations or submit assignments for grading. This means that you will not receive a grade or earn credit hours for the course.
For example, at NYU School of Law, auditing a course is considered "unofficial", and students do not enrol in the course, take examinations, or write papers. Similarly, at William & Mary Law School, auditors are expected to attend classes and read the materials but do not take exams, submit final papers, or earn credit hours.
At some institutions, such as William & Mary Law School, the completion of an audited course will be reflected on the auditor's transcript with a grade of 'O'. However, this does not carry the same weight as a traditional grade and is simply an indication of successful completion of the course.
It is important to note that auditing a law class is typically done with the permission of the instructor and is subject to their conditions. In some cases, auditors may be allowed to participate in classroom discussions, but they will not be able to create additional work for the professor by submitting assignments for grading.
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No graded assignments
When auditing a law class, students are not required to submit any graded assignments. This means that auditors are not expected to create any additional work for the professor, such as submitting assignments for grading or completing a final paper. They are also not required to take any exams. Instead, auditors are expected to attend classes, participate in discussions, and keep up with the assigned readings.
The purpose of auditing a class is often to gain knowledge and explore a subject of interest without the pressure of grades or credit. Auditing can be a passive way to engage with the material and the discipline, especially for those who are not seeking a degree or formal recognition. For example, an individual might audit a law class to maintain contact with the legal field while on a sabbatical or to explore a particular area of law they are interested in.
In the context of law school, auditing typically refers to unofficially sitting in on a class with the professor's permission. This means that the auditor is not enrolled in the course for credit and is not required to complete any graded work. However, it is important to note that some law schools, such as William & Mary Law School, do offer official audit options for non-law students or visiting scholars, which may have different requirements and restrictions.
It is important to distinguish between "non-graded assignments" and assignments that are worth zero points or do not count towards the final grade. While auditors are typically not expected to submit graded assignments, they may still be asked to complete ungraded work, such as readings or in-class exercises, to fully participate in the course. Additionally, some professors may be open to auditors taking exams or submitting final papers on a voluntary basis, even if it is not required for the audit.
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Non-degree students can audit
Auditing a law class as a non-degree student means that you will not be enrolled in the course, will not take examinations or write papers, and will not receive credit hours. However, you are expected to attend classes, participate in discussions, and complete the required readings.
If you are interested in auditing a law class as a non-degree student, you should first contact the Law School Registrar to discuss your options and obtain permission from the instructor. It is important to note that auditing a class is considered “unofficial," and you will not receive any recognition or credit for the course.
Unofficial auditing of law classes is a great option for those who want to passively participate in a class without the pressure of exams or graded assignments. It allows individuals to gain knowledge in a particular area of law and stay connected to the discipline. However, some may find it a waste of time as it does not provide any official recognition or credits. Ultimately, the decision to audit a law class as a non-degree student depends on your personal goals and interests.
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Unofficial auditing
Auditing law classes can be done officially or unofficially. Official auditing typically requires approval from the instructor and confirmation of seat availability, with priority given to degree-seeking students. Auditors are expected to attend classes, read the materials, and not create extra work for the professor. They do not receive credit, take exams, or submit graded assignments.
- Permission: While official auditing requires explicit permission from the instructor, unofficial auditing may be more flexible. In some cases, auditors might simply attend the first class and chat with the professor about taking an empty seat, as long as they are not displacing a degree-seeking student. It is important to respect the instructor's preferences and guidelines for the class.
- Attendance and participation: Unofficial auditors are generally expected to attend classes diligently and participate in discussions if they are allowed to do so by the instructor. They should be respectful of the class environment and not disrupt the learning of enrolled students.
- Graded assignments and exams: In unofficial auditing, individuals do not typically take exams or submit graded assignments. They may, however, choose to complete readings and participate in classroom discussions to gain knowledge and engage with the subject matter.
- Recognition and credit: Unlike official auditors, unofficial auditors will not receive any recognition or credit for the course. They audit classes purely for the sake of learning and personal interest.
- Availability: Unofficial auditing may be suitable for individuals who have free time and a genuine interest in the subject matter. It can provide an opportunity to learn about a specific area of law without the pressure of exams or grades.
- Considerations: It is important to note that not all instructors may be comfortable with unofficial auditing. It is advisable to approach the professor respectfully and understand their preferences before attending classes in an unofficial capacity.
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Frequently asked questions
Auditing a class means to take part in a course without earning any credit for it. Students who audit classes are expected to attend classes, read the material, and participate in discussions but do not have to take exams or submit assignments.
Yes, at some universities, non-law students are allowed to audit law classes as long as they are not taking a seat from a degree-seeking student and have the instructor's permission.
To audit a law class, you must first get permission from the instructor. You can then enrol in the course, but you will not be required to take examinations or submit assignments.
Yes, there are some restrictions on auditing law classes. For example, at William & Mary Law School, Visiting Scholars are not allowed to audit clinics, externships, or certain writing courses.
