Part-Time Evening JD Program Overview
First of Its Kind in Chicago
Whether you are balancing a full-time job and family obligations, or maybe you have been out of school for awhile, UIC Law offers the flexibility of part-time evening study to earn your degree on your own schedule.
UIC Law’s newly revamped Part-Time Evening Program launched Fall 2023 under the appointed leadership of Associate Dean, Professor Sonia Green, and is the only program in Chicago with a dean dedicated solely to the program and its students.
Dean Green explains what makes the UIC Law Part-Time Evening Program so unique.
First of Its Kind In Chicago. Program Highlights:
Learn more about the part-time evening program, how to apply, and course information below.
General Overview
- UIC Law is the only law school to offer a part-time evening program that requires students to be downtown just two evenings a week. A third night per week will require a course to be taken online, in real time, via Zoom
- Our newly unified program will give the evening cohort a chance to bond and build connections within the cohort
- Students can complete the program in 4 to 5 years
- Part-time evening students participate in student government, moot court, law review, and other student activities
Please note: Students must be enrolled in a minimum of 5 credit hours in the summer in order to be eligible for financial aid.
Course Information
- For the first two years of the program, students will take classes on campus two nights a week, and will take a class that meets in real time, on Zoom, one night a week.
- In the fall of years one and two, the schedule looks like this:
- Mondays: Class on Zoom, 6-8 or 6-9 pm
- Wednesdays: Class in person, 6-8 or 6-9 pm
- Thursdays: Class in person, 6-8 or 6-9 pm
- In the spring of years one and two, the schedule looks like this:
- Mondays: Class on Zoom, 6-8 or 6-9 pm
- Tuesdays: Class in person, 6-8 or 6-9 pm
- Thursdays: Class in person, 6-8 or 6-9 pm
- In the fall of years one and two, the schedule looks like this:
- In addition to the class meetings, students will also have readings to complete, work to do outside of class, asynchronous online work, and other class related preparation and review.
- Students who stay in the evening program will complete the first set of required credit hours by spring of year 2, and will be eligible to take summer courses AFTER year two.
- The evening program is meant to be a program where students are in lock-step for at least the first two years. Students can choose to leave the evening program any time, but if they do, they cannot be guaranteed placement in evening courses.
Desired End-of-Year Outcomes
- By the end of Year 2, students will complete the first 36 credits
- After the first 2 years, students have flexibility on how quickly they want to complete the remaining credits
- Students can graduate in a total of 4 years, 4.5 years, or 5 years
- After year 2, students are eligible to take summer school and additional classes to complete the program in 4 years
- After year 2, students may alternatively take fewer classes each semester after the first 2 years and finish in 5 years
Juris Doctor Application
Completed applications must include:
- Electronic Application Form (Paper application forms are not accepted.)
- LSAT/GRE Score
- Transcripts and Letters of Recommendation
- Personal Statement
- Resume
- Application Fee: Your application fee has been waived.
Additionally, transfer applicants should review the transfer student information tab for further requirements.
UIC Law operates on a rolling admission policy. The Office of Admissions continues to review applications until the entering class is full. Applications submitted after the deadline will only be considered if space is available.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Additional details about the part-time evening program can be found below:
Will I have to take day classes?
No. You will be able to complete the program with just evening classes, as long as you follow the required course sequence outlined above.
Can I take day classes?
You cannot take any day classes during the first four semesters of the program. After that, you will be eligible to enroll in day classes as long as there is room in the class and you have met the prerequisites.
How much of what we cover will be online?
- No more than ⅓ of any in person or hybrid class will consist of online content;
- No more than 30 credits will consist of completely online courses
Can I switch to the day program?
- Yes. You should discuss this with Dean Green or your academic advisor, but generally, students can switch.
Can I do Law Review or Moot Court?
- Yes! We encourage evening students to participate fully in all school activities.
- Part-time evening students are eligible for Honors programs after year 2.
- Explore information about the Honors programs.
How and when will my class rank be determined?
Please review this policy to see how class rank is determined.
What is the quickest I can get my JD?
- 4 years
- Note that if you want to do this, you will need to take summer courses
How much can I slow down and still get my JD (what’s the maximum number of years)?
We hope that students will complete the program within 5 years, but the school policy notes that: “To be eligible for the J.D. degree, a law student must complete the course of study required for the degree in no fewer than 24 months and no more than 84 months after the student has commenced law study at the Law School or at a law school from which transfer credit has been accepted.”
