The Need to Change ABA Rules That Restrict Experiential Learning, Increase Law School Costs, and Discourage Law School Experimentation

SUMMARY

The Council on the Profession issued a report recommending two changes in the ABA’s law school accreditation rules. First, the rules prohibiting a student from receiving both academic credit and payment for work done outside the classroom setting should be eliminated. Second, the Rule restricting the number of credits allowed for non-classroom learning hour should be modified. These rules restrict experiential learning, increase law school costs, discourage law school experimentation, and are not responsive to the current legal employment landscape. The recommended changes would give law schools the flexibility to provide additional internships and other experiential learning opportunities to provide students with an effective bridge between academia and legal practice.