Academic Support
Alabama Law is dedicated to supporting students academically throughout their time in law school. To that end, the Academic Success Program offers both individual counseling and working group opportunities to students.
Any student who is placed on academic probation will receive individualized support from the Dean for Students. If a student is placed on academic probation after the first semester of law school, then the student will take a reduced load of courses in the spring. In addition to individual meetings with the Dean for Students, probationary students may also be required to attend working group sessions.
First-year students who are not on probation but are experiencing academic difficulties may also receive an invitation to attend working group sessions in the spring semester. These sessions allow students to work in small groups and focus on legal analysis and communication, exam-writing skills, and time management.
All students are welcome to set an individual meeting with Assistant Dean for Students Anita Kay Head (ahead@law.ua.edu) to discuss strategies for improving performance.
Peer Tutoring with Academic Success Fellows
Alabama Law is a collaborative place, where students often help each other learn. The first-year experience is unique, and 1Ls can benefit from the wisdom of upper-level students who have recently taken the same courses. So we make peer tutoring accessible—early and often—to all of our 1Ls.
Academic Success Fellows, chosen from the 2L and 3L classes, offer academic tutoring, both in open office hours and in requested tutoring sessions. The Fellows are also available to assist student organizations in their academic support programming. Organizations should contact Dean Head if they would like to invite the Fellows to one of their meetings.
To access the current Fellows’ bios, please click here. To schedule a tutoring session, visit http://bit.ly/alabamalawsuccess If you cannot find a time to meet during the Fellows’ posted availability, please email Dean Head at ahead@law.ua.edu so that she can assist in finding another time.
Comprehensive Advising Program
The law school’s best assets are its people—its students, alumni, faculty, and administrators. Our Comprehensive Advising Program (or “CAP”) aims to bring those groups together to ensure that students are connected and supported throughout their time in law school. Through the CAP, the School of Law pairs each incoming student with a faculty advisor and a Career Services advisor. Students may also opt to receive a student mentor through the Student Bar Association and an alumni mentor. These mentors are paired with students based on the students’ survey responses about their fields of interest and background. Any incoming student who did not complete a survey but would like a student or alumni mentor should contact the Dean for Students.
The CAP offers students a small group of advisors with a range of expertise. While an SBA mentor can offer advice about student organizations and study tips, for example, an alumni mentor can answer a student’s questions about navigating the transition to practice or a clerkship. Faculty advisors are particularly suited to assist students with advice about course selection, exam preparation, and wellness resources during law school. And a student’s CSO advisor works with the student to help the student achieve their employment goals.
Academic Success Workshop Series
Throughout the first year of law school, the Dean for Students offers academic success workshops on topics like study skills, time management, outlining, and exam writing.
Introduction to the Study of Law
All first-year law students at the University of Alabama enroll in Introduction to the Study of Law. The week-long class focuses on fundamental legal concepts and class preparation techniques that students will use throughout their time in law school.
Some first-year students are selected for an enhanced version of Introduction to the Study of Law, which begins earlier and offers supplemental instruction in legal writing, study skills, and exam preparation. This version of Introduction to the Study of Law is taught in small sections. Applicants who are interested in this program do not need to apply specially but should indicate their interest on their law school application. The School of Law may require some applicants to participate in the program as a basis for their admission and will invite others to participate. Decisions will be based on the academic need of individual applicants, expression of interest, and availability.