Skip to Main Content
You are now in the main content area

Extended Time Program

Extended Time Program Header

The Extended Time Program (ETP) at the Lincoln Alexander School of Law offers students extended time to graduate from the Juris Doctor program. Students with ETP status are eligible for a half-time equivalent course load and are expected to complete their JD degree in 6 years (three courses each semester). ETP students can switch back to full time status, generally, following completion of one full year equivalent of study (ten courses plus two intensives) with approval from the Associate Dean, Academic.

ETP is available to students who require extended time to complete their degree on health-related grounds, for reasons relating to accessibility, to meet family-care demands, and for other extenuating circumstances.

To apply for ETP status, students must:

  • Complete a short online application (external link)  and submit supporting documentation
  • Meet with the Manager, Health & Wellness and Academic Success and/or the Associate Dean, Academic to ensure eligibility and review a provisional study plan

Frequently Asked Questions:

How do I know if the Extended Time Program (ETP) is right for me?

Enrolling in the ETP is a personal decision, which involves weighing a variety of personal and professional factors, including your health, familial responsibilities, and career aspirations/timelines. Generally, if you were a candidate for an Individual Education Plan (IEP) through your K to 12 education or were enrolled in a part-time course load during your undergraduate degree, the ETP would make sense for you.

The ETP may make most sense for incoming students concerned about managing the workload associated with the first year of law school. After completing 1L (first year of law school) with extended time, students can decide if they would like to continue with the ETP or re-enroll in full time studies. Students often develop useful skills to manage the challenging law school workload after their first year and with these skills, may not require ETP support beyond their first year.

If you have encountered a recent health change or are managing a new or emerging disability, the ETP may be a helpful option for you. The ETP provides students with time and flexibility to learn how to manage new and challenging circumstances, and connect with supports at the law school and broader university community. Students can re-enroll in full time studies once they have learned to manage a permanent condition (with the help of resources) or have navigated a temporary challenge.

When can I enroll in the Extended Time Program (ETP)?

You can enroll in the ETP before and during the fall and winter semesters. Students are encouraged to enroll in the ETP before the start of, or early in, the semester. Please note that students must enroll in ETP before the course drop deadlines of each semester to avoid potential academic (by the final day of the semester) and/or financial (following the week-long intensive) penalties.

How does the Extended Time Program (ETP) affect my professional placement?

All students are expected to complete the JUR 300 professional placement in a fifteen week period, within a single semester. Students can discuss specific accommodations they may require to complete their placement with the Career Development and Professional Placement Office.

Will recruiters know that I am enrolled in the Extended Time Program (ETP)?

Your enrollment in the ETP will not be named on your transcript but recruiters may ask you questions regarding your timeline for graduation (e.g. six years in the ETP to graduate). You are never obligated to share your reasons for enrolling in the ETP but can explain that the ETP was an opportunity for you to access flexible legal education.

I am worried about not receiving the same extracurricular experience as Full Time students in the Extra Time Program (ETP) — how can I address this?

A common concern for students enrolled in the ETP is that they will lose a cohort-based connection to other students. This is a valid concern. However, like full time students, ETP students have the opportunity to partake in a range of co-curricular and extracurricular activities that connect them with students who share their interests. Further, to foster a sense of community for those enrolled in the ETP, the Lincoln Alexander School of Law will provide ETP-specific programming opportunities.

How will my Extended Time Program (ETP) status affect my scholarship funding?

ETP is an accommodation and you will not be disqualified from a scholarship as a result of being enrolled in ETP. However, because you are extending the length of your program of study, you will receive a prorated amount each semester to ensure you have a consistent flow of funding. So, for example, if a full time student received $5000 each semester, an ETP student would receive $2500 each semester (when enrolled in a 50% course load).