Carolina Law’s Summer Session typically begins soon after May Commencement, lasts six weeks, and offers various courses for students from UNC and other law schools. Students may enroll in a maximum of 6 credits. In 2025, between May 12 and June 20, students can earn between 2 and 4 credits in the courses listed below. Please note that:
Students may enroll in no more than 6 credits.
Each summer 2025 course counts as Distance Education (D) because over a third of the instruction is remote. Students may count a maximum of 28 D credits toward the J.D. It’s nearly impossible to exceed that limit because UNC Law offers very few D courses during semesters.
Synchronous instruction requires class attendance at specific times and permits real-time student-faculty interactions. By contrast, asynchronous instruction does not; instead, students can access course materials and complete modules or assignments any time within deadlines, and they can schedule real-time interaction with faculty as needed. Asynchronous instruction thus gives students enhanced flexibility to learn at their own pace.
Five courses are Experiential (Exp’l). Each student must earn at least 6 Experiential credits.
Rigorous Writing Experience (RWE). Each student must earn at least 4 RWE credits.
Externship is “not regularly scheduled” (NRS), meaning much instruction occurs on-site rather than in classes. It does not count toward the 65 credits (30 from required 1L courses) a student must earn in regularly scheduled UNC Law courses.
This course offers students opportunity to expand their skills in using primary and secondary legal sources in the context of legal practice. The course covers a range of advanced search techniques for statutory, administrative, and case law research. Upon completion of this course, students will have gained experience formulating efficient research methodologies and evaluating sources of legal information in various formats.
In this two-credit writing intensive, students will receive individualized instruction in legal writing and analysis, focusing on the kinds of practical legal writing that junior attorneys typically do in various legal practice settings. In consultation with each student, the professor will determine the particular skills and document genres that the student would most benefit from focusing on. Then the professor and student will pursue the student’s goals using the instruction-writing-feedback cycle with various practice problems, along with weekly remote class meetings and weekly individual conferences. Moreover, the course will help students consciously examine and refine their writing processes through systematic, step-by-step training.
This class is designed primarily for students interested in or already pursuing judicial clerkships after graduation. Students will track the life cycle of an appeal This course is designed primarily for students interested in or already pursuing judicial clerkships after graduation, though all are welcome. Students will track the life cycle of an appeal from initial briefing through final opinion and beyond. Through in-class exercises and out-of-class writing assignments, students will learn about the behind-the-scenes mechanics of an appellate court and develop their skills in synthesizing arguments and drafting clear and complete bench briefs, judicial opinions, and more.
This course is required for all 2L students (and available to students immediately after their 1L courses). It addresses regulation of the legal profession; lawyer advertising; trust accounting; lawyer-client relationship; conflicts of interest; confidentiality and privilege; ethical dilemmas in litigation. Intended to prepare students for MPRE. Thematic emphasis on professionalism, real-world examples of lawyer misconduct, and developing your identity in the legal community.
The course helps students understand the growing practice of electronic discovery and how changes are impacting the way attorneys manage and provide legal services. Areas of focus include: document management in a digital environment; information literacy; metadata; and professional responsibility. Readings and hands-on experience will address both general technological issues as well as specific legal ramifications.
A comprehensive survey course, Evidence introduces students to all major aspects of the Federal Rules of Evidence through the problem-based method. The course covers the following topics: real and demonstrative evidence, relevancy, character evidence, the qualification of expert witnesses, examination of witnesses, credibility and impeachment, competency, hearsay, and privileges. The course will focus on practical application of the rules of evidence in the courtroom.
Four Credit Course
Externship
(Prof. Zanin; D, Synchronous & Field Placement. Exp’l. NRS.)
Students in the Summer Externship Program work on site at their field placement approximately 28 hours per week for a total of 172 hours; submit weekly journals and time sheets; attend individual conferences with their faculty supervisor; and attend weekly class meetings (remote, held on Fridays). In addition, students are required to attend the Monday, May 12, orientation program.
Registration
Registration for the 2025 summer session will open mid-March and close in mid-May. Late registration may include a fee. All Carolina Law and visiting students must register by and attend classes the first week of summer session. If you have questions about registration, please contact the Carolina Law Registrar’s Office by email at srsessom@email.unc.edu.
Summer 2024 tuition and fee rates were: Resident $661.23/credit; Non-Resident $1677.45/credit. Summer 2025 tuition/fee rates will be posted once finalized in March.
Tuition may be paid online via ConnectCarolina or by mail to University Cashier, Suite 2215 SASB North, CB #1400, 450 Ridge Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-1400.
Visiting Students Summer Session Registration
Students from law schools other than Carolina Law may register for summer session. A residency determination establishes if students should have in-state or out-of-state tuition. Apply for residency.
The registration form and a letter of good standing should be received in late April to be considered for early registration. Visiting students who do not complete registration by early May may be required to pre-pay tuition/fees or provide proof of financial aid prior to registration.
Visiting students should complete the online registration form and submit a letter of good standing from your Registrar or Academic Dean to:
