Columbia Law School Academic Calendar 2023/2024

Columbia Law School Academic Calendar – Columbia Law School, founded in 1858, is one of the professional graduate schools of Columbia University, an Ivy League institution in New York City. The law school offers Juris Doctor (JD), Master of Laws (LLM), and Doctor of Juridical Science (JSD) degree programs to an accomplished student body. Columbia Law fosters excellence in legal education, advances innovation in law and legal studies, and cultivates leadership for the global legal profession.

The 2023-2024 academic calendar outlines important dates for Columbia Law students, including first-year JD and graduate law candidates. Terms commence in the fall and spring semesters, with exams concluding each term. The schedule denotes registration deadlines, school breaks, and final exam periods. Unique deadlines for submissions and withdrawals are listed for each program.

Law school can be rigorous, but Columbia aims to balance academics with extracurricular offerings, professional development, and student well-being. The calendar provides an equitable structure so JDs and graduate law students can meet strict requirements while enjoying campus life. With support from expert faculty, 2023-2024 promises personal growth and professional preparation for all Columbia Law students.

Fall Term 2023

• August 7-11: Executive LL.M. Class of 2023: Study/Exam Week
• August 11: Executive LL.M. Class of 2023: End of on-campus classes and exams
• August 14-15: LL.M. Orientation
• August 16: Start of LL.M. Classes in Introduction to American Law and in LL.M. Legal Research & Writing
• August 16-September 11: Add/Drop Period
• August 18: Executive LL.M. Class of 2023: Start of final online class
• August 21-23: 1L Registration & Orientation
• August 23: Start of 1L classes in Legal Methods I and Legal Practice Workshop I
• September 1: October 2023 Degree Candidates: Deadline to submit outstanding 2022-23 written work granted an extension
• September 1: October 2023 Degree Candidates: Degree applications due
• September 1: Last day of 1L class Legal Methods I and LL.M. class Introduction to American Law
• September 4: Labor Day – No classes
• September 5: First day of classes in term-long Law School courses. If enrolled in other schools please refer to Columbia Academic Calendar for the first day of classes.
• September 5-11: Add/Drop continues; action required on wait-list notifications; after this date changes only with permission of the Rules Committee, upon petition
• September 12-October 15: Withdrawal from classes permitted; the notation of W will be recorded on the transcript
• September 13: All Students: Deadline to register for supervised research; 3Ls: Deadline to register for Major Writing Credit
• September 22: Final exam for LL.M. class Introduction to American Law
• September 27: Executive LL.M. Class of 2023: Last day of classes
• September 29-October 4: Executive LL.M. Class of 2023: Final online exam period
• October 1: October 2023 LL.M. Degree Candidates: Last day to file final copy of LL.M. Essay with Office of Graduate Degree Programs
• October 1: LL.M.s: registration deadline for fall term writing projects
• October 15: All students: Deadline to submit outstanding 2022-23 written work that received an extension
• October 15: All students: Deadline to withdraw from a Fall 2023 Law School course; the grade of F will be recorded for withdrawals after this date
• October 18: Conferral of October degrees
• October 27: 1L mid-term exams
• November 7: Election Day – No Classes
• November 15: Grade submission deadline for outstanding 2022-23 written work that received an extension
• November 21-December 4: Add/Drop Period (Phase 1)
• November 23-24: Thanksgiving Holiday – No Classes
• December 1: May 2024 Degree Candidates: Degree applications due (tentative)
• December 1: Last day of 1L classes
• December 2-7: 1L study period
• December 8-21: 1L exams
• December 8: Last day of upper-year Law School classes
• December 9-10: Upper-year study days
• December 11: Last day of classes at other divisions of the University, if enrolled in other schools please refer to Columbia Academic Calendar.
• December 11-21: Upper-year exams
• December 22: Fall 2023 term ends; due date for submission of Fall 2023 written work; last day for rescheduled exams
• December 31: February 2024 LL.M. Degree Candidates: Deadline to submit outstanding written work; last day to file final copy of LL.M. Essay with Office of Graduate Degree Programs

Spring Term 2024

• January 3-8: Add/Drop Period for upper year January elective classes
• January 8: 3Ls: Register Pro Bono Project
• January 8-12: Legal Methods II and upper year January elective classes
• January 9-22: Add/Drop Period (Phase 2)
• January 12: Fall 2023 grade submission deadline
• January 15: Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Observed – No Classes
• January 16: First day of all Law School classes. If enrolled in other schools please refer to Columbia Academic Calendar for the first day of classes.
• January 16-22: Add/Drop continues; action required on wait-list notification; after this date changes only with permission of the Rules Committee, upon petition
• January 23: 3Ls: Deadline to submit first draft of Major Writing Credit paper and to register for Minor Writing Credit
• January 23-February 15: Withdrawal from classes permitted; the notation of W will be recorded on the transcript
• February 1: LL.M.s: registration deadline for spring term LL.M. Writing Project
• February 2: Legal Methods II and upper year January elective 2024 grade submission deadline
• February 14: Conferral of February 2024 degrees
• February 15: All students: Deadline to withdraw from a Spring 2024 Law School course; the grade of F will be recorded for withdrawals after this date
• March 1: 3Ls: Complete Pro Bono Project
• March TBD: Executive LL.M. Class of 2024: Welcome Webinar
• March 11-15: Spring Recess – No Classes
• March TBD: Executive LL.M. Class of 2024: Start of online classes
• April 1: 3Ls: Deadline to submit final draft of Major Writing Credit paper
• April 1: All students: Deadline to submit all outstanding Fall 2023 written work that was granted an extension
• April TBD: Executive LL.M. Class of 2024: Introduction to American Law Exam
• April TBD: Executive LL.M. Class of 2024: American Contract Law
• April 24: Last day of Law School Classes
• April 25-28: Upper-year study period
• April 25-29: 1L study period
• April 29: Last day of classes at other divisions of the University, if enrolled in other schools please refer to Columbia Academic Calendar.
• April 29-May 9: Upper-year exams
• April 30-May 9: 1L exams
• May 1: May 2024 JD Degree Candidates: Deadline to submit all outstanding Spring 2024 written work
• May 1: May 2024 LL.M. Degree Candidates: Deadline to submit all outstanding Spring 2024 written work. Last day to file final copy of LL.M. Essay with Office of Graduate Degree Programs
• May 10: Spring 2024 grade submission deadline for graduating students
• May 10: Continuing students: Due date for submission of Spring 2024 written work
• May 10: Spring 2024 term ends
• May 13: Law School Graduation Ceremony
• May 15: University Commencement & Degree Conferral
• May TBD: Executive LL.M. Class of 2024: On-campus orientation
• May TBD: Executive LL.M. Class of 2024: First day of on-campus classes
• June 1: Spring 2024 grade submission deadline, continuing students in classes with enrollment of fewer than 150 students
• June 10: Class of 2025 First day of federal clerkship application review
• June 11: Spring 2024 grade submission deadline for continuing students in classes with enrollment of 150 or more students
• July 31: Last date submitted work will be considered for honors for 2023-2024 academic year
• July 31: Date upon which outstanding grades will be converted to F

CONCLUSION

The Columbia Law School academic calendar provides clear guidance to students on required deadlines for degree progress. From first-year orientation to the final days of exams, JD and graduate law candidates have a reliable roadmap for this critical year in their legal training. The timeline denotes not just class schedules but also opportunities to develop practical skills, apply learning through clinics and research, and expand professional networks. Whether tackling an introductory course or completing a capstone writing requirement, Columbia Law students in 2023-2024 will be set up for success through this thoughtfully structured academic year.