Under College of Law policy and consistent with ABA Standards, the College of Law requires regular and punctual class attendance. Attendance will be taken in all classes.
Amended by Faculty vote on August 4, 2016 and on March 24, 2023.
Minimum Attendance Threshold
Under College of Law policy, in all courses, students must attend at least 80% of class sessions. However, in counting absences for purposes of this minimum attendance rule, absences based upon a Title IX modification, observance of a religious holy day, or on a call for active military service will not be counted.
“Attendance” refers to attending the entire class session. A faculty member may treat a tardy, or an early departure, or leaving and returning to class, as equivalent to an absence or a fractional part of an absence, provided that notice of the practice is provided to students during the first week of class.
If a student accumulates greater than the allowed number of absences, the student will be withdrawn from the course and receive an “F” grade.
Students may seek an exception to or waiver of the minimum attendance threshold by submitting a request in writing to the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs. The Associate Dean may allow a waiver only after consultation with the course instructor and only for compelling and unusual circumstances.
Excused Absences
If an absence qualifies as an “excused absence” and the reason for the absence prevents timely completion of assignments or work, the instructor will provide a reasonable time after the absence for the student to complete the work or assignment. Note: An excused absence will still count towards the minimum attendance rule, unless the absence fits in Category 1, 2, or 3 and is addressed in accordance with UNT Dallas College of Law Policy on Student Attendance.
The categories of excused absences are the following:
1. To observe a religious holy day, including travel for that purpose;
2. To respond to a call for active military service;
3. A student’s absence for pregnancy or parenting with an applicable Title IX modification (for more detail on pregnancy or childbirth, see section below);
4. To participate in an official COL function (including competitions such as mock trial or negotiation competitions, and court appearances required for clinic); or
5. Illness or other extenuating circumstances, such as death in the family requiring travel or absence.
Please note that work-related travel is not the basis for an excused absence. To obtain an excused absence, a student must complete the Excused Absence Request Form . Because students ordinarily will know in advance about the need for absences in the first four categories, they should submit an excused absence form in advance of such absences. In cases of illness or extenuating circumstances, when it is not possible to submit an excused absence form in advance, students still need to complete an excused absence form as soon as practical.