Academic Resources
Your academic success at Penn State Dickinson Law is our top priority. It begins during orientation with your faculty advisor and continues throughout your three years at Dickinson Law with a wide range of resources including but not limited to peer tutoring, individualized writing assistance, and workshops on effective outlining and exam preparation.
All degree seeking students should review the Student Academic Handbook and their respective supplement to learn more about our policies, resources, and support. Descriptions of our course offerings are posted and updated in the University Bulletin.
Office of the Registrar
The Office of the Registrar maintains student records, manages course registration, oversees student notification of grades, monitors graduation eligibility requirements, and assists with bar registration procedures.
Office of the Registrar
Penn State Dickinson Law
150 S. College Street
Carlisle, PA 17013
Rachel Arnold, Registrar
Email: rxf25@psu.edu
Melissa Walters, Academic Affairs Coordinator
Email: mbw5955@psu.edu
Office of Academic Affairs
Led by Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Jeffrey A. Dodge, the Office of Academic Affairs administers the academic program and policies. Questions regarding the Dickinson Law academic program or any academic policy should be addressed to:
Office of Academic Affairs
Dickinson Law
150 S. College Street
Carlisle, PA 17013
Jeffrey A. Dodge, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Assistant Professor of Law and Joseph H. Goldstein Faculty Scholar
Email: jad6742@psu.edu
Telephone: 717-240-5247
Penn State Dickinson Law Academic Calendars
Fall Semester 2024 Academic Calendar
This calendar is indicative of pre-reunification information.
| Intent to Graduate — Activation Period | Monday, August 12 through Tuesday, September 10, 2024 |
| Orientation | Monday, August 19 through Saturday, August 24, 2024 |
| First Day of Classes | Monday, August 26, 2024 |
| Last Day to Drop | Saturday, August 31, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. (ET) |
| Last Day to Add | Sunday, September 1, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. (ET) |
| Pass/Fail Request Period | Monday, August 26 through Monday, September 16, 2024 |
| Labor Day — No classes | Monday, September 2, 2024 |
| Classes follow a Friday Schedule | Tuesday, November 26, 2024 |
| Thanksgiving Holiday — No classes (University closed November 28-29) |
Wednesday, November 27 through Friday, November 29, 2024 |
| Last Day of Classes | Thursday, December 5, 2024 |
| Study Days | Friday, December 6 through Sunday, December 8, 2024 |
| Final Exams | Monday, December 9 through Friday, December 20, 2024 |
| Grades Due | Tuesday, January 7, 2025 |
Spring Semester 2025 Academic Calendar
This calendar is indicative of pre-reunification information.
| Intent to Graduate — Activation Period | Tuesday, January 2 through Monday, January 27, 2025 |
| First Day of Classes | Monday, January 13, 2025 |
| Last Day to Drop | Saturday, January 18, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. (ET) |
| Last Day to Add | Sunday, January 19, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. (ET) |
| Pass/Fail Request Period | Monday, January 13 through Monday, February 3, 2025 |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Day — No classes | Monday, January 20, 2025 |
| Spring Break — No classes | Monday, March 10 through Friday, March 14, 2025 |
| Last Day of Classes | Monday, April 28, 2025 |
| Study Days | Tuesday, April 29 and Wednesday, April 30, 2025 |
| Final Exams | Thursday, May 1 through Wednesday, May 14, 2025 |
| Commencement | Saturday, May 10, 2025 |
| Grades Due | Tuesday, June 3, 2025 |
Fall Semester 2025 Academic Calendar
This calendar is indicative of pre-reunification information. Data will soon be updated to reflect post-reunification dates.
| Intent to Graduate — Activation Period | Monday, August 18 through Tuesday, September 16, 2025 |
| Orientation | Monday, August 18 through Saturday, August 23, 2025 |
| First Day of Classes | Monday, August 25, 2025 |
| Last Day to Drop | Saturday, August 30, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. (ET) |
| Last Day to Add | Sunday, August 31, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. (ET) |
| Pass/Fail Request Period | Monday, August 25 through Monday, September 15, 2025 |
| Labor Day — No classes | Monday, September 1, 2025 |
| Classes follow a Friday Schedule | Tuesday, November 25, 2025 |
| Thanksgiving Holiday — No classes (University closed November 27-29) |
Wednesday, November 26 through Friday, November 28, 2025 |
| Last Day of Classes | Thursday, December 4, 2025 |
| Study Days | Friday, December 5 through Sunday, December 7, 2025 |
| Final Exams | Monday, December 8 through Friday, December 19, 2025 |
| Grades Due | Tuesday, January 6, 2026 |
Spring Semester 2026 Academic Calendar
This calendar is indicative of pre-reunification information. Data will soon be updated to reflect post-reunification dates.
| Intent to Graduate — Activation Period | Friday, January 2 through Monday, January 26, 2026 |
| First Day of Classes | Monday, January 12, 2026 |
| Last Day to Drop | Saturday, January 17, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. (ET) |
| Last Day to Add | Sunday, January 18, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. (ET) |
| Pass/Fail Request Period | Monday, January 12 through Monday, February 2, 2026 |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Day — No classes | Monday, January 19, 2026 |
| Spring Break — No classes | Monday, March 9 through Friday, March 13, 2026 |
| Last Day of Classes | Monday, April 27, 2026 |
| Study Days | Tuesday, April 28 and Wednesday, April 29, 2026 |
| Final Exams | Thursday, April 30 through Wednesday, May 13, 2026 |
| Commencement | Saturday, May 16, 2026 |
| Grades Due | Tuesday, June 2, 2026 |
Penn State Law Academic Calendars
Fall Semester 2024 Academic Calendar
This calendar is indicative of pre-reunification information.
| Intent to Graduate — Activation Period | August 12, 2024 through September 10, 2024 |
| LL.M. Student Orientation | August 20, 2024 |
| J.D. Student Orientation | August 21, 2024 and August 22, 2024 |
| First Day of Classes | August 26, 2024 |
| Last Day to Drop Classes | August 31, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. (ET) |
| Last Day to Add Classes | September 1, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. (ET) |
| Pass/Fail Request Period | August 26, 2024 at 8:00 a.m. through September 13, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. |
| Labor Day Holiday — No Classes (University closed) | September 2, 2024 |
| Modified Class Schedule | November 26, 2024 — classes will follow a Friday schedule |
| Thanksgiving Holiday — No Classes (University open 11/27) | November 27-29, 2024 |
| Last Day of Classes | December 5, 2024 |
| Study Days | December 6-8, 2024 |
| Final Exams | December 9, 2024 through December 20, 2024 |
Grading Deadline: Grades are due from faculty no later than Tuesday January 14, 2025.
Spring Semester 2025 Academic Calendar
This calendar is indicative of pre-reunification information.
| Intent to Graduate-Activation Period | January 2, 2025 through January 27, 2025 |
| 1L Professional Development Program | January 17, 2025 (afternoon) |
| First Day of Classes | January 13, 2025 |
| Last Day to Drop Classes | January 18, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. (ET) |
| Last Day to Add Classes | January 19, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. (ET) |
| Pass/Fail Request Period | January 13, 2025 at 8:00 a.m. through January 31, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday — No Classes (University closed) | January 20, 2025 |
| Spring Break — No Classes (University open) | March 9, 2025 through March 15, 2025 |
| Last Day of Classes | April 28, 2025 |
| Study Days | April 29, 2025 and April 30, 2025 |
| Final Exams | May 1, 2025 through May 15, 2025 |
| Commencement | May 17, 2025 |
Grading Deadline: Grades are due from faculty no later than Tuesday June 3, 2025.
Fall Semester 2025 Academic Calendar
This calendar is indicative of pre-reunification information. Data will soon be updated to reflect post-reunification dates.
| Intent to Graduate — Activation Period | August 18, 2025 through September 16, 2025 |
| Orientation | TBA |
| First Day of Classes | August 25, 2025 |
| Last Day to Drop Classes | August 30, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. (ET) |
| Last Day to Add Classes | August 31, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. (ET) |
| Pass/Fail Request Period | August 25, 2025 through September 15, 2025 |
| Labor Day Holiday — No Classes (University closed) | September 1, 2025 |
| Modified Class Schedule | November 25, 2025 — classes will follow a Friday schedule |
| Thanksgiving Holiday — No Classes (University open November 26) | November 26-28, 2025 |
| Last Day of Classes | December 4, 2025 |
| Study Days | December 5-7, 2025 |
| Final Exams | December 8, 2025 through December 19, 2025 |
Grading Deadline: Grades are due from faculty no later than Tuesday, January 6, 2026
Spring Semester 2026 Academic Calendar
This calendar is indicative of pre-reunification information. Data will soon be updated to reflect post-reunification dates.
| Intent to Graduate — Activation Period | January 2, 2026 through January 26, 2026 |
| First Day of Classes | January 12, 2026 |
| Last Day to Drop Classes | January 17, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. (ET) |
| Last Day to Add Classes | January 18, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. (ET) |
| Pass/Fail Request Period | January 12, 2026 through February 2, 2026 |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday — No Classes (University closed) | January 19, 2026 |
| Spring Break — No Classes (University open) | March 9, 2026 through March 13, 2026 |
| Last Day of Classes | April 27, 2026 |
| Study Days | April 28, 2026 and April 29, 2026 |
| Final Exams | April 30, 2026 through May 13, 2026 |
| Commencement | May 16, 2026 |
Grading Deadline: Grades are due from faculty no later than Tuesday, June 2, 2026.