Frequently Asked Questions

Students may apply to the program at any time by submitting our Application for Admission form. The JDET program has several start dates each year. The most current information about start dates can be found on the Academic Calendar on our website.

No. Academic and administrative procedures are carefully designed so that students can complete all requirements for graduation entirely through distance education without unreasonably disrupting their professional or family lives. Students may elect to take final examinations at one of the University’s offices, at over 363 approved testing sites, or through an online proctoring system. If none of those options are viable, procedures are in place for the student to nominate a proctor.

Taft University students use many of the same casebooks and textbooks as students at traditional universities such as Harvard, Stanford, and other American Bar Association-approved law schools. In addition, Taft students benefit from professionally prepared course outlines, law summaries, and recorded lectures.

The case method, also often referred to as the Socratic Method, is a method of learning first implemented in the 20th Century by Harvard and Columbia law schools. The case method requires students examine (“brief”) and discuss actual court decisions. In recent years, a growing number of legal educators have expressed dissatisfaction with this model. In 2007, the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education released a report, which recommended sweeping changes in how law was taught. These recommendations included de-emphasizing the case method of instruction.

Each course syllabus sets forth the requirement for the course. Certain courses require proctored examinations. However, for the majority of courses, students are evaluated on research assignments as well as timed and open book proctored examinations.

Successful law students have come from all walks of life and educational backgrounds. Consequently, we do not prescribe a specific course of study or employment experience for admission. Any person who has the ability to learn, is well motivated, has reasonable writing skills, and possesses a logical mind has the basic tools necessary to become a successful law student.

No. The minimum completion time is three years.

Yes. A student may take a leave of absence between academic years. However, once study has commenced, the academic year must be completed in not less than 48 nor more than 52 weeks, unless special authorization is obtained from the Dean. All degree requirements must be satisfied within seven years from the date of original enrollment.

No, a student cannot enroll (or re-enroll) in the Juris Doctor Attorney Track program after commencing study in the JDET program. Accordingly, students must carefully evaluate their long-term objectives before enrolling in the Juris Doctor Executive Track program. Students in good standing enrolled in the JDAT program can transfer to the JDET program at any time before beginning their fourth year of study.

Yes. Students enrolled in the Juris Doctor Executive Track Directed Study program may be eligible to receive Title IV loans. Students enrolled in the Independent Study program are NOT eligible to participate in Title IV financial aid programs.

Yes. Many students are eligible for financial aid through employer tuition reimbursement programs and/or Taft University’s Partners in Professional Education (PIPE) program. Additionally, the university offers a no-interest payment plan, which permits students to pay 30% of the semester’s tuition at the time of enrollment and the remaining balance is spread into twelve monthly payments after the academic year’s start date. Other financing sources or scholarship opportunities may also be available via the website’s Scholarships & Grants page.

Student Accounting Representatives are available to establish cash payment options for students. In general, a student is required to pay 30% of the semester’s tuition at the time of enrollment and the remaining balance is spread into twelve monthly payments after the academic year’s start date. A student must pay the cost of tuition for a semester prior to beginning the next semester.

JDET tuition is $420 per credit and the program represents 75 credits.

Students enrolled in the Directed Study modality may qualify for financial aid. There are many factors that are required to determine the amount of Federal Student Aid that may be available to an individual.

The University’s cost of attendance includes tuition and fees, books and supplies, and minimal internet fees. The University recommends that students request Federal Student Aid that will cover only their direct cost of attendance. When it is time to package a student’s Federal Student Aid Loan Award, our Financial Aid Office will contact the student to discuss options, calculate specific need, and award what is allowed under the Department of Education guidelines.

All applicants should review the cost of attendance information listed under this program in our Consumer Information Guide. The amount a student may borrow will be determined upon the Financial Aid Office’s review of a student’s Application for Admission and Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) information.

William Howard Taft University, through The Taft University System, participates in the Federal Direct Stafford Loan program. The loans that students may receive are Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans and/or Federal Direct Grad Plus Loans. Additional information may be found on the United States Department of Education’s website.

All applicants should review the Consumer Information Guide, which is posted on the University’s website. Topics such as loan limits, entrance and exit counseling, cost of attendance, and the timing of the disbursements are explained in detail.

Students enrolled in the Independent Study program are not eligible to participate in the Title IV programs, including student loans.

For your convenience, the link to the FAFSA website is: https://www.StudentLoans.gov/

Our School Code is G41004.

You will need to complete and submit a current FAFSA form to the Department of Education. The Federal Award Year is from July 1st through June 30th. Select the appropriate FAFSA for the start date that you have chosen.

Once you have done this, your FAFSA information will be sent to the University’s mailbox. This takes two to three business days. The University will need this information to begin your Federal Student Aid process.

After a student’s application for admission to the program has been approved, the student will receive an email from the Financial Aid Office with detailed instructions. The Financial Aid Office will assist with determining eligibility, entrance counseling, signing a master promissory note, and the preparation of a packaged award.

Taft students are generally eligible to defer repayment of existing Federal Financial Aid (FSA) student loans during their term of enrollment in the program. To continue the deferral, students must maintain satisfactory academic progress toward earning the degree.