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Learning Outcomes & Performance Criteria

Learning Outcome #1: Graduates will demonstrate knowledge of substantive and procedural law and the American legal system.

Performance Criteria:

  1. Graduates will demonstrate an understanding of legal doctrine associated with the courses required in the law school curriculum and those courses most frequently tested on the bar examination.

  2. Graduates will demonstrate an understanding of advanced legal doctrine associated with elective doctrinal courses in the law school curriculum.

  3. Graduates will identify various sources of law (e.g., common law, statutes, administrative regulations), describe how those sources are developed, and articulate differences among them in terms of their legal effect.

  4. Graduates will demonstrate an understanding of the structure and processes of the American legal system.

Learning Outcome #2: Graduates will demonstrate an effective ability to resolve legal issues.

Performance Criteria:

  1. Graduates will identify the relevant facts and the legal issues as they arise in a variety of contexts.

  2. Graduates will read legal authorities critically and synthesize the applicable rules, standards, and policies from those authorities.

  3. Graduates will thoroughly apply the relevant legal authorities to the relevant facts, including evaluating potential counterarguments, to determine the likely outcome.

  4. Graduates will assess and consider the policy implications of the legal authorities applicable to the relevant facts.

  5. Graduates will evaluate legal problems that hinder the client’s goals and develop potential solutions to resolve those problems.

Learning Outcome #3: Graduates will communicate effectively, orally and in writing, to clients and other audiences in a variety of legal contexts.

Performance Criteria:

  1. Graduates will demonstrate active listening, facilitation and dialogue skills.

  2. Graduates will demonstrate the ability to effectively explain legal doctrine.

  3. Graduates will demonstrate the iterative process of writing by developing, editing, providing feedback to others, and incorporating feedback received from others.

  4. Graduates will demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively, both when trying to persuade others and when trying to present information objectively to others.

Learning Outcome #4: Graduates will demonstrate competency in the skills that are essential for effective lawyering.

Performance Criteria:

  1. Graduates will capably manage legal projects (case, memorandum, mediation, transaction, etc.) from inception to conclusion.

  2. Graduates will identify and be familiar with alternative dispute resolution techniques such as negotiations, mediations, arbitration, and lawmaking activities. 

  3. Graduates will devise and implement a logical research plan which reflects an understanding of the limitations created by time and financial constraints.

  4. Graduates will identify and effectively employ the fundamental tools of legal research and accurately assess the weight of legal authority.

  5. Graduates will demonstrate their ability to work as part of a team.

Learning Outcome #5: Graduates will exercise professional and ethical judgment in interactions with clients, the profession, and the legal system, as informed by SLU LAW’s mission.

Performance Criteria:

  1. Graduates will display professional civility, dignity, and respect in all interactions with clients and all persons who are part of the legal system, adhering to the Rules of Professional Conduct and related authorities which govern the conduct of attorneys.

  2. Graduates will approach their professional and ethical responsibilities in the Jesuit tradition of knowledge seeking, intellectual openness, and serving others.

  3. Graduates will demonstrate a capacity for empathy, reflective learning, and self-awareness through the recognition of personal perspectives, preferences, and biases. 

  4. Graduates will recognize disparities of power, and how they may affect individuals and organizations who interact with the legal system, and the important role that lawyers play in the maintaining the rule of law, achieving social justice, and pursuing social welfare.

  5. Graduates will recognize the special professional and ethical duty lawyers have to their clients, including the “consideration for the defenseless and oppressed.” (quote from Missouri Bar Oath)