Law Degree Summary

Real-time Interaction

In this Program, our faculty believe that regular and substantive interaction with students is an important element of the learning experience. Therefore, through electronic message boards, electronic mail or by telephonic means, faculty is regularly available throughout the academic year. The learning modality also allows, but does not require, students to communicate directly with each other.

The Program also offers optional real-time Electronic Classroom sessions. However, all required assignments are completed asynchronously. (Students are not required to login at a specific time.) The Program utilizes materials available at virtually every elite law school in the United States. In addition to casebooks, of equal importance are treatises, outlines and audio lectures
recorded by some of the most prestigious law professors in the United States, and other study aids. Simple “busy work” found in many programs is eliminated. Students, with the advice of faculty, are encouraged to emphasize the study methods they find most beneficial.

Certain assignments require the use of the Lexis Advance® online library. (Students have access to Lexis Advance® through the Internet with no hourly usage charges.) This library, which includes online tutorials, can be accessed through a personal computer from any location that has Internet access. The service contains major archives of United States federal and state case law, continuously updated statutes of all 50 states, state and federal regulations, administrative rulings, law review articles, and numerous other legal resources.

As a general rule, midterm and final examinations constitute 60% of a course grade. The electronic assignments and class participation make up the other 40%. For most courses, final examinations consist of essay and multiplechoice questions patterned after prior California Bar Examination questions.

Instructional Policies and Methods

First year students in the Directed Studies Format may commence formal study in January, April, or September. Second and third year students may commence study in June or October. Fourth year students may commence study in June or December.

The Independent Study format has a start date every month, typically on the second Monday. First year and advanced year students can enroll on any of these start dates.

Each academic year consists of 44 or 45 weekly lesson assignments plus a three or four week review period. At least one final examination must be completed after the last day of the 48th week and all final exams must be completed by the last day of the 52nd week. The majority of these assignments contain research/writing projects or quizzes which are submitted electronically and evaluated by faculty. Students also benefit from examinations throughout the academic year.