Curricular Learning Outcomes

Beginning with the 2021 – 2022 academic year, ASL adopted the following Curricular Learning Outcomes for the J.D. program:

  1. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of substantive and procedural law;
  2. Demonstrate legal analysis, legal reasoning, legal research, problem-solving, and communication skills;
  3. Demonstrate proper professional and ethical responsibilities;
  4. Demonstrate professional skills needed for competent and ethical participation as a member of the legal profession in the Appalachian region and beyond; and
  5. Demonstrate, develop, and embrace a sense of civic responsibility and leadership by working to address community needs and problems.

 

Self-Assessment & Curriculum Mapping

In 2023, ASL began an ongoing self-assessment process for measuring success in achieving the Program’s Learning Outcomes. This resulted in a Curriculum Mapping project analyzing how well each course was addressing the Program’s Learning Outcomes. With the announcement of the planned scope and content of the NextGen Bar Exam, ASL’s self-assessment process was directed toward the Foundational Skills to be tested therein. ASL was able to analyze how well its current required curriculum addressed those Skills. The results of that assessment led to several curricular changes to ASL’s J.D. program.