Academics

Curriculum Designed for Practice

Instruction at UNT Dallas College of Law is led by full-time faculty and is built around current best practices in teaching and learning. The curriculum is designed to connect classroom learning with the skills lawyers use in practice.

Multiple Formative and Summative Assessments

Traditionally, grades in law school courses are based entirely or primarily on a single end-of-term exam. By contrast, our courses—including first-year courses—will include multiple “formative” and “summative” assessments.

Formative assessment refers to activities or measures that provide feedback at a time when students can still learn and improve on the skill or knowledge that is assessed.

Summative assessment refers to activities or tests that measure, at a point in time, the student’s knowledge and mastery of the area for which the test provides the summative measure.

Thus, rather than using a single end-of-term exam (a single summative assessment), a first-year or upper-level class will include multiple formative and summative assessments. The multiple formative assessments could include regular quizzes on the material, or written assignments on which the professor provides a rubric and sample answer. As to summative assessments, the student’s final grade would be based on several measures at different points in time—for instance, several tests, a mid-term, and a final.

Courses Designed for Effective and Engaged Learning

We believe that all segments of a student’s coursework—before class, during class, and after class—should be designed in ways that use every minute most effectively. To that end, we will draw on the best insights of educators about designing classes in ways that promote effective and engaged learning with the proper use of technology, hands-on learning, stated learning objectives, and assessment.

Learning by Doing

Our students will be extensively involved in experiential learning—that is, learning by doing. This will start in the first year, in the course titled The Practice and Profession of Law. Most upper level courses will include a “learn by doing” component, reflected in a “2 + 1” model, with 2 hours of coverage on the substantive law and 1 hour for “lab.” The lab refers to work that applies substantive law—such as drafting, negotiating, researching a problem, or working with a team to design a research plan. Some upper level courses will be devoted primarily to skills and practice activities, such as Trial Advocacy and classes in advanced transactions. Finally, students will gain experience in actual practice settings through participation in clinics and externships.

Relationship to Bar Exam

The curriculum emphasizes the knowledge and skills that support bar exam success and long-term professional development.

Coursework builds:

• Substantive knowledge in core areas of law
• Legal analysis and reasoning
• Legal research and writing skills

While the educational mission is broader than bar preparation alone, the curriculum is structured so that students are exposed to much of the material and skill development tested on the bar exam. Additional bar readiness resources and programming are available through the Office of Academic Success and Bar Readiness.

Discovering Your Professional Path

From the first year through graduation, students are encouraged to explore the wide range of roles that legally trained professionals hold in the private, public and nonprofit sectors.

Students receive support through:

• Coursework that introduces different practice areas and lawyering roles
• Feedback on written and oral work that helps identify strengths and growth areas
• Programming and advising from the Office of Career and Professional Development

Combined, the curriculum and career development resources help students understand the many pathways in a legal career and make informed decisions about their professional goals.