Learning Outcomes
Baylor Law School endeavors to provide students with the education and training necessary to attain the knowledge, skills, professional values, and ethical direction required for admission to the bar and the immediate, effective practice within an honorable profession.
Consistent with this mission, Baylor Law School expects each student to possess, or have the ability to acquire, the skills and abilities listed below before earning a Juris Doctor degree.
Knowledge and Understanding of Substantive and Procedural Law
A Baylor Lawyer, at graduation, should:
- demonstrate the ability to formulate the legal issues and theories that apply to the relevant facts of a problem or situation, using as appropriate, factual and rule distinction, analogy, and synthesis;
- exhibit competency in civil and criminal pretrial, trial and appellate procedure, evidence, rules of professional responsibility, and alternative dispute resolution;
- identify workable alternative legal and equitable, or if appropriate, extra-legal strategies, considerations, and solutions; and
- develop and implement an appropriate plan for well-grounded and effective representation or counseling.
Legal Analysis and Reasoning, Legal Research, Problem-Solving, and Written and Oral Communication in the Legal Context
A Baylor Lawyer, at graduation, should:
- possess the knowledge, understanding, and analytical ability necessary for client representation in a litigation, transactional, regulatory, or public policy setting;
- possess the demonstrated ability to marshal and persuasively present complex facts in an adversarial setting, to respectfully command the courtroom; and
- possess the skills necessary to use relevant research techniques and apply pertinent legal authority through effective persuasive and professional oral and written communication to meet a range of specific representation, counseling, and documentation needs.
Exercise of Proper Professional and Ethical Responsibilities to Clients and the Legal System
A Baylor Lawyer, at graduation, should:
- demonstrate the moral, ethical, and professional standards, competencies, and values expected of a member of an honorable profession, including integrity, honesty, reliability, sound judgment, fairness, respect, empathy, interpersonal skills, civility, diligence, and accountability;
- understand lawyers’ obligations to provide service and leadership to clients, courts, the profession, one’s community, and the public; and
- have an awareness of the roles that lawyers can play in addressing the access-to-justice needs of the underserved.
See the links below for Baylor Law School's programmatic elements that support the objectives of ABA Standard 302. Aspects of the program that address Standard 302(a), (b), and (c) may be listed multiple times for ease of use.
Programmatic elements supporting these objectives under Standard 302(a), include:
- Curriculum
- Quarter System
- Professional Tracks
- Administrative Practice
- Business Litigation
- Business Planning
- Commercial Law
- Criminal Practice
- Estate Planning
- Family Law Practice
- Fiduciary Litigation
- General Civil Litigation
- Health Care Law
- Intellectual Property
- Intellectual Property Litigation
- Personal Injury Litigation
- Public Interest Law
- Real Estate and Natural Resources
- Capstone Experiences
- Administration of Estates
- Business Planning
- Commercial Law
- Criminal Practice
- Intellectual Property
- Litigation
- Wealth Transfers
Programmatic elements supporting these objectives under Standard 302(b), include:
- Legal Writing
- Practice Court and Advocacy Curriculum
- Practical Skills-Oriented Courses
- Field Placements
- Pro Bono and Public Service Program
- The Academy of the Advocate at St Andrews
- Competitions
- Interscholastic
- Intramural
Programmatic elements supporting these objectives under Standard 302(c):
- Character and fitness determination made in concert with licensing authorities
- Direct faculty and staff observation
- Professional Responsibility course
- Professional Development Program 1
- Leadership Development Program
- Comprehensive, across-the-program approach to teaching and modeling ethical decision-making and professionalism
- Pro Bono and Public Service Program
- Field Placements
- Competitions
- Interscholastic
- Intramural
[1] Categories of programming: 1. Law practice (law office organization and management, law firm economics, client relations, marketing, etc.); 2. Managing and building your career (networking, job search skills, practice-area specific programs, etc.); 3. Practical skills (legal writing, legal technology, negotiating, counseling, etc.); 4. Professional formation and leadership; 5. Professionalism and ethics; and 6. Wellness