Student Learning Outcomes: School of Law
The University of St. Thomas School of Law, as a Catholic law school, is dedicated to integrating faith and reason in the search for truth through a focus on morality and social justice.
Student Learning Outcomes
Inspired by justice, guided by faith, grounded in reason, committed to excellence, and devoted to advancing the common good, the University of St. Thomas School of Law sets forth the following general learning outcomes as we work to form professionals who practice the law with purpose:
Learning Outcome 1: Professional Formation and Ethical Responsibilities
Graduates will demonstrate an understanding of their professional and ethical responsibilities in serving clients, the profession, and society. Whether working in law, business, government, or the non-profit sector, each graduate will be able to describe his or her evolving professional identity, which is grounded in a moral core, includes a commitment to self-directed professional learning, and reflects a concern for the disadvantaged and those who lack access to justice.
Learning Outcome 2: Knowledge of Substantive and Procedural Law
Graduates will identify and be able to explain basic concepts, underlying theories, policy implications, and rules of law both in the required curriculum and in their chosen fields of study.
Learning Outcome 3: Legal Analysis, Reasoning, and Problem Solving
Graduates will be able to analyze and assess strategies for solving a problem, including identifying legal and non-legal issues that may be important to clients and exercising good judgment in advising clients.
Learning Outcome 4: Written and Oral Communication Skills
Graduates will be able to communicate effectively and appropriately in written and oral formats with a variety of audiences and in a variety of contexts.
Learning Outcome 5: Legal Research and Factual Investigation
Graduates will be able to retrieve, analyze, and effectively use legal resources; to appreciate different types of resources and their appropriate use as references or authorities; to evaluate the relevance, reliability, currency, and varying strength of legal authorities; and to gather relevant non-legal information or collaborate with non-legal professionals to better understand how the law may apply to a particular situation and the real-world consequences in a given situation.
Learning Outcome 6: Teamwork and Relationship Skills
Graduates will demonstrate competence in initiating and sustaining professional relationships and working with others toward common goals. Graduates will also demonstrate competence in interacting effectively with people across cultural differences.
Adopted by the University of St. Thomas School of Law Faculty, March 16, 2015