A Curriculum for Your Future
Pursuing an education at West Virginia University College of Law prepares students to be excellent lawyers, able to practice in any state, in the federal judicial system, and in international settings. While providing a foundational legal education, particularly in the first year, the curriculum permits a student to discover his or her own interests through selection of specialized courses in the second and third years. Graduating from West Virginia University College of Law launches students into practice in areas as diverse as corporate securities and family law, from international business transactions to bio-ethics.
First-Year Curriculum ? First-year students study fundamental subjects in substance, procedure, professional conduct, and legal research and writing. The College of Law has a rigorous program in legal research and writing that helps assure that students have mastered skills necessary for the study and practice of law. This demanding program develops the
basic skills of analysis and synthesis of legal text, research, and legal writing. The first-year curriculum is as follows:
| First Semester | Hrs. | Second Semester | Hrs. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civil Procedure Jurisdiction | 2 | Civil Procedure Rules | 3 |
| Contracts I | 4 | Constitutional Law | 4 |
| Criminal Law | 3 | Professional Responsibility | 3 |
| Torts I | 4 | Property I | 4 |
| Legal Research & Writing | 2 | Legal Research & Writing | 2 |
| Total | 15 | Total | 16 |
Upper-Level Courses ? After the first year, each student must complete Appellate Advocacy, a seminar, and two perspective courses in areas designed to impart a wider or different perspective on the legal system. In addition to these requirements, each student is required to complete one course or program from the following list: (1) Trial Advocacy and Evidence; (2) The Clinical Law Program and Evidence; (3) Business Transaction Drafting; or (4) The Federal Externship Program and Evidence. Each student must attain a grade of C or better in one seminar, Legal Research and Writing, Appellate Advocacy, and Trial Advocacy. Second- and third-year students begin to specialize through selecting courses from three basic categories: professional skills courses, perspective courses, and upper-level substantive courses.
Clinical Law Program ? The Clinical Law Program provides a full range of legal services to eligible clients. Third-year law students, admitted to practice under Rule 10 of the Admission to Practice Rules, serve clients by working under the supervision of faculty of the College of Law. The Civil Law Clinic provides civil legal services with concentration in family law, social security and supplemental security income, and consumer debt relief. The Tax Clinic provides legal services to taxpayers residing in West Virginia who need to resolve a tax controversy with the Internal Revenue Service. The Business Clinic assists non-profit entities and small businesses with startup, transactional, and problem-solving issues.
Federal Externships ? Externships are subject to interview and approval of a federal judge in either the United States District Court or United States Court of Appeals whose office is in West Virginia. While participating in the externship, students meet bi-weekly with the director at the law school. Students who successfully complete an externship receive 13 hours of academic credit for their experience.
Skills-Based Learning ? Trial Advocacy is an introduction to techniques of and ethical questions associated with trial practice including jury selection, opening statement, direct and cross examination, and closing argument. Class involves lecture, discussion, and simulation to prepare students for trial practice. Appellate Advocacy prepares students for appellate practice through the preparation of an appellate brief and an argument based on the brief in front of a panel of local attorneys who serve as judges. Business Transaction Drafting prepares students who desire to enter the practice of business law by focusing on the drafting of contracts and other documents commonly prepared by transactional lawyers who complete legal work for organizational and institutional clients. Pre-Trial Litigation immerses students in the day-to-day work of civil litigators while students complete interviews, depositions, investigation, legal research, discovery, memoranda, pleadings, oral argument, pre-trial conference, negotiation, and compilation of a litigation file.
