We are often asked what it is like to be a student in the St. Francis School of Law Juris Doctor program. The first year of law school begins with a student Orientation which is three weeks long, and is designed to introduce students to St. Francis’ learning management systems, technology, and to provide students with a strong introduction to learning techniques as well as time management.
The first year curriculum includes three classes: Contracts, Torts, and Criminal Law. Students take these subjects one class at a time. All classes have a live interactive component that meets twice a week, live online, where students interact live with their professors and with each other, face-to-face, voice to voice through the Cisco WebEx platform. Students submit weekly assignments in which they gain experience with application of the legal doctrines they are learning. All assignments receive feedback online from St. Francis professors.
First year St. Francis student Melissa Mangum said: “In a few months I will be completing my first year with St. Francis and I can finally say I have figured out how I can be successful with school and still maintain a good work/family balance. Prior to starting at St. Francis, the idea of returning to school as a mother with a full-time job was daunting. Once I started, it was comforting to be in an environment where the majority of students are in the same position as me. The structure of the school really lends itself to my student profile—the frequency of live lecture, the assignment due dates, etc. As I’ve gotten into the swing of things the time commitment is predictable and manageable, I’m at a place where I can enjoy what I’m learning and I can see the light (though it’s very small) at the end of the tunnel. I have enjoyed the variety of professors and the diversity of students.”
Contact admissions at St. Francis for more information.