Western State College of Law

Academic Support

Study Law While Learning the Laws of Studying
One of Western State's key strengths is the instructional methodology we've developed that helps improve a student's learning process by teaching legal disciplines and theories while simultaneously providing students with strategies on how best to learn and study legal concepts. Our unique S.T.E.L.L.A.R.™ (Self-regulating Technology-equipped Expert Legal Learners Achieving Results) program empowers students to develop important study, research, and self-assessment skills that they will use both in law school as well as throughout their professional careers. Through a three-part combination of expert learning strategy, structured and supportive study groups, and digital learning techniques, Western State offers you a legal education that is both innovative and comprehensive-and that teaches you not only what to study but how to study.

Structured Study Groups and Digital Learning Build Vital Legal Skills
While most law schools leave it largely up to the student to determine how his or her studies are proceeding, our S.T.E.L.L.A.R.™ Program’s First-Year Colloquia offer the advantages of frequent peer and instructor feedback to help you determine how well you’re doing and where you need help. You will get special help in studying legal civics and ethics, and will develop skill in reading court opinions. Through cooperative learning techniques monitored by successful upper-level students, you will learn to demonstrate your subject mastery to peers, learn test-taking skills, and practice legal writing. In addition, our digital learning program complements traditional classroom study through the use of Internet-based chat rooms and individual course “blackboards” that make studying law much more interactive. Individual course websites allow faculty to provide systematic practice and feedback opportunities, offer study guides, and provide supplemental materials much more easily than via traditional law school teaching. Plus, students can access and work on these materials from anywhere they can connect to the Internet, even from work or home.

Start with the right tools and support for legal learning
Introduction to Legal Methods class prepares you for law school learning and exam writing. Starting before your first regular law school class, this intensive, mandatory, one-unit class helps bridge the gap between undergraduate studies and the demanding reading, analysis and writing required in law school.

First-Year Colloquia: Structured study groups for collaborative learning
After your initial Legal Methods training, you will join a cooperative advanced study group led by a successful, carefully trained upper division student. You will meet weekly to demonstrate and get peer feedback on your subject mastery, learn test-taking skills, and practice legal writing.

Mid-term feedback from your professors
All first-year courses have mandatory mid term exams, so you get individual assessment and personal feedback to help you prepare well before finals.

Mentoring, counseling and academic support throughout law school
Ongoing academic support is provided, with individual counseling and feedback from academic support faculty to help you succeed. Western State also provides, at no charge, personal and confidential counseling with a licensed psychologist who is available to all law students for on-campus appointments.

Preparation for the bar exam
You will build the foundation of your legal knowledge throughout all your classes in law school. In your final year, Western State continues to provide academic counseling, mentoring and support as you prepare to graduate and take the bar exam.

Western State has also sponsored a special supplementary program delivered on campus for our students by nationally recognized bar preparation experts.

The digital component
At Western State you have access to online and interactive learning environments that provide a wide range of supplemental virtual learning experiences.

• Participate in threaded online chat, exchanging ideas, case briefs, and practice exam answers; develop legal reasoning skills and enhance your understanding of legal cases and the law – all under faculty supervision.
• Download presentations, learning objectives, and study guides that facilitate classroom notetaking skills and exam preparation.
• Open sample contracts and court filings, and link to court opinions and websites.
• Find cross-references to supplemental texts that help fill in the gaps when you get stuck on a particularly difficult point of law.
• Take electronic quizzes with built-in feedback, designed to ensure that you develop the skills required for law school exams and the bar exam.