Academic Success in Law School
Law 679(B) - P2P
Law school coursework that is part of the overarching Academic and Bar Success curriculum starts with "P2P" -- Preparing to Practice -- in the first year of law school. This required course sets you off on the right start to your ultimate practice in the profession of law with a variety of skills-based, practical experiences that help with managing time and the rigors of law school. The course will help you learn to think critically and problem solve for legal studies, while having fun in the process.
Resources to support your study
Your first-year curriculum is highly structured at Arizona Law, just as at any ABA accredited law school. But one thing that all your courses will have in common is a heavy reliance on legal writing. Legal writing is unlike the kind of writing you may have encountered as an undergrad, regardless of what field you studied. Arizona Law has an exceptional writing faculty to assist you in developing this essential skill.
A great resource for students is the Legal Writing Center which has writing support services for students in all our law degree programs. Please also view the Writing Center Workshops at this link - for a variety of sessions on everything from notetaking and blue book citations to communication advice and exam tips.
Don't forget that the Law Library can be your best friend while in law school. Not only does the library provide quiet places to study and resources to support your law coursework, it also makes available extensive study aids for students. Please check out the library's website at Lawlibrary.arizona.edu. Use the left nav bar to find "West Academic" and click to locate 1L and 2L/3L subject outlines, audio lectures, case briefs and more.
The Law Library also provides students with access to CALI -- the Center for Computer-Assisted Legal Instruction -- with a range of study aids and supplemental supports for your use.
Resources to support your program completion
As you progress toward a JD, use this graduation checklist to help you plan your program of study and make sure you are on track for meeting all your requirements. Best to schedule an appointment with the Registrar's Office for a grad check as you get closer to the culmination of your degree.
Courses for academic and bar skills beyond the first year
After your first year, there are several other courses available to you to supplement your academic skills and prepare you for success on the bar exam. Please explore these options below. These courses provide you with tools you need to be successful, while giving you credit for the time spent on developing skills that you may not otherwise prioritize.
LAW 679(A) Pre-Bar Professional Skills
ASYNCHRONOUS ONLINE, Professor Jessica Findley
679A is intended to be offered each semester with rotating subjects.
LAW 679(A) | 1 Credit | Pass/Fail Grading, 14 week course
This course will prepare students for success on the bar exam by developing metacognitive strategies, bar exam writing and multiple-choice skills while reviewing MBE topics in the context of the UBE and other bar exams. Engaging in review of MBE topics in anticipation of the bar exam should help to reduce overwhelm and stress at bar exam time while taking advantage of learning science and spaced repetition. This course rotates the use of MBE topics each semester. Students can take this course for up to four credits over the course of several semesters. This course is distinct from LAW 698(A) designed specifically for February bar takers.
LAW 679(C) Legal Analysis
Professor Chris Gast
LAW 679(C) | 2 Credits | Pass/Fail Grading
This course is designed to help students build strategies for success in classes and the bar exam. The course helps students transfer skills learned in the first year to understand and master bar exam essay writing, learning strategy, study techniques, and analytical skills. Students will complete multiple-choice questions, performance tests, and other test-taking strategies.
LAW 698(A) February Pre-Bar Prof. Skills
ASYNCHRONOUS ONLINE
698(A) is intended to be offered once per year, in January and February.
LAW 698(A) | 2 Credit | Pass/Fail Grading, 7 week course
The Arizona Supreme Court limits students who are taking the February bar prior to the award of their JD to enrolling in no more than two (2) semester hours toward that program of study during the month of the early bar exam and the preceding month. This course is designed to maximize those 2 credit hours by focusing on the skills necessary for bar success. The emphasis of this class is on writing, analysis and test-taking skills, along with practical skills training in core substantive areas. This course is distinct from LAW 679(A) which is more generally applicable to the study needs of bar takers.
Recommended Upper-Level Courses
- Advanced Legal Writing, LAW 653A
- Bus Orgs, LAW 616
- Trusts & Estates, LAW 619
- Criminal Law, LAW 650
- UCC Sales, LAW 633A
- UCC Secured Transactions, LAW 633C
- Contract Drafting, LAW 654D
- Pretrial Litigation, LAW 668
- Family Law, LAW 612
- Community Property, LAW 639
- Con Law II, Law 615
- First Amendment, LAW 655K
- Freedom of Speech and Expression, LAW 615B
- Equal Protection, LAW 615D