Law School Curriculum Description

The School of Law curriculum is challenging and intellectually demanding. It prepares the student to be an effective member of the legal profession, whether as a practicing attorney, member of the judiciary, or other legal professional in government, business, or education. The curriculum includes a writing program in each of the three years of full-time law study or four years of part-time law study, focusing on general legal writing, appellate writing, and advocacy writing.

North Carolina Central University School of Law offers every student an opportunity to become thoroughly grounded in the fundamentals of the law. The curriculum does not focus on the legal rules of any particular jurisdiction. As is true for most law schools, instruction is based on national materials and casebooks. Important North Carolina distinctions are also discussed. Emphasis is placed on the development of good legal analytical skills that are useful in any career choice.

Day Program: Required First-Year Courses

First Semester	Second Semester
Civil Procedure I Contracts I Critical Thinking Property I Torts I Legal Reasoning and Analysis	Civil Procedure II Contracts II Property II Torts II Legal Research and Persuasion Criminal Law

Evening Program: Required First-Year Courses

Even Year	Odd Year
Civil Procedure I and II Torts I and II Legal Reasoning and Analysis Legal Research and Persuasion	Contracts I and II Property I and II Legal Reasoning and Analysis Legal Research and Persuasion

Required Upper-Level Courses

Day Program	Evening Program
Appellate Advocacy Business Associations Constitutional Law I Constitutional Law II Decedents’ Estates I Evidence Practice-Oriented Writing Course Professional Responsibility Sales and Secured Transactions NC Distinctions* Taxation Writing Seminar	Appellate Advocacy Constitutional Law I Constitutional Law II Corporations Decedents’ Estates I Evidence Professional Responsibility Sales and Secured Transactions Senior Writing NC Distinctions* Taxation

Strongly Recommended Upper-Level Courses

Commercial Paper
Criminal Procedure
Decedents’ Estates II
Family Relations
Remedies
Trial Practice
Agency-Partnership (Evening)

Strongly Suggested Upper-Level Courses

Criminal Procedure
Family Relations
Remedies
Trial Practice
Agency-Partnership (Evening)

note:

Courses are required or strongly recommended because the subject areas are necessary for a well-rounded legal education and are covered by most bar examinations. Further, non-continuing semester courses will normally be offered only once during the academic year. A list of course offerings is made available to students in advance of registration.

Electives

Elective courses are subject to change. From time to time, the School of Law offers courses that draw on the special interests and talents of faculty members and uniquely qualified adjunct professors. Not all electives are offered each year. In the Evening Program, elective course offerings are more limited due to the smaller size of the Evening Program. Electives are generally offered in the summer sessions.