Charleston School of Law Juris Doctor Program Catalog and Student Handbook 2022-2023: Welcome and Introductory Information

Below is a brief outline of the Charleston School of Law Academic Catalog. Click the + sign to see the linked list under each heading. You can also click on the top tabs to see a complete list under each heading tab. A complete list of content under each heading is found in the Detailed Academic Catalog Guide Outline.

The Charleston School of Law Academic Catalog and Student Handbook is the official document of record concerning academic policies and regulations. Students are responsible for becoming familiar with the information presented in the Catalog and Student Handbook and for knowing and observing all policies and procedures therein. Registration at the School of Law assumes the students' acceptance of all published regulations, including those which appear in this online Catalog and Student Handbook, as well as any updates, and all others as applicable in any official announcement. 

Disclaimer - This Catalog is not a contract.  The Charleston School of Law expressly reserves the right to change tuition, fees, programs of study, academic requirements (including those required for degrees), lecturers, teaching staffs, the announced academic calendar, and other matters described in this Catalog with reasonable prior notice, and in accordance with established procedures.  Therefore, information contained in this Catalog and Student Handbook should not be considered to remain valid throughout an entire program of study; it may be necessary for the School to alter program requirements before the start of any enrollment period. As noted, any changes will be published.

In an emergency, it may become necessary to adjust the academic calendar, move classes to an online format, or take other measures to ensure educational continuity. Such emergencies may be of a public health nature, such as COVID-19; a weather-related event, such as flooding, that necessitates the closure of the Law School building; or some other condition that makes it unsafe or impractical to hold classes as regularly scheduled on-campus. If adjustments are necessary, Charleston School of Law will make every effort to ensure that students have the ability to interact with professors, student services, and each other, even if through remote means.

Within the historic City of Charleston, it is the mission of the Charleston School of Law:

• To teach students through a rigorous, skills-based study program;
• To teach the practice of law as a profession, having as its chief aim providing public service;
• To institute and coordinate legal outreach programs to the South Carolina and American Bars, local, state and federal governments, as well as to the general population; and
• To provide an inclusive, diverse environment in which to encourage and foster collegial, collaborative and professional relationships among students, faculty, staff and the community.

The faculty of the Charleston School of Law have adopted the following Learning Outcomes and Objectives:

1. Graduates shall demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the fundamental principles of the substantive and procedural law regarded as necessary to effective, competent, and responsible participation in the legal profession.

Objective 1: Graduates shall demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:  Contracts; Torts; Property; Civil Procedure; Criminal Law; Criminal Procedure; Constitutional Law; Evidence; Sales; Wills, Trusts & Estates; Business Associations; and Secured Transactions.

2. Graduates shall demonstrate the ability to identify, understand, and resolve ethical and professional issues in light of the ethical principles and rules that govern the legal profession.

Objective 1:  Graduates shall demonstrate knowledge and understanding of their ethical responsibilities as representatives of clients.

Objective 2:  Graduates shall demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the requirement of their ethical responsibilities as officers of the courts.

Objective 3:  Graduates shall demonstrate knowledge and understanding of their ethical responsibilities as public citizens.

Objective 4:  Graduates shall demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the legal profession’s values of candor, honesty, and integrity.

3. Graduates shall demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the law as a public profession calling for the performance of pro bono services.

Objective 1:  Graduates shall, prior to graduation, provide at least 30 hours of pro bono legal assistance to the community and shall be encouraged to provide 50 hours or more.

Objective 2:  Graduates shall be encouraged to provide pro bono law-related public service.

4. Graduates shall demonstrate the ability to conduct legal research and analysis; to engage in legal reasoning and problem solving; and to effectively communicate both orally and in writing.

Objective 1:  Graduates shall demonstrate the ability to conduct legal research.

Objective 2:  Graduates shall demonstrate the ability to conduct legal analysis and to engage in legal reasoning.

Objective 3:  Graduates shall demonstrate the ability to engage in problem solving.

5. Graduates shall demonstrate competency in professional skills necessary for effective participation as a member of the legal profession.

Objective 1:  Graduates shall demonstrate competency in aspects of litigation practice, including pre-trial practice, trial practice, and appellate practice.

Objective 2:  Graduates shall demonstrate competency in fact development and drafting legal documents.

Please see this page for information about:

• Introduction
• Mission Statement
• Learning Outcomes and Objectives
• Academic Calendar

Learn important school dates at the Academic Calendar.