Legal Studies. Academic Assessment Plan

Transcription

1 Legal Studies Academic Assessment Plan Adopted by The Justice Center faculty: Submitted via to the Office of Academic Affairs: March, 2012 for review by The Academic Assessment Committee of the Faculty Senate Page of 39

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Mission Statement Program Introduction Assessment Process Introduction Student Learning Outcomes Table 1: Association of Assessment Measures to Student Learning Outcomes Assessment Measures Table 2: Assessment Measures and Administration Assessment Process General Implementation Strategy Description of Faculty Involvement Modification of the Assessment Plan Appendix A: Internship Evaluation Measure Description: Factors that affect the collected data: How to interpret the data: Appendix B: Employer Surveys Measure Description: Factors that affect the collected data: How to interpret the data: Appendix C: Graduate Survey Measure Description: Factors that affect the collected data: How to interpret the data: Appendix D: Exit Exam Measure Description: Factors that affect the collected data: How to interpret the data: Appendix E: E-Portfolios Measure Description: Factors that affect the collected data: How to interpret the data: Page of 39

3 MISSION STATEMENT The UAA Justice Center, established by the Alaska Legislature in 1975, has a mandate to provide statewide justice-related education, research, and service. The Justice Center is an interdisciplinary unit that provides undergraduate, graduate, and professional education; conducts research in the areas of crime, law, and justice; and provides service to government units, justice agencies, and community organizations throughout urban and rural Alaska to promote a safe, healthy, and just society. PROGRAM INTRODUCTION The Legal Studies Program at UAA is a cluster of five new certificate and degree options that rest on the Justice Center s former Paralegal Studies Certificate Program, a program that was approved by the American Bar Association continuously from 1992 through The Paralegal Studies Certificate Program offered one 60 credit undergraduate certificate. That certificate has been replaced by the new Associate of Applied Science, Paralegal Studies. The Legal Studies Program also offers a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate, Paralegal Studies; a Bachelor of Arts, Legal Studies; a Minor, Legal Studies; and Certificate, Legal Nurse Consulting Paralegal. All five options are centered on a common core of courses combining substantive law and theory with training in legal practice skills. The Legal Studies Program has seven broad learning goals (distinct from student learning outcomes) for all students, regardless of program option. Students in all programs will acquire: 1. Broad-based knowledge achieved through general college education. 2. Exceptionally strong competency in critical thinking and in written and oral communication skills. 3. Clear understanding of the rules of ethics governing American judges, lawyers, and paralegals 4. Comprehensive legal vocabulary and understanding of judicial processes. 5. Operational knowledge of legal investigatory and discovery techniques. 6. Command of skills required for legal research, critical analysis, and technical drafting. 7. Knowledge of theories of law, historical influences on the development of law, and fundamental principles of substantive law. 8. Appreciation for the role of law in the allocation of public resources and regulation of social and economic relationships. The Guidelines for the Approval of Paralegal Education Programs promulgated by the ABA ( establish the framework within which the program continually determines and modifies its objectives, outcomes, and assessment strategy. Under the ABA Guidelines, responsibility for program planning and development resides with the Program Coordinator, whose qualifications must meet the ABA standards. Page of 39

4 The ABA requires each program approved to have clearly defined, publicly stated and measurable goals and explicit objectives stated in terms of educational results to be achieved. Each program is also required to have an organized plan for evaluation, review, and improvement of the program. There must be regular assessment of the extent to which a program meets its stated goals and objectives. Program objectives, outcomes and the assessment strategy, inter alia, are identified for the ABA through periodic re-approval and interim reports. The most extensive of these, the re-approval reports, are submitted every seven years, pursuant to ABA requirements. The self-report and appendices of supporting documentation are then reviewed by the ABA Re-approval Commission Attorney, who requests any supplemental information deemed necessary. When all information is in hand, the ABA schedules a two or 3-day site visit, and evaluates the program in situ. The site team s report is prepared at the conclusion of the team s visit and shared with the program coordinator and faculty. The program begins evaluating its improvement strategy from that point forward. While the ABA Standing Committee on Paralegals votes on whether to recommend re-approval to the ABA Board of Governors, the UAA program meets with its advisory committee to discuss its approaches to the recommendations made by the site team. Impacts on objectives, outcomes and assessment strategies are discussed among the faculty, and modifications are implemented where necessary to maintain currency in the legal marketplace. Between site visits, the ABA requires submission of Interim Reports. These reports address all aspects of program operation and development, and allow the ABA to continuously monitor the quality and currency of the program. They also assist program faculty in assessing progress toward program improvement. The Justice Center hosted its last site visit in October, 2010, and was awarded formal re-approval by the American Bar Association s Board of Governors in February The program s next interim report is due in September 2012, ASSESSMENT PROCESS INTRODUCTION This document defines the expected student learning outcomes for the UAA Legal Studies program options and outlines a plan for assessing the achievement of the stated outcomes. The Legal Studies program resides in UAA s Justice Center; students majoring in Justice may use Legal Studies courses to satisfy their Justice electives, and may elect to earn a Legal Studies Minor in conjunction with their Justice B.A. As a result of the relationship between the two programs, the history (though not the substance) of the Legal Studies program s institutional assessment plan has generally paralleled that of the Justice Center s. Program outcomes for the Legal Studies courses and certificates were developed in accordance with the exacting standards promulgated by the ABA for the approval of paralegal education programs nationwide. Thus, program outcomes were identified through (1) review of the ABA s published recommendations to the legal profession regarding the effective utilization of paralegals, (2) analysis of the ABA s most recent program review and recommendations, (3) Page of 39

5 consultations with the program s advisory committee, (4) review of program goals listed in the UAA Catalog, and (5) analysis of employer and graduate surveys. The assessment plan for the earlier Paralegal Studies Certificate Program relied on three broad categories of information: faculty evaluation of student artifacts, external program critique by the ABA, and graduate and employer surveys. The assessment strategy for this new program is in part the product of the earlier Paralegal Studies Assessment Plan, and in (larger) part the product of the E portfolio assessment workshop held at UAA in the spring of During the course of that workshop, program outcomes for legal specialty 1 coursework were modified and refined for measurability, in consultation with the workshop facilitators, and a draft plan for utilization of E-portfolios to assess program outcomes was developed. The assessment plan set out in this document represents a modification of the plan done in the E- portfolio seminar in spring 2011, to fit the expanded Justice Center programs. In the expanded Legal Studies program, all five program options rest on a single core of legal specialty courses; thus, there is significant overlap in student learning outcomes from program to program. These shared program outcomes are measured collectively. Those program outcomes that are not shared among all programs are measured independently. All Program Options STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES At the completion of a Legal Studies program option, students are able to: Produce superior university-level written documents and oral reports. Identify and accurately apply the rules of professional ethics governing lawyers and nonlawyer staff, and the rules governing the unauthorized practice of law in Alaska. Interpret and accurately apply legal terminology and foundational principles of substantive and procedural law in the analysis of legal issues. Develop and execute legal research plans using law library resources and commonly used legal research databases. Synthesize primary and secondary legal authorities and draft memoranda of legal analysis. Prepare legal investigation and discovery plans and draft legal pleadings that conform to the rules of civil procedure and incorporate standard techniques and resources for managing a case in litigation. Legal Nurse Consultant Paralegal 1 Legal specialty is an ABA term used to designate coursework that covers substantive law or process and is designed to develop professional workplace skills. Page of 39

6 In addition to the outcomes listed above, at the completion of the Legal Nurse Consultant Paralegal program students are able to: Develop and execute legal and medical research plans using law and medical library resources and commonly used legal and medical research databases. Integrate substantive principles of law and medical/clinical practice in the analysis of medical evidence. Formulate theories of injury causation pursuant to accepted principles of forensic nursing. Construct from the American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants (AALNC) Code of Ethics and Conduct, the AALNC s Scope and Standards of Practice, and the Alaska Bar Association s Rules of Professional Responsibility coherent principles of ethical practice for the Legal Nurse Consultant Paralegal. Associate of Applied Science, Paralegal Studies; Post-Baccalaureate Certificate, Paralegal Studies In addition to the outcomes first listed, at the completion of the Associate of Applied Science, Paralegal Studies program and Post-Baccalaureate Certificate, Paralegal Studies students are able to: Relate legal rules and doctrines to client problems in the performance of entry-level paralegal duties in a private law firm, public legal service agency, or law department. Bachelor of Arts, Legal Studies In addition to the outcomes first listed, at the completion of the Bachelor of Arts, Legal Studies program students are able to: Assess and critique theories of law and the impact of American law, both historically and currently, on social and economic relationships, access to public resources, and individual liberties. Construct from disparate fields of substantive law a unified theory of law as a mechanism for ordering social and economic relationships. Page of 39

7 Internship Evaluation Employer Surveys Graduate Surveys Exit Exams E- portfolios TABLE 1: ASSOCIATION OF ASSESSMENT MEASURES TO STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES Outcomes Produce superior university-level written documents and oral reports. Identify and accurately apply the rules of professional ethics governing lawyers and nonlawyer staff, and the rules governing the unauthorized practice of law in Alaska. Interpret and accurately apply legal terminology and foundational principles of substantive and procedural law in the analysis of legal issues. Develop and execute legal research plans using law library resources and commonly used legal research databases. Synthesize primary and secondary legal authorities and draft memoranda of legal analysis. Prepare legal investigation and discovery plans and draft legal pleadings that conform to the rules of civil procedure and incorporate standard techniques and resources for managing a case in litigation. [LNC Paralegal Only] Develop and execute legal and medical research plans using law and medical library resources and commonly used legal and medical research databases. [LNC Paralegal Only] Integrate substantive principles of law and medical/clinical practice in the analysis of medical evidence. [LNC Paralegal Only] Formulate theories of injury causation pursuant to accepted principles of forensic nursing. [LNC Paralegal Only] Construct from the American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants (AALNC) Code of Ethics and Conduct, the AALNC s Scope and Standards of Practice, and the Alaska Bar Association s Rules of Professional Responsibility coherent principles Page of 39

8 of ethical practice for the Legal Nurse Consultant Paralegal. [AAS and Post-Bacc Only] Relate legal rules and doctrines to client problems in the performance of entrylevel paralegal duties in a private law firm, public legal service agency, or law department. [BA, Legal Studies Only] Assess and critique theories of law and the impact of American law, both historically and currently, on social and economic relationships, access to public resources, and individual liberties. [BA, Legal Studies Only] Construct from disparate fields of substantive law a unified theory of law as a mechanism for ordering social and economic relationships = Measure is not used to measure the associated outcome. 1 = Measure is used to measure the associated outcome. Page of 39

9 ASSESSMENT MEASURES A description of the measures used in the assessment of the student learning outcomes and their implementation are summarized in Table 2 below. The measures and their relationships to the student learning outcomes are listed in Table 1, above. There is a separate appendix for each measure that shows the measure itself and describes its use and the factors that affect the results. TABLE 2: ASSESSMENT MEASURES AND ADMINISTRATION Measure Internship Evaluation Employer Surveys Graduate Surveys Exit Exam E-portfolios Description Standardized evaluation instrument completed by attorney supervisor at the conclusion of 225 hour student internship Standardized survey instrument completed by legal employers in Third Judicial District for Alaska. Standardized survey instrument completed by graduates 120 multiple choice questions representing eight core areas of study plus, for LNC Paralegal Students only, 25 questions related to LNC practice Electronic Portfolio of student artifacts organized by Student Learning Outcomes Frequency/ Start Date Irregular; dependent on students placed per semester/start date Fall 2012 Every three years/start date Fall 2013 Annually; semi-annually as needed; Start date Spring 2013 Annually; semi-annually as needed/start dated Spring 2013 Semiannually/start date Fall 2012 Collection Method Written reports by placement supervisors submitted to Internship Coordinator Mail or electronic distribution Mail or electronic distribution Proctored examination on campus Production and collection of artifacts assigned to faculty Administered by Internship coordinator Program Coordinator Program Coordinator Staff and/or Program Coordinator Program Coordinator Page of 39

10 ASSESSMENT PROCESS General Implementation Strategy The coordinator of the Legal Studies program options is responsible for ensuring that the program assessment plan is congruent with both the current UAA guidelines and the requirements of the ABA for maintaining Bar Association approval. The program coordinator is also responsible for initiating assessment planning with other faculty, delegating collection of student artifacts as appropriate, disseminating and collecting employer and graduate surveys, preparing and arranging administration of the program exit exam, and arranging and synthesizing faculty review of student e-portfolios. The Internship Coordinator is responsible for collecting employer evaluations of student interns and submitting them to the Program Coordinator. Internship evaluations are completed as students move through the internship course at the conclusion of their studies; thus the number of evaluations completed and the time of those evaluations varies from semester to semester. Employer surveys are mailed to law firms in the Third Judicial District every three years. The Justice Center is in the process of shifting to electronic surveys. Graduate surveys are mailed to all program graduates within six months of graduation and again two years after graduation. The Justice center is in the process of shifting to electronic surveys of graduates as well. The exit exam is administered on campus by Justice Center staff during the last month of the fall and spring semesters to students in their last month of their respective programs. Data from the internship evaluations, employer and graduate surveys, and exit exams will be compiled by Justice Center staff and presented to the faculty for shared analysis. Student e-portfolios linked to program outcomes will be collected and assessed by the instructors of LEGL A215, LEGL A489, and LEGL A495. LEGL A215 is the first legal specialty course in the program; thus, students e-portfolios in this course will reflect their skill level at the beginning of the program. LEGL A489 and LEGL A495, the disciplinary capstones for the programs, will produce portfolios reflecting students development in the program and their professional skill level at the conclusion of their studies. In addition to e-portfolios created by students, the program coordinator will maintain a program assessment portfolio containing representative student assignments, instructor grading rubrics, and student artifacts all linked to program outcomes. Faculty will meet to discuss how the various student learning outcomes might be reflected in student work, and faculty will agree on a division of responsibility for ensuring that the necessary artifacts are created. Individual faculty will take responsibility for creating assignments and rubrics linked to specific student learning Page of 39

11 outcomes. Thus, for example, the instructor of the Evidence, Investigation, and Discovery course may agree to assign students the work of creating a written investigation plan, create a uniform rubric for grading, and submit both, along with the student investigation plans, to the program coordinator for the Assessment E-portfolio. The e-portfolio with artifacts linked to student learning outcomes will be distributed to the faculty for collective review and analysis. Description of Faculty Involvement All program faculty have been involved in the initial discussions regarding development of the student learning outcomes and assessment plan. The plan presented here represents the culmination of those planning meetings. Program faculty are also involved in developing the questions used on the exit exam. Individual instructors from each of the core legal specialty courses submit exam questions reflecting the substantive content of each course. As described above, faculty will also meet to determine what student assignments will generate appropriate artifacts for measuring individual program outcomes. Individual faculty will take responsibility for assigning students coursework that will demonstrate program outcomes, creating appropriate and uniform assessment rubrics for the artifacts, and submitting assignments, rubrics, and representative artifacts to the program coordinator. Faculty will meet once a year, in the fall, to review all data and artifacts generated during the previous academic year, and compare that information with data collected in previous years. Faculty will collaborate to identify apparent strengths and weaknesses, and any discernible trends. As problem areas are identified faculty will seek to identify whether the source of the problems are external or internal to the program, and look for solutions such as changes in advising procedures, required or recommended preliminary coursework, course content and/or delivery. All data collected, together with all student artifacts, will also be made available to site team reviewers from the ABA, who will assist faculty in identifying strengths and weaknesses of the program and any corrective measures that may be deemed necessary. Modification of the Assessment Plan The faculty, after reviewing the collected data and the processes used to collect it, may decide to alter the assessment plan. Changes may be made to any component of the plan, including the outcomes, assessment measures, or any other aspect of the plan. The changes will be approved by the faculty of the program. The modified assessment plan will be forwarded to the dean/director s office and the Office of Academic Affairs. All modifications of the assessment plan will be initiated in the fall semester when the faculty has returned, as this will be their first opportunity to receive the results of the previous year s assessment report. Page of 39

12 APPENDIX A: INTERNSHIP EVALUATION Measure Description: This is a standardized evaluation form provided to all employers of our student interns. It is designed to assess how well each student was able to meet the employer s expectations of the student s written and oral communication skills, how successful the student was over the course of the internship in adhering to the rules of professional ethics and observing the rules governing the unauthorized practice of law, the extent to which the student was successful in using law library resources and legal research databases to conduct legal research and synthesize the results of the research into memoranda of legal analysis, and whether the student was able to perform other entry-level paralegal tasks to the employer s satisfaction. Factors that affect the collected data: Factors that affect the collected data include: unrealistic employer expectations which may cause the evaluation score to be inordinately low limited opportunities for the student intern to perform a variety of tasks, which may cause the evaluation score to inaccurately reflect the student s abilities disparity in levels of guidance and supervision provided to interns by the internship host, which may cause the evaluation scores of poorly directed or supervised students to be inappropriately low inability to norm employer ratings, which will result in differing evaluation scores not reflecting differences in student performance How to interpret the data: Review of the number of responses rating students at a 3 or above, as well as the overall rating of the student, allows us to gauge whether employers view our students skills as commensurate with the standards of the profession. An excerpt of the evaluation form is attached. Page of 39

13 Supervisor's Evaluation Form Intern Office Supervisor Address Supervisor s Position / Title Number of hours covered by this evaluation Phone My intern worked in the following areas of practice: Civil litigation Business/corporate law Criminal litigation Environmental law Real estate Municipal law Divorce / family law Intellectual property Wills / estates Administrative law Other My intern had experience with the following office systems: Filing systems Library maintenance Timekeeping Computer network Client billing Document assembly Client trust accounts Docket control Litigation database Other Other My intern had experience with the following software programs: My intern performed the following tasks. Give a brief description of the intern s strengths and weakness with respect to each task area performed. Manual legal research On-line legal research Drafting pleadings Drafting correspondence Interviewing Factual investigation Managing a client file Answering/ drafting interrogatories Other discovery tasks Summarizing/digesting Assisting at counsel table Other Other Page of 39

14 Rate your intern from "1" to "5" on the following characteristics. "1" equals "excellent," "2" equals "above average," "3" equals "fair or average," "4" equals "below average," and "5" equals "unacceptable." Arrives at work on time Follows instructions as given Accepts criticism and suggestions for improvement Requests help when needed Completes assignments on time Maintains a professional appearance Establishes pleasant working relationships Communicates effectively with coworkers and clients Demonstrates consistently good writing skills Guards client confidentiality Avoids the giving of legal advice Shows initiative (willingness to work beyond minimum requirements) Produces superior written work Produces a sufficient volume of work Demonstrates good judgment in making decisions Can often solve problems without assistance Other Comments List your intern's greatest strengths. List skills, traits, or subject areas most needing improvement. Your overall evaluation of this intern (excellent, above average, fair or average, below average, or unacceptable) is: Page of 39

15 APPENDIX B: EMPLOYER SURVEYS Measure Description: These are comprehensive surveys sent to each law firm within Alaska s Third Judicial District. They re used for both program planning and measuring student learning outcomes. Section G of the survey requests each firm to evaluate the professional skills and knowledge of any program graduates working in the firm. Factors that affect the collected data: low overall return rate makes it difficult to generalize from the data with any degree of reliability unrealistic employer expectations which may cause the evaluation score to be inordinately low limited opportunities for the student intern to perform a variety of tasks, which may cause the evaluation score to inaccurately reflect the student s abilities disparity in levels of guidance and supervision provided to interns by the internship host, which may cause the evaluation scores of poorly directed or supervised students to be inappropriately low inability to norm employer ratings, which will result in differing evaluation scores not reflecting differences in student performance How to interpret the data: Review of the number of responses rating graduate performance as fair or above allows us to gauge whether employers view our students skills as commensurate with the standards of the profession. The program has not yet developed a rubric for evaluation of this data from year to year. An excerpt of the survey form is attached. Page of 39

16 UAA Legal Studies Program Employer Survey Spring 2013 A. General Information - Employer 1. Which of the following best describes your organization? Sole practitioner law firm Law firm: 2-9 attorneys Law firm: attorneys Law firm: 20 or more attorneys Company in-house law department Prosecuting attorney Public defender Nonprofit or public interest firm Other public or government agency Other 2. Which of the following best describes your law practice? General Practice Civil Litigation Public Interest Criminal Prosecution/Defense Regulatory/Administrative/Workers Compensation Bankruptcy/Business, Corporate, or Commercial Insurance Defense Family Law Other G. Employment of UAA Graduates 17. Has your organization employed graduates of UAA's Legal Studies Certificate Program? Page of 39

17 Yes [Go to question 18] No [Go to question 19] Unsure [Go to question 19] H. Skills of UAA Legal Studies Graduates 18. Please rate the proficiency of UAA Legal Studies Program graduates employed by your organization as to each of the following skills and competencies: Knowledge of Computerized Spreadsheets/Databases Knowledge of Computerized Presentation Software (e.g., PowerPoint) Skill in Developing and Carrying Out a Legal Research Plan Page of 39

18 Quality of Written Work Client Interaction and Communication Skills Oral Communication Skills Knowledge and Application of Legal Terms and Principles of Substantive Law Page of 39

19 Knowledge of Court Procedures (procedural law) Knowledge and Application of Legal Ethics and Rules Governing Unauthorized Practice of Law Ability to Synthesize Legal Authorities and Draft Legal Memoranda Ability to Relate Legal Principles to Client Facts Page of 39

20 Skill in Developing and Carrying Out an Investigation and Discovery Plan Ability to Draft Pleadings and Discovery Documents Case Management and Organization Skills Page of 39

21 Interviewing and Investigation Skills Ability to Analyze Medical Evidence Accuracy of theories of injury causation based on available medical evidence Demonstrates knowledge of ethical practices in working with medical records and medical evidence. Page of 39

22 Skill in developing and carrying out medical literature research. 21. Please offer any suggestions you may have to improve UAA s Legal Studies program Page of 39

23 APPENDIX C: GRADUATE SURVEY Measure Description: These are paper surveys mailed to each program graduate at six months and two years postgraduation. The survey is designed to measure both how successful program graduates are in finding employment in their field, and graduates perceptions of how well the program prepared them for the legal workplace. The program is evaluating moving to electronic surveys using the University s Qualtrics survey system. Factors that affect the collected data: low overall return rate makes it difficult to generalize from the data with any degree of reliability self-reporting bias which may result in inappropriately inflated or deflated responses unrealistic student expectations of career opportunities which may result in inappropriately low scores How to interpret the data: Responses allow program faculty to evaluate student perceptions of their level of preparedness for the workplace. An excerpt of the survey form is attached. Page of 39

24 Legal Studies Program Graduate Survey Name: Address: Phone: General Employment Information 1. Please show the year you graduated and the degree(s)/certificate(s) you received. If you graduated from another institution, please show that information on the last line. Year Year UAA Degree/Major UAA Degree/Major Year Name of Institution Degree/Major 3. If you are currently employed as a paralegal or nonlawyer legal professional, or in a law-related job please provide the following information: Full-time Part-time Job title; if not paralegal: Name/address/phone number of current employer: Page of 39

25 4. If you are not currently employed in a law-related field, for what type of employer are you working? What is your job title? Are you employed: full time part time Name/address/phone number of current employer: 5. If you are continuing your education: What degree or certificate are you pursuing? What is the name of the educational institution you attend? [If you are not working as a paralegal or in a law-related position, you need not complete the rest of this form, but please do return it with the above information. Thank you. If you are working as a paralegal or in a law-related position, please complete the rest of this form.] 12. Overall, how well did the program prepare you to perform the computer tasks required of you? Very well Well Adequately Not very well Please explain your response to the last question. 14. Please rate how well you believe the UAA Legal Studies Program prepared you in the following areas: Knowledge of Computerized Spreadsheets/Databases Certificate, Legal Nurse Consultant Paralegal; Associate Applied Science, Paralegal Studies; Bachelor of Arts, Legal Studies; Minor, Legal Studies; Post-Baccalaureate Certificate, Paralegal Studies Page 25 of 39

26 Knowledge of Computerized Presentation Software (e.g., PowerPoint) Skill in Developing and Carrying Out a Legal Research Plan Quality of Written Work Client Interaction and Communication Skills Certificate, Legal Nurse Consultant Paralegal; Associate Applied Science, Paralegal Studies; Bachelor of Arts, Legal Studies; Minor, Legal Studies; Post-Baccalaureate Certificate, Paralegal Studies Page 26 of 39

27 Oral Communication Skills Knowledge and Application of Legal Terms and Principles of Substantive Law Knowledge of Court Procedures (procedural law) Knowledge and Application of Legal Ethics and Rules Governing Unauthorized Practice of Law Certificate, Legal Nurse Consultant Paralegal; Associate Applied Science, Paralegal Studies; Bachelor of Arts, Legal Studies; Minor, Legal Studies; Post-Baccalaureate Certificate, Paralegal Studies Page 27 of 39

28 Ability to Synthesize Legal Authorities and Draft Legal Memoranda Ability to Relate Legal Principles to Client Facts Skill in Developing and Carrying Out an Investigation and Discovery Plan Ability to Draft Pleadings and Discovery Documents Certificate, Legal Nurse Consultant Paralegal; Associate Applied Science, Paralegal Studies; Bachelor of Arts, Legal Studies; Minor, Legal Studies; Post-Baccalaureate Certificate, Paralegal Studies Page 28 of 39

29 Case Management and Organization Skills Interviewing and Investigation Skills Ability to Analyze Medical Evidence Accuracy of theories of injury causation based on available medical evidence Certificate, Legal Nurse Consultant Paralegal; Associate Applied Science, Paralegal Studies; Bachelor of Arts, Legal Studies; Minor, Legal Studies; Post-Baccalaureate Certificate, Paralegal Studies Page 29 of 39

30 Demonstrates knowledge of ethical practices in working with medical records and medical evidence. Skill in developing and carrying out medical literature research. 15. The following list of courses is currently required for Legal Studies students. Please indicate your opinion as to the importance of the course relative to the work you do by using the following ranking: V = very important I = important N = not important In the blank beside each course put V, I or N. Introduction to Law Legal Ethics and the Role of the Legal Professional Legal Research, Analysis, and Writing Civil Procedure and Pretrial Practice Certificate, Legal Nurse Consultant Paralegal; Associate Applied Science, Paralegal Studies; Bachelor of Arts, Legal Studies; Minor, Legal Studies; Post-Baccalaureate Certificate, Paralegal Studies Page 30 of 39

31 Evidence, Investigation, and Discovery Trial and Advanced Litigation Processes Internship Legal Studies Senior Seminar List any other classes that were pertinent to your paralegal education and apply the same criteria used above. 16. List the courses, in order of importance, that were most beneficial in preparing you for a law-related career. 17. List the courses, least beneficial first, that were least beneficial in preparing you for a law-related career. 18. Please list any other courses, in order of importance, that you think should be required for the paralegal certificate. 19. What are the strengths of the Legal Studies program? 20. What are the weaknesses of the Legal Studies program? 21. Do you have any comments or suggestions for improving the UAA Legal Studies Program? Certificate, Legal Nurse Consultant Paralegal; Associate Applied Science, Paralegal Studies; Bachelor of Arts, Legal Studies; Minor, Legal Studies; Post-Baccalaureate Certificate, Paralegal Studies Page 31 of 39

32 APPENDIX D: EXIT EXAM Measure Description: This is a paper examination administered to students as a group by Justice Center staff sometime during the month preceding a student s graduation. There are three different exams administered: one for the AAS and Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Paralegal Studies and for the Minor, one for the BA, and one for the LNC Paralegal Certificate. Each exam includes questions from each of the program s legal specialty courses, plus as appropriate, questions from the courses required for the BA and for the LNC Paralegal Certificate. Factors that affect the collected data: The exit exams are anonymous and there is no minimum score. Therefore, the students may tend not to take the exams seriously. The exams are also administered at the end of the students academic careers, and at the end of the semester when fatigue may keep students from doing their best work. How to interpret the data: The exit exams are highly program specific, i.e., designed to reflect the specific course content offered to our students. Thus, the exams will not produce comparable results with other programs either at UAA or at other institutions. The scores in each content area will provide feedback on the program s ability to provide the graduates with the expected program content. There is no pass or fail score. Sample exit exam questions are attached. Certificate, Legal Nurse Consultant Paralegal; Associate Applied Science, Paralegal Studies; Bachelor of Arts, Legal Studies; Minor, Legal Studies; Post-Baccalaureate Certificate, Paralegal Studies Page 32 of 39

33 COMPREHENSIVE EXIT ASSESSMENT EXAMINATION (Excerpt) AAS Paralegal Studies, Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Paralegal Studies, Legal Studies Minor LEGAL RESEARCH 1. Precedent (a) refers to future lawsuits yet to be decided (b) refers to cases of first impression (c) refers to past cases on which we base new decisions (d) refers to past cases which are now considered archaic 2. Codification of statutes (a) is only found in federal legislation (b) is only found in slip laws (c) arranges legislation chronologically (d) arranges legislation by subject matter ETHICS 1. Nonlawyer, John Jacoby, wishes to publish a book called Be Your Own Broker. The book contains forms and information that would allow the average homeowner to sell his house without legal representation. Publication of this book (a) would be an unauthorized practice of law because it dispenses advice on specific problems to particular people (b) would be an unauthorized practice of law because it takes business away from licensed real estate brokers and lawyers (c) would not be an unauthorized practice of law because the book merely offers general advice on common problems (d) would not be an unauthorized practice of law because its price is less than a real estate lawyer would charge 2. Lucy Legal Assistant performs all sorts of drafting tasks for Perry Partner, only some of which she is competent to perform. She has told Perry that the last assignment he gave her, a summary judgment motion, is completely beyond her capabilities, but he hurries her out of his office, telling her to do the best she can. Has Perry done anything wrong? (a) no, unless the client is prejudiced by the document Lucy prepares (b) no, unless Perry s name is on the summary judgment motion (c) yes, because he is a partner in Lucy s firm (d) yes, because he is Lucy s supervising attorney CIVIL LITIGATION 1. In a civil action, the process of discovery may include (a) written interrogatories to a party (b) oral deposition of a party or a witness (c) production of documents for inspection (d) all of the above 2. You are a paralegal working for an attorney representing a client in a civil action. On behalf of the client, a request for production of documents was properly made to the opposing party. The opposing party has not responded and appears unlikely to ever do so. What should be filed on behalf of your client? (a) a motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis (b) a motion for writ of certiorari (c) a petition for writ of habeas corpus Certificate, Legal Nurse Consultant Paralegal; Associate Applied Science, Paralegal Studies; Bachelor of Arts, Legal Studies; Minor, Legal Studies; Post-Baccalaureate Certificate, Paralegal Studies Page 33 of 39

34 TORT LAW (d) a motion for an order compelling discovery 1. The reasonable person standard is most applicable to which one of the following elements of negligence? (a) damages (b) causation (c) breach of duty (d) duty 2. Pain, suffering, disfigurement, disability and economic loss incurred by a plaintiff in a negligence case are referred to as (a) punitive damages (b) collateral damages (c) compensatory damages (d) secondary damages CONTRACT LAW 1. To be legally enforceable, all contracts must (a) contain an offer, acceptance and consideration (b) be in writing (c) be witnessed by someone other than the parties to the contract (d) all of the above 2. The law which requires contracts for the sale of real estate to be in writing is known as the (a) statute of limitations (b) law of easements (c) statute of frauds (d) tenancy in common Property Law 1. Personal property includes (a) money (b) tangible items (c) movable items (d) all of the above ESTATE LAW 1. The testator is (a) the individual who will distribute assets after a person s death (b) the individual appointed by the court to supervise a decedent s estate (c) the individual who dies without leaving a will (d) the individual who leaves a will distributing his assets after death 2. To be valid, a will must be (a) dated (b) signed (c) witnessed (d) all of the above BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS LAW Certificate, Legal Nurse Consultant Paralegal; Associate Applied Science, Paralegal Studies; Bachelor of Arts, Legal Studies; Minor, Legal Studies; Post-Baccalaureate Certificate, Paralegal Studies Page 34 of 39

35 1. If a corporation engages in activities that are beyond its power, such activities are referred to as (a) ultra vires (a) sui juris (b) respondeat superior (c) unconscionable 5. The term foreign corporation refers to (a) a corporation outside the United States (b) a corporation outside North America (c) a corporation outside the state in which it is doing substantial business (d) a corporation outside the state of its incorporation ADMINISTRATIVE LAW 1. Administrative agencies are empowered through legislation in the form of (a) a delegation act (b) an administrative procedures act (c) an enabling act (d) an empowerment act 2. Steve is a veteran who served his country in Desert Storm. He has been treated for a number of years for health problems relating to his service, but he learns that the Veterans Administration is considering regulations that will deny him medical benefits. Although he wants to sue the VA in federal court, he cannot because (a) he has no standing (b) the issue is not ripe for judicial review (c) the matter must be brought in a state court (d) the court will have no scope of review CIVIL LITIGATION Wanda Wigman is a resident of State A, who purchases make-up from the Family Shopping Channel (FSC). When she uses the make-up Wanda develops a severe skin rash. She wants to sue FSC, which is a State B corporation, and the make-up manufacturer, Beautiful You, which is a state C corporation. (1) Discuss which court(s) have subject matter jurisdiction of this lawsuit. (2) Wanda insists that the lawsuit be brought in State A although neither defendant has offices there. Discuss what arguments Wanda s counsel may use to obtain personal jurisdiction over these defendants in State A. (3) Assume that during discovery Wanda s attorneys learn that Beautiful You knew the ingredients in the make-up were dangerous. Discuss all types of damages Wanda s attorneys would seek on her behalf. (4) Greatly frustrated by how slowly her civil case is proceeding, Wanda flies to State C and pickets in front of the windows of the Beautiful You Corporation. She is arrested and charged with a new State C law, Being Too Unattractive to Congregate on a Public Sidewalk. Discuss whether this law violates substantive due process. Certificate, Legal Nurse Consultant Paralegal; Associate Applied Science, Paralegal Studies; Bachelor of Arts, Legal Studies; Minor, Legal Studies; Post-Baccalaureate Certificate, Paralegal Studies Page 35 of 39

36 APPENDIX E: E-PORTFOLIOS Measure Description: The Program Assessment E-Portfolio is an electronic folder of student artifacts organized by and linked to each of the Legal Studies Program options Student Learning Outcomes. The artifacts are collected by faculty in accordance with a written plan for ensuring that students are engaged in assignments that will demonstrate progress toward outcomes across the Legal Studies curriculum. These artifacts include samples of student e-portfolios. The portfolio is created and maintained by the program coordinator. Legal Studies faculty collaborate in evaluating the artifacts and assessing progress toward outcomes. Factors that affect the collected data: The degree to which individual faculty accept the use of the e-portfolio as an assessment tool, and faculty s individual willingness to create and evaluate assignments that will generate appropriate artifacts will affect the data that s collected. Use of adjunct faculty rather than term or full time faculty will also affect the quality of the data collected. Individual faculty s use or non-use of standardized and appropriate grading rubrics will also affect the data collected. Finally, the strengths and weaknesses of individual students in various sections will affect the quality of the quality of the data collected. How to interpret the data: The data collected was created in response to specific instructions from faculty. The instructions given to students are based on the assigning faculty member s interpretation of the student learning outcome to which the assignment is linked. References in the artifacts to specific facts or documents will be based on hypothetical fact patterns provided by the instructor. It is the students skill in organizing, reporting, or integrating those hypothetical facts in the context of controlling procedural or substantive law that is revelatory of student learning and progress toward program outcomes. An excerpt of the e-portfolio, with a sample artifact, is attached. Certificate, Legal Nurse Consultant Paralegal; Associate Applied Science, Paralegal Studies; Bachelor of Arts, Legal Studies; Minor, Legal Studies; Post-Baccalaureate Certificate, Paralegal Studies Page 36 of 39

37 Certificate, Legal Nurse Consultant Paralegal; Associate Applied Science, Paralegal Studies; Bachelor of Arts, Legal Studies; Minor, Legal Studies; Post-Baccalaureate Certificate, Paralegal Studies Page 37 of 39

38 Certificate, Legal Nurse Consultant Paralegal; Associate Applied Science, Paralegal Studies; Bachelor of Arts, Legal Studies; Minor, Legal Studies; Post-Baccalaureate Certificate, Paralegal Studies Page 38 of 39

39 Certificate, Legal Nurse Consultant Paralegal; Associate Applied Science, Paralegal Studies; Bachelor of Arts, Legal Studies; Minor, Legal Studies; Post-Baccalaureate Certificate, Paralegal Studies Page 39 of 39