This fall the University of Denver Sturm College of Law will launch its new Experiential Advantage Curriculum, which will allow students to spend a full year of their law school career in real or simulated practice settings. By the time they graduate, students will have a year’s worth of legal practice experience.
“Denver Law is committed to creating practice-ready law school graduates,” says Sturm Dean Martin Katz. “This is a major milestone in achieving that goal.”
The Sturm College of Law has long been recognized as a pioneer in experiential learning, opening the nation’s first law school clinic in 1904. The school was recognized in 2012 by U.S. News & World Report as one of three law schools demonstrating best practices in the field.
The new curriculum combines live client clinics, high-quality externships — including a new Semester in Practice Externship — and legal simulation courses. Among the simulation courses are the Carnegie Integrated Courses, also new, which provide training in doctrine and written and oral skills.
“Employers have told us repeatedly that they are looking for graduates with real or simulated practice experience and the skills and perspective that come from such experience,” Katz says. “We believe that the Experiential Advantage Curriculum will provide our graduates with a significant advantage in the job market.”