JD Program Learning Outcomes

Pepperdine’s Caruso School of Law program of instruction is designed to equip students to lead and empower students to serve in a rapidly changing legal environment.  To that end, we expect that:

• PLO 1:  Graduates will demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the fundamental principles of the substantive law, policy, and procedure necessary through multiple modalities for effective, competent, and responsible participation in the legal profession.

a) Graduates will demonstrate knowledge and understanding of Civil Procedure, Constitutional Law, Contracts, Criminal Law, Property, Torts (all required substantive courses)

b) Graduates will demonstrate knowledge and understanding of how lawyers interpret the law in various professional environments, such as transactional practice, litigation, dispute resolution, regulatory practice, etc.

• PLO 2:  Graduates will demonstrate proficiency in legal analysis, reasoning, and problem-solving skills through engagement with case law, statutes, regulations, and administrative actions.
• PLO 3:  Graduates will demonstrate proficiency in research skills, such as factual investigation, evaluating the relevance, reliability, and strength of legal authorities, and awareness of both legal and nonlegal resources and tools.
• PLO 4:  Graduates will be able to communicate effectively and appropriately in written and oral formats with a variety of audiences and in a variety of contexts.
• PLO 5:  Graduates will demonstrate competence in the professional values and legal skills associated with problem-solving, advising and counseling clients, advocating and representing clients, negotiating, working in teams, transactional planning and drafting, and litigation.
• PLO 6:  Graduates will demonstrate knowledge and understanding of a lawyer's moral, ethical, and professional responsibilities to clients, the legal system, and society, including working to provide equal access to justice.