Although the School of Law does not encourage students to specialize, because of the diverse career paths of law graduates, the curriculum is designed to allow students interested in either general practice or a highly specialized field to pursue their interests in three years of legal study. The School of Law recognizes that experiential learning in the areas of professional skills, professional ethics, and the expectations, values, and nuances of the legal profession is essential to a well-rounded legal education. USC s clinical program is what many in legal education would consider a model program. Special student practice rules permit third-year students enrolled in clinical courses to represent clients and appear in court under the supervision of a faculty member. The client-contact clinical courses are structured to provide students not only with an opportunity to gain skills, but also with an opportunity for reflection upon their performances and the lawyer s role in the legal system.
Faculty members observe or review all student work and provide detailed critiques.
In addition to these in-house clinics, the Judicial Internship Clinic places a limited number of students with trial and appellate court judges in the greater Columbia area. The upper-level curriculum also offers skills training for students in a wide range of simulation courses. In addition to the traditional trial advocacy course, the School of Law offers a two-week intensive trial advocacy course and a criminal trial practice course.