Phoenix School of Law Earns Top Ranking for Educational Innovation with New First Year Curriculum

PHOENIX - Sept. 3, 2013 - PRLog -- Phoenix School of Law was recognized for offering law students one of the “Top 25 Innovative Ideas” (http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/cypress/prelaw_2013backtoschool/#/30) by prelaw Magazine, a law school journal published by National Jurist. The publication, which recognized the school as one of the “Top 20 Most Innovative Law Schools in 2012,” cited Phoenix School of Law’s new first-year curriculum, known as FIRSTClass Program: Full Integration of Real-life Skills with Teaching, as a leading factor in earning the designation.

Phoenix School of Law’s FIRSTClass Program combines the traditional foundation of a legal education with real-life, practical experience. It reflects the need for law school graduates to excel in legal writing and client communications, develop a heightened sense of professionalism and have both the knowledge and practice-ready experience to contribute to the legal profession. The FIRSTClass Program has two distinct features:

·         Integration: Traditional first year subjects combined with skills training

·         Practicum: Robust, expanded package of skills-based activities

“This recognition for our FIRSTClass Program further validates the work we are doing to prepare our students to practice law and prepare them for real-world success after graduation,”  said Shirley Mays, dean of Phoenix School of Law. “We’re thrilled to be listed alongside other innovative efforts that are transforming legal education for the second consecutive year,” she added.

preLaw Magazine’s “Back to School” issue reports that law schools are moving beyond providing students with only a traditional foundational focused in theoretical knowledge, which relied on graduates gaining practical experience in their chosen field at a large firm. Today’s legal community is evolving to meet demands of graduates by providing them with a more robust education whereby they are prepared with both knowledge and practice-ready experience.

“It’s not enough anymore for a graduate to have theoretical background and expect to start gaining their practical knowledge on the job.” Mays said.  “Phoenix School of Law has always been a leader in developing practice-ready skills and the FIRSTClass Program strengthens our mission in preparing our students for a career in their field of choice,” she added.

For more information about the FIRSTClass Program, visit: www.phoenixlaw.edu/FIRSTClass

About Phoenix School of Law

Founded in 2005, Phoenix School of Law (http://www.phoenixlaw.edu/Default.asp)is dedicated to diversifying the legal profession by advancing advocates and civic minded leaders and serving underserved communities.  The school, which is located in the heart of downtown Phoenix, earned early recognition from the American Bar Association for the development of comprehensive professionalism teaching modules, earning the 2009 E. Smythe Gambrell Professionalism Award. Phoenix School of law has also earned top honors for two consecutive years by prelaw Magazine, a law school journal published by National Jurist, for its innovative ideas and approach to legal education. Phoenix School of Law is accredited by the American Bar Association, andaims to establish the private law school as a benchmark institution for legal education in the 21st century. Additional information is available at www.phoenixlaw.edu