Looking Back: What Law School Graduates Say About Experiential Learning

From Willamette Law Review

While law schools have been increasing their practice-focused educational opportunities for some time, “experiential learning” became a hot topic following the steep post-2010 enrollment declines. Simply put, experiential learning is course work teaching law primarily through experience-placing students in the role of attorneys. This article analyzes a survey of current law students at the University of Denver Sturm School of Law. The study gathers their opinions on experiential learning, the relation of experiential learning to career relevance, and feelings of preparedness upon graduation, with attention to, but not exclusively, students whose career interests are in business law.