Law School Learning Outcomes: Step 2: Write the SLOs

Quality learning objectives:

1. center on the student learning that will result rather than the professor's process for presenting content
2. are realistic (attainable by all students, not aspirational)
3. are specific
4. use action verbs in the future tense
5. are simple (easily understood and don't compound multiple outcomes in a single statement)
4. are observable and measurable (ideally through multiple assessment methods)
5. reflect the law school's mission and programmatic outcomes

Here is a template you can use to structure your learning outcomes, followed by some examples.

Upon the completion of <course name>, students will (be able to):
<description of learning behavior featuring an action verb>

Include a description of learning behavior featuring an action verb for each outcome.

Examples:

At the end of the Criminal Law course, students will be able to:

• argue the presence or absence of proof of mens rea based on a sophisticated understanding of the four culpable mental states in the Model Penal Code and common law variations
• make fact-based arguments concerning the application of the beyond-a-reasonable-doubt standard in any particular case for either the prosecution or the defense

Upon the completion of Advanced Legal Research, students will:

• determine the authenticity and currency of information sources
• thoroughly document their search strategies to demonstrate search proficiency
• evaluate preliminary search results and narrow or broaden searches accordingly

Ask yourself these questions:

1. Is the learning outcome SMART? (Specific, measurable, attainable, results-oriented, and time-bound)
2. Do you have only one learning outcome per statement? (Hint: if you use the word "and," you might have more than one.)
3. Did you use observable action verbs rather than the verbs to avoid?
4. Does it focus on outcomes - what a student will know, be able to do, or value - not processes?
5. Is it clearly written and concise?

(Adapted from Boston College.)

Avoid these verbs:

Use with caution - not all are written according to these guidelines (in particular, quite a few statements do not note observable learning).