Cumberland School of Law’s first-year summer program provides incoming students with a smooth transition into law school, offering early exposure to classes and exams before their full course load starts in the fall. Throughout the summer, participants familiarize themselves with legal studies, the Lucille Stewart Beeson Law Library, ¼«ÀÖ½ûµØ, and the city of Birmingham—all before the rest of their class arrives.
With small class sizes of approximately 20–30 students, the program fosters close connections among peers, personalized interactions with professors, and the development of essential skills such as effective study habits and outlining techniques. Past participants have highly praised the program for boosting their preparedness and confidence in handling a full first-year course load.
Taking the pre-1L summer classes allowed me to start my law school journey more confidently. The curriculum and exams were the perfect foundation to help me understand the framework for my first year. Having been out of school for almost two years, I knew the classes would be a great opportunity to experience law school courses before diving into a full load in the fall. I met amazing people that I now consider close friends. I would highly recommend the courses for all rising 1Ls! Kiana Kennamore, JD '22
Courses
Students enrolled in the summer program must take two classes, Foundations in Law (3 credit hours), and either Public Law Process or Administrative Law (both 2 credit hours), for a total of five elective credits. While these courses do not alter the standard first-year curriculum, grades are factored into the 1L GPA and class ranking. Courses begin the first week of June and end by August 1, giving students a little more than a week break before attending Orientation.
Foundations in Law
Foundations in Law focuses on the “common law” aspect of the United States legal system. The course offers an overview of the process of constructing and interpreting law, including case analysis, case briefing and an introduction to legal research and writing. Students learn the role of each branch of government in the legal process, with a focus on the judiciary and the methods of judicial review and interpretation. Civil Procedure, Contracts, Evidence, Property and Torts -- the areas that make up the bulk of the first-year curriculum -- are highlighted in the course. Plus, students begin to learn legal research using Cumberland School of Law’s Beeson Law Library and online research services such as Bloomberg, LexisNexis and WestLaw. Students learn about legal citation through The Bluebook and have access to the online research systems at the beginning of the summer program. In addition, students are introduced to numerous resources to enhance learning throughout law school and to build a strong foundation for the first year. Along the way, students contrast case law with legislation and apply law to new facts to build legal analysis and reasoning skills. The reading, discussion, and assignments engage the students in critical reading, critical thinking, and legal writing.
Public Law Process
Public Law Process, an option for the 2-credit hour course, introduces the legislative branch of government to entering first year law students. Students learn about the law-making process, statutory construction and interpretation of laws, and apply critical thinking and rule-based reasoning. In the process, students obtain general knowledge of the procedures of the United States judicial system and the roles of the three branches of government. The course offers opportunities for performing first year law school skills including reading and diagramming statutes, researching, writing, citing, managing time, and studying along with performing legal analysis and reasoning.
Administrative Law
Administrative Law, an option for the 2-credit hour course, introduces students to the administrative state and agency action. Virtually all areas of modern law involve an element of administrative law, and students learn the legal doctrine governing agencies and the operations of administrative processes. Through the study of administrative law, students learn about statutory interpretation, legislative and rulemaking processes, and judicial review of agency action.
How to Register
Admitted students who wish to register for the summer courses must pay their first seat deposit in full and notify the Office of Admission, lawadm@samford.edu or 205-726-2702, by May 16, 2025. Admitted students who participate in first-year summer courses will have their second seat deposit waived.
If you have questions concerning financial aid for the summer courses, please contact graduate financial aid adviser Sheri Garrett at 205-726-2233 or cgarret6@samford.edu.
