University of Missouri-Kansas City in Missouri Law Schools
University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) School of Law – Overview
Location: Kansas City, Missouri
Established: 1895 (originally Kansas City School of Law; merged into UMKC)
Type: Public law school
Degrees: JD, LLM, dual degrees (JD/MBA, JD/MPA), Certificate programs
Focus: Practical skills, health law, dispute resolution, and public interest law
Internal Academic Framework
Academic Standards and Progression
Students must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA (commonly 2.5 or above) to remain in good standing.
Falling below triggers academic probation.
Students on probation receive academic advising and must submit improvement plans.
Continued low performance can result in dismissal, subject to internal appeal.
Honor Code and Student Conduct
UMKC School of Law enforces an Honor Code that prohibits cheating, plagiarism, and professional misconduct.
The Honor Board investigates violations.
Students are guaranteed procedural rights including notice, hearings, and appeals.
Sanctions vary from reprimands to expulsion.
Clinic and Experiential Learning Admission
Clinics (e.g., Civil Litigation, Health Law) offer hands-on training.
Admission criteria include GPA, prior experience, and commitment to practice area.
Transparency and fairness are key principles in selection.
Grievance and Appeals Process
Students can file grievances related to academic or disciplinary decisions.
A designated Grievance Committee reviews these matters impartially.
Appeals may be escalated to the Dean or Faculty Council.
Hypothetical Internal Case Law Examples at UMKC Law
Case 1: Academic Probation Appeal
Facts:
Student R was placed on academic probation after a semester GPA of 2.3. Student R claims family emergencies caused academic struggles and requests removal from probation.
Policy:
Students can appeal probation status within 15 days, providing documentation.
Decision:
The Academic Review Committee reviews and grants probation removal conditioned on participation in tutoring programs and periodic academic reviews.
Internal Principle:
The policy respects academic standards but allows for compassionate consideration of personal circumstances.
Case 2: Honor Code Violation for Unauthorized Collaboration
Facts:
Student S submitted a memo that substantially mirrored a classmate’s work, raising suspicion of unauthorized collaboration.
Process:
Formal investigation by Honor Board.
Hearing with rights to representation.
Student S admits oversight but denies intent to cheat.
Outcome:
The Board issues a written reprimand and requires completion of a professional ethics seminar.
Legal Principle:
UMKC emphasizes education and proportional discipline within its internal legal framework.
Case 3: Clinic Admission Dispute
Facts:
Student T was denied placement in the Dispute Resolution Clinic despite meeting minimum GPA requirements, alleging non-transparent selection criteria.
Review:
Dean’s Office reviews clinic selection process. Finds decisions were based on holistic review including written statements and interviews, as published.
Resolution:
The denial is upheld. Recommendations made to clarify and better communicate selection criteria.
Internal Legal Principle:
Fairness and transparency in internal admissions are essential to institutional trust.
Institutional Governance
Faculty Council: Sets academic rules and oversees curriculum.
Dean’s Office: Administers policies and adjudicates appeals.
Student Bar Association: Advocates for student rights.
Honor Board & Grievance Committee: Handle disciplinary and academic disputes.
Summary
UMKC School of Law operates an internal governance and legal system focused on:
Academic Standards: Clear GPA requirements with fair appeal options.
Honor Code: Integrity upheld with structured disciplinary processes.
Experiential Learning: Merit-based clinic admissions with increasing transparency.
Grievance Mechanisms: Fair and impartial dispute resolution within the institution.
All operate within UMKC’s own rules, independent of external Missouri laws or courts.
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