Program Planning and Development

A Legal Studies Committee convened in fall of 1997 at West Virginia University at the request of President Hardesty and in response to focus group findings indicating interest in a Legal Studies program in the Kanawha Valley. Committee members represent the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Law:

• John Fisher  Dean, College of Law 
• Joan Gorham  Associate Dean, Eberly College of Arts and Sciences 
• Allan Hammock  Chair, Department of Political Science 
• John Kilwein  Department of Political Science 
• Joyce McConnell  College of Law 
• Marjorie McDiarmid  Associate Dean, College of Law 
• Gerald Pops  Department of Public Administration 
• Camille Riley  Camille Riley  Director, WVU Law Library 
• Carl Selinger  College of Law 
• Russell Dean Russell Dean  Associate Provost 

    The Committee was initially charged with exploring alternative means of addressing needs expressed by Charleston area residents.  As a part of the planning process, a needs/interest assessment survey was designed and administered with the assistance of Dr. Pamela Cutright, Director of the Kanawha Valley Regional Center for the WVU Office of Extended Learning. Respondents were solicited from human resources, law enforcement, child and family services, legislative, school, press, and health care organizations, as well as through the Charleston Gazette. Over 75 respondents included their names and addresses with the completed survey, with a request to receive future Legal Studies information. A reception held at the University of Charleston in November, 1998 as a part of a WVU-UC graduate program information day drew over 100 people interested in the proposed legal studies program. 

Given this positive response, the Committee proceeded with logistical planning for the program. The WVU Masters of Legal Studies degree was approved by the University system of West Virginia Board of Trustees May 7, 1999. 

Clientele and Need 

Discussion of this program grew directly from needs expressed in focus groups convened in Charleston by former Law School Dean Terree Foster.  Participants in these groups expressed interest in two things: establishing a Law School in Charleston and providing a program that prepares non-lawyers to work more competently with the legal system. Given the expenses associated with compliance with American Bar Association standards, the first request is not viable under current accreditation rules. The second is addressed through the proposed Master of Legal Studies program.  If ABA accreditation rules change, the College of Law may be able to offer LAW courses in the Kanawha Valley that could also be used as electives in the LEGS program.