Since 2010, NCCU School of Law has been at the forefront of virtual legal education with the launch of its Virtual Justice Project. The Virtual Justice Project is an innovation in legal education and technology. Initially funded in 2010 with a BTOP (Broadband Technology Opportunity Program) Grant, NCCU School of Law pioneered this approach to address the under-representation of African American lawyers and a lack of access to justice for low-income and marginalized communities.
Virtual pre-law courses prepare students, wherever they are, for the rigor of law school. The Know Your Rights series offers legal information sessions that empower participants to understand the law and promote self-advocacy. Both the pre-law courses and the legal information sessions are made possible through telepresence and high-definition videoconferencing.
Special consideration is being given to an opioid-focused project as the program expands its reach. Through the distance learning and telemedicine funding opportunity, in this project the contributors plan to expand the project offerings to five more rural counties as well as upgrade end-of-life equipment at the NCCU School of Law. This will ensure that this program continues and grows throughout the state of North Carolina and beyond.