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CONTACT

Department of Political Science
316 Woodburn Hall
West Virginia University
P.O. Box 6317
Morgantown, WV 26506-6317
Phone: (304)-293-3811
FAX: (304)-293-8644

Pre-Law and Legal Studies

The Department of Political Science offers a broad and challenging undergraduate program for students with career interests in law or legal studies. The pre-law and legal studies track is the most popular among the Department’s tracks, and we annually place a significant number of majors in the nation’s law schools and in various public and private agencies that require broadly educated individuals with a background in legal affairs. Many of our graduates have become governors, judges, state and local government officials, partners in major law firms, prosecutors, legal aid representatives, and private attorneys. Although most of the students who enter the Pre-Law and Legal Studies track to apply to law school, many seek careers in other legal fields, such as criminal justice administration, research and analysis in law and public policy, or law enforcement.

It is generally recognized that there is no prescribed set of courses for students who wish to pursue careers in law or legal studies. Instead, most law schools emphasize the importance of developing strong verbal, writing, and analytical skills and a sophisticated understanding of the social, political, economic, and cultural context of our society. In stressing both skills and breath of knowledge, the Pre-Law and Legal Studies curriculum in Political Science combines the best of a pre-legal education with the rich and full tradition of a liberal arts education. As part of their pre-law and legal studies training, our majors select among strong offerings in the Departments of Philosophy, History, Sociology, and Economics.

The curriculum of the Pre-Law and Legal Studies program is rich in several respects. First, our faculty offer a core set of courses on the legal dimensions of the American political process: POLS210 Introduction to Law and the Legal System, POLS312 Judicial Politics, POLS313 American Constitutional Law, and POLS214 Civil Liberties in the United States. Closely related are core courses on public law and administration: POLS331 Criminal Law, Policy, and Administration (public policy/administration sub-field) and POLS344 Administrative Law (public policy/administration sub-field)

Second, across the other Political Science sub-fields of our curriculum, interested students have the opportunity to take courses that address the legal dimensions that extend to broader dimensions covered in the Political Science curriculum. These courses, and each’s respective subfield, are: POLS337 Women and the Law (public policy subfield), POLS357 Comparative Law and Politics (comparative politics sub-field), POLS363 International Law (international relations sub-field), and POLS374 Theories of Justice (political theory subfield). Taken together, these courses provide a broader appreciation of the role of law and the legal process in understanding politics and society at the state, national, and international levels. The political theory course provides the opportunity for students to explore the larger philosophical issues that underlay American law and legal processes, e.g., issues of equality, justice, and order.

Third, the Department offers its own “study abroad” program specifically designed to provide an international experience for students in the pre-law and legal studies sub-field. This is an annual three-week Program in European Law and Institutions held in Strasbourg, France. .Students who enroll in the the Strasbourg Program take two three credit courses: POLS452 Comparative European Legal Systems (Britain, France, and Germany) and POLS453 European Union Law and Institutions. Although focused on European law and legal systems, a key intent of this program is to enhance the student’s understanding of the American legal system by directly experiencing the legal systems and norms of non-U.S. political systems. For more information on the the Strasbourg Program, click on the “Beyond the Classroom” or “Study Abroad” links on our website.

Finally, many pre-law and legal studies students take advantage of the Department’s internship programs in order to have a first hand experience in a political or legal setting. Through the Frasure Singleton Student Legislative Program and the Herndon Legislative Internship, the Department sponsors and arranges internships for students in the West Virginia Legislature and with the Governor’s Internship Program. In addition, the Department is affiliated with the Washington Center, an academic center in the nation’s capitol that offers a wide array of internship experiences. Pre-Law and Legal Studies students can work with their advisor in developing a specific internship tailored with their legal and policy interests in national governments.