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Students interested in going to law school one day will find many opportunities to explore law, courts, rights, and legal institutions through the Department of Political Science. Perhaps most notably, the department offers a Law and Politics minor designed for students who want to better understand the role of law in political life in the US and abroad. Through courses on constitutional law, judicial politics, international law, and related topics, students develop the analytical, writing, and critical-thinking skills that are central to success in law school and legal careers.

Beyond this, numerous courses offered by the Department of Political Science can help students decide if law school is the right path. Our courses introduce students to legal reasoning, constitutional interpretation, court processes, advocacy, and the relationship between law and politics.

Students who are beginning to explore an interest in law are especially encouraged to consider our Introduction to Law (PLSC 385) course. This class introduces students to core concepts in the American legal system, including legal reasoning, the structure of courts, and foundational areas of law that students may encounter in law school or legal practice including torts, contracts, and constitutional law. The course is typically taught by retired or practicing attorneys, giving students the opportunity to learn from instructors with direct experience in the legal profession. For students considering law school, Introduction to Law offers a valuable early look at how lawyers think, how legal institutions operate, and what it means to study and practice law.

Additionally, the department offers a range of courses each semester, taught by full-time faculty—many of whom have published books and articles on legal issues—or attorney-lecturers with real-world legal experience:

• Introduction to Law (PLSC 385)
• Constitutional Law: Due Process (PLSC 320)
• Constitutional Law: Powers of Government (PLSC 321)
• Constitutional Law: Rights and Liberties (PLSC 322)
• Constitutional Law: Economic Liberties (PLSC 300A: Special Topic)
• The Judicial Process (PLSC 384)
• International Law (PLSC 353)
• Women, Law, and Public Policy (PLSC 319)

The Political Science Department also administers an extensive internship program, with many law-related placement opportunities in Chicago and neighboring communities. Students can earn course credit while working in private law firms, the District Attorney's Office, the State's Attorney's Office, the Public Defender's Office, and dozens of other government agencies, businesses, and non-profit organizations.

For students interested in traveling to DC, the department’s Semester in Washington DC Program administers a similar internship program in our nation’s capital. Past students have interned on Capitol Hill, prominent DC law firms, and the US Supreme Court.

Students interested in developing practical legal skills may also participate in our Moot Court and programs, both of which are offered as courses and count toward Loyola’s Engaged Learning requirement. These experiences allow students to move beyond studying law in the abstract and practice the kinds of skills associated with legal advocacy, including oral argument, case analysis, public speaking, teamwork, and persuasive writing. Moot Court focuses on appellate-style legal argument, while Mock Trial gives students experience with trial preparation, witness examination, and courtroom presentation. Together, these courses offer students a valuable opportunity to explore legal advocacy in an applied, collaborative setting while also building skills that are useful for law school, public service, and many other career paths. Interested students should keep their eyes out for information about these courses!

Loyola's top Political Science graduates have earned admission to the nation's most prestigious law schools, including Stanford, Berkeley, Columbia, University of Chicago, Georgetown, Notre Dame, University of Michigan, Boston University, University of Illinois, Washington University in St. Louis, and Northwestern.

Many of Loyola's Political Science graduates now work as attorneys in private practice or government service, in Illinois and throughout the country. Some specialize in corporate, tax, personal injury, malpractice, and criminal defense law. Others work in the various units of the State's Attorney's Office, including Gang Crimes, Child Protection, and Consumer Fraud. Still others have entered business or politics.

Loyola has an extensive pre-law advising program. For more information, visit the Pre-Law Advising website.