PRE-LAW STUDIES Department of Political Science Kansas State University
“Excellence is never an accident.
It is always the result of high
intention, sincere effort, and
intelligent execution; it represents
the wise choice of many
alternatives —choice, not change,
determines your destiny.”
- Aristotle .
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Kansas State University Department of Political Science
101D Calvin Hall Manhattan, KS 66506-4030
Phone: 785-532-6842
Fax: 785-532-2339 E-mail: [email protected]
Check us out on the web! k-state.edu/polsci
Follow us on social media! Facebook: facebook.com/KStatePoliSci
Twitter: @KSUPolSci
Pre-Law Curriculum In addition to the course requirements for a
degree in Political Science, students with a pre-law
emphasis must take three law related courses, two
required and one elective.
These courses may be part of the four electives
necessary for the major, so it is possible to complete
the concentration without going beyond the 36 hour
minimum for the degree.
Required Courses
• POLSC 614 Constitutional Law I
• POLSC 615 Constitutional Law II
Elective Course
Students must also select one elective course from
the following course options:
• POLSC 605 The American Presidency
• POLSC 607 Administrative Law
• POLSC 611 The Legislative Process
• POLSC 612 The Judicial Process
• POLSC 643 Global Human Rights
• POLSC 647 International Law
• POLSC 667 American Political Thought
• POLSC 670 Law, Politics, and Literature
Careers Career opportunities in law include:
• Private practice
• Corporate practice with either a law firm or a
private business or organization
• Public service in all levels of government
• Teaching positions in colleges and universities
• Executive positions in industry and politics
In addition, some professionals in certain fields, for
example journalism and community planning, have
found a background in law to be advantageous.
Legal Internships
Internships are a great way to learn about the par-
ticular area of law that interests you. Numerous
internship opportunities are available for pre-law
students, including:
• Congressional and state legislative offices
• Interest groups
• Local law firms
For more information on internships, contact our
internship coordinator, Dr. Brianne Heidbreder.
Pre-Law Studies While law schools do not require applicants to
take specific courses, they do stress completion
of courses that will enable you to understand
those human institutions and values with which
the study and practice of law are concerned.
Political Science has a well-deserved reputation
as the preeminent field of study for students
considering legal education. An emphasis on
the following make a degree in Political Science
an excellent gateway to the study of law.
• Understand the nature and role of law in our
public lives
• Critical thinking about political issues and
institutions
• Learn to express our thoughts clearly
The Department of Political Science offers a
broad array of courses on politics, political
thought, international relations and the different
forms and functions of government.
We offer for-credit internships in professional
legal environments, pre-law mentoring, and
connections to a network of campus resources for
the prospective student of law.
Dr. John Fliter University Distinguished Teaching Scholar Associate Professor Pre-law Advisor [email protected]
Dr. Brianne Heidbreder Associate Professor Internship Coordinator [email protected]
Senior U.S. District Judge Patricia Seitz, BA Political Science 1968, honored as a University Alumni Fellow.