Legal Studies
Jackson State University’s Legal Studies program exists to engage students in the readiness process for successful law school admission and retention. Each Jackson State University student with an interest in attending law school, regardless of major, degree, or discipline, is eligible to participate in the Legal Studies program. The University offers the program from the College of Liberal Arts.
The Legal Studies Curriculum
The Legal Studies Curriculum introduces students to terminology, ideas, and skills related to law and the legal profession. The curriculum has been specifically designed to enhance student readiness for law school and/other graduate study. The courses within the curriculum assist students in developing analytical and communication skills understanding the social, political, and economic contexts within which legal issues arise engaging in the meanings, values, practices, and institutions of law and legality.
Students who concentrate in Legal Studies are required to obtain a grade of “C” in all required and elective courses. A minimum of 12 hours is required for successful completion of the curriculum. The core/required courses for the curriculum are Introduction to Law: Law, Politics & Society I and II (200-level writing intensive course) and Legal Research & Writing I and II (400-level capstone course).
LSAT Preparation
The LSAT Survey Course (300-level) is a suggested/supportive elective offered during the spring semester to prepare juniors to take the June and/or October LSAT in their senior year. The course emphasizes traditional exercises and simulated tests to improve reading comprehension, analytical reasoning, logical analysis, and writing skills necessary to obtain competitive scores on the LSAT. The average LSAT scores at many HBCUs are lower than the national average. However, the median score of 149 for JSU students is comparable to the national median score of 150. Reports from the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) reveal students who enroll in this course consistently score higher on the LSAT than those who do not. Additionally, the Legal Studies program hosts workshops throughout the school year to highlight the analytical and critical-thinking skills needed to improve JSU LSAT scores.
The Pre-Law Society
The Fannie Lou Hamer Pre-Law Society, a University-recognized organization, is the service arm of the Legal Studies program and furthers student interest in the law through activities and events designed to educate and empower. Elections are held annually in the spring; there are seven elected officers and nearly sixty financially active members. Students are strongly encouraged to join the Pre-Law Society as a component of their academic, social, leadership, and professional development. Membership in the Pre-Law Society exposes students to tremendous career-building opportunities:
- travel to LSAC forums and law school campuses
- participation in competitive clinical and practical activities such as moot court, mock trial, and debate
- hosting bi-semester lecture series featuring judges and attorneys
- mentoring by members of the Mississippi and Magnolia Bar Associations
- and students at Mississippi College School of Law
- summer pre-law institutes and scholars programs
- internships with law offices, courts systems, and non-profit and administrative agencies
- community service and service learning projects with Jackson Public School students
Thank you for your interest in the Legal Studies Program.
More About Us
Jackson State University’s Department of Political Science helps students combine theoretical creativity and empirical research. Among the department’s areas of strength are American politics, comparative politics (particularly African politics), international relations, and public law. The department’s faculty uses diverse analytic perspectives, but their research programs share a common concern for the role of citizenship in government, political processes, and institutions.
Advocacy & Social Action
The Fannie Lou Hamer National Institute of Advocacy & Social Action, cosponsored by the department, conducts summer seminars on the civil rights movement as a model of participatory democracy.
“Challenging Minds, Changing Lives.”
Global Opportunities
International exchanges and travel are available to faculty and students via the Jackson State University Office of International Programs and the Mississippi Consortium for International Development.
Where a Political Science Degree Leads
Political Science majors have a plethora of career options:
Contact Us
For more information, please contact us at (601) 979-2135. We look forward to meeting with you and seeing how our program can help you achieve your goals.
Jackson State University
1400 John R Lynch Street
P O Box 18420
Jackson, MS 39217
