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Department of Political Science
Legal Studies Institute

Where Ambition meets Opportunity

2025 Inaugural CAU Alumni Judges Forum

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 The Clark Atlanta University Legal Studies Institute in the Dr. Mack H. Jones Department of Political Science presented its first-ever Lifetime Achievement Award to Federal Judge Clarence Cooper (Clark College '64) during the Inaugural CAU Alumni Judges Roundtable and Mixer

Welcome to Our Legal Studies Institute

The Legal Studies Institute at Clark Atlanta University is seated in the Dr. Mack Henry Jones Department of Political Science. The Pre-Law Program embodies the Department’s mission, vision and commitment to provide a program of study both built upon the foundations of the field while grounded in the political and legalistic realities of the black experience. The Program closely channels and monitors the progress of students who indicate a desire to earn a law degree following the completion of their bachelor’s degree at CAU.

 

  1. Why are some people more politically involved than others?

  2. Why do some seek and obtain tangible benefits from the political process while others settle for symbolic reassurance?

  3. How and to what extent has politics been used as a tool for both domination and human freedom?

  4. How has politics hindered or facilitated the struggle for racial equality in the United States?

Legal Studies Institute Pre-Law Programs

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CAU Black Law Student Association

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Pre-Law Scholars Program

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Pre-Law Minor

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Pre-Law Internship Program

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Pre-Law Honors Society

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Pre-Law  3 + 3 Program

Law School Placement

Graduates of the Legal Studies Institute have been accepted to major law schools across the United States. A selected list of destinations for our majors include the following featured law schools:

  • Emory University Law School

  • Georgia State University College of Law

  • Harvard Law School

  • Howard University Law School

  • John Marshall Law School

  • Southern University Law School

  • University of Southern California Gould School of Law

Pre-Law Minor Courses

Core & Recommended Courses: Legal Studies students, with advisement from a political science faculty member, combine general education courses and electives. Combinations of core and recommended elective courses are provided below:

 

  • CPSC 219 American Government & Politics

  • CPSC 374 Constitutional Law

  • CPSC 375 Political & Civil Rights

  • CPSC 461 Political Theory I

  • CPSC 462 Political Theory II

  • CENG 213 Survey of British Writers I

  • CENG 214 Survey of British Writers II

  • CENG 412 Creative Writing

  • CENG 418 History of the English Language

  • CENG 419 Linguistics

  • CPHI 105 Critical Thinking

Political Science New & Special Topics Courses: Beyond the courses listed above, advanced students are allowed to enroll in special topics courses. These emerging courses are designed for junior and senior level students who have received prior written approval from a political science faculty advisor. Departmental approval will be required for enrollment in the following courses:

  • CPSC XXX - Race, Politics and the Law

  • CPSC XXX - Law School Admissions

  • CPSC XXX - Pre-Law Colloquium

  • CPSC XXX - Mock Trial I&II

 

The Pre-Law Program encourages student participation in internship activities as a part of their matriculation through the program. In addition to gaining valuable experience in the field, Political Science majors may enroll in the CPSC 484 – Internship course as a three (3) credit hour political science elective. All students must receive written approval from a political science faculty     advisor prior to enrolling in the course. Students must submit a departmental internship contract, an abstract, and the contacts of the internship supervisor in the semester prior to the actual appointment.

Featured Internship Partner: Davis Bozeman Johnson Law offers internships in Decatur, Statesboro, and Savannah. The internship and externship programs are designed to provide students and recent graduates with an opportunity to learn about the practice of law and the operations of a law firm. In addition, the Program should further enhance the participant's skills, promote career readiness, and nurture professional and community relationships. For more information, criteria, guidelines, and application, please click the link at the logo below:

Pre-Law Internship Program

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Clark Atlanta University President Dr. George T. French with the 2025 Inaugural CAU Pre-Law Scholars

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