Political Science, Pre-Law and Legal Process

Our Lady of the Lake University's Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science, Pre-Law and Legal Process, strives to provide students with a deeper understanding of law and society, including how political systems connect with ordinary people and with systems of power and privilege. Through the study of civil rights law, environmental policy and law, constitutional law, international relations and more, students receive a solid foundation that prepares them for law school, graduate school or to begin their career.

Unique Approach to Law School Preparation 

Students in the political science program benefit from Pre-Law Advisers, faculty mentors who provide them with advice about the complex process of how to prepare for law school, how to choose a law school and how to prepare for the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT). Unique coursework gives students an advantage for successful acceptance into law school or graduate school.

Programs Offered

• Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, Pre-Law and Legal Process
• Political Science, Pre-Law and Legal Process Minor

Earn a Bilingual Political Science Degree

Spanish-speaking students can earn a political science degree with dual-language (English/Spanish) emphasis through the Biliterate Certificate Program. Students take specialized courses taught in Spanish and fulfill a portion of their major requirements by completing a practicum or learning experience in a Spanish-speaking setting. Earning the certificate certifies that a student is professionally proficient in both English and Spanish.

Experiential Learning

Throughout the political science program, students engage in various experiential learning opportunities. Examples include mock trial courses, which are taught by practicing attorneys, a Mock Organization of American States competition, and the internship course, where students choose their placement based on their career goals.

The Mock Organizations of American States competition provides students the opportunity to serve on a delegation representing a Latin American country, and to compete with other universities in mock sessions. 

Internships take place in sites such as law firms, political campaigns, congressional and legislative offices, federal law enforcement agencies, social justice nonprofits, civil rights organizations and more. 

Service-Learning Opportunities

Through coursework, students have many opportunities to engage in service-learning and community service projects. Courses focus on a variety of issues relating to voters' rights, immigration policy, redistricting and environmental policy, among others. Students are ale to take the knowledge learned in the classroom and apply it in many settings to see the connections between learning in the classroom and learning in the community. Students have worked with the Mexican American Legal Defense Fund, Texas Organizing Project, MOVE Texas, the Southwest Worker's Union, and the Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance, in addition to many other nonprofit organizations. Community projects have related to everything from working on San Antonio's Climate Action Plan and community gardens, to researching minority voting turnout rates with leading civil rights organizations. 

Law and Politics Society

This recognized student organization seeks to promote educational activities which foster knowledge of the political world and help students understand their purpose and contribution to civic society. The organization is very active on campus and in the community and provides networking opportunities and law school visits for members. Projects coordinated by the society include voter registration drives and securing rides to the polls for those who do not have transportation.