Pre-Law

Overview

Pre-Law Minor

The Department of Political Science offers a challenging Minor in Pre-Law. The Pre-Law Minor is designed to provide students with the foundational knowledge, critical thinking skills, and ethical framework essential to informed and socially responsible citizenship.

The Pre-Law Minor is intended to assure an advantage to Tougaloo students who plan to apply to law school. However, no specific course of study is required for law school admission. Instead, all law schools emphasize the value of excellent reading comprehension, analytical reasoning skills, and a solid command of written English. While intellectual agility can be cultivated in many ways, an interdisciplinary liberal arts education grounded in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences—coupled with the Pre-Law minor—is strongly recommended. A student considering law school or the Pre-Law Minor should contact the Pre-Law Director.

Mission

The mission of the Pre-Law Minor is to equip Tougaloo students with the tools necessary to become high-performing, logical thinking, socially responsible graduate who can intellectually contribute to the highest level of discourse to various schools of jurisprudential thought and, if so desired, successfully matriculate through a law school program or any post graduate study of their choice.

Requirements

Students must submit a minor request form to declare the minor and must earn at least a “C” (2.00) average in all courses counted for the Pre-Law Minor, Twenty-one (21) hours of credit are required to earn the distinction of a Pre-Law Minor, comprised of the following courses:

  • POL 219 Introduction to Law, Legal Reasoning, and Analysis (3) Offered fall semester.
  • POL 220 Introduction to Law, Legal Reasoning, and Analysis II (3) Offered spring semester.
  • POL 312 Pre-Law Seminar: LSAT Preparation & the Law School Admissions Process (3) Offered spring semester and summer for Certificate in Law and Legal Studies Program.
  • POL 319 Survey of Civil Law I: Preparing for Law School (3) Offered fall semester Offered fall semester. (Prerequisites: Introduction to Law, Legal Reasoning, & Analysis I & II)
  • POL 320 Survey of Civil Law II: Preparing for the Bar Exam (3) Offered spring semester. (Prerequisites: Introduction to Law, Legal Reasoning, & Analysis I & II; Survey of Civil Law I)
  • POL 321 Introduction to the Bill of Rights, Criminal Law, & Constitutional Theory (3) Offered spring semester. (Prerequisites: Introduction to Law, Legal Reasoning, & Analysis I & II)
  • POL 411 Legal Writing & Research (3) Offered fall semester.
  • POL 412 Advanced Legal Writing & Legal Analysis for Law School (3) Offered spring semester. (Prerequisites: Legal Writing & Research)

Some of the required courses may have prerequisites that do not count towards the Pre-Law Minor. Students must acquire the prerequisites that do not count towards the Pre-Law Minor. Students must acquire the prerequisites and not ask to be waived into the courses. All credits must be taken at Tougaloo, unless this requirement is technically waived by the Director/Pre-Law Advisor of the Pre-Law Program and approved by the appropriate College personnel.

It is highly recommended, but not required, for students to take Mock Trial I and II, American National Government, and Ethics, Medicine, and Technology.

Suggested Course of Study

Freshman Year

  • POL 219 Introduction to Law, Legal Reasoning, and Analysis (3) Offered fall semester.
  • POL 220 Introduction to Law, Legal Reasoning, and Analysis II (3) Offered spring semester.

Sophomore Year

  • POL 319 Survey of Civil Law I: Preparing for Law School (3) Offered fall semester Offered fall semester. (Prerequisites: Introduction to Law, Legal Reasoning, & Analysis I & II)
  • POL 320 Survey of Civil Law II: Preparing for the Bar Exam (3) Offered spring semester. (Prerequisites: Introduction to Law, Legal Reasoning, & Analysis I & II; Survey of Civil Law I)

Junior Year

  • POL 312 Pre-Law Seminar: LSAT Preparation & the Law School Admissions Process (3) Offered spring semester and summer for Certificate in Law and Legal Studies Program.
  • POL 321 Introduction to the Bill of Rights, Criminal Law, & Constitutional Theory (3) Offered spring semester. (Prerequisites: Introduction to Law, Legal Reasoning, & Analysis I & II)

Senior Year

  • POL 411 Legal Writing & Research (3) Offered fall semester.
  • POL 412 Advanced Legal Writing & Legal Analysis for Law School (3) Offered spring semester. (Prerequisites: Legal Writing & Research)

Public Policy Administration Minor

Students enrolled in any degree program may pursue an Interdisciplinary minor in Public Policy Administration (PPA). The minor is housed in the Political Science Department in the Social Science Division at Tougaloo College. Students pursuing minors in PPA must maintain a grade point average for courses at least 2.0 and receive a grade of C or better in all courses applied toward the minor.

Undergraduate level Public Policy Administration Minor curriculum provides students with foundational knowledge of the structure, politics, process, and logistics of organizations, programs, and policies in the public sector (governmental and non-governmental). The students will develop civic knowledge and critical thinking skills, which will be helpful in examining specific challenges and proficiency required within the modern public sector. The Minor will consist of 21 credit hours, which includes 5 policy courses, 2 leadership courses, and 1 electives of student’s choice.

Learning Outcomes:

A minor in Public Policy Administration will enhance student awareness and identification of career paths in the public sector; increase undergraduate student preparation for entering such careers; and enhance student preparation for possible graduate study in Public Policy, Public Administration, and related fields.

Interdisciplinary Minor: Public Policy Administration Curriculum:

POLICY COURSES:

POLICY (5 courses, 12 credits) required courses

POL 112 American National Government 3credits

POL 210 Public Policy Practicum I -- 2 credit hours

POL 310 Public Policy Practicum II -- 1 credit hour

POL 315 Public Policy 3 credits

POL 317 Public Policy & Legal Issues 3credits

LEADERSHIP (6 credits) required courses

POL 211 African American Politics 3 credits

POL 314 Public Administrations 3 credits

ELECTIVES OPTIONS (1 course from the following, 3 credits)

ECO 414 Health Economics 3 credits

GEN 230 Evolution of Education 3 credits

HIS 225 The Civil Rights Movement 3 credits

POL 214 American Foreign Policy 3 credits

POL 311 Urban Politics 3 credits

PSY 322 Organizational Behavior 3 credits

SOC 302 Criminology & Law 3 credits

SWK 211 Social Welfare Policy 3 credits

TOTAL 21 credits

COURSE DESCRIPTION FOR PUBLIC POLICY ADMINISTRATION MINOR

POLICY COURSES (required)

POL 112: AMERICAN NATIONAL GOVERNMENT. This course is a general analysis of American government and politics with focus on the constitution, federalism, and the three branches of government. Both organizational and functional approaches are employed to make a thorough examination of the mechanism and dynamics of American democracy. Offered annually. CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS.

POL 210 Public Policy Practicum I Students applying for the Minor in Public Policy and Administration are required to complete this practicum course. The course is designed to provide students with the opportunity to apply public policy concepts and interdisciplinary knowledge base in a practical setting. It provides students with an introduction, orientation, practical skill-building, and student placement learning experience. CREDIT: TWO SEMESTER HOURS.

POL 310 Public Policy Practicum II Students applying for the Minor in Public Policy and Administration are required to complete Public Policy Practicum I course before they can enroll in the required Public Policy Practicum II course. Public Policy Practicum II provides students with professional practical experience and the opportunity to apply public policy concepts and interdisciplinary knowledge base in a practical setting. CREDIT: ONE SEMESTER HOUR. 

POL 315: PUBLIC POLICY. This course is an examination of the policies set forth by governments through both decisions and non-decisions. Focus will also be placed on both analysis of public policies and the mechanics involved in developing these policies. Offered bi-annually. CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS

POL 317: PUBLIC POLICY & LEGAL ISSUES IN DISASTER PREPAREDNESS. The course will present concepts and basic descriptive information about the public policy process in the executive and legislative branches of government and actions of the judicial branch in court cases. This will include examining the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s legal requirements, responsibilities, and laws pertaining to emergency management, and actions based on these laws. Focus will also be placed on analysis of public policies and understanding of the procedures and requirements in emergency management. CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS.

LEADERSHIP COURSES: (required)

POL 211: AFRICAN AMERICAN POLITICS. This course is a study of the role of African Americans in the political process of American democracy. Inquiries will be made concerning African Americans and the major parties, their place in the labor movement, and their participation in urban politics. The contemporary philosophies of Black leaders in terms of pressure politics, non-violence, and Black power will be closely examined. Offered annually. CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS.

POL 314: PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION. This course deals with the role of administration in the government process, principles of administrative organization, methods of administrative control, personnel and fiscal management. Offered bi- annually. CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS.

 ELECTIVE COURSES: (Choose 1 from the following)

ECO 414: HEALTH ECONOMICS. This course uses micro- and macro-economic analysis to understand the operations of the expanding healthcare system and to critically examine the efficacy of public policy in this area. Prerequisites: ECO 221 and ECO 222 Intermediate Macro and Intermediate Microeconomics. CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS.

GEN 230: EVOLUTION OF EDUCATION. This course introduces students to the evolving field of education and challenge them to examine their views about educational issues, teaching, and learning. Students investigate trends that are driving changes in America's public education and how these changes are being addressed through teacher preparatory training in Child Development; Elementary and Secondary Education; and Health, Physical Education, and Recreation (H.P.E.R.). Students engage in a range of diverse, interactive learning activities to heighten and expand their understanding of education theories, instructional practices, assessment protocols, and research methodologies. Students explores how the concept of modern-day-slavery intersects with education. CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS.

GEN 230: EVOLUTION OF EDUCATION. This course introduces students to the evolving field of education and challenge them to examine their views about educational issues, teaching, and learning. Students investigate trends that are driving changes in America's public education and how these changes are being addressed through teacher preparatory training in Child Development; Elementary and Secondary Education; and Health, Physical Education, and Recreation (H.P.E.R.). Students engage in a range of diverse, interactive learning activities to heighten and expand their understanding of education theories, instructional practices, assessment protocols, and research methodologies. Students explores how the concept of modern-day-slavery intersects with education. CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS.

HIS 225: THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT. This course examines the origins, philosophies, tactics, events, personalities, and consequences of the southern Civil Rights Movement. This course will begin with the struggles of black veterans to register to vote after WWII and will conclude with the Meredith March against Fear in 1966. CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS.

POL 214: AMERICAN FOREIGN POLICY. This course is a study of the forces which are responsible for the formulation of American foreign policy, and consideration for those important factors which have shaped contemporary United States policy in major areas of the world. Offered bi-annually. CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS.

POL 311: URBAN POLITICS. Based on the theme of the structure of power within cities, this course will deal with such urban phenomena as bosses and political machines, urban insurrections, schools, urban renewal, housing, and the future of the city. Offered annually. CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS.

PSY 322: ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR. This course is an introduction to theoretical concepts and empirical research in the behavioral sciences as it applies to behavior within organizational settings. The course content includes levels from the individual to small groups, to inter-group behavior, and finally to the total organization. Within this structure, a broad range of theory and research on organization and individual behavior will be examined. Prerequisite: PSY 111 and 112. Offered every odd fall semester. CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS.

SOC 302: CRIMINOLOGY, PENOLOGY, AND SOCIOLOGY OF LAW. This course provides an introductory analysis of the causes and consequences of crime and delinquency and an examination of society’s reaction to criminal behavior, including the legal, judicial and penal system. Co-requisite: SOC 111 or POL 101. CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS.

SWK 211: SOCIAL WELFARE POLICY. This course will introduce the student to the broad concept of social welfare policy. A critical framework will be developed for analyzing the process of social welfare policy formulation and program implementation. Attention will also be given to the social welfare policies in the history of American society with focus placed on those policies that are significant in the lives of black people and poor people and the development of their communities in the United States. Co-requisite: SWK 115, SOC 111. CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS

 

Where To Go For More Information

A student considering law school or the Pre-Law Minor should seek advice from the Pre-Law Director in the Division of Social Sciences. Tougaloo College’s Pre-Law Director is Attorney Julian D. Miller, Esq. and the Pre-Law Advisor is Dr. Charles Holmes. Both Attorney Miller and Dr. Holmes welcome questions and can be reached at 601-977-6154 or via email at jdmiller@tougaloo.edu.

About the Director

Reuben V. Anderson Pre-Law Scholars Program

RVA Application Form

Reuben V. Anderson Pre-Law Society

Tougaloo College – Mississippi College Law Accelerated Law Degree Program

Tougaloo College – University of Mississippi School of Law Pathway to Law School and Beyond Initiative

The Reuben V. Anderson Institute of Social Justice Releases its Progress Report. It features a few of our Reuben V. Anderson Pre-Law Scholars as they have been accepted and received scholarships to the schools of their choice.


Program Contact

Julian D. Miller, Esq.
Director/ Assistant Professor of Political Science
Reuban V. Anderson Pre-Law Director

   601-977-6154
   jdmiller@tougaloo.edu