Government and Law Frequently Asked Questions
The Government and Law degree includes a core of courses essential for all public sector-related careers, plus a systematic study of political and governmental institutions and behavior. It focuses on governmental services, political theory, American and international law, political parties and interest groups, public opinion, and research methods. This degree seeks to prepare students for careers, advancement, or graduate studies in government, politics, law, and other political science-related fields.
Please see Dr. Meddaugh’s comments about the topic in this article published by U.S. News World & World Report.
The undergraduate Government & Law program is an introduction to public service, governmental institutions, and power sharing. The program acts a knowledge foundation for future graduate study in public administration. As Clayton State University’s MPA program prepares students to be ethical and effective leaders in public, governmental, and non-profit agencies, students in both programs will develop skills to be ethical decision makers and well-trained bureaucrats.
In most cases, yes. We love seeing our students return for a graduate degree and we have the confidence in knowing your baseline knowledge of the field is strong because we taught it to you!
The Government & Law minor offers students in other majors the opportunity to take course that prepare students for community service, public service, law school, and graduate school. Students must submit to the Office of the Registrar a minor application along with the degree graduation application by the published graduation application deadline. Minors may only be awarded in conjunction with a baccalaureate degree.
It is true that there are a lot of similarities between the two degrees, but the fundamental difference is that government and law is designed for students who want to pursue a degree that emphasizes the institutions of the government, power dynamics between branches, levels, and governmental agencies, and the polices that regulate these institutions.
Legal Studies is designed for students who want to pursue a degree that emphasizes practical skills plus analytical and conceptual thinking, legal research and writing, a study of the evolution of various legal theories, a solid understanding of substantive areas of law, and the role of law in society.
A minor in Pre-Law will provide students from across disciplines the opportunity to enrich their intellectual pursuits through the study and application of law and its impact on society. Emphasis will be placed on legal principles and terminology, critical thinking and the development of legal research and writing skills. This minor will be an appropriate choice for students who are majoring in or planning to work in fields that are affected by legal regulation and who are interested in attending law school or pursuing graduate studies. These courses are not mandatory for law school admission and do not guarantee admission to or success in law school or other graduate programs. The American Bar Association maintains that there is no prescribed set of undergraduate courses that prepare students for law school.
Absolutely! A minor in Pre-Law will provide students from across disciplines the opportunity to enrich their intellectual pursuits through the study and application of law and its impact on society.
Please contact Dr. Joshua Meddaugh; Professor of Political Science and Chair of the Department of Social Sciences for any questions regarding the Government and Law programs.
Please contact Dr. Leah Pieper; Assistant Professor of Political Science and Public Administration and Director of the MPA Program for any questions regarding the Master of Public Administration program.