Area of study
Law & justice programs
Whether you’re becoming interested in law and government or ready to commit to law school, UT’s law and justice programs will teach you how to become an advocate, resolve legal problems, and be a part of the solution when it comes to public policy challenges. UT offers a number of dual-degree programs, and through our centers and institutes, you can get real-world experience in areas including family law mediation, national and international security, and American politics. Our Legal Clinic has a longstanding national reputation and is ranked among the top legal clinical education programs.
Your future as a professional
With a degree from UT in a law and justice program, you’ll have abundant career opportunities.
What you can do with a degree in a law and justice program:
Law & justice careers
- Civil rights law
- Communications
- Community outreach
- Ethics
- Human rights
- International law
- Law reform
- Legislative compliance
- Mergers and acquisitions
- Mission work and ministries
- Private practice
- Public defense
- Public policy
- Public relations
- Social entrepreneurship
- Sports teams
- Tax law
Potential employers
- Federal, state, and local government
- Foundations
- Large corporations
- Law firms
- Nonprofit and public interest organizations
- Research organizations and think tanks
- Unions
- United Nations
- World Bank
Studying at UT
Opportunities to practice
You’ll be prepared for whatever career path you embark on when you study a law and justice program at UT. On the university’s mock trial team, for example, you can compete as an attorney or witness in tournaments around the country. And right now, our mock trial team is one of the highest-ranked student-run teams in the nation. Or perhaps you’ll participate in the UT Pro Bono program where, as a law student, you’ll be connected with area attorneys to help them with research and investigatory assistance as they represent clients. Maybe you’ll attend and participate in lectures from the Institute of American Civics where you can strengthen your civic engagement skills and learn to combat political polarization. You could contribute to research and projects through the Appalachian Justice Center that advances just and equitable community visions in Appalachia and the Mountain South.
Internships in the real world
Before you even graduate, you’ll have the opportunity to build an impressive resume. UT students have gotten to participate in programs like the Tennessee Legislative Internship Program and the US Foreign Service Internship Program, for example. Through the Tennessee Legislative Internship Program, students may conduct work in bill analysis, constituent work, and research. Students who have the opportunity to intern with the US Foreign Service get two consecutive summers of experience. In the first, they receive professional training in Washington, DC, followed by seven weeks working in a State Department policy office. In the second, students are given a 10-week assignment to a US Embassy or Consulate abroad.
Study around the globe
We believe that study abroad provides students with rich educational and experiential opportunities. In a law and justice program, you could travel abroad to cities like London or Florence. In between your studies in London, you can go on excursions to political and historical sites like the Palace of Westminster and Stonehenge. You may even get to meet prominent political figures. In Florence, you could take courses in political theory or comparative court systems and spend your free time along the Amalfi Coast or wandering Rome.
Where you’ll study
UT’s law and justice programs span across four colleges and a degree-granting school. The Baker School of Public Policy and Public Affairs offers programs like American civics and public administration. Programs such as philosophy, political science, and public policy are housed within the College of Arts and Sciences. Law programs with concentrations like social work, business administration, and advocacy and dispute resolution are housed within the College of Law. In the College of Social Work, students can pursue a forensic social work certificate and a dual degree with law. Students in the Herbert College of Agriculture, specifically studying agricultural leadership, education, and communications, often go on to work in law and government.
I’ve worked at the Baker Center [now the Baker School] for the past three years and we are the only public policy center in the state. I don’t know where else I could have gotten a better education.
Juliet
(’23)
Political Science, Communication
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