Why study Politics and Public Law?
Belmont’s Politics and Public Law major is designed to prepare you for law school and careers where politics and law meet. Its interdisciplinary curriculum brings together politics, business and philosophy so you can build the reasoning, research and writing skills legal education demands.
You’ll learn qualitative and quantitative reasoning in small classes with professors who know you well. Faculty mentor students individually through the law school admissions process, from choosing schools to preparing applications.
Is Politics and Public Law right for you?
This major is a fit if you are headed to law school, drawn to public service, interested in business and law, or eager to debate questions about justice, rights and power.
Get experience in politics and law before you graduate
Conduct research with faculty and explore internships with political organizations at the state, national and global levels. Belmont’s location in Nashville connects classroom study to the work of government and public policy.
B.A. or B.S., and related majors
Belmont offers the Politics and Public Law major as both a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science. Students interested in law and government can also explore Legal Studies, Political Science, and History and Public Policy.
Study law and politics in Tennessee’s capital
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Nashville is home to the Tennessee General Assembly, state courts and agencies. Belmont’s location puts opportunities to study law, politics and public service within reach. Through the Tennessee Intercollegiate State Legislature, college students convene at the Capitol to debate bills they write themselves.
Your opportunities can extend beyond Tennessee through BelmontUSA experiences, including Washington, D.C. Belmont’s College of Law is also on campus.
What you’ll learn in Politics and Public Law
Belmont’s public law program builds reasoning, research and writing skills for law school and beyond. You will learn to:
- Reason qualitatively and quantitatively about legal and political questions
- Analyze national political institutions and how decisions are made
- Explain the relationship among political theory, social change and constitutional law
- Apply principles of constitutional law and business law to real cases
- Write clearly and persuasively in legal formats
- Design and conduct research using sound methods
What you can do with a politics and law degree
Many Politics and Public Law majors plan to attend law school. The major also develops skills applicable to work at the intersection of public policy and law in government, business and nonprofit organizations. Career paths may include:
- Attorney: Represent clients or advise organizations after earning a J.D.
- Policy analyst: Research issues and evaluate laws and programs.
- Political affairs officer: Monitor political developments and advise organizations.
- Diplomat: Pursue work in the Foreign Service and international affairs.
- Campaign manager: Lead strategy and staff for political or issue campaigns.
- Legislative staff and public service: Support legislation and public programs.
- Corporate and compliance roles: Help organizations navigate regulations and government relations.
Program Details
Curious about your coursework? View requirements for this degree in the course catalog.
Politics and Public Law students can get involved with organizations focused on law, government and global affairs:
- Belmont Pre-Law Society: Legal speakers, LSAT workshops, information sessions and networking; the society sponsors competitive mock trial teams.
- Tennessee Intercollegiate State Legislature: Students from across Tennessee meet in the State Capitol to debate student-written bills.
- Student Government Association: Students collaborate with the administration and support student organizations.
- Belmont College Democrats and Belmont College Republicans: Opportunities for political discussion and civic engagement.
- United Nations Association at Belmont: Education, advocacy and local service around global issues.
- UNICEF Belmont and Belmont Ascend: Student organizations engaging with children’s rights and global citizenship.
Keidron Turner
“The Political Science courses at Belmont stand apart from the average classroom setting by allowing students to socratically discuss challenging political concepts with fellow classmates on a regular basis. To add to this, each professor's immense connection to the political/legal community provides countless opportunities for students to partake in, from working within the state capitol to traveling to Washington, D.C.!”
Learn from expert faculty
Politics and Public Law faculty emphasize student interaction and individual mentorship. Professors guide students through the law school admissions process and support their research and professional exploration.
FAQ
Thinking about law school or a career in politics? These answers cover common questions about Belmont’s Politics and Public Law major, from law school preparation to related majors. If you don’t see your question here, the College of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences admissions team can help.
FAQ
With a law and politics degree, you can pursue law school and a career as an attorney, or explore work as a policy analyst, legislative staffer, campaign manager, political affairs officer, diplomat or compliance professional. Belmont’s major emphasizes preparation for law school with mentoring through admissions.
The best politics degree depends on your goal. Political Science offers a broad foundation in government and political theory, while Politics and Public Law is designed for students interested in law school and the intersection of politics and law. Belmont also offers related programs such as Legal Studies and History and Public Policy.
Yes. Legal training can be useful in politics, from legislative counsel and policy advising to campaign work and government legal roles. These paths involve understanding how laws are written, interpreted and enforced.
Politics and Public Law is designed to build analytical reasoning, research, writing and critical-thinking skills for legal education. Students benefit from small classes, faculty mentorship and guidance through the law school admissions process.
Politics and Public Law combines politics, business and philosophy to prepare students for law school. Legal Studies focuses more directly on law and legal systems. Both can support pre-law interests; consider which curriculum best fits your goals.
Yes. Students can conduct research with faculty and pursue internships with political organizations at the state, national and global levels.
Yes. Belmont offers both Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science options in Politics and Public Law. Review the course catalog and speak with an academic advisor about degree requirements.
Public law concerns the relationship between individuals and government and includes subjects such as constitutional and administrative law. Belmont’s Politics and Public Law major explores politics and legal questions through an interdisciplinary curriculum.
Students can explore Belmont Pre-Law Society and its mock trial teams, Tennessee Intercollegiate State Legislature, Student Government Association, United Nations Association, UNICEF Belmont and Belmont Ascend.
Contact Us
College of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences
Sophie Chua
Admissions Coordinator
615.460.8335