Public Policy for Pre-Law | Setting yourself up for a stellar legal career

By: Assistant Professor Kaitlyn Sims, Degree Director for the Public Policy BA

Some students start their undergraduate career knowing that law school is their next step after college. Others discover a passion for law, justice, and safety along the way. Fortunately for us, DU is home to one of only two American Bar Association-accredited law schools in the state of Colorado—the Sturm College of Law!

No matter your path to law school, a Korbel undergraduate degree can be the springboard leading you a fulfilling legal career.

Public Policy: A Smart Path to Law School

Law is about interpreting rules—and public policy designs those rules. A Public Policy major teaches you how governments make decisions, evaluate evidence, and shape laws that affect society, giving future law students a deeper understanding of how the legal system actually works.

By majoring in public policy, pre-law students build a foundation for understanding how the law fits into and shapes governance at all levels. Students can take classes on crime, social policy, race and inequality, housing, and urban development—all areas where the law determines how social programs and human rights work.

Public policy majors also take applied skills classes where students work directly with real-world, local legal actors, such as the US State Department. Many classes also bring in guest lecturers, such as local attorneys,to give students a hands-on look at how their skills will translate to their future careers.

These skills can also open up career paths for lawyers outside of the classroom. Law is policy and vice versa—and being well-versed in both sets you up for work in the legislature, advocacy, and lobbying.

DU It ALL: AT DU and Double Major

At DU, students can combine Public Policy with other majors to broaden their perspective and strengthen their preparation for law school.

For example, pre-law students could double major in Public Policy alongside:

• Criminology: For students interested in a career in the criminal-legal system as prosecutors, defenders, and judges.
• International Studies: For students interested in human rights law and international diplomacy.
• Philosophy or Political Science: For students who want to understand the theoretical roots of our judicial system and how they impact the law today.
• Socio-Legal Studies: For students who want to pair interdisciplinary study of the philosophy and sociology of law with the use of the law in public policy.
• Spanish Language: For students interested in immigration law.
• Sustainability or Environmental Science: For students interested in water law, conservation, and environmental litigation.

Or any of DU’s other undergraduate degree programs! All DU students complete a major plus at least one minor or a second major, making it easy to customize an academic path that aligns with their interests and post-grad plans.

Pre-law students at DU can take advantage of our unique location in the Colorado state capitol for everything from internships to dropping in to congressional hearings.

Accelerated options

If you’re confident in your path to law school, consider Sturm’s 6-year Bachelor/JD program. This combined program means finishing undergrad requirements in 3 years before starting your law degree, getting you out a year ahead of the standard timeline. To apply for the dual degree program, apply directly to Sturm after being accepted to DU for undergrad.

The Sturm College of Law is also a top-ranked program for graduates in public interest law. Public interest lawyers represent the interests of individuals and groups on issues such as civil rights, environmental protections, education, and social justice, all in pursuit of the public good. A public policy BA offers a strong foundation for students interested in advancing justice in public interest law.

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Key takeaways

• Public Policy is a strong pre-law major.
  You’ll learn how laws are created, implemented, and evaluated by preparing future lawyers with a deeper understanding of the legal system.
• You will develop the analytical skills law schools value most.
  Public Policy students develop the skills to evaluate evidence, analyze complex problems, and communicate solutions clearly.
• Public Policy pairs easily with other majors.
  At DU, students often double major in fields like Criminology, International Studies, Philosophy, Sustainability, or languages to specialize in areas of law they care about.
• Denver offers real-world legal experience.
  With the Colorado State Capitol, courts, and major law firms nearby, DU students have access to internships, policy work, and legislative experience during college.
• You can accelerate your path to law school.
  DU’s 6-year BA/JD option allows motivated students to complete undergraduate study and law school faster than the traditional path.
• Public Policy prepares you for impact beyond the courtroom.
  Understanding policy helps future lawyers shape legislation, influence institutions, and solve complex societal challenges.
• Interested in learning more?

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