Legal Studies

The legal studies department offers courses and programs for students interested in becoming lawyers and paralegals (legal assistants) and for students in other fields who have an interest in law. Because Hamline is a small university with a law school on its campus, we offer unique opportunities for students interested in law. Hamline legal studies students have the unique opportunity to interact with law students and professors and to learn to use a first-class research law library. Our legal classes are small and intimate. Each major has a legal studies faculty advisor. The Hamline Plan guarantees an excellent liberal arts background and the legal studies department provides top flight instruction in legal subjects taught by lawyers and law professors. Our students can get internships with judges, state government and law firms. They also have the opportunity to write for the Precedent, our departmental publication and compete in mock trial tournaments.

Hamline University provides solid academic preparation and an enriched learning environment for pre-law students. Prospective law students can major in any field. Law schools want students with a broad-based education. Law schools expect students to have the highly developed reading, analyzing, writing, and speaking skills. Law firms want lawyers and paralegals who are diligent, well-educated and motivated, and who can work independently. These are the qualities emphasized by the Hamline Plan. The presence of a law school on our campus provides the pre-law student with many opportunities to interact with law students and legal scholars and professionals. Law-related classes and activities trial foster and develop the student's interest in law while he/she prepares for law school. Hamline has a strong commitment to mock trial. After completing their baccalaureate degree, students who want to be lawyers will need to earn a law degree, and pass the bar examination. Hamline students are prepared for success.