Thurgood Marshall School of Law on Facebook TSU Law on Twitter A Video about TSU Law
   


  • How to Contact Us
  • Office of the Dean
  • Academics
  • Faculty
  • Current Students
  • Institutes & Centers
  • Library Services
 


Earl Carl Institute

ECI Centers - The Center for Government Law

The Center for Government Law was established to provide integrated academic and practical skills training in government administration and regulation. Preparing students for the practice of law in the public sector is a primary goal of the Center. The Center works with numerous governmental organizations on the local, state and federal level. The Center also serves as a bridge between government and academia by providing practical experience to students who assist government leaders in advancing research in a multitude of law and public policy arenas. The Center works with the TSU Legislative Director during the Texas Legislative session to monitor and report on proposed legislation that impacts TSU and the urban community. The Center produces a report on the Legislative session on the impact of new legislation on TSU and the urban community.

Through the Center’s Programs, students gain an opportunity to receive a Certification in Government Law, invaluable practical experience via Externships in various governmental entities, increased employment possibilities, and extensive career contacts.

The Center for Government Law Programs
The Center for Government Law has many associated benefits. Students gain an opportunity for a Certification in Government Law, invaluable practical experience via Externships in various governmental entities, increased employment possibilities, and extensive career contacts.


Government Law Certification Program
Students with a demonstrated interest in government administration, regulation, and policy are encouraged to participate in the Center for Government Law concentration Program. Administrative law, local government, and government contracts are among the courses offered to law students wishing to concentrate studies in government law.

The concentration program allows students to focus their area of study on government law. TMSL will award a Certificate in Government Law to graduating students who successfully complete the requisite number of hours in government law course work, Externships, and independent study.

The Government Law concentration program requires completion of a minimum of 19 credit hours in the required core classes (7 hours), practical skills/externships (5 hours), governmental structure courses (2 hours), and government regulation courses (5 hours).

To learn more about this program or to formally express your interest in participating in the Government Law Certification Program click here.  Students completing the Government Law program will be recognized at the Hooding Ceremony and receive a certificate signed by the Dean of the Law School and the Director of the Center for Government Law.

General Courses:

  • Federal Jurisdiction (3 hours)
  • Administrative Law (3 hours)

Practical Skills/Externships:

  • Administrative Law Clinic (4 credit hours)
  • Civil Externship (3 credit hours)
  • Criminal Externship (3 credit hours)
  • Judicial Externship (3 credit hours)
  • Legislative Externship (12 credit hours)

Governmental Structure Courses:

  • Government Powers (3 credit hours)
  • Legislation (2 credit hours)
  • Local Government (3 credit hours)

Government Regulation Courses:

  • Communications Law (3 credit hours)
  • Copyright Law (3 credit hours)
  • Employment Discrimination; Title VII (3 credit hours)
  • Environmental Law (3 credit hours)
  • First Amendment (3 credit hours)
  • Insurance Law (3 credit hours)
  • Intellectual Property (3 credit hours)
  • Immigration Law (3 credit hours)
  • Public Education law (3 credit hours)
  • Securities Regulations (2 credit hours)

** This is a partial list. Check with the Director for additional courses qualifying for certificate program.


Texas Legislative Internship Program (TLIP)
Students gain practical experience via placement in various federal, state, and local government agencies. Current offerings included are the legislative internship and the Semester in Government Externship.

  • Semester in Austin Externship, i.e. Texas Legislative Internship Program
  • Semester in Washington, D.C. Externship, i.e. Mickey Leland Congressional Internship Program
  • Semester in Government Externship, i.e. City of Houston Mayor’s Office, Harris County Attorney’s office

http://www.senate.state.tx.us/75r/Senate/Members/Dist13/tlip/about.htm


Judicial Internship
Students will learn about the process of judicial decision making by observing the function of a particular court while thinking about the management and administration of the court system. By evaluating the role of judges and courts in administering justice and resolving disputes, students learn the litigation process from the perspective of the judiciary. During the practicum students will learn about professional responsibility by understanding the Code of Judicial Conduct and its application within the judiciary. Students will learn the Rules of Professional Conduct and their application to the legal work the students observe in the context of the complexity of the application of ethical rules in a real-world setting.

Another objective of the judicial externship is the development of legal skills such as writing, research, and analytical skills. By thinking critically about law from the perspective of the judiciary, students develop the ability to communicate legal theories effectively and perform the role of decision maker. As students engage in self-directed learning, they set learning goals for the work experience with an externship learning plan. This includes keeping a journal, deciding with the supervising judge how best to achieve goals, and engaging in self-evaluation, critique and reflection. For more detailed information on the externship click here.

TMSL Summer Judicial Externship                       TMSL Summer Application

   
  Civil Advocacy
  Criminal Justice
  Government Law

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

© 2011 Thurgood Marshall School of Law, All Rights Reserved
3100 Cleburne Street, Houston, TX 77004 br> Phone: 713-313-4455 Fax: 713-313-1049