The School of Law offers a robust selection of courses and seminars in diverse areas of the law that reflect a commitment to public service and professional ethics.
Students who have completed the first year core curriculum courses select courses ranging from traditional bar preparation classes to highly specialized legal topics to supervised clinical practice. SLU LAW also offers opportunities for students to participate in (and receive credit for) one of three student-run law journals as well as develop legal skills in areas such as appellate advocacy, trial practice and client counseling.
Upper Division Curriculum
Pursue a Specialty
Saint Louis University School of Law’s programs are designed to prepare students for all aspects of law practice. Should you decide you would like to pursue a specialization in a particular area of law, SLU LAW is home to four concentration programs, including the nation’s premier health law program.
Putting Knowledge into Practice
Each semester, students can participate in field placements with practicing lawyers in the legal field of their interest.
Make a difference with a mentorship
Through courses like Youth in Government, law students have a chance to mentor St. Louis youth with programs aimed to encourage higher education opportunities and expose them to careers in law.
Here to help
The Office of the Registrar provides academic and enrollment services for School of Law students, alumni, faculty and staff. Check out what your schedule can look like. Learn more >
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Legal Research and Writing (LRW) introduces students to the fundamentals of the legal system, structure of law-making bodies and sources of law; provides hands-on experiences in using legal analysis, legal reasoning and legal advocacy to solve increasingly complicated legal problems; inculcates students in principles of clear and accurate expression; provides experience in drafting objective and persuasive forms of legal writing; and ensures that each student is proficient in performing basic legal research.
Legal Research and Writing (LRW) introduces students to the fundamentals of the legal system, structure of law-making bodies and sources of law; provides hands-on experiences in using legal analysis, legal reasoning and legal advocacy to solve increasingly complicated legal problems; inculcates students in principles of clear and accurate expression; provides experience in drafting objective and persuasive forms of legal writing; and ensures that each student is proficient in performing basic legal research.
Build on a Strong Foundation
The first-year curriculum for law school is meant to establish a foundation for legal learning. Incorporated into each semester is a set of bar foundational courses and practical skills training, such as Legal Research and Writing. Learn more >
Combine Your J.D. Experience
SLU LAW offers 10 dual-degree programs, allowing students to gain two degrees in significantly less time. Learn more >
- J.D./Master of Accounting
- J.D./Doctor of Philosophy in Health Care Ethics
- J.D./Master of Business Administration
- J.D./Master of Public Health-Health Management and Policy
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- J.D./Master of Health Administration
- J.D./Master of Arts, Political Science and Public Affairs
- J.D./Master of Social Work
- J.D./Master of Arts in Sociology
- J.D./Master of Science, Urban Planning & Development
- J.D./Master of Arts, Women’s and Gender Studies
- More
Be Part of a Nurturing Community
“It’s rare to have such accomplished professors who are also so willing to help students out, as well. … Even if I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do in the law when I started law school, SLU helped me figure that out and helped me figure out how to be a part of something bigger and help the community along the way.”
— Laura Beckering, J.D., Class of 2019
Be a Journal scholar
Here to help
The Academic Resource Center is designed to assist SLU LAW students with the support they need to be successful during law school and in their future legal careers.
Are you a freshman or sophomore looking to get a jump start on law school?
SLU LAW has partnered with select undergraduate institutions to provide a 3+3 program to students interested in pursuing their law degree. Through this program, students are eligible to apply to law school in their junior year. Learn more >
Beyond the Core
ExplorePsychology and Decision Making in Legal Contexts
Take a look at criminal trials through the eyes of a psychologist. This popular course is taught by Professor Molly Walker Wilson, who holds a Ph.D. in psychology from the University of Virginia.
Citizenship, Human Rights & Social Justice
In this seminar, you'll examine in global perspective how the legal framing of citizenship and human rights affects the attainment of social justice for minorities, immigrants and marginalized peoples. You'll engage constitutional law, case law, international declarations and scholarly research to probe in comparative perspective how nation-states have made social justice reachable or unattainable for its minority populations.
Emerging Health Technologies: Vaccine Law and Policy
From AI to vaccine development in the time of a pandemic, this course will take your through the law that impacts our latest developments.
American Presidency
You'll explore presidential power in the 21st century and the historical contexts of that power, with emphasis on the president's enumerated constitutional powers and how they have evolved, especially in recent decades. Topics are adjusted during the semester to consider real-time controversies that arise over presidential power. This seminar is taught by Prof. Greg Willard, who served as personal aide to President Gerald R. Ford.
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Where do SLU LAW alums work?
From large firms to public service and everywhere in between, the possibilities are endless.
Scholarships and Financial Aid
SLU LAW offers a variety of scholarships and financial aid that can help make law school a possibility for everyone.
