Coursework

Criminal Law, Justice, and Inequality BDP

The Criminal Law, Justice & Inequality BDP allows students to examine the institutions that shape the origins, functions, and effects of the criminal legal system—from policing, to courts, to prisons—in social life. Drawing on insights from sociology, law, history, government, social work, education, and ethnic and gender studies, among other disciplines, students in this BDP will explore different perspectives on the centrality, legitimacy, and impact of the criminal legal system in the United States in its current form, historically, and comparatively. In addition to learning about the system’s form and function, students will learn about research-based approaches to understanding the causes and consequences of individuals’ involvement with the system, with attention to its intersection with race, ethnicity, gender, citizenship, and other categories of identity and the ways in which social inequalities affect and are affected by the system. Students will consider what crime is, how we define crime, and how society responds to behaviors defined as crime. More information can be found here.

Certificate in Forensic Science

The Forensic Science Certificate provides an interdisciplinary perspective for students interested in careers in forensic science. This certificate is open to all undergraduate students at UT Austin. Students interested in seeking employment upon graduation in a forensic science laboratory or other field that requires a strong base in natural sciences are encouraged to select biology and chemistry courses. More information can be found here.

Minor in Law, Justice, and Society

The Law, Justice, and Society minor provides students with broad perspectives in the legal and criminal justice fields. Students become knowledgeable about constitutional law as well as legal structures, precedents, concepts, and reasoning. Students learn about the latest research on criminology, law enforcement, incarceration, and rehabilitation. They also explore the key ethical and human rights issues that our legal and criminal justice systems must address. Students develop strong analytical and communication skills through this coursework. The Law, Justice, and Society minor is a good option for students interested in pursuing law school and students studying or working in the areas of ethics, human rights, or law enforcement. More information can be found here.

Pre-Law @ UT Austin

Per the American Bar Association, there are no specific course prerequisites for admission to law school. Aspiring law students are encouraged to pursue an area of study that interests and challenges them, while engaging in a diverse range of coursework designed to develop strong analytical, critical thinking, and writing skills, within their chosen area of study. More information can be found here.

Special thanks to our partners and sponsors in the Office of the Vice President for Research, Scholarship and Creative Endeavors, the College of Liberal Arts, and the College of Eduation

For all general questions, please email justice@utexas.edu.