About Lipscomb
About the program
Lipscomb’s LJS major is positioned to be the national leader in integrated, multidisciplinary undergraduate legal education. The program was created with a number of key distinctives:
- City as our Campus and World as our Classroom – We are the only program in the nation that incorporates trips to Washington D.C. and London in the course curriculum.
- Polaris Peak Performance System – We are the only program in the country which utilizes the Polaris Peak Performance system, teaching students the skills needed to quickly advance their careers in the legal and justice fields.
- Education for a Cause – We are the only program in the nation to incorporate an Education for a Cause project that spans the entire curriculum.
- Service-Learning Method of Teaching – We are one of only a handful of programs with service-learning classes, meaning students serve in the community while learning meaningful theoretical and practical lessons. All students in the LJS program earn the distinguished SALT Scholar designation at graduation.
- Connected to the Legal Community – We make sure students shake hands with federal and state legislators, lobbyists, attorneys and politicians. Many of the class sessions are taught by these accomplished individuals.
- Innovative Classes – LJS classes break the traditional college stereotypes by creating a fully-engaged classroom with case studies, simulations, community service, film clips, local tours, and trips abroad.
- Prepared for Greatness – By combining all of the above items with well-designed internship opportunities, students are prepared for successful careers at graduation.
The World is our Classroom
Classes are scheduled in blocks of time to allow for field trips and observations in the Nashville legal community. Additionally, distinguished lecturers will supplement the program’s faculty. Students will participate in two required trips: Washington D.C. and London. On these trips, students will visit the legislature, the highest courts, prominent law firms, and a variety of other law-related organizations.
Education for a Cause
Each student in the Law, Justice & Society program selects a social cause of personal significance and works throughout their academic career to improve or eliminate the cause and its effects on society. For example, a student may choose to significantly reduce the homeless population in the United States. In the course Influencing Change through Civic Engagement, the student would volunteer for a homeless shelter and become familiar with the underlying problems at the core of this issue. Then in the Internship course, the student would work for an organization related to homelessness. Using the information learned from these experiences, the student creates a legal solution to their social issue in the Senior Research Project course. This project is presented to a panel of politicians, attorneys, and community advocates during the Law, Justice & Society Symposium held in the spring.
A Program of SALT Scholars
In Acts 20:35 Paul writes, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” The LJS program values service and believes some of life’s greatest lessons are achieved through giving to others. Therefore, the Law, Justice & Society curriculum has been designed to allow its students to achieve the notable SALT Scholar designation at graduation. T.S. Eliot once wrote, “We had the experience, but missed the meaning.” Carefully planned classroom activities allow students to discuss their service work and ensure that no one misses the lessons to be learned by serving.
Connected to the Legal Community
The Law, Justice, and Society program allows students to shake hands with federal and state legislators, lobbyists, attorneys, and politicians. In fact, many of the class sessions will be taught by these distinguished and accomplished individuals. These connections can aid students with career placement or graduate school admission upon graduation from Lipscomb.