As the supreme law of the land, constitutional law is foundational, and essential background to the practice of law in any field. Constitutional Law I and II are therefore required courses for all graduates. Beyond those required courses, further study of constitutional law is not only of great academic interest and civic value, but also of practical value, especially to those interested in engaging in practice areas relating to civil rights, public policy, government, representation of religious organizations, criminal law, and family law to name a few.

Constitutional law issues arise in many practice areas. Students wanting greater exposure to constitutional law in practice should consider positions in political organizations, government, academia, nonprofit public advocacy groups and think-tanks, religious organizations, and the judiciary.

Foundational Courses

  • Constitutional Law I
  • Constitutional Law II
  • Criminal Procedure: The Post-Investigative Process
  • Administrative Law
  • Federal Courts

Specialization Courses

  • First Amendment, Speech and Association: Campaign Finance Law, Copyright Law, Election Law, Lobbying and the Law, Nonprofit Organizations
  • First Amendment, Religion: Human Dignity and Religious Freedom in Health Care, International Religious Liberty, Representing Religious Institutions and Nonprofits
  • Civil Rights: Civil Rights Law, Criminal Justice Reform: Policy and Politics in the 21st Century, Fair Employment Law, Gender, Law, and Policy
  • Government Power and Intergovernmental Relations: American Indian Law, Comparative Law, Local Government Law, Military Justice, National Security Law and Policy Seminar
  • Other: American Constitutional Theory

Clinics, Skills, and Externships

For externships, many Washington D.C. area think-tanks specialize in constitutional legal issues. Students should also consider the House and Senate Judiciary Committees, the Department of Justice, other state and federal government entities, and public interest focused non-profit organizations.

Catholic Law provides students numerous opportunities to pursue constitutional related issues, including through the Center for Religious Liberty, First Amendment Initiatives, and the Project on Constitutional Originalism and the Catholic Intellectual Tradition.

Faculty: Professors Alicea, Destro, Duggin, Hartley, Rienzi, Walsh