Play a Vital Role in Public Policy Decisions With Albany Law’s Juris Doctor in Government Law and Public Service
Gain the legal foundation to advance public policy—including how to shape, interpret, and advance policies.
At Albany Law School, our Juris Doctor—with a specialization in Government Law and Public Service—gives you a broad-based grounding in public administration and a practical training in the analysis and application of law and policy. You will also pursue a wide range of opportunities—including several experiential learning experiences—to help you grow and advance your career prospects.
No matter your interests, you will be prepared to take on jobs in public service—ranging from careers in government and nonprofits, as well as in the private sector.
Why Albany Law?
Earn your Juris Doctor degree without having to move or disrupt your personal or professional life. Albany Law School's Flex JD is primarily online while offering the same benefits of our on-campus program.
Get your degree from a law school that is:
- The top-ranked independent law school in the U.S.
- In the top 20 for Most Innovative Law Schools, according to preLaw Magazine.
- Accredited by the American Bar Association.
- Represented by successful alumni working in nearly every state in the country in small to large law firms and nearly every industry in organizations of all sizes.
- Providing nonpartisan legal research and analysis to state and local governments through it's highly respected Government Law Center.
“Everything I did was founded on the great education I got and the opportunity that Albany Law School gave me to practice law.”
Tom Vilsack '75
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture
Albany Law graduates are frequently sought out by employers—including for jobs in public service and government law. In fact, 91% of our Class of 2022 Juris Doctor alumni were employed within 10 months of graduation.
Know that when you are pursuing a legal education, you are also joining an expanding profession. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the legal field will grow 10% over the next 10 years.
With a JD in Government Law and Public Service, you will qualify for numerous legal and policy positions in all branches of government and government-facing organizations including, among others:
- Executive branch careers as an assistant attorney or staff member.
- Legislative branch positions within committees or offices.
- Judicial branch jobs as a law clerk, staff counsel, or judge.
- Careers in nonprofits or other non-governmental sectors.
At Albany Law, we combine the practical skills, theoretical knowledge, and comprehensive experiential learning opportunities to prepare you to thrive within jobs in public service and government law.
Your Juris Doctor degree online coursework—which is delivered in both asynchronous and synchronous formats—starts with topics covering civil procedure, constitutional law, contracts, criminal law, legal methods, property, and torts. To prepare to become a public service or government lawyer, you will take advanced classes in:
- Administrative Law
- Government Ethics
- Legislative Process
- Public International Law
- State and Local Government
Throughout your coursework, you will also benefit from ample experiential learning opportunities that are available to you either close to home or on campus. You will have the hands-on expertise to be ready to make an impact throughout government.
Be equipped with the tools and techniques you need to succeed in an ever-growing—and ever-changing—legal profession. Albany Law’s Juris Doctor degree online program—with a specialization in Government Law and Public Service—will help you prepare to shape policy and attain careers at local, national, and international levels.
At Albany Law, you will:
Learn in purposefully small class settings
Because we have an 8-1 student-to-faculty ratio, you won’t be just a number at Albany Law. We pride ourselves on making sure our Juris Doctor students have meaningful access to faculty members. You will also have more opportunities to get to know your classmates—helping you to craft a network of government lawyers before you enter the field.
Benefit from hands-on learning opportunities
Whether it’s close to your home or here on campus, you will have chances to put your learning to work. We offer City Semester programs, field placements, and Semester-in-Practice programs that help you to gain the added expertise you need to take on jobs in public service or as government lawyers.
Gain an education that is also cost effective
At Albany Law, our Juris Doctor tuition rates are more affordable than most private law schools. We offer scholarships for our Juris Doctor degree online students—helping to move your career prospects forward at a more affordable rate.
Grasp new knowledge and skills from expert lawyers
You will learn from Juris Doctor faculty members who have decades of expertise—individuals who are ready to share their insights and answer your questions as you pursue your own career path. You will also connect with lawmakers, government officials, and nonprofit leaders—individuals who will serve as guest speakers throughout your studies.
While you won’t spend much time on campus as a Juris Doctor degree online student, you will still have opportunities to get involved with a club or organization. For instance, you might consider joining the Albany Government Law Review or International Law Society—two groups that will help you connect and network with other aspiring government law and public service students.
Discover a Future in Government Law or Public Service at Albany Law
Move your legal career forward in a way that works for you by pursuing our Flex Juris Doctor program. We’re here to help you pursue your career goals.
