Constitutional Law

Students interested in studying constitutional law at KU have access to in-depth courses on constitutional topics, skills simulation and practicum courses, and faculty with extensive research and practical experience.

Overview

All KU Law students take Introduction to Constitutional Law, which covers the basic aspects of constitutional law and is required for graduation. Advanced offerings in this area include courses concerning individual rights, the structure and operation of government, and other constitutional topics.

By participating in clinics or field placement programs – such as the Project for Innocence & Post-Conviction Remedies or the Judicial Field Placement Program – students gain real-world experience working within the criminal or judicial systems. Skills simulations and practicum courses offer the chance to conduct research, study policy or write documents commonly used in practice.

Members of KU Law’s faculty in constitutional law have offered expert testimony for legislative committees, argued before the Supreme Court, and fulfilled roles including U.S. Attorney for the District of Kansas.

Constitutional Law Curriculum Guide

Required Courses:

  • Introduction to Constitutional Law

Recommended Upper-Level Courses:

  • Administrative Law
  • Civil Rights Actions
  • Criminal Procedure
  • Federal Courts and the Federal System
  • Legislation and Statutory Interpretation

Related Courses:

  • Federal Indian Law
  • Local Government Law
  • Media and the First Amendment

Course descriptions

Skills simulations and practicum courses allow students to practice their skills in a classroom setting and conduct in-depth research or policy analysis related to constitutional law.

In the Kansas Supreme Court Research Practicum, students work on research project assignments from the Kansas Supreme Court and the Office of Judicial Administration.

The First Amendment Advocacy skills simulation course puts students in the role of advocate, negotiator and liability evaluator. Students practice how to represent hypothetical clients who are concerned with expressive freedom and the free flow of information.

The Public Policy Practicum undertakes in-depth, balanced policy studies in response to requests from public officials. 

Questions?

Richard Levy
J.B. Smith Distinguished Professor of Constitutional Law
levy@ku.edu
785-864-9220