Brennan Center Public Policy Advocacy Clinic

Course Description

The Seminar

Through class discussion, exercises arising out of fieldwork, workshops, simulation, and critique, students are trained in strategies and skills to influence public policy decision-making, focusing on a range of substantive policy areas, and considering local, state, and national contexts. Strategies and skills may include: conducting policy analysis and research; engaging in coalition building and organizing; collecting and analyzing opinion data; drafting and negotiating laws and rules; conducting lobbying; developing public education plans and using media effectively; fundraising; running a nonprofit organization; and litigating.

Fieldwork at the Brennan Center for Justice

All students in the clinic will work on projects at the Brennan Center. Students should expect to devote substantial time, at a minimum of 10-15 hours a week during the semester, to their fieldwork, and will also report on their fieldwork to the professors - and to the class - on a regular basis. The fieldwork projects reward investment of effort; students who dedicate more energy to their projects will learn more from the experience.

Application Procedure

Students who wish to apply to the Public Policy Advocacy Clinic should submit via CAMS the standard application, resume and unofficial transcript. Each applicant is urged to explain why they are interested in this Clinic in the application. Interviews are not required, although the professors are happy to talk with interested students about the clinic’s requirements.

* 5 credits include 3 clinical credits and 2 academic seminar credits.