State and Local Government

State government employees and those who regularly interact with state government can benefit from a course of study that focuses on relevant law and policy issues. Current students enrolled in the program include members of law enforcement, policy analysts, and individuals in higher education. Note: the fee waiver program of the State of Tennessee allows full-time employees of the executive, judicial, or legislative branch of the State of Tennessee to take one graduate course per semester.

Students design their own course plan after they complete the five program requirements. The requirements include two core courses, Law 503 and Law 504, and two foundation courses in Contracts, Civil Procedure, Torts, Criminal Law, or Property. Students select their curriculum pathway from the options below.

• Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
• Family & Elder Law
• Evidence & Trial Practice
• Structure and Operation of the American Legal System
• Introduction to Legal Reasoning and Communication
• Legislation and Regulation
• Contracts
• Business Organizations
• Health Law Compliance
• The Regulation of Work
• Civil Procedure
• Torts
• Criminal Law
• Criminal Procedure
• Written Project (minimum of 1 credit hour)

All courses listed above are designed specifically for students pursuing the MLS or Graduate Certificate and are offered online in an asynchronous fashion unless indicated otherwise.  With some exceptions, students pursuing the MLS or Graduate Certificate through the Knoxville Campus enrollment option are permitted to take JD courses. Check the Graduate Catalog for a list of JD courses.