The UTSA Institute For Law and Public Affairs

The Institute for Law and Public Affairs commenced on September 1, 2001, as an academic partnership between the University of Texas at San Antonio and the University of Texas School of Law, operating at the Downtown UTSA Campus. The Institute has a three-part mission:

Education: The Institute shall develop and implement one of the nation’s premier pre-law programs, enhancing the number of students from UTSA’s geographic region that gain admission to and excel in high-quality law schools. Every summer, the Institute conducts a highly rigorous, academically intense Summer Law School Preparation Academy using highest quality UTSA and UT School of Law faculty, providing students with a unique, enhanced educational experience. Students completing the twelve hour Academy program get a Certificate in Legal Reasoning The Institute also supervises a special Legal Studies Minor operating throughout the academic year. The Institute is designing and implementing a similar program for undergraduates preparing to pursue careers in public affairs. The Institute places and coordinates interns to expose students to practitioner experiences beyond the enhanced academic programs. The prestigious UTSA Legislative Scholars Program, (popularly known as the McClendon Scholars) sends five students to serve as legislative assistants to the Texas House of Representatives for legislative sessions, awarding each a $10,000 stipend.

Research: The Institute shall establish and coordinate a world-class consortium of scholars and professionals that collaborate on multidisciplinary research projects in the areas of law and public affairs having special interest to the State of Texas. Students engaged in   the educational programs of the Institute shall serve on projects as research assistants to enable them to participate in major professional research. For example, the Institute conducted a study for the Archdiocese of San Antonio on Catholic and public schools in 2006.

Institute for Law and Public Affairs

501 West Durango Blvd. BV 4.356

San Antonio, Texas 78207

Phone:  (210) 458-2990

FAX:  (210) 458-2993

Email:  ilpa@utsa.edu