McGeorge Ranked #1 in the Nation for Government Law—and That’s Just the Beginning
At McGeorge School of Law, we don’t just teach law, we prepare students to shape it. Recently ranked No. 1 in the country for Government Law by preLaw Magazine, McGeorge shares this top honor with New York Law School and the University of Pennsylvania, outperforming nationally recognized institutions such as Yale, Harvard, and UC Berkeley.
This prestigious recognition reflects McGeorge’s longstanding commitment to preparing the next generation of legal and policy leaders. Whether you’re pursuing a JD, JSD, LLM, Master of Science in Law (MSL), Master of Public Policy (MPP), or Master of Public Administration (MPA), McGeorge offers a unique and powerful education grounded in public service and civic impact.
A History of Leadership—and Innovation
In 2016, McGeorge made history with the first MPA and MPP programs to be housed in a U.S. law school accredited by the ABA. These interdisciplinary graduate degrees were designed for students seeking to lead in government, nonprofit organizations, or public policy advocacy, bringing legal context and civic leadership together like no other program.
In addition to the No. 1 ranking in Government Law, McGeorge earned “A” grades in Public Policy and Government Law from preLaw Magazine, and is recognized as one of the Top 10 Public Policy Schools in the nation, based on national recognition and program excellence further reinforcing its leadership in government and public affairs education.
Sacramento: Where Policy Happens
Location matters. Situated just three miles from the California State Capitol, McGeorge offers unmatched access to lawmakers, state agencies, and advocacy organizations. Students across all graduate programs benefit from this proximity through internships, networking events, and hands-on learning experiences.
McGeorge is also home to the Capital Center for Law & Policy, the Capital Lawyering Certificate of Concentration, and the Legislative & Public Policy Clinic—signature offerings that make McGeorge’s programs stand out in government and policy education.
“The opportunity to not only study the law, but also be a part of shaping public policy going forward, is the focal point of McGeorge’s Capital Center,” said Professor Erin O’Neal, Director of the Center. “Our students take courses from faculty who have worked in high-level policy roles and gain real-world experience advocating for change.”
Real-World Impact, Right Now
McGeorge students across the JD, JSD, MSL, LLM MPP, and MPA programs regularly apply their knowledge to real-world challenges. The Legislative & Public Policy Clinic is a perfect example. Since its launch in 2013, students in the clinic have helped draft and advocate for 14 state bills that became law, including:
- A 2023 water law to ensure safe, affordable drinking water for disadvantaged communities
- A 2022 law improving access to ESL courses for recent immigrants
- A 2021 bill allowing cannabis use for pain relief in terminally ill hospital patients
McGeorge also partners with organizations such as the Transformational Change Partnership and Breaking Barriers California, providing students with the opportunity to work on high-impact initiatives in mental health services and child welfare policy.
Career-Ready Graduates
McGeorge graduates are making their mark in government and public interest careers across California and beyond.
✔️ 24% of McGeorge’s Class of 2023 are employed in government roles
✔️ An additional 12% are working in public interest positions
✔️ For five consecutive years, more than 90% of Capital Lawyering graduates have secured employment within one year of graduation
“As a Sacramento native with a background in the state legislature, I always dreamt of attending McGeorge,” said Taylor Gonsalves ’25. “The opportunity to obtain practical skills through experiences like the Legislative & Public Policy Clinic has been unmatched, solidifying why our government law program is ranked No. 1 nationally.”
The McGeorge Difference: Online and Hybrid Flexibility
McGeorge’s commitment to accessibility and impact doesn’t stop at the Capitol doors. Today, students can pursue their MSL, MPA, and MPP degrees through flexible online and hybrid options, making it easier than ever to balance education with work and life. These programs are ideal for aspiring public servants, nonprofit leaders, legal professionals, and changemakers looking to deepen their policy knowledge and expand their career opportunities.
Explore McGeorge’s Government and Policy Programs