Government and Law

The dome of a government building silhouetted against a bright sky.
Government and Law

Psychology Career Pathways

What is Government and Law?

Government and law encompasses careers dedicated to creating, interpreting, implementing, and upholding laws and public policy at the local, state, and federal levels. This broad area includes legal professions (such as attorneys, paralegals, and legal analysts), government and public service roles (policy analysts, legislative staff, public administrators), and enforcement and protection careers (such as corrections officers, law enforcement, and park rangers). Professionals in this field work to promote justice, public safety, civic engagement, and the effective functioning of communities and institutions.

Psychology in Practice

Psychology plays a critical role in government and law by helping professionals understand human behavior within systems of power, justice, and public policy. Psychological principles inform areas such as decision-making, bias, persuasion, conflict resolution, trauma response, and behavior change. In legal settings, psychology contributes to understanding jury behavior, eyewitness testimony, and forensic assessment; in government and public service, it supports policy development and community engagement; and in enforcement and protection careers, it informs crisis intervention, de-escalation, rehabilitation, and ethical leadership.

Government and Law for Psychology Majors

Explore sub-fields of government and law that are fit for psychology majors. Click on the hyperlinked sample job posts to see real job postings that detail the position's responsibilities and qualifications. 

  • Legal
  • About Field
    The legal field focuses on interpreting, applying, and upholding the law within courts, firms, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations. Professionals in this area may represent clients, conduct legal research, draft legal documents, analyze policy, or support court operations. Roles range from attorneys and judges to paralegals, legal assistants, compliance officers, and court administrators. This field requires strong critical thinking, ethical reasoning, research skills, and the ability to analyze complex information within structured legal systems.

    Sample Job Posts
    • Civil Attorney
    • Court Advocate
    • Legal Secretary 
    • Legal Process Clerk

    Sample Job Titles
    Judge, Mediator, Lawyer, Paralegal, Counsel, Public Defender
  • Policy and Public Service
  • About Field
    Policy and public service careers center on shaping, implementing, and evaluating public policy and programs that impact communities. Professionals may work in city, county, state, or federal agencies in areas such as public administration, policy analysis, legislative affairs, community development, or public health initiatives. These roles often involve collaboration, strategic planning, data analysis, and community engagement, with a focus on promoting equity, efficiency, and public well-being.

    Sample Job Posts
    • Legislative Aide
    • Policy Analyst
    • State Relations Assistant
    • Staff Services Analyst

    Sample Job Titles
    Political Scientist, Lobbyist, Press Secretary, Legislative Director, District Representative, Consultant, Legislative Assistant, Scheduler, Field Representative
  • Enforcement and Protection
  • About Field
    Enforcement and protection careers focus on maintaining public safety, enforcing laws and regulations, and protecting people, property, and natural resources. This field includes roles such as law enforcement officers, corrections professionals, probation and parole officers, and park rangers. Professionals in these roles must make sound decisions under pressure, engage with diverse communities, manage conflict, and balance accountability with fairness and ethical responsibility.

    Sample Job Posts
    • Community Service Officer
    • Corrections Officer
    • Probation Officer
    • State Park Peace Officer

    Sample Job Titles
    Wildlife Officer, Game Warden, Special Agent, Criminal Analyst, Criminal Investigator, Deputy, Police Officer, Emergency Dispatcher, Code Enforcement, Detention Aide, Juvenile Corrections Officer, Probation Assistant

How to Prepare for a Career in Government and Law

Do your Research

The steps you take to prepare for a career in business depend on what kind of position you want to pursue. For an overview on how to conduct research on your professions of interest, look at our Work Research section on the right. Here are some other starting points:

  • If you're interested in becoming a lawyer, check out our on-campus Pre-Law Advising Center
  • If you want to learn more about policy and public service, look at these California legislative positions for the assembly and senate, how to get a state job on CalCareers, or how to get into federal work on USAJobs
  • If you want to learn more about enforcement and protection, look up positions in this field for the county or state you want to work for to learn about qualifications and training needed. A great starting point is GovernmentJobs.org.

 

Supplement Your Bachelor's Degree

Consider the following course, double major, minor, and experiential recommendations during your academic journey.

Graduate School for Government and Law

Graduation cap decorated with white and yellow flowers and blue stickers, seen from behind

What is Graduate School? What is a Graduate Degree?

Understand what graduate school is with this page from the Pre-Grad Advising Office. Pre-Grad Advisors are available to meet with students to discuss if graduate school is right for you .

Do I Need Graduate School for Government and Law?

Whether you need graduate school depends on the specific area of government and law you want to pursue. Many entry-level roles in public service, policy support, administration, advocacy, community outreach, legislative affairs, and enforcement can be entered with a bachelor’s degree. However, graduate school is required to become an attorney. 

Some policy and public service roles may benefit from advanced education. Enforcement and protection careers may instead require academy training, certifications, or agency-specific preparation.

Before pursuing graduate school, students are encouraged to explore job postings, internships, and public service experiences to better understand the qualifications and pathways connected to their interests.

Common Graduate Programs Related to Government and Law

  • Juris Doctor (Law School)
  • Public Policy
  • Public Administration
  • Criminal Justice
  • Forensic Psychology
  • Forensic Science