# Marshall-Brennan Constitutional Literacy Project

Year-long constitutional law and oral advocacy course taught in high schools by law student fellows, culminating in the Youth Law Summit and National Moot Court Competition in Washington, DC.

## Key facts

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Organization | American University Washington College of Law |
| Category | leadership |
| Cost | Not listed |
| Deadline | Rolling / check official site |
| Eligibility | Grades 9–12 |
| Format | In person |
| Location | Washington, DC |
| Apply | https://www.american.edu/wcl/impact/initiatives-programs/marshallbrennan/ |

## About this program

# Marshall-Brennan Constitutional Literacy Project

Founded at American University Washington College of Law in 1999 and named for Justices Thurgood Marshall and William J. Brennan Jr., the Marshall-Brennan Constitutional Literacy Project places upper-level law students in high school classrooms to teach a year-long course in constitutional law and oral advocacy. Chapters run at law schools across roughly 18 states.

## What You'll Do

- Take a year-long constitutional law course taught by law student fellows at your own school
- Study real Supreme Court cases on student speech, search and seizure, due process, and equal protection
- Learn oral advocacy: brief a case, build an argument, and answer questions from the bench
- Apply assigned case facts to argue as a Marshall-Brennan scholar in your chapter's regional moot court round
- Advance to the national Youth Law Summit and Marshall-Brennan National Moot Court Competition & Conference in Washington, DC

## Who Should Apply

High school students whose school hosts a Marshall-Brennan chapter through a partner law school; students and teachers at schools without a chapter can contact the project or a nearby participating law school about starting one. There is no separate student application fee structure published - participation runs through the classroom course.

## Outcomes

Scholars finish with a genuine constitutional law course on their transcript, appellate-style argument experience, and networking with law students, faculty, and judges at the national conference - a strong signal for pre-law and public policy applicants.

## Frequently asked questions

### Who is eligible for Marshall-Brennan Constitutional Literacy Project?

Marshall-Brennan Constitutional Literacy Project is open to high school students in grades 9–12. Some programs have additional requirements (GPA, coursework, essays, or recommendations) — the full criteria are on the official site.

### Is Marshall-Brennan Constitutional Literacy Project online or in person?

Marshall-Brennan Constitutional Literacy Project is an in-person program based in Washington, DC.

### How do I apply to Marshall-Brennan Constitutional Literacy Project?

Apply directly through American University Washington College of Law's official website. ExtracurricularHub links to the official application — we list and verify programs but don't process applications.

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Last updated: 2026-07-28.
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