Friday Faculty Feature: Melissa O'Shea

September 11, 2026

MSU Political Science Assistant Professor Melissa O’Shea has a law degree from the University of Illinois and practiced law before joining the MSU College of Law in 2010.   

Professor O’Shea teaches PLS 120 Introduction to Law for undergraduates which teaches them “how to think like a lawyer.” The course involves reading actual cases and learning the nuts and bolts of the court system. 

She also teaches  PLS 321 Constitutional Law.  

Professor O’Shea is the director of the Legal Internship Program, a two-semester package that includes the course PLS 392 in the spring semester followed by a summer or fall legal internship placement geared toward students in their junior year. 

 “Together they are designed to teach students what they need to function in the legal world,” she said.