Pre-Law in the Liberal Arts
A liberal arts education provides students with an educational experience rooted in critical thinking, writing, and analytical reasoning.
Selecting a Major for Law School
Â鶹ֱ²¥ College does not have a formal major in law or legal studies. Students interested in pursuing a post-graduate legal education are encouraged to select a major that is both intellectually challenging and an area of genuine interest for the student. Recent Â鶹ֱ²¥ graduates who are attending law school represent majors in English, Philosophy, Political Science, International Studies, History, Religious Studies, Spanish, and Mathematics.
Pre-Law Advising
Pre-Law Advising Services at Â鶹ֱ²¥ College are designed to provide the following:
- Assistance with course selection
- Guidance on law school admissions test preparation
- Assisting with application materials such as the personal statement, resume, and any necessary support essays
- Advice on selecting a law school that is right for the student’s goals and needs
- Planning for panels and lectures from admissions counselors and lawyers
First- and second-year students should contact the college’s pre-law advisor, Anna Eldridge, to be added to the list serve and to seek out general advice for recommended courses.
Third-year students (or students who are 1-2 years away from applying to law school) should set up a pre-law advising appointment.
Senior or post-graduate students who are entering the law school application cycle in the next 6-12 months should register for an LSAC profile, register for the law school admissions test, and set a pre-law advising appointment at the earliest opportunity.
Undergraduate Courses in Law
Â鶹ֱ²¥ College offers many courses across a variety of majors that provide students with the opportunity to learn more about the study of law and legal theory. Some of the recommended courses include:
Political Science 216: Philosophy of Law
Political Science 264: Rights of the Accused
Political Science 283: Topics in Public Law
Political Science 301: Civil Liberties
History 351: US Constitutional History to 1865
History 352: US Constitutional History since 1865
Political Science 218: Justice, Equality, and Liberty (4 credits)
Political Science 262: Trial Procedures (2 credits)
Political Science 265: Topics in Vocations (1 credit)
Political Science 462: Internship (1-2 credits)
Political Science 440: Seminar in the Constitutional Convention (4 credits)
History 105: History of the Supreme Court (4 credits)
History 243: The Civil Rights Movement (4 credits)
History 461: Internship (1-2 credits)
Philosophy 206: Logic
English 324: Renaissance Law and Literature
Summer Pre-Law Practicums
Current and recent graduates are also invited to participate in our Summer Pre-Law Practicum courses. These 1 credit course options are designed to provide future law students LSAT testing assistance and an overview for law school curriculum.
INTD 301: Pre-Law Practicum I
Course Description: Students will be introduced to elements of the law school experience. For example, students will review first-year courses taken by law students with a summary explanation of each course and a sample case from each course category, learn how to read and brief those cases like a law student, and develop an understanding of the different types of legal writing (memos, briefs, motions, and opinions). This course is available for junior or senior students or by permission of the instructor. This course is available for one credit on a pass/fail basis. Students may take this course by itself or in conjunction with INTD 302: Pre-Law Practicum II.
INTD 302: Pre-Law Practicum II
Course Description: Students will be introduced to the elements of the law school application and law school admissions test. Students enrolled in INTD 302 must register an account with the Law School Admissions Council and the Law School Admissions Test Hub. In this course, students will take practice tests and receive guidance on areas of improvement on test subjects. Students will learn how to maximize their application through work on their personal statement essays and resumes and will meet with law school admissions counselors to gain additional application guidance. This course is available for one credit on a pass/fail basis. This course should be taken in the same year as the law school admissions test and is most appropriate for juniors or for seniors who plan to take a gap year. Students may take this course by itself or in conjunction with INTD 302: Pre-Law Practicum I.
Mock Trial
Â鶹ֱ²¥ College boasts one of the top Mock Trial teams in the country. Mock Trial began at Â鶹ֱ²¥ in 1987, when the national tournament consisted of only 56 teams. Since that time, the tournament has blossomed to include more than 650 teams from more than 400 colleges and universities.
Â鶹ֱ²¥ has appeared at the National Championship Tournament for every year of the Mock Trial program’s existence, an unchallenged 33-year streak as of spring 2019.
The Â鶹ֱ²¥ Mock Trial program attracts a wide variety of students from virtually every major on campus. Some are preparing for law school, while others simply enjoy the excitement of the competition and the camaraderie that such team activities generate.
Visit the Mock Trial team's website for more information.