Most of the nation’s law schools reject the idea of a rigid pre-law curriculum as a means of preparing for entrance into law school. The undergraduate pre-law student is actually working toward two different objectives: vigorous academic preparation for law school and an undergraduate education that will complement the law degree once obtained.
The type of undergraduate degree pursued may depend on the type of law in which you intend to specialize. For example, if you want to become a tax attorney, you might concentrate in accounting and economics. If copyright law interests you, an undergraduate degree in music or art would be beneficial. Those students interested in law school as a prelude to government service or politics may want to pursue an undergraduate degree in political science. Many students do not have a particular field of law identified prior to entering college. For such students, a broad liberal arts preparation is important. All pre-law students should be aware that communications skills are very important, and for this reason, courses in English, speech, and foreign languages should be considered.
The Legal Studies minor is a program offered by the Legal Studies program that allows the student to gain a valuable insight into substantive law courses. Many of the Legal Studies courses serve as previews to the courses offered in law schools.
A Legal Studies minor consists of a minimum of 18 credits chosen from the Legal Studies courses (LGST prefix), with at least 6 of the 18 credits at the 3000 level or higher.
Professors of Legal Studies, in their advisory roles, will tailor the student’s Legal Studies minor to complement the student’s major. For example, an Accounting major might take the following as his or her Legal Studies courses: Introduction to Business Law, Corporate and Property Law, Law for the CPA and Pre-Law Student, The Legal Environment of Business, Business Planning, and Federal Income Tax Law.
Six of the legal studies courses are required for the Legal Studies minor, with 2 of the 6 courses at the 3000 level or higher. For further information, inquire with any full time Legal Studies professor.
For more information, contact Legal Studies.