Introductory Courses for the Pre-Law Student
Many courses and majors provide a strong background for law school. Law schools prefer challenging courses that relate to one another without appearing narrow or vocationally oriented; and they want to see a pattern of intellectual growth.
Avoid taking courses on a pass/fail basis.
Remember to explain any directed study courses in your application, since the title of these courses on your transcript will tell the admissions committee little or nothing about their content or level of difficulty.
Please review all of the following suggestions for courses to include in your studies, whether or not you are considering a major in an area listed. Most provide you with an opportunity to develop important skills for a wide range of careers, as well as preparing you for law school admission and success as a law student.
Courses open to freshmen
(some have a prereq):
Economics 101, 102
English 162, 167, 168, 169
History 101, 102, 123, 124
ILS 200, 205, 206, 207, 208
Philosophy 101, 102, 103
Political Science 104, 205, 209, 219
Sociology 125, 130, 131
Oral and Written Communication Courses
Law schools are interested in candidates with excellent writing skills and the ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences in a variety of settings. A strong command of the English language is the attorney's most effective tool. Plan to include courses that stress expository writing and communication arts.
Additionally, because most law school courses use essay exams to grade student progress, developing your writing skills should improve your law school performance. You will be expected to write a major research paper in law school and to produce "briefs." Take at least one course that will give you that experience while you are an undergraduate.
Regardless of your career choice, writing clearly and concisely is an invaluable asset. We suggest that you consider:
English 201, 203, 315
Communication Arts 100, 105, 260, 262, 266, 368
Philosophy, Business, Education, Math and Science
Although the LSAT does not include math problems, there are problems requiring sharp logical and analytical reasoning. Enrolling in a logic course such as Philosophy 211 should increase your understanding of the logical reasoning section of the test. In general, philosophy courses are good for helping you learn to think. In addition to logic, consider taking:
Philosophy 102, 201, 210, 241, 341, 441, 559
Several analysis-focused courses to consider are:
Statistics 301
Economics 310
Psychology 210
Sociology 357
You might also consider enrolling in a basic accounting course. Although not required for admission to law school, accounting is a helpful tool for lawyers. Accounting and Information Systems 100 (required for business students) and 300 (designed for non-business students) are excellent choices.
You have free reign to select natural science courses for your pre-law program. The 12-16 credits required for the BA/BS degree will be adequate for your needs. If you are interested, however, in environmental law or patent law, you may wish to select science courses accordingly.
Social Sciences
The Social Sciences offers courses that help increase your understanding of human institutions and values and that give you greater insight into the American judicial system, American and British government, and other law-related issues. Explore your options in the social sciences including: Political Science 104 or 209, 217, 404, 405, 417, 411-412, 420, 452, 470, 471, 530
Some courses in Economics that you might consider are: Economics 101-102 or 301-302 (requires one semester of calculus), 315, 330, 352, 453, 364
Depending on your interests, there are a variety of sociology and social work courses that you might consider:
Social Work 105
Sociology 125, 131, 134, 170, 441
Culturally competency is a plus for anyone, in the legal profession as in any walk of life. Among several courses introducing you to cultural pluralism and public policy are Educational Policy 460 and Social Work 206. They provide insight into issues, institutions, and policy-making in the U.S.
Of special interest to students hoping to work in corporate law are Sociology 250, 421, 441, 631, 632
Students interested in environmental law should investigate Sociology 551 and Geography 304, 338, 339. The university's Institute for Environmental Studies also provides some very relevant courses.
For students interested in gender and human rights, Women's Studies 422 and 424 may be beneficial.
All students take the basic "bread and butter" courses in law school, including Property Law. Urban and Regional Planning 306 (The Real Estate Process) introduces you to some concepts you'll explore in your first year of law school.