• Pre-Law Program

    Law schools do not require any particular major, but the Law School Admission Council advises: "Law schools want students who can think critically and write well, and who have some understanding of the forces that have shaped human experience." The Pre-Law Concentration is designed to develop well-motivated students into applicants who fit this description.

    The courses in the Pre-Law Concentration (possible with either a Political Science or Philosophy major) will develop the intellectual skills and interests that are relevant for law school and will provide a liberal arts education of benefit to students throughout their lives. Elsewhere the catalog contains a brief description of a liberal arts education.

    Completing the courses in the Pre-Law Concentration does not guarantee admission to law school or a high score on the LSAT. Interested students should meet with a Pre-Law Advisor early in their educational careers to discuss strategies to prepare for law school. Students in Pre-Law will have the opportunity to participate in extracurricular activities that will contribute to their preparation for law school and introduce them to some of the careers that lawyers pursue.

    Students who complete the required courses earn a B. A. in Political Science or Philosophy with a Pre-Law Concentration. The students' transcripts will show both the major and the concentration.

    The course requirements and choices in the Philosophy and Political Science areas are listed below. 

     

    Requirements for a B.A. in Philosophy with a Pre-Law Concentration

    Courses
    See course descriptions for prerequisites and co-requisites     		Credits
    As students meet the overall requirements of a Philosophy major, those in the Pre-Law Concentration should take the following courses:  
       
    Mathematics - select three credits from the following:  3
            MTH 140 Introduction to Statistics         
            MTH 270 Mathematical Statistics  
    Philosophy:   
            PHL 101 Introduction to Logic - does not fulfill core requirement 3
    Theology:   
        Select three credits from the following:  3
            THL 106 The Old Testament  
            THL 107 The New Testament  
            THL 225 Introduction to Christian Theology   
        Select three credits from the following:  3
            THL 204 Epistles of Paul  
            THL 238 Theology of Justice and Mercy  
            THL 303 The Gospels  
            THL 335 Christian Morality  
    Language:  3
        Select three credits at the 111 level or above.  Latin is recommended.  
    History - select six credits from the following:  6
            HST 110 Western Civilization I          
            HST 111 Western Civilization II  
            HST 201 American History I  
            HST 202 American History II  
    Literature - select three credits from the following:  3
            ENG 460 The Age of Chaucer  
            ENG 463 The Age of Shakespeare  
        Select three additional credits in Literature 3
    Social and Behavioral Sciences:   
            ECN 207 Principles of Microeconomics 3
            ECN 208 Principles of Macroeconomics 3
            POL 101 The Great Issues of Politics 3
            POL 290 Politics and Government: Process & Issues 3
            Select one additional Political Science course 3
       
    Total Credits Required  42

    NOTE: In the case of double majors or minors, other courses may be taken in place of those above with the approval of the Pre-Law Advisory Committee.

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    Requirements for a B.A. in Political Science with a Pre-Law Concentration

    Suggested Courses
    See course descriptions for prerequisites and co-requisites.    		 Credits
       
    As students meet the overall requirements of a Political Science major, those in the Pre-Law Concentration must take the following courses:            
       
    Mathematics - select three credits from the following:  3
            MTH 140 Introduction to Statistics  
            MTH 240 Mathematical Statistics  
    Natural Science:   3
    Theology:   
        Select three credits from the following:  3
            THL 106 The Old Testament  
            THL 107 The New Testament  
            THL 225 Introduction to Christian Theology  
        Select three credit from the following:  3
            THL 303 The Gospels  
            THL 204 Epistles of Paul  
            THL 238 Theology of Justice and Mercy  
            THL 335 Christian Morality  
    History - select six credits from the following:  6
            HST 110 History of Western Civilization I  
            HST 111 History of Western Civilization II  
            HST 201 American History I  
            HST 202 American History II  
    Language:  3
            Select three credits at the 111 level or above.  Latin is recommended.  
    Literature - select three credits from the following:  3
            ENG 460 The Age of Chaucer  
            ENG 463 The Age of Shakespeare  
        Select three additional credits in Literature 3
    Philosophy:   
            PHL 101 Introduction to Logic - does not fulfill core requirement 3
        Select six credits from the following, with no more than four credit  6
        at the 100 level:   
            PHL 109 Issues in Philosophy  
            PHL 110 Wisdom and the Web  
            PHL 150 Theories of Ethics  
            PHL 170 Philosophy of Good and Evil  
            PHL 242 Applied Ethics  
            PHL 243 Bioethics  
            PHL 279A CORE: Ethical Issues of Sex and Marriage  
            PHL 379A CORE: Principles of Justice: Catholic Social Teachings  
    NOTE: Students who do not complete PHL 379a must complete one Economics course other than ECN 205. 
         		  
    Social and Behavioral Sciences:   
            ECN 207 Principles of Macroeconomics 3
       
    Total Credits Required  39 

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