This is Part 1 of a 2 part series on course selections for pre-law students. This post will present many different course options to consider.
As you know, students in ANY major can attend law school, and there are NO specifically required courses for pre-law undergrads. Law schools do not require any particular major or coursework. However, given an interest in law, here are some spring courses that pre-law students may find particularly helpful and interesting. These courses are only suggestions and are not requirements.
Some of these courses have prerequisites; check Course Explorer and speak to your academic advisor about the best courses for you.
ACE 240: Personal Financial Planning. Understanding financial instruments, records, and tax implications is critical for nearly all lawyers.
BTW 263: Writing in the Disciplines teaches very practical writing skills for aspiring professionals.
Community Health 101: Introduction to Public Health is a good option for those interested in pursuing healthcare law. (See posted restrictions.)
Communication courses are helpful, as all lawyers must demonstrate strong oral and written communication skills. Here are some examples of helpful courses:
- CMN 101: Public Speaking (this is a prereq for most upper level CMN courses)
- CMN 211: Business Communication
- CMN 220: Communicating Public Policy
- CMN 321: Strategies of Persuasion
- CMN 323: Argumentation
ENGL 310: Unprotected Speech. Description from the instructor:
This semester, we will study the workings of our language through the lens of protected and unprotected speech and writing: what we can say without fear of legal consequences, and what we can’t. Starting with the murderous attacks on the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, and the recent clash between the First and Second Amendments in Charlottesville, and free-speech issues at Yale, Berkeley, Missouri, and the U of I, as well as other campuses, we’ll look at the history of censorship, speech bans, and government surveillance of speech. We’ll see how the boundaries between permitted and banned speech shift over time and with context; how advances in technology change the border between public speech and private speech; whether speech codes are desirable or indefensible; and how the concept of intellectual property informs and limits what we can do with our words, and with the words of others.
All readings will be available on line. Students will be asked to write several short papers on the topics covered, and to participate in a moot court on a current free-speech court case.
ENGL 360: Environmental Writing for students interested in environmental law.
HDFS 120: Intro to Family Studies and SW 200: Intro to Social Work. Both of these courses may be of interest to students who want to be advocates for families and juveniles.
INFO 303: Writing Across Media, a skill that all legal careers integrate and value.
LAW 199:The Judicial System. Enrollment in this class, which meets on Fridays from 1-4 pm, is limited to 12 students. Here are course details and application procedures directly from the course instructor:
The purpose of the class is to take a deep dive into the criminal justice system. Every other week we go off campus to visit state and federal judges, prosecutors, public defenders, legal aid lawyers, and other legal professionals. We learn what they do, how they do it, and what is both challenging and rewarding about their jobs. We also observe court proceedings, and see what happens in state and federal courts.
On the alternate weeks, we gather in the College of Law classroom to review the textbook content, take short quizzes, discuss prior visits, and prepare for upcoming visits. We also ponder the social and legal inequalities that pervade the justice system through movie clips describing cases of particular noteworthiness. In short, we work to become familiar with the justice system and the people who support it, and we think about the many challenges it must address.
If you are interested in applying, please prepare a document with the following information:
1) Your name and email address;
2) Why this course interests you;
3) What you hope to learn during the semester; and
4) How you will manage your schedule so that you will be available Friday afternoons for our class meetings and field trips.
Please bring a paper copy of your application document–by October 27–to the College of Law, Room 338 (for our Undergraduate Studies Coordinator, Ellen Rund). If no one is in the office, you may slip the application under the door. (Documents often come to us that way.) Students will be contacted the following week with offers of admission.
NRES 102: Intro to Natural Resources and Environmental Science would be a helpful course for students interested in pursuing environmental law.
Philosophy options include:
- PHIL 102: Logic & Reasoning. Especially helpful for students who have yet to take the LSAT, as two sections of the LSAT are based on Logical Reasoning.
- PHIL 104/105: Intro to Ethics. Basic exploration of ethics, including the relationship between social morality and the law.
- PHIL 436: Philosophy of Law and the State. Explores broad philosophical legal issues.
Political Science options to gain a foundational understanding of our legal system and its role within broader political structures include:
- PS 220/321: Intro to Public Policy/Principles of Public Policy
- PS 301/302: US Constitution I &II are both helpful primers for law school
- PS 303/313: The US Congress/Congress and Foreign Policy
- PS 280: Intro to International Relations
PSYC 341: Advanced Community Projects. Gaining experience with clients in a human services context can build client-related skills as well as introducing students to the legal needs of a community or a specific population.
Sociology has introduced its Criminology, Law and Society minor. These courses may be helpful for students exploring criminal legal issues and crime in society, such as:
- SOC 226: Political Sociology
- SOC 275: Criminology
- SOC 378: Law and Society
Other courses to explore different areas of law include the following. Some have restrictions; check Course Explorer.
- ACE 403: Agricultural Law
- JOUR 311: Media Law
- RST 354: Legal Aspects of Sport
- SE 400 Engineering Law
- GEOG 210: Social & Environmental Issues
- UP 211: Local Planning, Government and Law
Business classes can provide a helpful foundation for those interested in corporate careers, however, most are restricted to College of Business majors or minors. Some courses will release any leftover seats after a restricted period; check Course Explorer for more details.
- BADM 300 Legal Environment of Business
- BADM 303 Principles of Public Policy–also cross-listed as PS 321.
- BADM 314 Leading Negotiations
Remember that these are only suggestions. Further, this is not intended to be an exhaustive list. There are many other great courses described in the Course Explorer, some of which have prerequisites but are still open to undergrads. Do your own research and talk with your academic advisor to identify other good options.
