Legal professions and studies

Non-Professional General Legal Studies (Undergraduate): Legal Studies, General; Pre-Law Studies

Law

Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies: Advanced Legal Research/Studies, General; American/U.S. Law/Legal Studies/Jurisprudence; Banking, Corporate, Finance, and Securities Law; Comparative Law; Energy, Environment, and Natural Resources Law; Health Law; Intellectual Property Law; International Business, Trade, and Tax Law; International Law and Legal Studies; Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies, Other; Programs for Foreign Lawyers; Tax Law/Taxation

Legal Support Services: Court Reporting/Court Reporter; Legal Administrative Assistant/Secretary; Legal Assistant/Paralegal; Legal Support Services, Other

Legal Professions and Studies, Other: Legal Professions and Studies, Other

Pre-law

Description

This is not a true major area of study, but it enjoys such popularity among students. Most colleges that offer this program explain that it is intended to be a guided program of liberal arts courses, taken with the close assistance of a pre-law adviser, a faculty member assigned to help students follow a plan of study that will likely lead to admission to a graduate school of law. Pre-law is a preprofessional endeavor and will not lead to qualification to practice law. One must graduate from law school and pass the state bar examination to become a practicing lawyer.

Plan of study

Law schools, unlike medical, dental, and veterinary schools, do not prescribe what undergraduate courses should be taken for graduate admission. However, students are well advised to take courses that train them to think and write in a rigorous, analytical manner. Therefore, the plan of study should include a major that will prepare the student in this way. There are many possibilities, including English, philosophy, logic, linguistics, and political science. Law school admission is competitive, so it is important that the student maintain a strong grade point average in college. The LSAT is an important part of the law school admissions program, and students should prepare themselves to do well on this standardized examination.

Expect to take

English, social studies, mathematics, science, foreign language, a declared major with appropriately challenging course work. This entire program must be closely advised.

Suggested high school subjects

Advanced social studies, advanced English, foreign language, computer literacy.

General interest areas

Social sciences, law, business, diplomacy, foreign service, public service.

Some career possibilities

Business management
Foreign service officer
Civil lawyer
Government/regulatory official
Civil servant
Lawyer
Clergy
Paralegal
Corporate lawyer
Social worker
Criminal lawyer
Teacher
Diplomat

Some related majors

Business administration
Philosophy
Criminology
Political science
English literature
Social sciences
History
Urban studies
International relations

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