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Pre-Law Minor

Prepare to Succeed in Law School and Beyond
  • +5%

    Job Outlook for Attorneys 2025-35, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

  • Apply

    Pre-Law Minor is Designed To Provide You With an Advantage When Applying to Law School

  • 116

    Among Public National Universities, U.S. News & World Report

Find Your Career in:

Prepare for law school and explore careers throughout the legal system. Attorneys work in law firms, corporations, government agencies, nonprofit organizations and many specialized fields of law.

Career possibilities include private practice attorney, prosecutor, public defender, judicial or legal assistant and paralegal.

Organizations increasingly need professionals who understand the laws, regulations and ethical responsibilities affecting their operations. Legal knowledge can complement majors in business, finance, accounting, human resources and related fields.

Career possibilities include compliance, contracts, regulatory affairs, risk management, human resources, labor relations and corporate governance.

Law is fundamental to government work. Understanding constitutional principles, courts and legal institutions provides a strong foundation for careers developing, analyzing, implementing and administering public policy.

Career possibilities include policy analyst, legislative staff, government affairs, public administration, regulatory agencies and local, state or federal government.

Legal and policy knowledge can help you turn an interest in public issues into a career. Advocacy and nonprofit organizations work on civil rights, economic opportunity, education, health and the environment.

Career possibilities include nonprofit management, advocacy, community engagement, government relations, public affairs and policy research.

Learn To

Break down complex problems, identify competing arguments and evaluate evidence before reaching conclusions.

Apply logic and legal reasoning to questions involving law, government, public policy and society.

Develop clear, persuasive arguments and strengthen written and oral communication skills.

Explore constitutional principles, legal institutions and the role courts and law play in American government and society.

Connect legal concepts and analytical skills to your major, career interests and issues that matter to you.

Pre-Law Minor Program Overview

Add Legal Knowledge to Your Major

You don't have to major in political science to prepare for law school. Law schools admit students from virtually every undergraduate major, and this pre-law minor is designed to complement your primary field of study rather than replace it.

In this program, you'll study law, government, constitutional principles and legal reasoning while developing skills important to both graduate education and professional careers, such as critical reading, analytical reasoning, problem solving, research and effective written and oral communication.

The pre-law minor also gives you an opportunity to explore your interest in law before deciding whether law school is the right path for you. Law touches nearly every profession, so understanding how laws are created, interpreted and applied can provide a useful perspective for your future career regardless of your major.

Sample Courses in Pre-Law Minor

Table shows sample courses for this program
PLS 101 American National Government
PLS 300 American Constitutional Law I
PLS 301 American Constitutional Law II
PLS 305 The Constitution & the Criminal Justice System
PLS 310 Legal Philosophy & Jurisprudence
See The Full Curriculum

How Do I Minor in Pre-Law?

The pre-law minor requires 24 credit hours of coursework and students must earn at least a ‘B’ (3.00) average in all courses counted for the pre-law minor.

At least six of the 24 hours counted toward the minor must come from outside the Department of Public and International Affairs.

Because some courses may have prerequisites or restrictions, students should consult the undergraduate catalogue and work with the pre-law minor coordinator when planning their coursework.

For more information, contact coordinator Dr. Julie Lane.

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