Pre-Law Program | Office | Website

The Pre-Law program is an academic advising program run by the Pre-Law Committee and the associate dean of the College of Liberal Arts & Education. Students who are planning on attending law school will be assigned an academic advisor who can assist them in choosing both a major program and electives that will help prepare them for the academic requirements of law school. While the Pre-Law program is not a degree-granting program, the committee devised a certificate program for students interested in legal studies.

Requirements for the Certificate in Legal Studies (27 cr.)

At least one course from each of the following four component areas of the certificate program:

Each Semester, one or more LST courses will be designated as fulfilling a capstone seminar requirement. Students must take at least one course with this designation.

Students may take no more than 12 credit hours in any one department (e.g. CST, HIS, PHL, POL).

At least 12 credit hours must be taken at the 300- or 400-level.

Students must complete 10 hours of community service. (These hours may be fulfilled in courses such as POL 210.)

The Pre-Law Committee emphasizes that there is no required undergraduate major for law school; rather, students should choose an academically rigorous major that is both of interest to them, and develops their skills in critical reading, writing, and thinking. Students who plan to attend law school are advised by the Association of American Law Schools to develop basic skills and insights rather than follow any pre-set pre-law program. Law schools urge an undergraduate education that emphasizes:

• 1. Reading comprehension skills. Reading both case law and statutes requires the ability to distinguish and understand the component parts of complex claims and definitions.
• 2. Critical writing skills. The wide variety of forms of writing used in the law all require clear and concise writing skills, and presuppose proficiency with standard English grammar, punctuation, and syntax.
• 3. Critical thinking skills. In both its oral and written formats, the practice of law requires skill at argumentation. Distinguishing a claim from the reasons given in support of it, as well as identifying and analyzing the arguments given in judicial decisions, are essential skills in the practice of law.
• 4. Understanding and analysis of the human institutions and values that are central to the law. Classes that offer insight into the historical development of the law, its impact on other aspects of human life, and the values it reflects are suggested.

Regardless of the choice of undergraduate major, students planning on law school should choose academically rigorous courses (particularly in the liberal arts) that develop all of the skills listed above. Juniors and seniors should choose 300- or 400- level courses for their electives, in addition to the upper division courses required by the student's major.

The Pre-Law Committee encourages all pre-law students to visit UDM's School of Law during their course of study. Two very useful contacts at the Law School are:

• Kathleen H. Caprio Assistant Dean – Admissions and Student Affairs (313) 596-0287
• Bonnie D. Fitch Associate Director – Admissions and Student Affairs (313) 596-0253