There is no single specialty that is best for a law degree, as law school admissions do not favor specific specializations, but rather focus on solid academic performance and the development of skills such as critical thinking and communication. However, careers such as history, political science, philosophy, economics, and English are popular options because of the skills they foster, but any specialty may be suitable if you highlight and develop those skills. As expected, political science is the main pre-law specialty, without a doubt. The second largest number of admitted law students specialized in “Other”, subjects that were not included in the other 144 specialties listed. Political science is a very popular pre-legal specialty because politics is strongly interrelated with legislation.
The study of political behavior, government systems, and the functioning of the judicial system are very useful in law school. Students in this specialty also explore the legal systems of other countries and understand how laws are created and executed. Psychology is one of the five most popular undergraduate majors overall, according to the National Center for Educational Statistics, so it makes sense that it would be a popular choice among pre-law careers. Psychology also provides students with an understanding of concepts such as stereotypes, prejudice, discrimination, cognitive dissonance, and other theories and issues that are useful to future lawyers.
Criminal justice is a natural choice for those who are interested in pursuing a career in criminal law. In this specialty, students learn about the correctional system, court procedures, and other parts of the legal system. A pre-law curriculum may include a variety of humanities and social science classes, such as history, philosophy, and political science. If your undergraduate school offers a pre-law specialization, selecting it will not make you a suitable candidate for law school.
Once again, it's best to choose a specialty that challenges and excites you, and then opt for a full selection of courses that will increase your reading, writing and critical thinking skills. One of the best ways to see if a specific major is right for your interests and abilities is to enroll in a college summer class before you finish high school. For example, if you think you want to specialize in banking or financial law, try an introductory undergraduate economics class to see if you like it. By studying history, you can understand how certain laws and regulations developed. You can also learn about historical cases that have set precedents for future cases.
Many future law school applicants may be attracted to political science as undergraduate students because of the close relationship between politics and legislation. Needless to say, knowing how government and judicial systems work is crucial for lawyers. While the relationship between being a lawyer and English may not be as obvious as in other specialties, the law requires a strong emphasis on reading and writing. This area of study will help you refine your grammar, critical thinking, and general communication skills. You'll also develop a sophisticated understanding of culture and society.
For example, the Harvard Summer School course, The Culture of Capitalism, analyzes capitalism in the context of literature, theater, and film. Studying philosophy will encourage you to exercise your logic and reasoning muscles, skills important for lawyers who must support their interpretation of facts or material by citing evidence. A class such as Introduction to Political Philosophy covers the purpose of democracy and how to defend it. Kenneth Suhariono and Nathan Wongkar, who met on campus during the course “Emerging Markets in Europe and Asia”, worked with Professor Bruno Sergi to publish an economic research article. However, some careers prior to law are more common than others.
Some of the most popular types of law majors include history, political science, economics, English, and criminal justice. That doesn't mean that these are the best pre-law specializations, just the most typical ones. UConn students interested in legal careers can choose any specialty. No specialty is more “prior to the law”.” what else.
When choosing a major (or a second major or a secondary major), keep in mind that critical reading and thinking skills are essential for success in law school. Any specialty that sparks your passion is right for you. This includes specializations prior to non-traditional law, such as nursing, engineering, health sciences, or computer science. Success in your specialty is more important than choosing the “right” specialty.
As a university student in the 1990s, I studied history and political science. At the time, most people studying those subjects wanted to go to law schools. This freedom of choice is great both for students and for the profession in general, as the law is becoming increasingly specialized. For example, several business specialties, including business administration and accounting, can help a student prepare to seek employment opportunities in tax or corporate law.
In recent years, I have noticed an increase in the number of nursing students applying to law school, reflecting the intersection between law and medicine. This change is not surprising, as there is a great need for attorneys with knowledge of medical practices and procedures in fields such as personal injury and disability law. Constitutional law, business law, litigation, or criminal law (just to name a few) are some of the many legal study courses that college students can take to gain some legal knowledge. In constitutional law, students gain an overview of the legal and judicial systems, including a discussion of the U.S.
UU. In business law, students focus on the types of legal problems that companies face. I teach a litigation course that focuses on the judicial system and the role of the legal assistant during the various stages of the judicial process. Another option is to take a criminal law course, which provides students with a broader understanding of the criminal justice system.
Taking some elective courses in history and political science is still a good option for undergraduate students who want to prepare for law school. These courses provide students with some of the skills they'll need in law school, such as reading, writing, and critical analysis of information. For example, students have to read and write a lot in law school. In my experience, courses in political science and history are comparable to those in law classes in terms of their reading and writing requirements.
James Barney is a professor of Legal Studies at the School of Security and Global Studies at the American Military University. Barney has received several awards. He teaches undergraduate and graduate law and history courses. In addition to earning a doctorate in history from the University of Memphis, Dr. Barney has several master's degrees, including one in the U.S.
Economics is a useful specialty for those who want a combination of quantitative and qualitative courses, and also for students who want to study tax law and financial regulation in law school. Khan Academy, for example, offers an official LSAT preparation course that provides a personalized study plan and instant feedback. In turn, law schools offer a wide variety of courses and programs to prepare graduates for different law careers. Studying history provides future law students with a context for legislation, as well as an understanding of the importance of the legal systems and precedents that were created.
Communication students have to read, write, and do a lot of research, as well as speak in public and negotiate, all of which are important areas that must be developed to succeed in law school. Since your score on the LSAT is an important factor when it comes to applying, as well as when it comes to obtaining law school scholarships, considering which careers will best prepare you for the LSAT may be another factor in making your decision. Look for internship opportunities, LSAT preparation courses, academic counseling, and other related resources that will help you with your on the way to law school. For the past decade, I have served as a pre-law advisor at the American Military University (AMU), guiding and supporting numerous future law students as they journey through the law school admission process.
For example, students with experience in human resources may find that their degree helps them in employment and employment law matters. While these pre-law schools may be suitable for some students, you certainly don't need to attend a specific pre-law specialization to be accepted to law school. While a dual specialization may not be for everyone, the point is, once again, to challenge yourself in your undergraduate studies. However, the vast majority of practicing lawyers have attended law school and have obtained a Doctorate degree in Jurisprudence.
