Pre-Law, Minor

Law schools accept all accredited baccalaureate degrees with any major and minor in specific academic areas. Thus, pre-law students may choose any major or minor as they see fit. However, the American Bar Association has identified core legal skills pre-law students are advised to develop in their undergraduate studies to be successful in law school. Among these are analytical, writing, critical reading, oral communication and general research skills.

The Department of Government and Sociology has designed the pre-law minor as a separate course of study within the political science major to help pre-law students develop and master these skills by exposing them to the foundation of legal writing, analysis and research, as well as preparing them to better understand how the law influences politics, social institutions and ethics in America.

Required Course

PSCI 2311 - Introduction to Pre-Law Credit(s): 3

American Constitutional Law Option

Three hours from:

PSCI 4303 - American Constitutional Law I Credit(s): 3
PSCI 4304 - American Constitutional Law II Credit(s): 3

Pre-Law Option

Three hours from:

PSCI 3313 - Law and Politics Credit(s): 3
PSCI 3316 - Legal Research Credit(s): 3
PSCI 4305 - Appellate Advocacy Credit(s): 3
PSCI 4315 - Law and Society Credit(s): 3
PSCI 4316 - Law and Ethics Credit(s): 3

Pre-Law Electives

NOTE: Courses not listed may be approved for elective credit by the pre-law minor advisor.

Nine hours from:

CRIJ 3305 - Criminal Procedure I Credit(s): 3
PSCI 3313 - Law and Politics Credit(s): 3
PSCI 3316 - Legal Research Credit(s): 3
PSCI 4301 - International Law Credit(s): 3
PSCI 4303 - American Constitutional Law I Credit(s): 3
PSCI 4304 - American Constitutional Law II Credit(s): 3
PSCI 4305 - Appellate Advocacy Credit(s): 3
PSCI 4315 - Law and Society Credit(s): 3
PSCI 4316 - Law and Ethics Credit(s): 3
PSCI 4319 - Readings in Public Law Credit(s): 3

Total hours: 18

Six hours of advanced coursework must be taken in the Minor at SFA for the residency requirement.