Pre-Law

The American Bar Association does not recommend any undergraduate majors or group of courses to prepare for a legal education. Students are admitted to law school from almost every academic discipline. You may choose to major in subjects that are considered to be traditional preparation for law school, such as history, history/political science, English, communications, or business, or you may focus your undergraduate studies in areas as diverse as science and mathematics, computer science, nursing, or education.

Mount students who have successfully attended law school include those with degrees in accounting, history/political science, psychology, public relations, and business. Whatever major you select, you are encouraged to pursue an area of study that interests and challenges you, while taking advantage of opportunities to develop your research and writing skills. Taking a broad range of difficult courses from demanding instructors is excellent preparation for legal education.

The American Bar Association has identified a set of core skills essential for the study of law, which include:

Analytic/problem solving skills

Critical reading skills

Strong writing skills

Skills in both oral communication and listening

General research skills

Time management and organization skills

Mount Saint Mary College offers a range of courses that will help you prepare to study law with any undergraduate major.

Courses that develop skills useful for law school include:

Accounting

Economics

Public Speaking

Argumentation and Persuasion

Literature

Logic

Courses about law, the legal system, and the history and philosophy on which it is based include:

American State and Local Government

The United States Constitution and Supreme Court

Political Thought

Modern American Legal History

Philosophy of Law

Ethics

Law and Society

Business Law

While these courses can be taken by students majoring in any discipline, combining a major in history/political science or business with a minor in philosophy will incorporate many of the courses listed above.

In addition, the Career Center can assist you in identifying and applying for internships in a variety of settings related to the legal profession.