Pre-Law

Any student desiring to attend law school will be required to complete a baccalaureate degree in the field of his or her choice. While law schools accept applicants with degrees in all types of different fields, students earning the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science are particularly prepared for the study of law by majoring in the Liberal Arts. Degree programs such a Political Science, History, and Communication sharpen critical skills important to success in law school. These skills include reading comprehension, critical thinking, and research. Students interested in attending law school must meet two basic requirements. First and foremost, students must maintain a strong GPA throughout their undergraduate degree. Law schools first look at commendable GPAs of 3.25 or higher of applicants before seriously considering them for admission. Second, law schools admit those students with the highest scores on the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT). Prospective students should take the LSAT in their junior year to ensure that they have time to retake the test before applying to law school by their senior year. Students should consider taking as many LSAT practice tests as possible.

While some law schools may look for specific courses on student transcripts (political science, philosophy, sociology, and history), many admission standards center on applicants that are well-rounded individuals.

 

Recommended courses at UMHB for students interested in law school include:

POLS 2305United States Government

3

POLS 2306Texas State and Local Government

3

POLS 4311Constitutional Government and Law in the US I

3

POLS 4312Constitutional Government and Law in the US II

3

POLS 4330Religion & Politics U.S.

3

COMM 3310Persuasion

3

COMM 3325Advanced Public Speaking

3

COMM 3351Argumentation & Debate

3

COMM 4340Law and Regulation of the Mass Media

3

PHIL 3316Critical Reasoning

3

BLAW 2311Business Law

3

 

More information for applying to law school is available from the Pre-Law Advisor, Dr. David Chrisman, at dchrisman@umhb.edu, (254) 295-4165.