Pre-Law, Minor

Location(s): On Campus

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Students may pursue a legal career after completing undergraduate work in any discipline offered by Wesleyan. Students intending to apply to law school will maximize their chances of admission by maintaining a high GPA, earning high LSAT scores, and obtaining strong letters of recommendation. While the American Bar Association (ABA) does not recommend a specific course of study for students interested in attending law school, both the ABA and the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) emphasize the importance of coursework that teaches the skills students need to succeed in their study of law. The ability to read as well as listen, critically analyze fact patterns or situations, organize or synthesize a great deal of information, advocate for someone, counsel or give advice to people, write, speak (oral communication skills), and negotiate are critical skills for all lawyers. Strong library research skills are also essential. The pre-law minor encompasses courses from several disciplines that help students develop crucial skills, prepare them to take the LSAT, and equip them for law school.

Student Learning Objectives

Demonstrate knowledge and historical application of law, politics, and public policy principles and theories.
Demonstrate the ability to identify and interpret sources effectively as evidence within the broader context of public policy, legal questions, and social issues.
Critically analyze, construct, and support evidence-based arguments from the most common perspectives in the legal profession.
Skillfully communicate logical, evidence-based arguments in both written and oral form.
Interpret moral responsibilities within a professional setting.

Minor Requirements: Pre-Law

A minor in pre-law consists of 29 semester hours as follows:

Required (26 hours)

ACC 201: Financial Accounting: Concepts and Applications Credit: 3
HIS 130: The American Experience to 1877 Credit: 3
HIS 135: The American Experience Since 1877 Credit: 3
POL 319: International Law Credit: 3
OR
BUS 310: Business Law Credit: 3
OR
BUS 314: Legal Aspects of Healthcare Credit: 3
OR
BUS 331: Employment and Labor Law Credit: 3
POL 115: American Politics Credit: 3
POL 320: American Constitutional Development Credit: 3
PHI 223: Ethics Credit: 3
PHI 224: Logic Credit: 3
LAW 203: Sophomore Law Lab Credit: 1
LAW 303: Junior Law Lab Credit: 1

Electives (3 hours)

COM 202: Public Speaking Credit: 3
OR
ECO 102: Issues in Macroeconomics Credit: 3

Note

Several courses have prerequisites.

ACC 201 Financial Accounting: MAT 130 or placement at MAT 140 or higher.
BUS 314 Legal Aspects of Healthcare: BUS 308 /HCA 308
BUS 331 Employment and Labor Law: BUS 105 ; BUS 315 or BUS 317 ; and BUS 310
ECO 102 Issues in Macroeconomics: MAT 130 or higher
POL 319 International Law and HIS 320 /POL 320 American Constitutional Development: Satisfactory completion of the College writing proficiency requirement or instructor’s permission.

Students are also strongly encouraged to ensure that at least one hour of credit for PDE 400 is earned via an internship at a law office, whether at a private firm, a public defender’s office, a prosecutor’s office, or a court.