Kristin Fracchia

Pre Law Courses to Take in College

Student in library showing pre-law courses to take in college

What is considered pre-law exactly? Well, law schools don’t mandate that you choose any particular undergraduate major (there are other law school requirements, though!). In fact, you’re free to choose whatever courses you want during your undergraduate career—there are no pre-law courses that are required for law school admissions. That said, some exposure to the following topics would be helpful for any future law student.

Also, some schools do offer a pre-law major that often includes classes in business, history, and anthropology. Criminal justice is another popular major for pre-law students! Now, let’s jump into our top 6 list of recommended pre-law courses.

The 6 Best Pre Law Courses to Take in College

 

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1. Political science

All law students should know the basics of government. Try a variety of political science courses to get a sense for politics and international relations. Many political science departments also offer courses designed to give students some insight into law.
 

2. Philosophy

Students with a strong philosophy background often find the LSAT to be much easier, simply because they have prior knowledge of formal logic. A logic course will give you a strong foundation for the Logical Reasoning and Logic Games sections of the LSAT.
 

3. Sociology

Understanding the way society works is crucial for law students, particularly those interested in public interest work. Sociology courses in education, race, ethnicity, or gender can give you the tools you’ll need to impact change as a future lawyer.
 

4. English

No surprises here – law school is going to require mastery of the English language. English courses that are heavy in academic reading and writing will give you the skills you’ll need to get through law school assignments effectively and efficiently. If your school offers advanced critical reading and writing classes, even better.
 

5. Economics

Law and economics are often intertwined. While you don’t need to become an expert in economics, some background in this area will broaden your understanding of business and policy. You’ll be thankful you did this when you study the Learned Hand formula, and pretty much every day in Contracts!
 

6. Public Speaking

Public speaking might be an elective at your school, but don’t overlook it as a valuable addition to your schedule. Lawyers will need to make and present arguments as their profession – so it’s smart to get started on developing your speaking skills now.
 
 

Additional Pre-Law Resources

If you’re thinking about going to law school, here are some great resources to help you with pre-law courses and the rest of your pre-law journey before you begin law school life:

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Let us know in the comments if there are any other pre-law courses that you’d recommend for undergrads!

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Author

  • Kristin Fracchia

    Dr. Kristin Fracchia has over fifteen years of expertise in college and graduate school admissions and with a variety of standardized tests, including the ACT, SAT, GRE, GMAT, and LSAT, with several 99% scores. She had a PhD from the University of California, Irvine, an MA degree from The Catholic University, and BA degrees in Secondary Education and English Literature from the University of Maryland, College Park. She was the recipient of the 2013 Excellence in Teaching Award and the Chancellor’s Club Fellowship from the University of California, Irvine. She’s worked as a high school teacher and university professor, as an independent college and graduate school admissions counselor, and as an expert tutor for standardized tests, helping hundreds of students gain acceptance into premier national and international institutions. She now develops accessible and effective edtech products for Magoosh. Her free online content and YouTube videos providing test prep and college admissions advice have received over 6 million views in over 125 countries. Kristin is an advocate for improving access to education: you can check out her TEDx talk on the topic. Follow Kristin on LinkedIn!

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