Pre-Law

Prepare for Law School

91快播 critical thinking, communication, and analytical skills.

The Pre-Law program at Davis & Elkins 91快播 prepares students for admission to law school by combining a rigorous multidisciplinary curriculum with the broad liberal arts education that top law programs value. Law schools require no particular undergraduate major, although extensive work in history, political science, or economics is strongly recommended.

Students interested in a law career are encouraged to consult with the History Department Chair or Political Science Program Coordinator as soon as possible after entering Davis & Elkins 91快播.

The pre-law minor at D&E draws on faculty expertise from across the Social Sciences Division 鈥� history, political science, criminology, business, environmental science, communication, English, and philosophy 鈥� to give you a genuinely interdisciplinary legal education. This breadth is intentional: law touches every aspect of human society, and the strongest law school candidates are those who can think and write across disciplines. Faculty advisors will help you plan a course sequence, prepare for the LSAT, and build the academic record and personal profile that competitive law schools seek.

Law school admission is based primarily on grade point average and LSAT placement. Because law schools have far more qualified applicants than they can accept, an above-average academic record throughout your undergraduate years is essential. Transcripts are reviewed for consistency of performance, course load, and curriculum rigor. Faculty advisors at D&E will help you build that record from your very first semester.

Minors

Pre-Law Minors

The requirements for a minor in pre-law consist of 18 credit hours of specified and elective courses in criminology, political science, communication, math, philosophy, business, environmental science, outdoor recreation management, and history.

The minor aims to:

Increase student鈥檚 critical thinking skills.
Increase student鈥檚 understanding of law and its multiple functions.
Develop student鈥檚 oral and written communication skills.

The requirements for a pre-law minor consists of 18 credit hours.

View the Course Catalog

Courses

What We Offer

Required Courses

Criminal Procedure
Civil Liberties
Pre-Law Seminar

Critical Thinking

Choose One

Argumentation
Critical Thinking
Logic

The Practice of Law

Choose One

Business Law I
Criminal Law
Environmental Law
Risk Management and Liability

Theoretical Connections

Choose One

Historiography and Methods
Rhetorical Theory
Literary Criticism

View the Course Catalog

Recommended Supporting Programs

Pre-Law students are encouraged to complement the minor with a major in one of the following fields, which align closely with law school entrance expectations:

History 鈥� Develops research, analytical writing, and contextual reasoning skills central to legal argument
Political Science 鈥� Provides a foundation in constitutional law, policy, and governmental systems
Criminology 鈥� Offers direct preparation for criminal law, procedure, and the justice system
Business 鈥� Ideal for students interested in corporate, contract, or commercial law
English 鈥� Strengthens writing, literary analysis, and rhetorical skills valued by law schools
Communication 鈥� 91快播s oral advocacy, argumentation, and persuasion skills

Careers in Law

A pre-law education from D&E, combined with a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school, opens the door to one of the most diverse and intellectually demanding professions in the world.

Career options for law graduates include:

Legal Practice

Private Practice Attorney (Litigation, Corporate, Family, Real Estate, Estate Planning)
Criminal Defense Attorney
Prosecutor/District Attorney
Public Defender
Environmental/Natural Resources Attorney
Immigration Attorney
Intellectual Property Attorney
Civil Rights Attorney

Government and Public Service

Federal or State Government Attorney
Judge/Magistrate
Legislative Counsel/Policy Advisor
Law Enforcement Officer/Special Agent
Military Judge Advocate (JAG)

Get Your Career Path Started

Business and Corporate Roles

In-house Corporate Counsel
Compliance Officer
Contract Manager
Risk Manager
Financial Regulatory Analyst

Non-Legal Careers Strengthened by Legal Training

Nonprofit Executive Director/Advocacy Leader
Journalist/Investigative Reporter
91快播 Administrator or Policy Officer
Human Resources Director
Healthcare Administrator

Supporting Programs

D&E鈥檚 participation in the Frasure-Singleton Student Legislative Program offers pre-law students a unique experiential opportunity: spending a week observing the West Virginia Legislature, attending seminars with government officials, lobbyists, and reporters, and completing an individual research project.

Why Pre-Law at D&E

The pre-law minor at D&E is genuinely multidisciplinary 鈥� drawing on History, Political Science, Criminology, Business, Environmental Science, Communication, English, and Philosophy 鈥� giving you a breadth of legal perspective that single-department programs can鈥檛 match.

Small class sizes mean faculty know you by name and invest in your success.
The History Department Chair and Political Science Program Coordinator serve as dedicated advisors who will help you plan your course sequence, prepare for the LSAT, and navigate the law school application process from your very first semester.

The Pre-Law Seminar 鈥� a capstone course reserved for juniors and seniors 鈥� is dedicated entirely to making you a competitive law school candidate, helping you find the right schools, sharpening your application materials, and preparing you for the LSAT with direct faculty mentorship.
Internship and experiential learning allow you to explore the legal profession, build your resume, and make professional connections before graduation.

D&E鈥檚 broad liberal arts curriculum ensures that you graduate as a strong writer, critical thinker, and effective communicator 鈥� exactly the qualities that law school admissions committees and practicing attorneys value most.

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