Considering English and Pre‐law? There is no single pre‐law major, and law schools typically draw students from such majors as English, philosophy, history, business, and political science. English, however, has long been one of the most popular pre‐law majors, and English majors have traditionally scored very well on the LSAT exam. The English major aims to develop a student’s abilities to read, speak, and write clearly, carefully, and critically. These are skills that will serve anyone well in the legal profession.
Law schools generally do not require any specific prerequisite courses, but we recommend that, in addition to the English major, students interested in pre‐law consider taking the followings courses: Philosophy 110 & 111 (logic); History 111 & 112 (American history); Political Science 201 (American National Government); Political Science 345 (Security and the Constitution); and History 469 (American Legal History). These courses easily fit into the English major and will prepare you well for the LSAT and law school. Sample Course of Study for English and Pre‐law Fall Freshman Year (16 credits) English 101 & 101L Math (usually BMTH 101) Foreign Language 109 History 111 Speech 140 Fall Sophomore Year (16 credits) English 287 (counts as 1st Gen Ed Liberal Arts Elective) English 288 Philosophy 111 Foreign Language 122 1st Lab Science Fall Junior Year (15 credits) 1st English Pre‐1800 Class 1st English Post‐1800 Class BPOL 345 (Security and the Constitution) (2nd Soc/Behavior) 2nd Gen Ed Liberal Arts Elective 2nd General Elective Fall Senior Year (15 credits) English 453 3rd English Post‐1800 Class BHIS 469 (American Legal History) (Humanities) 4th General Elective 5th General Elective Total Credits: 120
Spring Freshman Year (15 credits) English 102 Philosophy 110 (2nd Numerical/Analytical) Foreign Language 110 History 112 Fine Arts Spring Sophomore Year (16 credits) English 290 English 289 BPOL 201 (American National Government) (1st Soc/Behavior) 2nd Lab Science 1st General Elective Spring Junior Year (15 credits) 2nd English Pre‐1800 Class 2nd English Post‐1800 Class Philosophy (other than 110 or 111) 3rd Social/Behavioral Science Course (Non‐Western) 3rd General Elective Spring Senior Year (12 credits) 1st English Elective 300/400 Level 2nd English Elective 300/400 Level 3rd English Elective 300/400 Level 6th General Elective
For more information about English and pre‐law, please contact the English program’s pre‐law advisor, William Hurt.