Pre-Law Program

 Political Science Graduating Seniors and Faculty Spring 2016

Why Major in Political Science/Pre-Law Area?

The Pre-Law focus in Political Science combines a political science major with a pre-law minor. With the Pre-Law Area, the undergraduate pre-law student is actually working toward two objectives: admission to law school and to complete an undergraduate degree which will help students compete in law school. Our former Pre-Law students have gone on to a variety of law schools, including University of Louisville, St. Louis University, and the University of Kentucky.  

What can you do with a Political Science/Pre Law Area Degree?

Students in this track usually go to law school and go on to become attorneys.  

Program Requirements

Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science Degree (CIP 45.1001)

Total Curriculum Requirements (120 hours)

University Studies Requirements (32-41 hours)

  • University Studies selections must include:
    • MAT 117 Mathematical Concepts
    • STA 125 Statistical Reasoning 

Required Courses (25 hours)

  • POL 100T Transitions
  • POL 140 American National Government
  • POL 240 State and Local Government
  • POL 250 Introduction to International Relations
  • POL 252 Introduction to Comparative Politics 
  • POL 261 Introduction to Political Theory
  • POL 359 Writing and Inquiry in the Social Sciences
  • POL 360 Research Methods
  • POL 499 Senior Seminar in Political Science

Pre-Professional Legal Studies Courses (24 hours)

  • LST 240 Legal Environment of business
  • LST 300 Introduction to Legal Research
  • LST 457 International Law and Organizations
  • POL 441 Legislative Process
  • POL 444 Judicial Process
  • POL 445 Constitutional Law I: Developments and Trends
  • POL 447 Constitutional Law II: Civil Liberties and Civil Rights

Required Limited Electives (21 hours)
Note: At least 12 hours must be at the 300 level or above. Only one course from PHI 103 and 203 will count toward this requirement. 
Select hours from the following:

  • LST 242 Real Estate Law
  • LST 250 Mock Trial
  • LST 320 Family Law
  • LST 340 Immigration Law
  • LST 350 Legal Services for the Elderly
  • LST 370 Law and Literature
  • LST 400 Litigation and Trial Practice
  • LST 430 Trusts and Estates
  • LST 440 Commercial Transactions
  • LST 446 Criminal Law
  • LST 476 Law in Public Administration
  • LST 480 Topical Seminar in Legal Studies
  • LST 482 Land Use and Planning Law
  • LST 488 Cooperative Education/Internship
  • ACC 200 Principles of Financial Accounting
  • BAC 540 Legal Obligations of Business
  • COM 261 Debate and Advocacy
  • COM 367 Communication and Critical Thought
  • CRJ 140 Introduction to Criminal Justice
  • CRJ 544 Constitutional and Legal Issues in Criminal Justice
  • ENG 226 Argument and Discourse
  • HIS 176 History of the United States Constitution
  • JMC 590 Mass Communication Law
  • PHI 103 Critical Thinking
  • PHI 203 Symbolic Logic
  • POL 442 Government and Business
  • POL 449 Human Rights
  • PSY 245 Law and Psychology
  • SOC 338 Sociology of Deviant Behavior
  • SOC 440 Sociology of Corporate and Political Deviance
  • SOC 441 Sociology of Youth Violence 
  • SOC 442 Law and Society
  • SOC 445 Media and Crime 

Unrestricted Electives (9-18 hours)

Legal Studies Minor (21 hours)

Six hours must be from upper-level courses.

Only three hours of credit allowed from LST 250, 488, 489, or 495. 

Computer knowledge and a minimum grade of C in ENG 105 are required of all students (including transfers) pursuing this minor.

No substitutions and/or alterations in the above curriculum shall be made without written approval of department chair.

Complete all of the following

  • Complete the following:
    • POL 140 American National Government
    • LST 240 The Legal Environment of Business
    • LST 300 Introduction to Legal Research
  • Complete at least 1 of the following: 
    • LST 445 Constitutional Law I: Development and Trends
    • LST 447 Constitutional Law II: Civil Liberties and Civil Rights
  • Earn at least 9 credits from LST 

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