Pre-Law Program
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 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)
University Studies Requirements (39-43 hours)
- University Studies selections must include:
- Scientific Inquiry: STA 135 Intro to Probabilities and Statistics
- World’s Historical Traditions: POL 261 Intro to Political Theory
Required Courses (19 hours)
- POL 100T Transitions
- POL 140 American National Government
- POL 240 State and Local Government
- POL 250 Intro to International Relations or POL 252 Intro to Comparative Politics or POL 252 Intro to Comparative Politics
- 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 (30 hours)
- CRJ 140 Intro to Criminal justice
- COM 261 Debate and Advocacy
- LST 240 Legal Environment of business
- LST 300 Intro to Legal Research
- LST 310 Legal Analysis and Writing
- LST 446 Criminal Law
- POL 441 Legislative Process
- POL 444 Judicial Process
- POL 445 Constitutional Law I
- POL 447 Constitutional Law II
Required Limited Electives (18 hours)
Note: At least 12 hours must be at the 300 level or above
Select hours from the following:
- PH 103 Critical Thinking or PHI 203 Symbolic Logic
- HIS 176 History of the U.S. Constitution
- ENG 226 Argument and Discourse
- ENG 370 Law and Literature
- COM 367 Communication and Critical Thought
- LST 242 Real Estate Law
- LST 250 Mock Trial (up to six hours)
- LST 400 Litigation and Trial Practice
- PSY 245 Law and Psychology
- SOC 442 Law and Society
- SOC 445 Media and Crime
- CRJ 544 Constitutional and Legal Issues in Criminal Justice
- POL 442 Government and Business
- POL 457 International Law and Organizations
- POL 476 Law and Public Administration
- POL 488/489 Internship
Unrestricted Electives (10-14 hours)
Total Curriculum Requirements (120 hours)
Legal Studies Minor (21 hours)
LST 240, 300, and 310; and 12 hours of LST electives. Only three hours of credit allowed from LST 250,
488, 489, or 495. Six hours must be upper-level courses completed at Murray State University.
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.