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Christian
Student
Irvine, Kentucky
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What’s the best major to get a bachelors degree in if you want to major in law ?
Law school prep. #majors #college-majors #law #law-school
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4 answers
N Rutledge
Law Professor/Judge
24
Answers
Houston, Texas
Updated
N’s Answer
The great thing about law school is that there is no particular required major. Instead you should focus on skills that you will need. You will need strong writing and communicating skills. You will also need strong reasoning and analytical skills, particularly to help you prepare for the LSAT as you begin applying to law schools. Major in an area that interest and challenges you and helps you strengthen your writing and analytical skills. Best wishes.
Jennifer Gibli
Attorney
6
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Fair Lawn, New Jersey
Updated
Jennifer’s Answer
There is no right answer here and in speaking to students interested in law careers I will always say the same thing. One of the top students in our law school class, and Managing Editor of one of the journals, was a costume design major in undergrad...he was brilliant, focused, diligent, and is now a very successful attorney. There are certain majors which may help your understanding of the legal system prior to going to law school, but I recommend finding something that you are passionate about and that will give you skills that you can carry into law school with you, such as critical thinking and analysis, writing, confidence speaking, strong study skills, and diligence. Best of luck!
Chris Engebretson
Legal
9
Answers
Boston, Massachusetts
Updated
Chris’s Answer
Other than having a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution, there are no prerequisites to attend law school. Political science, history and economics were the most common undergraduate majors among my class when I attended law school back in 1992 and I expect this remains so -- I have a BS in economics. However, there were engineers, artists and linguists (among many other majors) as well. The particular field of study is less important than cultivating your ability to engage in logical analysis, analyze and construct cogent arguments and write with persuasiveness and clarity. My understanding is that most law schools do not favor "prelaw" majors. They want you to learn the law in law school. A rudimentary understanding of government, the legislative process and what legal professionals do is sufficient preparation for law school and doesn't require much time or any particular classes or major. So, as others have stated, pursue a subject with some degree of rigor that you are passionate about and use that field to cultivate critical reasoning and writing skills.
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity.
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Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
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James Constantine’s Answer
Hello Christian,
To prepare for a law degree and maximize one’s chances of success in law school, it is recommended to major in areas that develop strong critical thinking, analytical, and communication skills. These skills are essential for the legal profession as they are used extensively in interpreting complex laws, drafting legal documents, and arguing cases.
Some popular undergraduate majors for students planning to attend law school include:
Political Science: This major offers a solid foundation in constitutional law, government structures, and public policy. Students learn about the legislative process, international relations, and political theory.
English or Communications: These majors help students hone their writing and speaking abilities, which are crucial for drafting legal documents and presenting arguments effectively.
History: A history major provides a deep understanding of historical contexts and research methods that can be beneficial when analyzing legal precedents and interpreting case law.
Economics: Economics majors gain valuable analytical skills that can be applied to various aspects of the law industry such as contract negotiations, business transactions, and intellectual property disputes.
Mathematics or Statistics: These majors offer strong problem-solving skills that can be useful when dealing with complex legal calculations or data analysis in fields like patent law or financial regulation.
Chemistry or Biology: For those interested in environmental or intellectual property law, a background in science can provide valuable knowledge and expertise.
Business Administration: A business administration major offers a well-rounded education that covers various aspects of business operations, including accounting, finance, marketing, management, and entrepreneurship – all of which are relevant to the practice of law.
Philosophy: Philosophy majors develop strong critical thinking skills through rigorous study of logic and ethics – essential components of legal reasoning and argumentation.
Psychology: Understanding human behavior is crucial for lawyers working on cases involving personal injury claims or criminal defense cases – making psychology an excellent choice for those considering a career in law.
Sociology: Sociology majors learn about social structures and institutions – knowledge that can be applied to various areas of the law industry such as labor disputes or family law cases involving child custody arrangements or domestic violence allegations.
Religion/Theology: While not directly related to the practice of law itself, studying religion/theology can provide valuable insights into cultural contexts that may influence legal decisions or interpretations – particularly important for international lawyers working on cases involving diverse religious traditions around the world (source: 1).
Foreign Languages: Knowledge of multiple languages is increasingly becoming an asset for lawyers working on international cases or representing clients from diverse linguistic backgrounds (source: 2).
Computer Science/Information Technology (IT): With technology playing an increasingly significant role in the legal industry (eDiscovery), having a strong foundation in computer science/IT can give graduates an edge when it comes to handling complex digital evidence during litigation processes (source: 3).
Engineering: Engineering degrees offer students a strong foundation in problem-solving skills – essential for navigating complex legal issues related to patents, contracts, construction projects, environmental regulations etc (source: 4).
Anthropology/Archaeology: Understanding different cultures’ histories and customs is crucial when dealing with international clients from diverse backgrounds; anthropology/archaeology graduates may find themselves at an advantage when practicing international law (source: 5).
16. Pre-Law: Some universities offer pre-law programs designed specifically to prepare students for entering law school by providing them with foundational knowledge about various aspects of the legal system (source: 6).**
Authoritative References Used:
American Bar Association - “Choosing Your Major”
Law School Admission Council - “Majors & Law School Admissions”
National Association for Law Placement - “What Majors Do Lawyers Have?”
UC Berkeley School of Law - “Undergraduate Majors & Law School Admissions”
Harvard Law School - “Preparing for Law School”
God Bless You,
J.
To prepare for a law degree and maximize one’s chances of success in law school, it is recommended to major in areas that develop strong critical thinking, analytical, and communication skills. These skills are essential for the legal profession as they are used extensively in interpreting complex laws, drafting legal documents, and arguing cases.
Some popular undergraduate majors for students planning to attend law school include:
Political Science: This major offers a solid foundation in constitutional law, government structures, and public policy. Students learn about the legislative process, international relations, and political theory.
English or Communications: These majors help students hone their writing and speaking abilities, which are crucial for drafting legal documents and presenting arguments effectively.
History: A history major provides a deep understanding of historical contexts and research methods that can be beneficial when analyzing legal precedents and interpreting case law.
Economics: Economics majors gain valuable analytical skills that can be applied to various aspects of the law industry such as contract negotiations, business transactions, and intellectual property disputes.
Mathematics or Statistics: These majors offer strong problem-solving skills that can be useful when dealing with complex legal calculations or data analysis in fields like patent law or financial regulation.
Chemistry or Biology: For those interested in environmental or intellectual property law, a background in science can provide valuable knowledge and expertise.
Business Administration: A business administration major offers a well-rounded education that covers various aspects of business operations, including accounting, finance, marketing, management, and entrepreneurship – all of which are relevant to the practice of law.
Philosophy: Philosophy majors develop strong critical thinking skills through rigorous study of logic and ethics – essential components of legal reasoning and argumentation.
Psychology: Understanding human behavior is crucial for lawyers working on cases involving personal injury claims or criminal defense cases – making psychology an excellent choice for those considering a career in law.
Sociology: Sociology majors learn about social structures and institutions – knowledge that can be applied to various areas of the law industry such as labor disputes or family law cases involving child custody arrangements or domestic violence allegations.
Religion/Theology: While not directly related to the practice of law itself, studying religion/theology can provide valuable insights into cultural contexts that may influence legal decisions or interpretations – particularly important for international lawyers working on cases involving diverse religious traditions around the world (source: 1).
Foreign Languages: Knowledge of multiple languages is increasingly becoming an asset for lawyers working on international cases or representing clients from diverse linguistic backgrounds (source: 2).
Computer Science/Information Technology (IT): With technology playing an increasingly significant role in the legal industry (eDiscovery), having a strong foundation in computer science/IT can give graduates an edge when it comes to handling complex digital evidence during litigation processes (source: 3).
Engineering: Engineering degrees offer students a strong foundation in problem-solving skills – essential for navigating complex legal issues related to patents, contracts, construction projects, environmental regulations etc (source: 4).
Anthropology/Archaeology: Understanding different cultures’ histories and customs is crucial when dealing with international clients from diverse backgrounds; anthropology/archaeology graduates may find themselves at an advantage when practicing international law (source: 5).
16. Pre-Law: Some universities offer pre-law programs designed specifically to prepare students for entering law school by providing them with foundational knowledge about various aspects of the legal system (source: 6).**
Authoritative References Used:
American Bar Association - “Choosing Your Major”
Law School Admission Council - “Majors & Law School Admissions”
National Association for Law Placement - “What Majors Do Lawyers Have?”
UC Berkeley School of Law - “Undergraduate Majors & Law School Admissions”
Harvard Law School - “Preparing for Law School”
God Bless You,
J.