Pre-Law Information

"What should I major in if I plan to go to law school?"

There is no single required major for law school. Students enter law school from a wide range of academic backgrounds, including the humanities, social sciences, business, arts, education, and STEM fields. Choose a major that interests you, challenges you, and supports your academic and career goals.

Regardless of your major, you can prepare for law school by developing strong skills in reading, writing, research, critical thinking, and communication. As you plan your coursework, consider these opportunities:

  • Explore your interests. Choose a major you enjoy and want to study in depth. Your undergraduate education can support both your interest in law and other career possibilities.
  • Build your analytical skills. Look for courses that ask you to evaluate evidence, consider different perspectives, and develop well-supported arguments.
  • Practice writing and communication. Courses with research papers, presentations, discussion, and opportunities to revise your work can help you communicate complex ideas clearly.
  • Broaden your knowledge. Electives outside your major can introduce you to new perspectives and help you understand the people, institutions, and issues you may encounter in legal practice.
  • Develop quantitative literacy. Courses in mathematics, statistics, economics, or related subjects can strengthen your ability to interpret data and assess evidence.
  • Explore the legal profession. Employment, internships, volunteering, and conversations with legal professionals can help you learn about different careers in law. WSU’s Shocker Career Accelerator can help you explore career interests and internship opportunities.

Planning for Law School

Whether you are just beginning college, transferring to WSU, or considering law school later in your undergraduate studies, pre-law advising can help you identify your next steps. An advisor can work with you to select courses, explore law schools, and develop an application timeline that fits your goals.

Application requirements and deadlines vary by law school. Review the requirements for the schools that interest you and allow time for any required admission testing, recommendation letters, and application materials.

The Law School Admission Test (LSAT) assesses logical reasoning and reading comprehension and includes a separate argumentative writing component. Courses in logic can help you practice evaluating arguments, but no particular undergraduate course is required to take the LSAT. Visit the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) for current test dates, testing arrangements, and preparation resources.

Courses to Consider

The following courses offer opportunities to explore legal topics and develop reasoning skills. They are optional suggestions, not prerequisites for law school admission:

  • Engl 210 Business Professional Technical Writing  
  • CJ 394 Courts and Judicial Systems
  • POLS 121 American Politics
  • CJ 420 Mock Trials
  • BLAW 431 Legal Environment of Business
  • PHIL 314 Introduction to Legal Ethics

An advisor can help you identify additional courses that fit your interests and degree requirements. Check the current catalog and course schedule for prerequisites and availability.

Legal Education Accelerated Degree (LEAD) Program

WSU partners with the University of Kansas School of Law to offer the Legal Education Accelerated Degree (LEAD) program, a pathway designed to allow students to earn a bachelor’s degree and a Juris Doctor (JD) in six years.

Participants complete three years of undergraduate study at WSU in an approved major. Students who meet the program’s academic and admission requirements may then begin law school at KU. After successfully completing their first year at KU Law, designated credits transfer back to WSU to complete the bachelor’s degree.

Participation in LEAD requires advance planning, and admission to the program does not by itself guarantee admission to KU Law. Visit the LEAD information page for approved majors, eligibility requirements, and application details.

Contacts

For help with academic planning, exploring law schools, or preparing to apply, contact:

Clinton Jones — LEAD Program Director

Emily Mayagoitia — Senior Academic Advisor

Nyssa Kerschen — Senior Academic Advisor

You can also begin with the Liberal Arts and Sciences Advising Center, located in 208 Lindquist Hall. Contact the center at (316) 978-3700, option 2, or las.advisor@wichita.edu.

Additional Resources