Pre-Law Programs, Bachelor's
Overview
Now is the time to consider pre-law at DeSales.
A legal education can equip you to make a measurable difference in a world that is rapidly evolving. It prepares you for a multitude of careers and outcomes. There is no typical law career or law student. You can make your law career what you want it to be! All you need to bring to the table is the desire to learn, explore and grow in the field. DeSales pre-law programs can help you do just that.
An education in pre-law helps infuse the skills future legal professionals need into relevant education you already learn during your undergraduate tenure at DeSales. Law schools do not favor any particular major, but will be able to easily identify a student's relevant skillset in law if a pre-law major is identified. Skills such as analytical reading comprehension, argumentative writing, and critical thinking will also help when it comes time to take the LSAT exam.
At DeSales, the following majors are specifically designed to help prepare you for law school: Criminal Justice Pre-Law, English, Law and Society, History Pre-Law, Political Science, and Philosophy. Select your major and enhance it with pre-law!
DeSales pre-law students visiting a federal courthouse.
Admissions Requirements
At DeSales, we not only look at your past academic achievement but also your potential for future growth to determine your admission.
We find that students who have demonstrated significant achievement within a demanding curriculum are best suited for academic life at DeSales. Quality of academic performance plays a critical role in the admissions decision making process. This helps indicate a student's potential for academic growth going forward. We welcome applications from all qualified students regardless of race, religion, sex, national, or ethnic origin.
Application Checklist
- Application Fee: None
- Transcripts: Official High School Transcript
- Standardized Tests: Test-optional, however, an Admissions Interview may be requested
- Recommendations: Completed Guidance Counselor Form and Teacher Recommendation Form
- Please refer to the Program Specific Requirements section for any requirements specific to this program
All materials can be mailed to:
DeSales University Admissions Office
2755 Station Ave.
Center Valley, PA
* SAT scores are highly recommended for students applying for the Nursing and Health Science programs. Please refer to the Program Specific Requirements section for any requirements specific to this program.
Additional recommendations
High School Academics - Remember, there is no single preferred high school academic program, but a college preparatory course of study is highly recommended. Here's an example:
- Four years of English
- Three or four years of college preparatory mathematics
- A minimum of two years of modern, foreign, or classical language
- At least two laboratory science courses
Visiting DeSales - A personal, on-campus interview is strongly recommended, but is not required. We encourage you to visit so that you'll have a chance to learn more about DeSales, and we'll have the opportunity to learn more about you, too.
Learn more about Undergraduate Admissions & Aid
When to Apply
We encourage you to apply early in your senior year. We use a rolling admissions system, which means you will be notified promptly about your admissions status—usually within four weeks of our receipt of your completed application.
Priority deadline for scholarship consideration is December 1 of your senior year.
Curriculum
Law school does not require students to major in a particular area.
However, DeSales has several majors specifically designed for students interested in pursuing a career in law after graduation.
The following majors can help prepare students for a successful career in the legal field:
- Criminal Justice (Pre-Law Track available)
- Law and Society
- History (Pre-Law Track available)
- Political Science (Pre-Law Track available)
- Philosophy
ABA official policy on undergraduate studies for law school
The American Bar Association does not recommend any undergraduate majors or group of courses to prepare for a legal education. Students are admitted to law school from almost every academic discipline. You may choose to major in subjects that are considered to be traditional preparation for law school, such as history, English, philosophy, political science, economics or business, or you may focus your undergraduate studies in areas as diverse as art, music, science and mathematics, computer science, engineering, nursing or education. Whatever major you select, you are encouraged to pursue an area of study that interests and challenges you, while taking advantage of opportunities to develop your research and writing skills. Taking a broad range of difficult courses from demanding instructors is excellent preparation for legal education. A sound legal education will build upon and further refine the skills, values, and knowledge that you already possess.
Academic Catalog
Tuition & Fees
DeSales can help make your college expenses affordable through a combination of grants, loans, student employment, and scholarship resources.
View a comprehensive list of financial aid forms and undergraduate program information sheets
Cost of attendance for undergrads for 2024-2025
Resident Students
Direct Costs
Tuition - $45,000
Room and Board - $13,800
Mandatory Fees - $1,800
One-time Orientation Fee for First-Year students and Transfers - $200
Total = $60,800 (including first-year/transfer fees)
Estimated Indirect Costs
Books/Supplies - $1,711
Personal Expenses - $4,605
Total cost for resident students: $67,116
Commuter Students
Direct Costs
Tuition - $45,000
Mandatory Fees - $1,400
One-time Orientation Fee for First-Year students and Transfers - $200
Total = $46,600 (including first-year/transfer fees)
Estimated Indirect Costs
Books/Supplies - $1,711
Personal Expenses - $4,605
Transportation Costs - $1,908
Living Expenses - $2,298
Total cost for commuter students: $57,122
Off-Campus*
Direct Costs
Tuition - $45,000
Mandatory Fees - $1,400
One-time Orientation Fee for First-Year students and Transfers - $200
Total = $46,600 (including first-year/transfer fees)
Estimated Indirect Costs
Books/Supplies - $1,711
Personal Expenses - $4,605
Transportation Costs - $1,908
Living Expenses - $9,192
Total cost for off-campus students: $64,016
*First-year students are required to reside on campus or commute from home.
Parking Fee - $100
View a comprehensive list of financial aid forms and undergraduate program information sheets
Dual Degree Undergraduate-to-Graduate Programs
If you are enrolled in an undergraduate-to-graduate degree program — for example a 5-year, 3+2, 3+3, program — the undergraduate tuition and fees apply only to the undergraduate portion of the program. As you progress into the graduate phase of your program, graduate tuition and fees apply. Please see your respective graduate program for more information.
The financial aid process may appear overwhelming at first glance, but don't worry, we'll help you through it.
Accepted students are automatically considered for scholarships upon receipt of a completed application and are awarded regardless of financial need. Funds for scholarships are limited, so we do encourage students to apply early.
Our comprehensive financial aid packages carefully explain the types and amounts of assistance —including federal, state, and institutional — that you may be eligible for to help cover education related expenses.
Total cost of attendance includes estimates for tuition, fees, room, board, books, and personal, transportation, and living expenses.
You can estimate your total cost of attendance with our Net Price Calculator
3+3 Partnership Programs
DeSales’ new 3+3 partnership with Duquesne University School of Law will provide qualified students with early access to quality education in law.
Students will spend the first three years at DeSales earning a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree and then enroll at Duquesne University School of Law to earn a Juris Doctor (JD) for the final three years, resulting in saved time and resources.
The DSU undergraduate majors participating in the 3+3 Program with Duquesne University School of Law are:
Only students in those majors are eligible to participate in the program at this time.
Learn more about the Pre-Law programs at DeSales
If you would like to learn more about about the many pre-law programs available at DeSales, including the 3+3 program with Duquesne University School of Law, please contact Jennifer Moore, JD, Pre-Law Professions Advisor.
Crime Scene House
In a sleepy stone house on a quiet, rural street just South of campus, DeSales social science students are about to walk into a murder scene. Or a terrorist threat. Or a national disaster ...
St. Thomas More Society
Thinking about attending law school as your next step after DeSales?
Join the St. Thomas More Pre-Law Society for guidance. The group is designed to assist students interested in pursuing a career in the legal profession.
