College of Arts, Education, and Humanities, College of Sciences
Pre-Law Programs
At DeSales, several of our majors and tracks are specifically designed to help you prepare for law school. They build essential skills needed to succeed as a legal professional.
Program Details
- Official Degree Name
- Bachelor of Arts
- Format
-
In Class-Day
- Credit Hours
- Varies
- Program Start
- Start Anytime
- Application Deadline
- Apply Anytime
- Average Time to Degree
- 4 Years
Why Get Your Degree at DeSales University?
At DeSales, we are dedicated to guiding you toward career success. Our Pre-Law Programs are specially designed to infuse the skills future legal professionals need into your undergraduate education. You will not only be able to explore your academic interests but also develop and improve critical skills needed to succeed in law school and beyond. Working closely with the pre-law advisor, DeSales will prepare you for a legal education that enables you to make a measurable difference in this world through a variety of careers and outcomes.
Program Highlights
Multiple Pathways to Success
- Our Pre-Law Programs allow you to study what you are passionate about while preparing you for a successful legal career. With three majors that can be enhanced with a Pre-Law Track and three majors that build all the skills needed for law school, you will have no shortage of paths available to reach your legal goals.
Proven Outcomes
- A DeSales degree opens a world of possibilities for a future in the legal field. Graduates have gone on to receive law degrees from many esteemed law schools, such as Dickinson, Georgetown, Harvard, Notre Dame, Stanford, and Villanova.
Active Campus Culture
- Pre-law students will never have a problem being active on campus. All pre-law program students are encouraged to participate in the St. Thomas More Pre-Law Society, the university’s pre-law club that hosts law-related events. Students can also compete for the mock trial team, which can be taken as a 3-credit semester course. Additionally, you can always become involved with any club associated with each major.
What Will You Study?
All pre-law students must complete the specific graduation requirements of their respective majors.
Students in any pre-law program major may have the opportunity to take law-related classes such as:
- Criminal Law
- Trial by Jury
- Constitutional Law
- Legal Issues in Sport
- Logic
- International Law and Organization
- Criminal Procedure
- Applied Ethics: Value Seminar
Program Tracks & Pathways
Swipe below to discover more!
BS to JD
Learn MoreJuris Doctor’s
3+3 Partnership Program with Duquesne University School of Law
Take advantage of DeSales’ 3+3 Partnership Program with Duquesne University School of Law. The program provides a jump-start to your law education. Spend the first three years at DeSales earning a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree. Then, you will enroll at Duquesne University School of Law to earn a Juris Doctor (JD) for the final three years.
Undergraduate Majors Participating in the 3+3 Program:
Available Tracks
Learn MoreTrack
Criminal Justice Pre-Law
Enhancing your Criminal Justice degree with the Pre-Law Track gets you one step closer in your pursuit of a legal career, especially in criminal law. Learn how the American legal system and criminal justice system interact and impact society. All while building the necessary skills needed to succeed as a law student and legal professional.
Courses You May Take Include:
Track
History Pre-Law
Add the Pre-Law Track to your History degree to explore historical events and their impact on the American legal system. This combination provides the strong foundation needed to succeed in law school by sharpening your skills in critical analysis, research, persuasive writing, and argumentation.
Courses You May Take Include:
Track
Political Science Pre-Law
Pursue a Political Science degree with a Pre-Law Track to excel in politics and law. This program helps you develop key skills in argumentation, analytical writing, critical thinking, and persuasive communication. Skills necessary for any career, but especially for the rigors of law school and beyond.
Courses You May Take Include:
Outcomes & Careers
A legal education can equip you to make a measurable difference in a world that is rapidly evolving. Our Pre-Law Programs offer both a top-tier liberal arts education along with preparation for a successful future in law. Our various pre-law majors and tracks will let you explore your academic interests. All while elevating necessary skills, such as reading comprehension, research, argumentative writing, speaking, and critical thinking, needed for law school. DeSales alumni have gone on to receive law degrees from several top schools such as:
- Penn State Dickinson School of Law
- Georgetown University Law Center
- Harvard Law School
- Notre Dame Law
- Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law
Application Checklist
- Official High School Transcript
- Completed Guidance Counselor Form
- Completed Teacher Recommendation Form
- Optional Standardized Test Scores
- No Application Fees
Program FAQS
No, law school does not require students to major in a particular area. However, some majors better prepare students for the rigorous workload of law school. All the Pre-Law majors and tracks teach students both the fundamental workings of the American legal system and the skills crucial for success in law school and beyond, such as critical thinking, legal research, analytical skills, and writing.
Students interested in the 3:3 Partnership Program should inform their academic advisors during their first semester at DeSales University. They will apply to Duquesne University School of Law for acceptance into the program after they complete their second year at DSU and take the LSAT.
Office of Admissions
Contact
-
610-282-1100 x1277 -
admiss@desales.edu -
Dooling Hall
