Prelaw Degree Online

What is Prelaw?

Prelaw (sometimes spelled Pre-law) isn’t usually a major in and of itself. Instead, it is an advisory program that prepares students to get into and do well in law school. (However, one doesn’t have to go through a Prelaw program in order to go to law school.) Most schools also require students to choose a separate major while going through the Prelaw program.

Is Prelaw a Good Major / Degree for Me?

Do you enjoy critical reading? Are you good at critical thinking? Are you a good communicator? Are you organized? Do you enjoy doing research? Do you follow current events? Are you committed to justice? Do you want to go to law school? Are you looking forward to a rewarding career as a lawyer? If so, a Prelaw program might be for you!

High School Classes Needed for Prelaw in College:

• 4 English Credits
• 3 Math Credits
• 3 Science Credits
• 3 Social Studies Credits
• 2 Foreign Language Credits
• If your high school offers any of the following courses, take advantage!
  • AP U.S. History
  • AP U.S. Government and Politics
  • AP English Language
  • Psychology
  • Sociology
• If your high school offers any of the following co-curricular activities, take advantage!
  • Debate Team
  • Speech Team
  • Drama/Theatre Club
  • Student Government
  • Civil Rights Team

Common Prelaw Courses in College:

• American Civil Liberties
• American Constitutional Law
• Argument and Critical Thinking
• Business and Technical Writing
• Crime and Criminal Justice
• Descriptive and Narrative Writing
• Formal Logic
• International Law
• Introduction to American Law
• Law and Society
• The Legal Environment of Business
• Local Government Regulation
• Mass Media Law and Regulation
• Methods of Reasoning
• Persuasion and Social Influence
• Persuasive and Analytical Writing
• Philosophy of Law
• The Regulatory Process

Similar Degree Programs You Might Want to Explore:

• Criminal Justice: the study of society and criminal behavior
• Criminology: the scientific study of crime
• International Relations: the study of interactions between organizations and nations
• Journalism: a course of study that prepares students to share the news via a variety of media
• Legal Studies: the study of the law and legal issues
• Paralegal Studies: a course of study that prepares students to work as paralegals
• Peace Studies: the study of war, conflict, peace, and nonviolent conflict resolution
• Political Science: the study of government and politics
• Sociology: the study of societies and of human social behavior

Prelaw Careers:

Most prelaw students go on to law school and eventually become lawyers or work in other law-related careers. Remember that an undergraduate degree will not make you a lawyer. You will still have to go to law school and earn a J.D. degree, and then pass a state bar exam.