Pre-Law Studies

Schedule of Classe

Specific offerings for each semester may be found in the Schedule of Classes.

Information

Oakland University does not offer a major or concentration in pre-law studies. Consequently, students planning to attend law school after graduation must select a major in addition to the pre-professional studies designation, pre-law studies. Students should choose a major in which they have both interest and aptitude; the particular major is less important for admission to law school than the overall success in courses chosen. Success is generally measured by the cumulative grade point average and the score on the Law School Admission Test (LSAT)

Rather than mastery of any particular subject matter, law schools require that incoming students possess certain basic skills. These skills include critical reasoning and the ability to write and speak in a coherent and precise manner. Students are advised to select rigorous course work aimed at developing strong reading, writing and reasoning skills; and to plan undergraduate course work with an eye toward long-term plans within the legal profession. Because there is no set of specific courses necessary for admission to, or success in, American law schools, there is no formal pre-law curriculum at Oakland University. Students are directed to consider courses in three categories as described below and to choose courses that they believe will help them to develop skills or acquire knowledge that may be beneficial during or after law school. None of these courses are required or necessarily recommended for all prelaw students.

1. Development of fundamental abilities of reasoning and written communication

Although most introductory courses in all of the liberal arts disciplines serve this purpose, particularly relevant courses are

• LIN 2207 - Meaning in Language (4)
• PHL 1000 - Introduction to Logic (4)
• PHL 1300 - Introduction to Ethics (4)
• WRT 4908 - Special Topics in Professional Writing (4)

2. Oral communication

• COM 2000 - Public Speaking (4)
• COM 2201 - Argumentation and Debate (4)
• COM 3200 - Persuasion (4)
• THA 1004 - Acting for Non-Theatre Majors (2)

3. Law in relationship to other disciplines

• ECN 3780 - Economic Analysis of Law (3)
• ENV 4610 - Environmental Law and Policies (3)
• JMS 4030 - Media Law (4)
• MGT 3500 - Legal Environment of Business (3)
• PHL 3120 - Philosophy of Law (4)
• PHL 3500 - Clinical Ethics (4)
• PHL 3510 - Ethics in Business (4)
• PS 3115 - The Judicial Process (4)
• PS 3250 - Law and Politics (4)
• PS 3255 - U.S. Constitutional Law (4)
• PS 3260 - Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (4)
• PS 3265 - Gender Discrimination and the Supreme Court (4)
• PS 3660 - International Law (4)
• SOC 3460 - Law and Society (4) or AN 3230 - Law and Society (4)
• SOC 3850 - Criminal Law and the Courts (4) or CRJ 3229 - Criminal Law and the Courts (4)

Additional information

Students are cautioned against overemphasizing law-related courses in their undergraduate training. Law schools virtually never give credit for these courses, either for placement or graduation, and are inclined to believe an education featuring these courses to be too narrow in scope. Undergraduate education is a distinct and vital part of one’s professional training and should never be regarded simply as a way station before beginning one’s “real” work. It must be emphasized that none of the courses listed here are required of, or restricted to, pre-law students.

Students interested in a career in law should view the pre-law website before meeting with an academic adviser to discuss any unanswered questions. Advising is available through either the College of Arts and Sciences Advising Office or Prof. Julie Walters in the Department of Political Science.