Pre-Law at ODU
Pre-Law
Law schools do not require any particular major, but are looking for student who can think critically and write well, and who have some understanding of the forces that have shaped human experience.
The courses in the Pre-Law Concentration (possible with either a political science
or philosophy major) will develop the intellectual skills and interests that are relevant
for law school and will provide a liberal arts education of benefit to students throughout
their lives.
Completing the courses in the Pre-Law Concentration does not guarantee admission to
law school or a high score on the LSAT. Interested students should meet with a Pre-Law
Advisor early in their educational careers to discuss strategies to prepare for law
school.
Students in Pre-Law will have the opportunity to participate in extracurricular activities
that will contribute to their preparation for law school and introduce them to some
of the careers that lawyers pursue.
Students who complete the required courses earn a B.A. in Political Science or Philosophy
with a Pre-Law Concentration. The students’ transcripts will show both the major and
the concentration.
View course descriptions in each subject for prerequisites and co-requisites.
As students meet the overall requirements of a Philosophy major, those in the Pre-Law Concentration should take the following courses.
| Suggested Courses | Credits |
|---|---|
| Mathematics | |
Select three credits from the following:
|
3 |
| Natural Science | |
Select three credits from:
|
3 |
| Philosophy | |
|
3* |
| Theology | |
Select three credits from the following:
|
3 |
Select three credits from the following
|
3 |
| Language | |
|
3 |
| History | |
Select six credits from the following:
|
6 |
| Literature | |
Select three credits from the following
|
3 |
|
3 |
| Social & Behavioral Sciences | |
|
3 3 3 3 |
|
3 |
| Total Credits Required * Used to calculate the Major GPA |
45 |
Note: In the case of double majors or minors, other courses may be taken in place of those above with the approval of the Pre-Law Advisory Committee.
As students meet the overall requirements for the Political Science major, those in
the Pre-Law Concentration should take the following courses.
| Suggested Courses | Credits |
|---|---|
| Mathematics Select three credits from the following:
|
3 |
| Natural Science Select three credits from:
|
3 |
| Theology Select three credits from the following:
View course descriptions. |
6 |
Language
|
3 |
| History Select six credits from the following:
|
6 |
| Literature Select three credits from the following
|
6 |
Philosophy
View course descriptions. |
9 |
Social & Behavioral Sciences
|
3 |
| Total Credits Required | 39 |