Pre-Law – Lourdes University

Pre-Law (BA/BS With Concentration)

Bachelor of Arts

Bachelor of Science

Lourdes students pursuing a Bachelor of Arts or Science degree with a Pre-Law concentration work closely with their advisors during their undergraduate studies. The Pre-Law concentration provides an extensive immersion in critical thinking, communication skills, and a background in the United States legal system.

A strong advocate and knowledgeable advisor, attorneys represent clients in courts, before government agencies, and in private legal matters. Additional duties include:

Preparing and filing legal documents.
Interpreting rulings, laws, and regulations.
Presenting facts in written and verbal communications.
Conducting research.

Your opportunities are numerous, whether you pursue becoming a defense attorney, prosecutor, or counsel for a corporation or government agency. Lawyers can also choose to specialize in a particular area, including environmental, tax, and intellectual property law.

The Lourdes Pre-Law program gives a solid foundation in ethics and social justice consistent with the institution’s Catholic and Franciscan values. Specialized courses (i.e., ENG 440: Studies in Rhetoric, PLS 250: Introduction to the Legal Profession) make the Pre-Law concentration uniquely focused on student success in a future legal career. Lourdes graduates have successfully taken the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) and gained admission into American Bar Association-accredited law schools.

Practicing law in any state requires admission to the state’s bar under rules established by the jurisdiction’s highest court. The requirements vary by state and jurisdiction.

Plan of Study

“The American Bar Association does not recommend any particular group of undergraduate majors, or courses, which should be taken by those wishing to prepare for legal education; developing such a list is neither possible nor desirable. The law is too multifaceted, and the human mind too adaptable, to permit such a linear approach to preparing for law school or the practice of law. Nevertheless, there are important skills and values, and significant bodies of knowledge, that can be acquired prior to law school and that will provide a sound foundation for a sophisticated legal education.” (Original Pre-Law Committee of the ABA Section of Legal Education and Admission to the Bar)

Following the above statement, Lourdes University does not require any specific courses for the pre-law program beyond those required for the Core Curriculum or General Education. At the same time, the Pre-Law advisor and others on campus with expertise in the legal profession have developed a list of key skills that will prepare students for law school and a career in the legal profession. The courses listed next to the key skills will provide students with a solid foundation in these skills. Completion of the requirements listed above will provide students with the skills and knowledge to prepare them for a career in the law. It will also give students the designation of “Pre-Law Concentration” on their official transcripts.

1) Communication and Critical Thinking Skills

(6 credit hours)

Pick 1:

ENG 220: Structures of English

ENG 316: Foundations of Rhetoric

ENG 352: Professional Writing

DMS 300: Introductions to Digital & Media Studies

ENG 440: Studies in Rhetoric

PHL 102: Introduction to Critical Thinking

SWK/CSJ 327: Social Science Research

Pick 1:

ART 490: Senior Thesis in Art History

BUS 490: Business Policy

ENG 490: Senior Research

HST 490: Historical Methods

IDS 491: B.A.I.S. Capstone

PSY 490: Psychology Capstone

SWK/CSJ 413: Practice Oriented Research

CSJ 490: Criminal Justice Capstone Experience

THS 490: Senior Integrative Seminar

2) Understanding of the U.S. Legal System

(6 credit hours)

History of U.S. Legal System: Pick 1

PLS 122: American National Government

PLS 310: The Constitution and the Supreme Court

Any 300 or 400-level US history course

Application of U.S. Legal System: Pick 1

CSJ 444: Constitutional Law in Criminal Justice

BUS 330: Legal Environment of Business

HRM 440: Employment Law

ENV 418: Environmental Policy

PLS 250: Introduction to the Legal Profession

PLS 299: Trial Practice

PLS 492: Pre-Law Internship (3 credit hours)

CSJ 331: Criminal Law & Procedure

3) Foundation in Ethics and Social Justice

(6 credit hours)

Pick 2:

PHL 103: Introduction to Ethics

CSJ 324: Ethics and Criminal Justice

BUS 430: Business Ethics

THS 265: Christian Ethics

THS 435: Peace, Justice, and Forgiveness

CSJ 360: Ethical Decision-making

Total Credit Hours = 18 credit hours

Lourdes/University of Toledo 3+3 Articulation Agreement

LOURDES UNIVERSITY AND THE UNIVERSITY OF TOLEDO COLLEGE OF LAW

This program allows students to complete two degrees in six years.

Lourdes students pursuing their Bachelor of Arts or Science degree can opt into the “3+3 Law Program,” which provides bachelor degree-seeking students a pathway to achieve their bachelor’s and Doctor of Law (J.D.) degrees in six years rather than the traditional seven.

Students enrolled in the “3+3 Admissions Program” will complete their first three years at Lourdes University and begin their first three-year J.D. program at The University of Toledo College of Law. The credits earned in the first year of law school will apply to the final 30 credit hours required to complete a Lourdes University Bachelor of Arts or Science degree. Law school students completing the UT College of Law three-year program will then earn their J.D. degrees.

For more information, please contact Mary K. Robinson at mrobinson@lourdes.edu.

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