Philosophy Pre-Law

The pre-law concentration in the philosophy (BA) major provides students the opportunity to prepare for the law school entrance exams, law school applications, and legal careers. Philosophy majors who know they want to pursue a career in law may add a pre-law concentration to their degree to add additional focus on legal studies and entrance exam preparation in their coursework while requiring the same number of credits as the regular philosophy major.

Your courses will focus on philosophical proficiency, critical analysis, legal reasoning integration, effective communication, and ethical sensitivity. A background in law prepares you not only for the practice of law, but also for rewarding careers in advocacy, business, and education.

Students interested in law school or legal careers may also explore the political science major with a pre-law concentration, the crime & justice studies major with a pre-law concentration, or a minor in legal studies.

The core requirements for the Pre-Law Concentration are identical to those requirements in the philosophy major (18 credits). The Pre-Law Concentration Plan requires two courses, LEG 201 Introduction to Legal Studies (3 credits) and PHL 215 Introduction to Ethics. Additionally, students in the pre-law concentration must complete 3 elective courses (9 credits) in the areas of advanced reasoning, ethical inquiry and communication skills.

Course descriptions, schedules and requirements

Enrollment in the 3+3 joint degree program with UMass Law offers an accelerated pathway to an undergraduate and law degree, enabling qualifying students to substitute the first year of law school for the final year of their undergraduate program, thereby earning both a bachelor’s degree from UMass Dartmouth and a Juris Doctor from UMass Law in six rather than seven years.

UMassD advantages

Pre-law advising: Receive advising on which courses to take to prepare for the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) and law school.
3+3 Law degree: UMass Law’s accelerated program allows you to receive both an undergraduate degree and a law degree in 6 rather than 7 years. In your fourth year, you would matriculate at UMass Law as a first-year law student.
Get involved by joining the Philosophy Association and our chapter of Phi Sigma Tau, the Philosophy Honors Society
Join faculty in their research or consider becoming a tutor for your peers.