Pre-law advisor:
Dr. L.R. Poos
Professor of History
email poos@cua.edu

PLEASE NOTE: This page is about to be redesigned and updated.  We anticipate that this will be complete by the end of the summer of 2024.  Please check back then.  If you have immediate questions concerning pre-law advising, feel free to email Professor Poos at the address above.

There is no standard pre-law curriculum; law schools do not establish preferences for specific undergraduate majors. Rather, they are looking for individuals with solid and broad academic backgrounds. Emphasis is on your performance in your chosen field of study. Course work that suggests sensitivity to the foundational issues and traditions of Western civilization is valued. Therefore, as a "pre-law" student, choose a major in which you have a strong interest and, at the same time, which will provide a broad educational foundation.

Excellence in the legal profession requires several important skills: abilities to read critically, to express one's ideas effectively in both oral and written forms, to analyze clearly, and to form logical conclusions. It is prudent to include within your curriculum courses that will aid you in developing these vital skills.

Relevant courses include, in particular: English composition, literature, and rhetoric; mathematics; and philosophy, especially logic. Broad exposure to the humanities develops a flexible mind, while mathematics and science courses provide experience in organizing data and applying general rules. Psychology and sociology courses are also appropriate for obtaining a better understanding of individual and group behavior. You may also choose courses in areas directly related to law, such as politics, economics, and business. CUA offers three tracks that may be of special interest for students interested in applying to law school. There is a Pre-Law Program in Philosophy. The Department of Politics also offers a Pre-Law Track within the Major as well as a Minor a Minor in Politics Pre-Law.

In addition, some courses may be helpful for the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) or the law school curriculum, while others relate to the work of most attorneys. In the first category, argumentative writing or constitutional law would be helpful. The second category includes courses in accounting, business, and public speaking.