Pre-Law

PROGRAM OVERVIEW Students considering law school must develop the ability to think analytically and critically, read widely and well, and communicate effectively. Students must also develop an understanding of social institutions and practices. Such students benefit most from a challenging curriculum comprised of rigorous courses that demand strong critical reasoning skills and a lot of reading and writing, and engages different kinds of texts, skills, concepts and theories.

RECOMMENDED CURRICULUM  A solid liberal arts education is an excellent preparation for law school. Any academic major can provide appropriate preparation for the study of law.

• Although no one major is required or needed it is important to select a rigorous academic major that is of interest to you.
• Enrich your education with a curriculum that emphasizes written and oral communication, critical reasoning, quantitative literacy and foreign languages.
• Take courses that provide a solid educational grounding such as literature, philosophy, history, rhetoric, the fine arts and the physical sciences.
• Take courses that focus on social institutions and practices including anthropology, economics, history, political science, psychology and sociology.
• Analytical and critical thinking can be enhanced by courses in many areas. Particularly helpful may be courses in science, mathematics, English, philosophy and rhetoric.
•  Also important are courses that provide topical focus such as social philosophies, social critiques, political institutions, international studies and courses within the Law, Politics, and Society major. Small, discussion-oriented courses such as First Year Seminars and Honors courses are likely to be particularly helpful.

OPPORTUNITIES Students considering law school are encouraged to take advantage of several learning opportunities offered by the Drake Law School:

The Dwight D. Opperman Lecture in Constitutional Law brings U.S. Supreme Court justices and other nationally prominent speakers to campus each year to discuss significant constitutional issues.

The Constitutional Law Center, one of four such centers in the nation to be endowed by Congress, is a valuable resource for students, scholars and legal professionals. Drake’s center sponsors an annual national symposium that explores constitutional issues, community law forums and the Constitutional Law Speaker Series.

Intercollegiate Mock Trial teaches students about the legal process as they develop important critical thinking and public speaking skills. The Law School hosts the annual National Intercollegiate Mock Trial Tournament, which attracts teams from more than 100 colleges and universities.

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