Department of Philosophy - Pre-Law Program
Pre-Law Program
If you are interested in a career in law, the Philosophy Department encourages you to consider a major in philosophy. Philosophy courses provide an excellent foundation for the study of law, and the department offers a B.A. in Philosophy with a Pre-Law emphasis.
Why Should Pre-Law Students Study Philosophy?
Philosophy teaches the skills and knowledge that law schools value
No single curricular path is recommended as preparation for law school. Nevertheless, law schools prefer students who can think, read, and write well, and who have a broad understanding of human experience. The Law School Admissions Council offers the following advice to Pre-Law students:
There are important skills and values, and significant bodies of knowledge that you can acquire prior to law school and that will provide a sound foundation for a legal education. These include analytic and problem-solving skills, critical reading abilities, writing skills, oral communication and listening abilities, general research skills, task organization and management skills, and the values of serving faithfully the interests of others while also promoting justice.
(Law School Admissions Council, “Preparing for Law School,” from The Official Guide to ABA-Approved Law schools, available at: http://officialguide.lsac.org/ONLG_Default.aspx .)
In addition to these fundamental skills and values, the Law School Admissions Council encourages Pre-Law students to develop an understanding of the various facets of human experience, including ethical and political thought, social and legal institutions, and human behavior and its expression in diverse cultures.
Perhaps better than any other undergraduate course of study, philosophy helps students develop the capacities, skills, and bodies of knowledge that law schools value. Students who take philosophy courses learn to read difficult and closely argued texts, explicate and critically evaluate complicated arguments, and analyze and clarify sophisticated concepts. They learn to formulate their own well-reasoned positions and to articulate these positions clearly and precisely. Philosophy explores every dimension of human life, and thus provides a broad knowledge of human experience. According to the American Philosophical Association, a wide range of philosophy courses are valuable to Pre-Law majors:
Intermediate to advanced courses in logic and in the general area of ethics, for instance political or social philosophy, philosophy of law, medical ethics, and business ethics, are very useful. Epistemology, which examines standards of evidence, philosophy of mind, which bears on moral and legal responsibility, and philosophy of language, may also be of special benefit. Philosophy of science is particularly valuable for those intending to practice in the technological or scientific sectors.
(American Philosophical Association, “Philosophy: A Brief Guide for Undergraduates,” available at: http://www.apa.udel.edu/apa/publications/texts/briefgd.html .)
Philosophy coursework is rigorous and challenging
Law schools prefer students who pursue challenging coursework, and they view philosophy as a rigorous discipline. As the Council on Legal Education and Opportunity explains:
In assessing a prospective law student's educational qualifications, admissions committees generally consider the chosen curriculum, the grades earned, and the reputation of the colleges attended. They also view favorably scholastic honors, awards, and special recognition. Solid grades in courses such as logic, philosophy, and abstract mathematics are generally considered a plus… [L]aw schools will also respect your pursuit of subjects you find challenging. This is especially true if the courses you take are known to be more difficult, such as philosophy, engineering, and science.
(The Council on Legal Education and Opportunity, American Bar Association, available at: http://www.abanet.org/cleo/edu.html .)
Philosophy majors perform well on the LSAT
As the following table indicates, a major in philosophy also provides an excellent preparation for the LSAT.
Average LSAT scores of the eleven most popular Pre-Law majors
Major |
LSAT score |
Compared to average score |
Philosophy |
157.0 |
+4.7 pts |
Economics |
156.2 |
+3.9 pts |
History |
154.5 |
+2.2 pts |
English |
153.5 |
+1.2 pts |
Psychology |
151.7 |
-0.6 pts |
Political Science |
151.5 |
-0.8 pts |
Accounting |
151.5 |
-0.8 pts |
Sociology |
149.4 |
-2.9 pts |
Communications |
149.4 |
-2.9 pts |
Business Administration |
148.2 |
-4.1 pts |
Criminal Justice |
145.4 |
-6.9 pts |
(From Clemson University’s Philosophy and Pre-Law website: http://www.clemson.edu/caah/philosophy/Pre-Law.html .)
What Courses in Philosophy Should Pre-Law Students Take?
The Philosophy Major
Pre-Law students who wish to major in Philosophy may choose from the following options:
a) Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy – The standard B.A. in Philosophy provides a solid, well-rounded education in philosophy, with some flexibility for courses of special interest to Pre-Law students, e.g., Philosophy of Law. Program requirements
b) Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy with an Emphasis in Philosophy and Law – The Philosophy Department offers an emphasis area within the philosophy major specifically designed for Pre-Law students. It combines philosophy courses with selected courses in the humanities and social sciences. Program requirements.
c) Individualized Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy – Students may also purse an individualized B.A. in Philosophy designed in consultation with the Chair of the Philosophy Department and the Philosophy Pre-Law Advisor.
Note: In all cases, PHIL 110, Critical Thinking, or its equivalent is required of all students as a prerequisite to the B.A. in Philosophy. Students who have not met this requirement may begin the program but must satisfy the requirement at the earliest opportunity. Equivalencies must be approved by a departmental adviser.
The Philosophy Minor
Pre-Law students may also wish to pursue a minor in Philosophy. To complete the minor, students must take at least 21 units in philosophy, with at least fifteen (15) of these being upper division units.
Other Websites Pre-Law Students May Wish to Visit
Law School Admission Council (includes information on the LSAT)
2007 U.S. News Law School Rankings
Internet Legal Resource Guide (includes additional Law School rankings and profiles)
For Additional Information
If you would like further information about the Philosophy Pre-Law Program, feel free to contact the Philosophy Department Pre-Law advisor, Professor Shelley Wilcox, at: swilcox@sfsu.edu .
