Pre-Law
at Augustana
Curriculum | Activities | Contact
There are more lawyers per capita in the United States than in any comparable nation. Contrary to myth, this is not because Americans are prone to sue each other. It is because the legal profession provides so many different services to business, government and private individuals. A law degree opens the way to a great diversity of professional possibilities.
Accordingly, the key to preparing for law school is a broad and demanding liberal arts education. Such an education develops the skills that will be needed in law school: the ability to think critically, to read and comprehend difficult material, to write and speak with clarity and effectiveness, to do research, and to develop and defend an argument. Augustana's rigorous general education requirements and stimulating majors provide the essential core of a pre-law education.
Law schools do not specify a preference for any particular undergraduate major; they suggest that pre-law students major in the subject that most interests them. Therefore, Augustana does not offer a pre-law major as such. Instead we offer a series of relevant courses which, together with advising and other support services, students in any major field can take advantage of.
The basic curriculum that all pre-law students are encouraged to take includes:
English 201: The Writing Process
Philosophy 110: Critical Reasoning
Communication Studies 104: Public Speaking, or Communication Studies 204: Argumentation and Oral Advocacy
Political Science 260: The Legal System
Political Science 361 and 362 Constitutional Law I and II
Philosophy 325: Philosophy of Law
Other potential courses of interest:
Accounting 201-2: Accounting I and II
Business Administration 341: Business Law
Economics 202: Microeconomic Theory
Sociology 361: Crime and Society
Communication Studies 301: Performance Studies
Pre-Law Services and Activities
Advising: Pre-law students are encouraged to consult the pre-law adviser in addition to their regular academic adviser. The pre-law adviser provides guidance on curriculum planning and the law school admissions process. The adviser keeps track of law school admissions trends and standards, information on the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT), and career opportunities in the legal profession.
Internships: Augustana's internship program includes placements in law-related positions such as local and national law firms, prosecutor's offices, and various government agencies.
Extra-Curricular Activities: The Pre-Law Club is an organization for students interested in pursuing a career in the field of law. Past activities include field trips to law schools, speakers, and LSAT practice. Among other extra-curricular activities of potential interest to pre-law students is Augustana's nationally recognized debate program.
Resource Person:
Dr. David Dehnel, Pre-Law Adviser
Department of Political Science
Office: 327 Old Main
Phone: 309-794-7235
E-mail: daviddehnel@augustana.edu
Web page: www.augustana.edu/users/podehnel/