Pre-Law
Pre-Law
Do you aspire to pursue a legal career, after completing your baccalaureate (BA,BS,etc.) degree? Legal professions are highly competitive and continue to draw interest among our students. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in legal occupations is projected to grow 5 percent from 2019 to 2029, faster than the average for all occupations, and will result in about 67,600 new jobs. Connect with us today to discuss your professional journey!
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- An accelerated route to receive both your bachelor's and JD.
- Complete 3 years at USM and 3 years at either Ole Miss or Mississippi College
- Must major in Legal Studies, Criminal Justice, or Political Science
- Must maintain 3.25 cumulative GPA each semester of undergraduate enrollment
- Requirements
- Applicants must have no more than 30 undergraduate credit hours at the time of entry to USM (including AP/Dual Enrollment credits)
- Applicants must possess a 24+ ACT or 1160 SAT score
- Applicants must possess a 3.5 or higher high school GPA
- For more information, please contact preprofessionalFREEMississippi
Explore: Legal Profession Pathways
If you are considering law school and are wondering what are the best majors to prepare, we suggest you choose a major based on personal interest. There is no “best major” for law school, what’s important is that you love the subject you’re studying, get great grades, establish relationships with your faculty and colleagues, and learn the skills you’ll need to be successful.
Determining the kind of law you want to practice after law school can help you narrow down your choice of majors. Below are the fields of law, according to the Law School Admissions Council.
- Corporate and Securities Law
Political Science
Economics - Employment and Labor Law
Human Resources Management
Political Science
Economics
Foreign Languages
- Criminal Law
Sociology
Philosophy
Economics
Criminal Justice - Environmental and Natural Resources Law
Interdisciplinary Studies
Sustainability Studies
Political Science
- Education Law
English
Sociology
History
Political Science - Family and Juvenile Law
Sociology
Criminal Justice
Family Science
- Health Law
Interdisciplinary Studies
Sociology
Philosophy
Sociology - International Law
Foreign Languages
Political Science
International Business
Anthropology - Tax Law
Economics
Accounting
Political Science
- Immigration Law
Sociology
Foreign Languages
Interdisciplinary Studies
History - Real Estate Law
Economics
Political Science
History
- Intellectual Property Law
English
History
Political Science
Mass Comm and
Journalism - Sports and Entertainment Law
Sport Management
Mass Comm and Journalism
English
Prepare for You Legal Career
Preparing for a successful application is just one component when pursuing a legal profession. As an applicant you are expected to demonstrate potential and growth in the following professional development areas: Academic Accomplishments, Community Service & Leadership Experience, and Work Experience. Here are ways we support you in your professional development endeavors:
Strategies for Success
Curriculum, timeline, and requirements suggested and explained by our pathway expert, tailored to your career path.
LSAT Prep
Preparing you to take the LSAT: select and implement a study schedule and use online practice guides.
Internships or Job Shadowing Opportunities
Arranging multiple shadowing opportunities or internships.
Navigating the Application Process
Beginning early with the application process allows students to structure an academic plan of study, allows sufficient time for LSAT preparation, development of a competitive admissions packet, and participation in experiences which enhance the law school application.
Our services are not limited to students in certain majors, but rather our office is designed to assist undergraduate or graduate students from any academic major with timely advice regarding the path to law school.
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Whether you are just beginning to explore law as a career or have made the decision, getting an early start in your journey is strongly encouraged! Our Pre-Law pathways expert offers professional and academic guidance about the paths to law school and legal careers—see if law school is right for you!
What Should I Major In?
USM does offer the following undergrad programs with a concentration in Pre-law, including Political Science, Philosophy, and Legal Studies. It is a good idea to take some law-related courses to determine your aptitude and interest.
Also, law schools do not require a particular undergraduate degree program—explore some of the majors popular among law school applicants, including History, Applied Economics, English, and more!
