coursework for law school

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What is law school like: first-year curriculum.

The first-year curriculum is the brick and mortar of your law school education. No matter what school you attend, here are the courses you can expect your first year in law school:

Civil Procedure

Criminal law, constitutional law, legal methods.

A tort is a harmful act for which someone might be held legally responsible under civil law. You'll study the rationale behind judgments in civil cases. Here's a handy acronym for the primary actionable torts in the United States: FITTED CAB — F alse I mprisonment, T respass (to land), T respass (to chattel, or personal property), E motional D istress, C onversion, A ssault, and B attery.

Contractual relationships are varied and complicated—so much so that you'll study them for two full semesters. Through the study of past court cases, you will follow the law governing the system of conditions and obligations a contract represents, as well as the legal resolutions available when contracts are breached.

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If contracts and torts teach you what lawyers do in civil court, then civil procedure teaches you how they do it. “Civ Pro" is the study of the often dizzyingly and complex rules that govern not only who can sue whom, but also how, when, and where they can do it. Rules of civil procedure govern the conduct of both the courtroom trial and the steps that might precede it: discovery, pleading, pretrial motions, etc.

Like so much U.S. law, the laws governing the purchase, possession, and sale of property in the U.S. often date back to the English common law. Anyone interested in achieving an understanding of broader policy issues will appreciate the significance of this material. Many property courses will emphasize, to varying degrees, economic analysis of property law.

Even if you become a criminal prosecutor or defender, in practice you will probably never encounter the crimes you will be exposed to in this course. Can a man who shoots the dead body of someone he believes to be alive be charged with attempted murder? What if someone forced him to do so at gunpoint? What if they were both on drugs—or had really rough childhoods? Your crim. class is likely to rely heavily on Socratic dialogue, and criminal law professors are notorious for their ridiculously convoluted exam questions.

As close to a history class as you will take in your first year, "Con. law" will emphasize issues of government structure and individual rights.

Read More: Your Law School Application Strategy

This course travels under various aliases, such as “Legal Research” and “Writing or Elements of the Law.” It will most likely be your smallest, and possibly your only respite from the Socratic method, though it may also take up the most prep time outside the classroom. This course is designed to help you acquire fundamental skills in legal research, analysis, and writing.

In addition to these course requirements, many law schools require 1Ls to participate in a moot court exercise. As part of this exercise, students—sometimes working in pairs or even small groups—must prepare briefs and oral arguments for a mock trial. This requirement is often tied in with the methods course so that those briefs and oral arguments will be well researched—and graded.

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The Top 13 Pre-Law Majors: What’s The Best Major For Law School Admission?

Expert Reviewed

Updated: Feb 23, 2024, 10:03am

For many people, carving out a path that leads to a successful legal career starts with choosing an undergraduate degree. There are many options available, and the type of law you plan to practice may come into play as you choose your undergraduate pre-law major.

Certain majors are more popular among law school applicants than others, and schools consider both an applicant’s grades and the rigor of the coursework they pursue. As you plan your education and career, you should keep these factors in mind. However, it’s also important to choose a major that fits your strengths and interests. In this article, we discuss the 13 most common undergraduate majors for law school students.

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What Major Is Best for Law School?

The American Bar Association (ABA) does not recommend any specific undergraduate major for aspiring lawyers. Instead, the organization suggests that any student planning to become a lawyer selects an undergraduate major that interests and challenges them. The ABA encourages students to seek a course of study that builds competence in certain core areas—such as problem solving, oral communication, public service and collaboration—that can help them succeed in law school.

In particular, your undergraduate major should include coursework that develops your research, critical-reading and writing skills. It’s best to choose a major that provides a well-rounded education through a variety of courses. Your major should challenge you to learn more about the subjects you enjoy.

Ben Cooper, founder and CEO of law school admissions firm PreLawPro, advises, “When it comes to selecting a major, students should allow their interest and aptitude to drive their choice instead of choosing the major/s that they think will be the most impressive to a law school.”

While law schools do consider your major, they typically place more weight on your undergraduate GPA. A high undergraduate GPA can help demonstrate that you take your education seriously and can consistently maintain the level of effort and achievement needed to complete a Juris Doctor (J.D.) and become a successful lawyer. For this reason, you should choose a major in which you will excel.

Cooper offers the following insights: “Too often, students spend a lot of time worrying about whether they have selected the ‘right’ major. For example, many freshmen and their parents assume that any aspiring lawyer needs to pursue political science. This is a myth, and while the choice of major can help students develop skills that are necessary for success in law school, an applicant’s GPA is much more important than their choice of major and minor.”

Best Undergraduate Majors for Law School

According to the ABA, traditional majors for law school applicants include history, English, philosophy, political science, economics and business. All of these areas of study can help students develop mastery in the key areas the ABA suggests future law students cultivate. However, undergraduates have many other valid options for law school preparation, and the ABA encourages learners to follow any course of study that they feel passionate about.

Below we list 13 common undergraduate majors for students who apply to J.D. programs .

Coursework for history majors covers cultures and civilizations, specific eras, geography, American and international studies, research and analysis, and social justice. Majoring in history can provide you with a greater understanding of people from different cultures and backgrounds, which can be useful for attorneys who practice any type of law.

Bachelor’s in economics coursework includes micro- and macroeconomics, market outcomes, fiscal and monetary policy and basic economic modeling. Majoring in economics is an excellent option for aspiring tax and corporate attorneys. Additionally, an econ major requires students to develop proficiency in logical reasoning, a key component of the Law School Admission Test (LSAT).

Coursework for an English major covers literature, cultural studies, historical periods, creative writing and critical theory. Majoring in English can help students develop strong communication skills, which are essential for attorneys who decide to practice any type of law.

Coursework for philosophy majors may include metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, logic, social and political philosophy, and history of philosophy. Majoring in philosophy can help students develop skills in communication, analytical and logical argumentation, and rhetoric, which are useful for any type of law practice.

Political Science

A political science bachelor’s degree explores political theory, government systems and the judicial system, making this an excellent option for an undergraduate major. Majoring in political science can help you prepare to specialize in virtually any type of law. However, although a political science major is often associated with future lawyers, law schools do not necessarily prefer political science graduates.

Coursework for finance majors may include business economics, cost analysis, accounting, business law, ethics, statistics and management. Finance can be a great major for those who plan to work in tax law, corporate law or real estate law. As with economics and philosophy majors, an emphasis on quantitative reasoning can build skills that may serve students well when it comes to taking the LSAT .

Arts and Humanities

Coursework for arts and humanities majors varies according to specialization but may include languages, literature, music, art, logic, philosophy, theater, religion and social sciences. Arts and humanities programs provide broad knowledge for future attorneys to use in many types of law practices. Coursework for these degrees can also hone competence in communication, collaboration and critical thinking.

Communications

Coursework for communications degrees may include rhetoric, public speaking, journalism, writing, public relations and advertising. Majoring in communications helps students develop excellent speaking and writing skills, which are essential to any attorney both in and out of a courtroom setting.

What can you do with a bachelor’s in psychology? Well, you can go to law school. Psychology coursework involves studying human behavior and mental health issues. Majoring in psychology can benefit those specializing in many types of law, since understanding how people think and behave is helpful in a variety of situations.

Coursework for sociology majors may cover human behavior, race relations, social theory, statistics, research methodology, criminology, social policy, family structures and religion. Sociology majors develop skills that help them relate to people from all walks of life, so law students who intend to work in divorce and family law, immigration or public defense may especially benefit from this major.

Business Administration

Coursework for a business administration bachelor’s degree may include economics, marketing, business communication, entrepreneurship, human resources, accounting and organizational management. A business administration major may be helpful for those who intend to practice corporate law, patent or intellectual property law, tax law or real estate law.

Criminal Justice

Criminal justice bachelor’s degree coursework includes forensics, human behavior, social policies, research and management. While this coursework may help law school applicants who plan to become defense attorneys, a criminal justice major may not offer the level of academic challenge that many top law schools look for.

STEM Majors

Lawyers in some fields of law, particularly patent law, can benefit from STEM-based degrees that relate to their chosen areas of practice. STEM fields offer many rigorous courses of study that can help students develop law school-ready skills and demonstrate their ability to succeed in a challenging academic environment.

Should You Major in Pre-Law?

A pre-law degree covers general education, an introduction to law and other coursework that helps learners build solid analytical and reasoning skills. This major introduces students to some of the concepts they will need to know later in law school.

While pre-law may seem like the logical best option, that is not necessarily the case. In fact, this major might hinder you more than help you. A pre-law major provides an introduction to basic legal concepts, but it may not offer particularly challenging coursework. This could potentially make you a less competitive law school candidate than other students.

Your major should be something you both enjoy and excel at. If pre-law checks those boxes for you, consider choosing it as a major. If not, however, select a major that will expand your knowledge and help you build your skills.

The Bottom Line

When it comes to your undergraduate record, strong grades, challenging coursework and a passion for your subject typically matter more to law school admissions officers than the specific course of study you follow. A wide variety of majors can prepare you for success in law school and your future legal career—but remember to seek out coursework that hones the specific skills you’ll need.

As Cooper notes, “Applicants need to develop the skills we know they need to do well in a J.D. program, e.g., critical thinking, research, editing, written communication, etc.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About the Best Majors for Law School Admission

What is the best pre-law major.

If you plan to pursue a legal career, but you’re unsure what to major in as an undergraduate, here’s some good news: Law schools accept students from nearly any major. That said, the best pre-law majors are those that develop the skills you’ll need to pass the LSAT, get into law school and ultimately practice law. The American Bar Association lists 10 key competency areas to focus on, including problem solving, critical reading, and writing and editing.

Is a pre-law minor worth it?

Possibly, depending on your major. Pre-law or legal studies coursework typically covers topics such as legal reasoning, criminal law, business law and American government. Many courses in this minor help develop the analytical and communication skills you’ll need in law school. If your major doesn’t address those competencies sufficiently, or you’re looking for more exposure to legal concepts, a pre-law minor can offer one way to meet your goals.

Do law schools care about your major?

To a degree, yes, but not in the way many students imagine. Law schools do consider your undergraduate major as part of a holistic admissions process, but rather than looking for specific subjects, they tend to focus on whether you earned high grades, chose an academically rigorous major and pursued coursework that developed your skills in key areas like writing, critical reading and research.

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Sheryl Grey is a freelance writer who specializes in creating content related to education, aging and senior living, and real estate. She is also a copywriter who helps businesses grow through expert website copywriting, branding and content creation. Sheryl holds a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications from Indiana University South Bend, and she received her teacher certification training through Bethel University’s Transition to Teaching program.

Veronica Beagle is the managing editor for Education at Forbes Advisor. She completed her master’s in English at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. Before coming to Forbes Advisor she worked on education related content at HigherEducation.com and Red Ventures as both a copy editor and content manager.

Ben Cooper the founder and CEO of PreLawPro, a law school admissions and career consulting firm. He is a former international lawyer who spent much of his legal career as a litigator in London’ financial district. After leaving private practice he oversaw the Pre-Law program at Baylor University, where he taught college classes on the legal profession, law school admissions, careers, and academic success. He has also helped students explore careers in diplomacy, intelligence and national security. After almost a decade of working with college students and young professionals, Ben has helped hundreds of law school applicants gain admission to law schools all over the country. Ben also coaches and mentors college students and young professionals (across a broad range of industries) as they navigate their education and careers.

Build a foundation that will support your aspirations.

Stanford Law’s curriculum blends courses that instill essential skills — starting with the ability to think like a lawyer — with opportunities to customize your education to your interests and ambitions. Classes are small enough to support intensive discussion and collaboration. Faculty actively engage you in exploring key concepts and new ideas. Courses provide a springboard to the immersive learning opportunities — practice-focused clinics, policy-making practicums, faculty salons, global studies and more — that distinguish an SLS education.

First-Year Academics

The 1L year is when SLS students immerse themselves in the basics, broaden their view of law and establish a foundation for Stanford Law’s comprehensive advanced curriculum.

students guaranteed housing in their first year

maximum number of students in a small section

required courses/electives in Winter quarter

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At Stanford, I was able to go beyond the core law curriculum by taking electives as a 1L and, later, non-law classes across campus.

Benjamin Haas, JD '18

Learn, Serve, Excel

Stanford Law’s 11 clinics make you something unique in the world of law:  a student attorney, certified by the California State Bar to practice law under the supervision of your clinic mentors. Clinics are full time, so academic commitments don’t compete. Your instructors are exceptional lawyers who share what they’ve learned through experience. Your training — addressing real legal challenges for real clients — is substantive. Your ultimate reward? Excellence: The Mills Legal Clinic helps you become a better writer, a better problem-solver, a better leader, a better lawyer.

Make a difference in health care by merging law with science.

With health care accounting for more than 16 percent of the U.S. gross national product — and America’s high-cost health system widely regarded as unsustainable — need is growing for leaders who can navigate the intersection of law and health policy. Stanford Law is uniquely positioned to prepare professionals for this important work through what may be the only program of its kind anywhere. Joint degrees in health services research and epidemiology take advantage of Stanford University’s renowned science resources, including  medical school, medical center and a wide range of interdisciplinary programs. These are just two of 24 joint degree opportunities at SLS, with more being added as students invent their own.

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Through Stanford Law’s Global Initiative, spring break becomes an opportunity to take your SLS education on the road. The new W. A. Franke Global Law Program is comprised of four elements:

• The Global Quarter: an intensive, 10-week immersion in international law and finance;
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• greater integration of comparative law and international issues into existing core courses.

Stanford Law’s signature international initiatives, including a robust program in international and comparative law, provide additional resources and experiences for cultivating global perspective.

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10 Best Undergraduate Majors for Law School

What’s covered:, is pre-law a major, what should i look for in a college or major if i want to become a lawyer.

• 10 Most Popular Undergraduate Majors for Prospective Law Students

Top 5 Best Pre-Law Schools

What are your chances of acceptance.

Attending law school opens so many doors for someone interested in the justice system. Graduates go on to be judges, prosecutors, politicians, professors, legislators, mediators, and so much more. But getting into law school is no easy matter.

Want to know the best majors for law school? Keep reading! This article is for students thinking about how their choice of major can set them up for success later, when they apply to law school. Additionally, to learn more about the steps you can take to build a successful law career, visit our post on How to Become a Lawyer: Steps to Take from High School .

Many students talk about pursuing a pre-law track as an undergrad. However, it is not possible to major in pre-law. You have to major in an academic subject, such as Political Science, Math, Philosophy, and so on. Unlike premed, there are no prerequisite courses you must take in order to be considered for law school. When people say “pre-law,” they simply mean that they approached college with the plan that, after graduating, they would one day apply to law school.

While there is no pre-law major or set of required classes, you can still prepare for law school while in college. Here are just a few ways you can do that:

• Take classes on law and legal history. The more you know about how legislation is approached in the United States and abroad, the better prepared you will be for your first day of law school. Additionally, taking these classes will help you decide whether the study of law is interesting to you.
• Join debate, newspaper, and writing clubs. Lawyers must have a strong command of logic and the written word. Your extracurricular activities will help you cultivate these qualities and make applying to law school that much easier.
• Seek out internships with law firms, courts, and legal organizations. There are thousands of ways to practice law, from supporting large companies as a corporate lawyer to defending asylum-seekers with a non-profit organization. The more internship opportunities you pursue in your field, the better sense you will have of what type of law you want to pursue.
• For industry-related law, take classes on your industry . Patent lawyers require a firm grasp of the natural sciences in order to practice. Similarly, entertainment and international law rely on an extensive understanding of media and current affairs, respectively. Use your undergraduate years as an opportunity to strengthen your foundation in the industry in which you hope to practice law.

Beyond taking these steps, there is no single best major for law school. You can major in absolutely anything and apply to law school. However, there are schools and programs that do a better job of preparing you for graduate study.

Even before you enroll in college, you can take steps to make yourself a stronger candidate for law school. Here are a few tips for how to approach your school, major, and course selection as an undergraduate:

Look for Schools That Offer Pre-Law Advising

Some schools prefer to emphasize learning for the sake of learning, while others help students plan ahead for their careers. As a prospective law student, finding the latter type of school will give you the context and support you need to excel once it comes time to apply. When you research the schools on your list, see what kind of resources are available for students interested in pursuing law.

Select a Rigorous, Well-Respected School or Program

Both your college GPA and the rigor of your course load will be considered when you apply to law school. For that reason, it is important to prioritize academics during your undergraduate years.

Pursue a Program That Strengthens Your Critical Reasoning and Attention to Detail

Lawyers need to be able to think critically and pick out details in arguments. Additionally, these are skills widely tested on the LSAT. Certain fields, such as Classics, Linguistics, and Mathematics, demand more critical reasoning and attention to detail than others. Additionally, all liberal arts curricula are designed to foster these traits. Gravitate towards schools and programs that prioritize these skills.

Pick a Writing-Heavy Major

Law students have many papers to write, as well as exams that include long written responses to questions. Build your stamina and polish as a writer by choosing a major that assesses written content regularly.

Seek Out Schools and Programs with Smaller Class Sizes

Receiving strong letters of recommendation from professors will go a long way towards setting you apart in your law school application. To receive great letters, it is important to cultivate strong relationships with your instructors. Small class sizes make it easier for your professor to get to know you. If you want to major in a subject with large lectures, that is okay too. Simply make a point of attending office hours regularly to foster relationships with your professors and teaching assistants.

Use Undergrad to Build Your Foundation in an Industry of Interest

Your undergraduate years are a great time to build a foundation in the field in which you hope to practice law. Similarly, if you want to support a particular population, now is a great time to learn a foreign language that will be useful when you practice.

Top 10 Most Popular Undergraduate Majors for Prospective Law Students

While there are no objective best majors for law school, certain courses of study do prepare you for that next step better than others. Below, you can find a ranked list of the ten most popular majors for law students.

We put together this list based on two important factors: the percentage of students in each major who were actually admitted to law school, and the average LSAT score of the students with that major.

1. Political Science

Percentage of Students Admitted: 74.0%

Average LSAT Score: 156.03

So much of politics is high-quality legislation that it’s no wonder this field tops our list of most popular majors for law school students. Despite not having the highest percentage of students admitted or the highest average LSAT score on this list, Political Science has the most law school applicants by far. In 2022, 13,693 students who majored in PoliSci applied to law school—more than three times the number of the second largest major!

Political Science offers an invaluable framework for the laws you’ll be studying in graduate school. If you know you want to be a lawyer but are still deciding which major to choose, you can’t go wrong with Political Science.

2. Economics

Percentage of Students Admitted: 78.2%

Average LSAT Score: 161.71

Economics offers the perfect blend of quantitative and qualitative experience. Additionally, this field prepares you to be an effective lawyer in financial domains, as well as an advocate for sound monetary policy. Understanding capital is vital for handling large portions of tax law and federal regulation.

Percentage of Students Admitted: 79.1%

Average LSAT Score: 158.95

Understanding the past is critical for interpreting law for two reasons. First, it establishes precedent, and knowing how legal cases have been resolved in the past is central to our understanding of how to decide current cases. Second, a grounding in the past helps you zoom out and understand the broader social context for a piece of legislation. This is a great major for students eager to pursue a legal career.

4. Philosophy

Percentage of Students Admitted: 75.5%

Average LSAT Score: 159.47

Traditionally, philosophy is considered the ultimate pre-law major. In this field, you wrestle deeply with logic and reasoning as you consider questions about knowledge, existence, and other fundamental concepts. The same skills directly improve a lawyer’s ability to do their job well. Additionally, philosophy classes tend to be small, discussion-based seminars that allow you to develop your critical thinking, deductive reasoning, and public speaking skills—all qualities of a great lawyer!

Percentage of Students Admitted: 76.3%

Average LSAT Score: 157.30

English is another famous choice for pre-law students, since so much reading and writing is required to perform well in this field. Learning to synthesize a lot of content and becoming sensitive to careful word choice will make you a stronger applicant to law school and a better lawyer down the road.

Percentage of Students Admitted: 73.2%

Average LSAT Score: 157.22

Finance is similar to Economics, but the disciplines are distinct from one another. Economics is a social science that focuses on goods and services, and the effects of human behavior on them. Finance, on the other hand, has a strong focus on financial systems and tools for money management, such as banks, loans, and investments. The quantitative nature of this major will be helpful to you in law school, especially if you want to practice tax law, corporate law, or securities law.

7. Arts & Humanities

Percentage of Students Admitted: 72.8%

Average LSAT Score: 156.64

This group of majors tends to be fairly writing heavy, so it attracts students with the focus and desire to spend hours reading. It’s a great pick if you love art and literature but also want to prepare yourself for a legal career.

8. Psychology

Percentage of Students Admitted: 71.8%

Average LSAT Score: 155.07

Psychology is the third social science (after Political Science and Economics) to make an appearance on this list, and that is no surprise. This field blends history, reading, writing, and quantitative analysis together, making graduates in this field well equipped to approach law from almost any angle. Consider majoring in Psychology if you’re fascinated by how people tick.

9. Communications

Percentage of Students Admitted: 70.6%

Average LSAT Score: 154.17

Communications equips aspiring law students with many useful skills, including verbal and written communication skills, critical thinking abilities, and an understanding of people and how they convey ideas and arguments. Having these skills helps lawyers with persuasive argumentation, advocacy, and negotiations. While it’s not the most common pre-law major, Communications is a robust and compelling field to have experience in when you apply to law school.

10. Sociology

Percentage of Students Admitted: 67.1%

Average LSAT Score: 153.91

Sociology majors have to be comfortable scrutinizing data and writing long papers. Both the critical thinking and writing skills that this major cultivates can be leveraged in law school. Consider this major if the social dynamics of groups interest you, and you enjoy both quantitative and qualitative reasoning.

1. Yale University

Location: New Haven, CT

Undergrad Enrollment: 6,590

Acceptance Rate: 4.35%

Middle 50% SAT/ACT: 1480-1560/33-35

Yale University is commonly counted among the best law schools in the nation. For its class of 2025, the school offered admission to just 236 students from a pool of 4,202 applicants, and it had an 81% yield rate. The median GPA of students accepted to Yale Law School was 3.94 and their median LSAT score was 175.

Yale’s Office of Career Strategy has a pre-law advisor who can help students navigate the law school application process. Outside of the classroom, Yale is home to numerous law-related extracurricular programs, including, the Yale Undergraduate Legal Aid Association , Yale Mock Trial Association , and Yale Undergraduate Moot Court .

2. Harvard University

Location: Cambridge, MA

Undergrad Enrollment: 7,153

Acceptance Rate: 3.41%

Middle 50% SAT/ACT : 1480-1580/33-36

Attending a prestigious and selective college like Harvard is likely to increase the chances of any student hoping to gain admission to law school. Another benefit Harvard undergraduates enjoy is the school’s residential system, which places students into “houses” at the end of their first year. Each house has its own pre-law advisors, who are generally current law school students themselves, so they can provide firsthand insight and valuable information about the law school admission process.

Harvard’s Mignone Center for Career Success can assist students with more general needs, such as writing a resume, building a college activities list, and researching fellowships and internships.

3. University of Chicago

Location: Chicago, IL

Undergrad Enrollment: 7,600

Acceptance Rate: 5%

Middle 50% SAT/ACT: 1510-1560/34-35

The University of Chicago’s Careers in Law program features a variety of resources to aid students in gaining admission to law school, and makes them one of the best pre-law schools in the country. The Careers in Law program allows students to explore different career paths in the legal field through activities like workshops, panels, job shadowing, and internships. Additionally, the program provides one-on-one advising and assists students in preparing strong successful applications to law school.

4. Princeton University

Location: Princeton, NJ

Undergrad Enrollment: 5,548

Acceptance Rate: 4%

Middle 50% SAT/ACT: 1470-1560/33-35

Princeton University provides numerous opportunities for students looking to pursue a career in law. Princeton’s Center for Career Development offers pre-law advising for current students and helps students through the entire law school admission process—from exploring their interest in law to reviewing law school applications to critiquing application materials.

On campus, students are treated to information sessions from law school representatives along with pre-law workshops and panels. Princeton even offers one- to three-day “ Princeternships ,” which pair students with alumni members working in the legal field.

5. University of Pennsylvania | UPenn

Location: Philadelphia, PA

Undergrad Enrollment: 10,412

Acceptance Rate: 4.1%

Middle 50% SAT/ACT : 1510-1560/34-35

Thanks to its abundance of resources and a stellar record of placing students in top law schools, UPenn is often thought of as one of the best pre-law schools in the nation. UPenn students have access to everything they require to make a strong case for admission to law school—from pre-law advisors to groups like the John Marshall Pre-Law Honor Society to a pre-law newsletter that is distributed once or twice a week.

In 2021-2022, UPenn had over 100 of its graduates studying law at prestigious schools like Harvard, Yale, and NYU.

Final Thoughts on Majors for Law School

Remember, the right major for someone else will be different from the right major for you, as success in a major depends on individual interests, strengths, and weaknesses. Regardless, make sure you choose something that improves your writing and critical reasoning skills.

Beyond that, pick a field that interests you and inspires you to work hard. Since just about every industry needs good lawyers, your field-specific knowledge may become quite valuable as you further specialize your legal practice.

You might be wondering what your chances of acceptance at top pre-law schools are. This isn’t the easiest question to answer because so many factors play an important role in college admissions. The top pre-law schools are very selective, but your personal chances of acceptance may be higher or lower than a given school’s average chances. Fortunately, CollegeVine has created a tool to help you figure out your personal chances!

Our free chancing engine considers factors such as your grades, test scores, extracurriculars, and more, to estimate your odds of getting into hundreds of colleges and universities around the country, while also providing insight into how to improve your profile!

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What You Can Expect from Your Law School Experience

Law schools offer a range of programs to fit your career ambitions and schedule. Most law schools share a common first-year approach to educating lawyers, with much more variation in the second and third years, such as opportunities for specialized programs, judicial clerkships, legal externships, participation in clinical programs and moot court, and involvement with public interest and governmental agencies. Meet real students who share their stories of activism, public service, and international travel as part of their law school education. Law school can be an intense, competitive environment–but the rewards are considerable.

The First Year

Your journey officially begins. The work will be challenging, and professors expect you to arrive at every class thoroughly prepared. Most professors give little feedback until the final examination for the course, and most course grades are determined primarily from end-of-semester or end-of-year exams.

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The Case Method Approach

The case method is unfamiliar for many first-year law students. It involves the detailed examination of a number of related judicial opinions that describe an area of law. You may be asked questions designed to explore the facts presented, to determine the legal principles applied in reaching a decision, or to analyze the method of reasoning used. In this way, professors encourage you to relate the case to others and to distinguish it from those with similar, but inapplicable, precedents.

By focusing on the underlying principles that shape the law’s approach to different situations, you will learn to distinguish among subtly different legal results and to identify the critical factors that determine a particular outcome.

The Ability to Think

There is an adage that the primary purpose of law school is to teach you to think like a lawyer. This is reinforced through the case method approach. Although the memorization of specifics may be useful to you, the ability to be analytical and literate is considerably more important than the power of total recall. Because laws continually change and evolve, specific rules may quickly lose their relevance, but the ability to think critically will be of the highest value. This is why critical thinking ability is assessed on the LSAT as a predictor of likelihood of success, and why preparing for the LSAT helps students once they’re in law school.

The Curriculum

As a first-year law student, you will follow a designated course of study that may cover many of the following subjects:

• Civil procedure —the process of adjudication in the United States such as jurisdiction and standing to sue, motions and pleadings, pretrial procedure, the structure of a lawsuit, and appellate review of trial results.
• Constitutional law —the legislative powers of the federal and state governments, and questions of civil liberties and constitutional history, including detailed study of the Bill of Rights and constitutional freedoms.
• Contracts —the nature of enforceable promises and rules for determining appropriate remedies in case of nonperformance.
• Criminal law and criminal procedure —bases of criminal responsibility, the rules and policies for enforcing sanctions against individuals accused of committing offenses against the public order and well-being, and the rights guaranteed to those charged with criminal violations.
• Legal method —students’ introduction to the organization of the American legal system and its processes.
• Legal writing —learning legal research and writing are critical elements of most first-year law school experiences.
• Property law —concepts, uses, and historical developments in the treatment of land, buildings, natural resources, and personal objects.
• Torts —private wrongs, such as acts of negligence, assault, and defamation, that violate obligations of the law.

In addition to attending classes, you may be required to participate in a moot court exercise in which you must argue a hypothetical court case.

After the first year, you will likely have the opportunity to select from a broad range of courses. Most students will take foundation courses in administrative law, civil litigation, commercial law, corporations, evidence, family law, professional responsibility, taxation, and wills and trusts before completing their degree. Every law school supplements this basic curriculum with additional courses, such as international law, environmental law, conflict of laws, labor law, criminal procedure, and jurisprudence, and many law schools include clinical (experiential) opportunities as well.

Extracurricular Activities

Student organizations are a great supplement to classroom learning. Typically, these organizations are dedicated to advancing the interests of particular groups of law students, such as Black students, female students, Hispanic students, or LGBTQ students. Other groups promote greater understanding of specific legal fields, such as environmental or international law, or provide opportunities for involvement in professional, social, and sports activities.

A unique feature of American law schools is that law students manage and edit most of the legal profession’s principal scholarly journals. Membership on the editorial staffs of these journals is considered a mark of academic distinction. Selection is ordinarily based on outstanding academic performance and writing ability.

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Undergraduate Courses That Are Recommended for Law School

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Law school applicants should have a variety of courses on their transcripts, including studies in the areas of business, logic, and social studies, among others. While most colleges do not ask students to complete a set of required courses for law school, there are certain classes and majors that can best prepare students for the rigors of this field of study.

English Literature and Composition

A legal education will build on writing and analytical thinking, so courses that showcase a candidate's ability to excel in these areas will look good on an undergraduate transcript. Students must show a strong command of the English language through writing, reading, and speaking. While most students will find that their writing styles will definitely change in law school, they still must work to strengthen their skills during the undergraduate years. English courses might include literature studies, logic and reasoning, philosophy, public policy, and writing.

Students who are hoping to practice law in business-related areas, such as corporate law, real estate law, and tax law, will greatly benefit from early exposure to business studies. Business courses provide students with a strong command of business-related topics such as contracts, negotiations, and corporate structure. These courses require that students think critically and come up with solutions to intricate problems.

This coursework can also be useful for students who expect to practice law in the areas of government regulation, business litigation, and aspects of representing nonprofits. A business major, in particular, covers many subjects that a student will encounter in law school. Courses within this major include reading, writing, speaking, and learning about contracts, all skills that will provide a solid foundation for students ultimately seeking a law degree. Many business courses also cover basic analytics skills. Relevant courses include accounting, finance, and negotiation.

History, Government, and Politics 

The legal profession requires basic knowledge of the government, as well as its history and processes. Courses in these subjects are advised so that students have some understanding of the topics before beginning law school. Courses covering world history, government, jurisprudence, law, and taxation are usually reading-intensive, which is also great preparation for law school.

Students who study economics will be required to apply logical thinking to their studies, as well as to interpret and analyze complex data. Students might consider taking courses that cover the fundamentals of economics, the history of economics, and those that tackle the intersections of law and economics directly.

Political Science

This is one of the more popular degrees for pre-law students. Political science degrees are designed to expose students to the intricate nature of a complex judicial system. Politics and law go hand in hand, and these courses teach students about how our laws are both structured and carried out.

As a political science major, the pre-law student will learn how to speak in public. Students will learn about how different courts operate and about the Constitution and how it developed the foundations for our legal system. Along with developing an understanding of politics and law, students will also have the opportunity to write comparative papers on a variety of political issues. These courses might include public policy, international politics, leadership studies, and even courses related to current events.

Public Speaking

Students who are not political science majors need to seek out courses that emphasize public speaking skills. While students can enroll in public speaking classes, they should also practice speaking in public or to large groups of people—there's a lot of that in law school. This includes both giving in-class presentations as well as other public speaking endeavors. Writing for speech is also a skill that needs to be honed, not just speaking. Students should consider classes in debate, public speaking, and speech writing.

Additional Courses

Disciplines that study human behavior can also be useful, including both psychology and sociology. They involve critical thinking and analysis, two valuable legal skills. Many students will also benefit from exploring courses in criminology, anthropology, and even religion.

The bottom line is that students who want to prepare for law school should take courses that emphasize reading, writing, and critical thinking skills. Admissions officers look favorably on transcripts that show that a student has both practiced these skills and has done well in courses that require them. 

Two of the most important components of the law school application are the GPA and LSAT score . A competitive candidate should have scores and grades that are either at or above the school’s averages. Students can often distinguish themselves from a pack of applicants with similar testing scores by showing that they have taken a range of high-quality classes.

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The University of Chicago The Law School

Academics & life menu, jd students.

First-year law students take a required set of courses listed below, as well as a 1L elective in the spring. The list of electives available changes each year. Additional degree requirements include the successful completion of a class designated as meeting the professional responsibility requirement, 40 core credit hours in the second and third years, two courses with a substantial writing component, and eight total credits in experiential courses .

Graduate Students

Master of Laws (LLM) students primarily select their courses from the upper level courses. Occasionally, faculty teaching some first-year law courses will allow a very limited number of LL.M. students to join. LL.M. students may also pursue some coursework at other UChicago schools (please review section 3.7 of the student handbook ).

JSD students may register in upper level courses. The decision to do so or not rests between the student and their supervisor.

The courses listed below are loosely grouped into categories for ease of reading, although no formal groupings exist in our curriculum. These lists include courses taught in the 2021-22 and 2022-23 school years. Not all of these courses are offered every year, but this list will give you a representative sample of the variety of courses we might offer over any two-year period. Other new courses will likely be offered during your time at the Law School. To browse course descriptions for the current year, visit my.UChicago .

First Year Courses

Upper level courses.

• Administrative Law
• Clinical Courses
• Commercial, Business, and Labor Law
• Constitutional Law
• Courts, Jurisdiction, and Procedure
• Criminal Law and Criminal Procedure
• Environmental Law
• Equality and Human Rights
• Family Law, Property Rights, Torts, and Insurance
• Intellectual Property, Technology Law, and Entrepreneurship
• International and Comparative Law
• Jurisprudence and Legal Theory
• Legal History
• Skills, Legal Practice, and Ethics

Complementary, Multi-Disciplinary, and Cross-Listed Courses

Determination of credit hours for coursework.

Given the Law School's practice of requiring no less than two hours of out-of-class student work for every hour of in-class instruction (ABA Standard 310), below is some guidance on the awarding of credit:

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The First Year

The first-year curriculum is the foundation of legal study. Students learn about common law and statutory law in private and public law areas. UW Law is a collaborative learning environment where students are encouraged to seek a deep understanding of legal principles, develop analytical and problem-solving skills and engage with the legal community.

Required first-year courses:

• LAW A 500 Introduction to Perspectives on the Law
• LAW A 501 Contracts
• LAW A 502 Civil Procedure I
• LAW A 503 Property I
• LAW A 504 Torts
• LAW A 505 Criminal Law
• LAW A 506 Legal Analysis, Research and Writing
• LAW A 507 Constitutional Law I: Constitutional Structures of Government

Section sizes for each course vary. Small sections provide opportunities for more individual expression by the student for a closer teacher-student relationship and for more feedback on individual projects. One of the small section courses will be Legal Analysis, Research and Writing .

First-year students take a year-long course in Legal Analysis, Research and Writing. First-year students typically take Torts and Civil Procedure during Autumn quarter; Contracts, Property and Introduction to Perspectives on the Law during Winter quarter; and Constitutional Law and Criminal Law during Spring quarter. Upon completing the first-year program, students are well-prepared for a summer job in a law office or an externship in judicial chambers, a governmental agency or a public service organization.

First-year students also take a course called Introduction to Perspectives on the Law. This course explores critical perspectives as a method of understanding common law to provide necessary context for black letter law. Placed within the first-year curriculum, the course provides a basic framework for analyzing the relationship between race, class, gender, sexuality and the law to support students as they deepen their ability to represent and counsel clients from diverse backgrounds and personal identities.

Flexible first-year option

Though UW Law does not have a part-time, evening program, our flexible first-year option allows students with exceptional circumstances to take a lighter first-year course load. This option allows working professionals and students with family or other obligations to pursue their legal education at UW Law while balancing their commitments. Students are required to meet with our Associate Dean for Students before selecting this option.

The Second and Third Years

After the required first-year program, students are required to take: Administrative Law, Business Organizations , Evidence  and Problems in Professional Responsibility during their second or third year. The candidate must also satisfy the Residence , Public Service , experiential and Advanced Writing requirements. All J.D. students must also take one Global Law and one Perspectives distributional course. All other second-year and third-year courses are elective, making it possible for students to design programs that best suit their interests. A wide range of alternatives, cutting across many fields of law, is available.

A Full Range of Curricular Offerings

In addition to classroom courses focused on teaching rules of law, several other types of curricular offerings are available, including:

• writing opportunities
• experiential coursework
• clinical courses
• externship opportunities
• non-law courses

Seminars permit small groups of students to engage in extended discussions with a faculty member and to write research papers on a subject of current interest. The seminars available in any particular year will depend on the interests of students and a faculty member in a specific area of research. They may extend from one to three quarters. Students may also earn credit for individual writing and research projects performed under the supervision of a faculty member under LAW E 500 and LAW 600.

Experiential Coursework

Students may develop lawyering skills in courses providing simulated experiences, such as:

• Interviewing and Counseling ( LAW B 533 )
• Pretrial Practice ( LAW B 519 )
• Trial Advocacy I and II ( LAW B 520 & LAW B 521 )
• Forensics ( LAW B 548 )
• Negotiation ( LAW B 523 )
• Persuasive Writing ( LAW E 508 )
• Complex Litigation ( LAW E 550 )
• Supreme Court Decision Making ( LAW B 573 )

Our extensive clinical offerings provide UW Law students with valuable experiential training to prepare them for real-world legal challenges. Learn more about the  Clinical Law Program and clinical offerings in the course catalog .

These include the:

• Entrepreneurial Law Clinic ( LAW E 523 )
• Federal Tax Clinic ( LAW T 526 )
• Immigration Clinic ( LAW B 531 )
• Mediation Clinic ( LAW B 526 )
• Nonprofit Organizations Clinic ( LAW E 591 )
• Regulatory Environmental Law & Policy Clinic ( LAW E 594 )
• Technology Law and Public Policy Clinic ( LAW E 554 )
• Tools for Social Change: Race and Justice Clinic ( LAW E 530 )
• Tribal Court Criminal Defense Clinic ( LAW E 529 )

Non-Law Coursework

A student enrolled in the law school may earn up to 18 credits toward the Juris Doctor degree for advanced course work taken in other units of the University. Prior approval must be obtained from the Associate Dean for Student Affairs and applications must show that such course work will contribute significantly to the student's professional education. Law credit will be granted only for courses in which the student receives a grade of 2.7 or better. Normally, only 400 or graduate-level courses will be approved. Grades from non-law courses will not be used in computing a student's grade-point average. Students pursuing a concurrent degree program who wish to take advantage of the full allowance of 18 credits of non-law course work should realize that they will not be able to earn externship credits.

Academic Counseling

The faculty recommends that each student take at least one course that is intended in part to provide a perspective on the legal system and its development. Examples include courses concerning legal philosophy, legal history, jurisprudence, legal method and foreign, international or comparative law. Valuable perspectives are also provided by substantive law courses that study the evolution of legislative and judicial responses to important economic and social changes.

To assist each student with planning a program of study consistent with that student's goal, academic counseling is available from the Center for Career Development and individual faculty and deans at the law school.

Office of Admissions & Financial Aid William H. Gates Hall Box 353020 4293 Memorial Way Seattle, WA 98195-3020, USA lawadm@ uw .edu 206.543.4078

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University of Virginia School of Law

Lawyers, Clerks, and Judicial Decisionmaking

Information introduction.

Cui, Gregory

Schedule Information

Course Description

Course requirements, exam information.

Final Type (if any): None

Description: None

Written Work Product

Other course details.

Prerequisites: Because the credits in this course count toward the JD Program Professional Skills requirement, JD candidates will be given enrollment priority for this class. Concurrencies: None

Exclusive With: None

Laptops Allowed: Yes

First Day Attendance Required: No

Course Resources: To be announced.

Graduation Requirements

Satisfies Understanding Bias/Racism/Cross-Cultural Competency requirement: No

Satisfies Writing Requirement: No

Credits For Prof. Skills Requirement: Yes

Satisfies Professional Ethics: No

Additional Course Information

Schedule No.: 125210305

Modified Type: Simulation

Cross Listed: No

Waitlist Count: 0

Concentrations: Litigation and Dispute Resolution

Evaluation Portal Via LawWeb Opens: Thursday, April 17, 12:01 AM

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*During open enrollment periods, live enrollment data may be found in SIS.

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Bar Success Curriculum

Bar success curriculum requirements for students who matriculated june 2023 or later..

Seattle U Law has created a specialized curriculum to prepare students to pass the bar exam, a crucial step on the path to becoming a practicing attorney.

• Strongly encouraged for all students, as the curriculum covers essential content areas and skills tested on the bar exam.
• Mandatory for students with a GPA under 3.00 after their first year.

Required Courses

Second year.

• Enhanced Analytical Skills Lab (LPRC-250, 1 credit)
• Legal Reasoning and Writing for the Bar Exam (BSKL-300, 3 credits)
• Legal Analysis for the Bar Exam (BSKL-305, 2 credits)

Bar Success Prescribed Curriculum Requirements for Students who Matriculated Before June 2023.

• Mandatory for students ranked in the bottom third of their class after completing the first 30 credit hours.
• Business Entities (4 credits)  
• Trusts and Estates (3 credits) and the Enhanced Analytical Skills Lab (1 credit) . The courses do not need to be taken concurrently.
• Trusts, Estates and Enhanced Analytical Skills (4 credits) . This course combines Trusts and Estates and Enhanced Analytical Skills content.
• Bar Exam Strategies and Skills (3 credits) 
• Civil Procedure II (2 credits)
• Constitutional Law II (3 credits)
• Criminal Procedure Investigative (3 credits)   or   Criminal Procedure Adjudicative (3 credits)
• Family Law (3 credits)
• Real Estate Transactions (3 credits)
• UCC Sales (3 credits)
• UCC Secured Transactions (3 credits)

Requirements for bottom third students

The Bar Success Prescribed Curriculum is required for students ranked in the bottom third of their class at the end of the first year. They must complete the curriculum in conjunction with the upper-level degree requirements in the following sequence:

Full-time students

• Constitutional Law (4 credits, fall only)
• Legal Writing II: Written and Oral Advocacy (3 credits, fall or spring)
• Trusts & Estates (3 credits) with the Enhanced Analytical Skills Lab (1 credit)   or   Trusts, Estates, & Enhanced Analytic Skills (4 credits)
• At least two of the following courses (fall or spring): Business Entities (4 credits) ; Evidence (4 credits) ;  Professional Responsibility (3 credits) ; Courses from the Bar-Tested Course List (see above)
• Any remaining required courses
• Bar Exam Strategies and Skills (3 credits)
• Any remaining Bar Success Prescribed Curriculum requirements

Prior to completing 60 credits

• One or more of the following courses: Business Entities (4 credits); Evidence (4 credits); courses from the Bar-Tested Course List (see above)

Prior to completing 90 credits

Registration

• Bottom third students will be automatically registered for Trusts and Estates and Bar Exam Strategies and Skills.
• Students can submit section preferences before registration appointments begin.
• Because registration occurs before spring class ranks are available, initial 2L registration will be based on the prior fall's class ranks.

Modification to or release from policy

A student may petition the Vice Dean to modify this policy if application of the policy would prevent the student from participating in an academic program that would be in the student's best interests. At a minimum, the student's petition should:

• Identify the academic program the student wishes to participate in.
• Explain the policy modification sought.
• Explain how the modification is in the student's best interests. 
• Include a recommendation from the Academic Excellence and Bar Success team
• Include any other information the Vice Dean deems necessary.

A student may petition the Vice Dean for release from this policy, upon a showing of a substantial improvement in the student's academic performance in required and/or bar tested courses. At a minimum, the student's petition should:

• Explain why release from the policy is in the student's best interests.

Brooke D. Coleman Vice Dean for Academic Affairs and Fredric C. Tausend Professor of Law Sullivan Hall 210I 206-398-4987 [email protected]

• Registrar's Office

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CourseWorks

The Law School’s use of the CourseWorks system helps integrate course information more completely with the University's systems.  Please note that LawNet services for registration, grades, and course evaluations are not affected. General CourseWorks Information is available on our website located below:

https://finance-admin.law.columbia.edu/content/posting-course-materials-courseworks

Please note that  LawNet services  for registration, grades, and course evaluations are not affected. However, it may take up to 24 hours for add/drop information in LawNet to sync with CourseWorks.

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Criminal Law and Policy Program of Study

Harvard Law students interested in criminal justice issues may draw on the resources of the Criminal Law and Policy Program of Study. The aim of the Program of Study is to bring together, and provide guidance to, students interested in criminal justice, whether from an advocacy, policy-making, or academic perspective (or some combination of perspectives). All students interested in this area, either in contemplation of an eventual career in criminal justice or as a subject of academic study, are encouraged to take a broad range of both lecture courses and seminars in criminal law and procedure as well as clinical offerings.

We particularly encourage students to seek to engage all perspectives on criminal justice and to learn about both the prosecution and defense functions in the justice process. Even if you already identify yourself as defense or prosecution oriented, law school is an opportunity to study and learn about all aspects of the criminal justice process. Regardless of where you end up, this broad study will make you a better lawyer.

Academic Offerings

For the latest academic year offerings in Criminal Law and Policy, please visit the HLS Course Catalog

• Criminal Law (required first-year course)
• Criminal Procedure: Investigations
• Criminal Procedure: Adjudication
• Access to Justice and Legal Practice in Rural America
• Capital Punishment in America
• Comparative Criminal Law: Fair Trials
• Contesting the Carceral State
• Corporate Criminal Investigations
• Corruption and Anticorruption: Selected Topics
• Criminal Justice Appellate Clinical Seminar
• Criminal Justice Institute: Defense Theory and Practice
• Criminal Law and Torts — Intersections, Distinctions, and Consequences
• Criminal Municipal Courts: A Policy and Advocacy Simulation
• Crimmigration: The Intersection of Criminal Law and Immigration Law
• Cyber Criminal Law and Procedure
• Empirical Criminal Law
• Evaluating Criminal Justice Reform
• Institute to End Mass Incarceration Clinical Seminar
• International Criminal Law
• Mass Incarceration and Sentencing Law
• Mind and Criminal Responsibility in the Anglo-American Tradition
• Policing in America: The Good, the Bad and The Ugly
• Prosecution Clinical Seminar
• Repairing Wrongs: Crimes and Torts
• Restorative and Transformative Justice
• Restorative Justice
• Seeing Criminal (In)Justice: Examining the Interplay of Visual Media, Storytelling and Criminal Law
• Art of Social Change
• Be Careful What You Wish For
• Facts and Lies
• Federal Courts Clinical Seminar
• From Nuremberg to The Hague– Law, The Individual and the Group
• Gender Violence Legal Policy Workshop
• Judicial Process in Trial Courts Clinical Seminar
• International Counterterrorism Law
• Law and Neuroscience
• Law, Justice, and Design: Making Legal Systems for Human Beings
• Litigating in the Family Courts: Domestic Violence and Family Law Clinical Seminar
• Military Law and Justice
• Nuremberg — Law, The Individual and the Group
• Reproductive Rights and Justice
• The Role of the State Attorney General
• The Rule and The Exception
• Trial Advocacy Workshop

Journals and Publications

• Harvard Civil Rights-Civil Liberties Law Review
• Harvard Journal of Law and Public Policy
• Harvard Journal on Legislation
• Harvard Law and Policy Review
• Harvard National Security Journal

See all HLS Student Journals and Publications

Lecture Series

• Policing in America: Harvard Law School Lecture Series

Research and Learning Outside the Classroom

Research centers and programs.

• Access to Justice Lab at Harvard Law School
• Charles Hamilton Houston Institute for Race & Justice
• Institute to End Mass Incarceration

Student Practice Organizations

• Harvard Defenders
• Harvard Prison Legal Assistance Project

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• LLM Law and Legal Practice - SQE 1 Preparation Course

Law and Legal Practice: SQE 1 Preparation Course LLM

• Level(s) of Study: Professional
• Start Date(s): September 2024
• Duration: 18 months Full-time / 36 months Part-time
• Study Mode(s): Full-time / Part-time
• Campus: City Campus
• Entry Requirements: More information

Find us on:

• Connect through Facebook
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• Connect through Instagram

Introduction:

Why choose this course.

This course is designed for non-law graduates interested in becoming a solicitor. The LLM Law and Legal Practice course provides you with the legal knowledge and skills required to prepare you for the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) 1 assessment, the first step in your route to qualifying as a solicitor.

• This SQE 1 preparation course provides an opportunity to obtain an internationally recognised Masters qualification by completing compulsory taught modules.
• This course is eligible for the UK Government postgraduate loan.
• All our SQE preparation courses carry awards and are taught at Masters level.
• This course provides you with everything you need to have the best opportunity to pass SQE whilst also developing the professional skills that really matter to employers.
• You will be taught by our outstanding teaching team, many of whom are experienced legal professionals who will provide you with excellent and personalised teaching in a dynamic and interactive teaching environment.
• Opportunities for further practice and test the legal skills you acquire through mooting, negotiation, interviewing competitions to enhance your CV.
• Opportunity for “hands on” experience to develop professional skills and gain experience in our regulated and multi award winning teaching law firm,  NLS Legal .

Weekend commitments for part-time students

For students studying the part-time version of the course, seminars will take place over four weekends in years one and two, with five weekends in year three. Innovative and engaging learning resources are provided between the teaching weekends.

If you are not sure whether you want to become a solicitor or a barrister and do not know whether this is the right course for you, email us and one of our expert tutors will get in touch with you.

Find out more about our other  SQE preparation courses .

Why study at Nottingham Law School?

• We have a long established reputation of delivering excellence in legal education.
• We offer a multi-award-winning  pro bono programme, including  NLS Legal for the local community.
• You will be taught in small groups by supportive teaching staff.
• We offer excellent career support, through our dedicated Employability team.
• Every student will take part in career enhancing opportunities during the course.
• All our staff are experienced lawyers and you will benefit from their practical knowledge. Also, you will benefit from our visiting lecturers.
• You will have a dedicated personal tutor. We get to know our students and support and encourage you in both your studies and in your employment applications at the start of your legal career.
• Studying with Nottingham Law School means that you have all the facilities a large Law School can offer plus the advantages of studying within a university environment which offers an outstanding library, IT, support, sports, language and student union services.
• 93% of law students said the course is intellectually stimulating (PTES 2023)
• 93% of law students said they have been able to access subject specific resources (PTES 2023)
• NTU is 3rd for number of PGT students studying Law (Latest HESA data 2021/22)

What you’ll study

You will begin the course by studying the seven core modules of a law degree in your first year (FT) or second year (DL) at level 7.

You will then study the six subject areas which constitute SQE 1’s Functioning Legal Knowledge Assessments, integrating substantive law with procedural law and ethics.

The six subject areas are taught at level 7 too and are designed to build upon the knowledge and understanding of the law and skills that have been gained by studying the seven core modules of law in the first part of this course. This is achieved through the use of realistic case studies relating to the law and procedure in the context of Dispute Resolution, Property Law and Practice, Business Law and Practice, Criminal Law and Practice; and Wills and the Administration of Estates and Trusts.

• Seven core modules
• Six subject areas
• Legal and Professional Environment (including EU law)
• Contract Law
• Law of Trusts
• Criminal Law
• Constitutional and Administrative Law
• Principles of Professional Conduct, Public and Administrative Law and Solicitors’ Accounts and the Legal Systems of England and Wales;
• Dispute Resolution in Contract and Tort;
• Business Law and Practice;
• Wills and the Administration of Estates and Trusts;
• Criminal Law and Practice;
• Property Practice

Further information on what you'll study

Please be aware that all optional/elective modules are subject to availability, and NTU reserves the right to amend, change or withdraw modules at its discretion.

Don’t just take our word for it, hear from our students themselves

Student profiles, fiona scott.

I knew that at Nottingham Law School I could build a community and a network where I could achieve all of my academic and professional goals.

Yu-Tang Hsu

Law and Legal Practice - SQE 1 Preparation Course

NTU has great employability care for its students – the Graduate Outcomes Survey shows NTU’s students have great chances of being employed upon graduation.

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How you’re taught

All teaching will be on campus with face to face teaching; there is no option to attend seminars and workshops online.

The modules on this course are delivered through a series of lectures in each subject area in order to enable a student to develop relevant basic knowledge and understanding. The lectures act as a stimulus to encourage involvement in the relevant knowledge and understanding and to develop independent learning.

In order to stimulate previously acquired knowledge and develop that knowledge further in context, you will also participate in regular seminars/workshops delivered over the duration of the course. These workshops provide a vital opportunity to test knowledge and understanding and to develop skills through student-focussed debate and discussion, problem solving, application of the relevant law and analysis, synthesis and evaluation of your own independent learning. All workshops involve directed and self-directed study and research and facilitate the development of communication skills. Tutor feedback provided in these workshops then provides a platform for continued progress and improvement.

E-learning activities will be fully integrated and are designed to encourage interaction with learning and to provide opportunities to confirm understanding. In particular, students will be given a considerable number of formative assessments based on Multiple Choice Questions.

As the programme progresses, you will be expected to demonstrate greater independence in your planning, preparation, research and reflection to exhibit increased autonomy in your learning and develop the ability to self-assess performance and respond incrementally to feedback provided.

All teaching will be on campus with face to face teaching on each study weekend; there is no option to attend seminars and workshops online.

Research informed teaching

By daring to think differently our research is tackling real-world issues. The subjects you will study with us are informed by our research so you can be sure your knowledge will be cutting-edge in your field. In the last Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021) - the UK's system for assessing the quality and impact of research in universities - we’re proud that 100% of NTU's Law submission was assessed to be world-leading or internationally excellent.

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Careers and employability

We have a dedicated  Employability team who will support you in your search for Qualifying Work Experience and other opportunities.

At Nottingham Law School we don't view our courses in isolation. We ensure we provide the support required to give you the best possible start to your legal career:

• Our Employability team provide seminars with advice about applications and interview techniques.
• We will review your applications and formulate individual career plans. We also provide a practical interview preparation service.
• We provide a mentoring scheme with trainees from local law firms to provide support and guidance and a personal view of what to expect from life in the profession.
• Employability and commercial awareness are given appropriate focus, which provides a true bridge into practice.
• We maintain regular contact with firms specialising in all areas of law.

Campus and facilities

Entry requirements.

• International

Students who enrol on this course will normally have a 2:2 from their undergraduate studies or equivalent level from another study course approved by NTU to be admitted onto the course.

Recognition of Prior Learning

NTU may admit a student with advanced standing beyond the beginning of a course, through an assessment of that student's prior learning, whether it is certificated or uncertificated. Our  Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy outlines the process and options available to these prospective students, such as recognising experiential learning or transferring to a similar course at another institution, otherwise known as credit transfer.

All prospective students who wish to apply via Recognition of Prior Learning should initially contact the central  Admissions and Enquiries Team who will be able to support you through the process.

Getting in touch

If you need more help or information, get in touch through our enquiry form

English language requirements

For students whose first language is not English there is currently a requirement that they have IELTS academic test grade of 6.5 with minimum of 5.5 in each component or equivalent qualification.

Fees and funding

Home fees for 2024 entry.

The SRA SQE 1 assessment fee is not included in the course fee.

*The course fee for the second and third year may be subject to annual review.

Discounts available for 2024 entry

Discounts are applicable to applications for 2024 entry only. More details, including terms and conditions, can be found on the  NLS funding page.

Scholarships available for 2024 entry

You might be able to get a scholarship to help fund your studies. We award scholarships to those students who can demonstrate excellent achievement, passion and dedication to their studies.

Nottingham Law School is also delighted to offer a number of competitive professional courses scholarships that are worth up to half the value of your tuition fee:

• Nottingham Law School’s Professional Courses Scholarship for Academic Excellence – for students who can demonstrate a commitment to and achievement of excellence in their academic background and in other areas such as work and personal life.
• Nottingham Law School’s Professional Courses Scholarship for Outstanding Achievement –    for students who have overcome significant challenges in their social, personal or educational lives.

More details, including terms and conditions, can be found on the Nottingham Law School’s Professional Courses Scholarships page .

Funding your studies

This course is eligible for the  government postgraduate loan scheme .

For more advice and guidance, you can contact our Student Financial Support Service.

Tel: +44 (0)115 848 2494

International / EU fees for 2024 entry

For information on how to pay your fees to the University please visit our  international fee payment page .

How to apply

Applications for this course are made online via the  Central Applications Board . For further information on application you can also contact the Central Applications Board at: [email protected]

If you are interested in joining us in September 2025, this course will be open for applications through the applicant portal from September 2024.

Application closing date

Please note this course can reach its maximum capacity prior to the course start date, which will result in early closure. We encourage you to submit your application as early as possible to avoid disappointment.

Keeping up to date

After you’ve applied, we’ll be sending you important emails throughout the application process – so check your emails regularly, including your junk mail folder.

You can get more information and advice about applying to NTU in our  postgraduates’ guide . Here you’ll find advice about how to write a good personal statement and much more.

If you need any more help or information, please contact our  Admissions Team or call  +44 (0)115 848 4200 .

Good luck with your application!

For advice on applying for a visa please visit our  visa information page

For advice on how to write a good personal statement please visit our  personal statement page .

Please note this course can reach its maximum capacity prior to the course start date, which will result in early closure. We encourage you to submit your application as early as possible to avoid disappointment

After you’ve applied, we’ll be sending you important emails throughout the application process - so check your emails regularly, including your junk mail folder.

You may also be interested in:

Postgraduate diploma in law.

For non-law graduates interested in becoming a solicitor or barrister. Study either on our 9 months full-time or 18 months part-time course.

Find out more

Law and Legal Practice - Barristers Training Course

For non-law graduates, successful completion of this course enables you to proceed to be called to the Bar and proceed to pupillage. Study on our 18 months full-time course.

Penn Law suspends professor for one year over comments on race

PHILADELPHIA — The University of Pennsylvania law school says it is imposing a one-year suspension at half-pay and other sanctions along with a public reprimand on a tenured professor over her comments about race in recent years.

The university said Professor Amy Wax — who has questioned the academic performance of Black students, invited a white nationalist to speak to her class and suggested the country would be better off with less Asian immigration — will also lose her named chair and summer pay in perpetuity and must note in public appearances that she speaks for herself, not as a university or law school member.

The suspension is to begin in the 2025-2026 academic year. The university has not, however, fired her or stripped her of tenure.

Wax told the New York Sun after the announcement that she intends to stay at the school as a “conservative presence on campus.” She called allegations of mistreatment of students “totally bogus and made up” and said her treatment amounted to “performance art” highlighting that the administration “doesn’t want conservatives like me on campus.”

The university said in a notice posted in its almanac last week that a faculty hearing board concluded after a three-day hearing in May of last year that Wax had engaged in “flagrant unprofessional conduct,” citing what it called “a history of making sweeping and derogatory generalizations about groups by race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, and immigration status.” Wax was also accused of “breaching the requirement that student grades be kept private by publicly speaking about the grades of law students by race,” making “discriminatory and disparaging statements,” some in the classroom, “targeting specific racial, ethnic, and other groups with which many students identify.”

Provost John L. Jackson Jr. said academic freedom “is and should be very broad,” but teachers must convey “a willingness to assess all students fairly” and must not engage in “unprofessional conduct that creates an unequal educational environment.” Jackson said Wax’s conduct left many students “understandably concerned” about her being able to impartially judge their academic performance.

Wax’s lawyer, David Shapiro, told the campus newspaper, the Daily Pennsylvanian , in November that officials targeted Wax over her public comments and some elements of her class on conservative thought, including having a white nationalist figure speak. But he said officials also buttressed their case by throwing in “a handful of isolated, years-old allegations (which are highly contested)” about alleged interactions with “a few minority students.”

Wax told the New York Sun that allegations of abuse or discrimination against students were “fabricated and tacked on as a cover for penalizing me for standard-issue, conservative anti-‘woke’ opinions and factual observations that are not allowed on campus.” She said she was committed to exposing students to “opinions and viewpoints they don’t want to hear” and said she fears campuses like Penn are “raising a generation of students who can’t deal with disagreement.”

In 2018, Wax was removed from teaching required first-year law courses after the law school dean accused her of having spoken “disparagingly and inaccurately” about the performance of Black students.

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Federal judge dismisses a challenge to Tennessee’s school bathroom law

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit challenging a Tennessee law that bans transgender students and staff from using school bathrooms or locker rooms that match their gender identities.

A transgender student, identified only as D.H., filed the lawsuit nearly two years ago, saying her school stopped supporting her social transition after the Republican-dominant Statehouse and GOP Gov. Bill Lee enacted several policies targeting accommodations for transgender people.

The school instead accommodated the student by allowing her to use one of four single-occupancy restrooms. However, according to D.H.'s attorneys, the accommodation caused severe stress, leading to the student briefly stopping using the restroom and limiting food and water to minimize her need for the restroom. D.H. sued the state and school district saying the law violated her constitutional rights under the Equal Protection Clause and also Title IX, the 1972 federal law that prohibits sex discrimination in education.

In 2023, U.S. District Judge William Campbell agreed the case could continue under the Equal Protection Clause claim but dismissed the claims alleging violations under Title IX.

Campbell reversed course this month and dismissed the suit entirely, saying that key rulings in separate transgender lawsuits influenced his decision.

Specifically, Campbell pointed to the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals upholding two Tennessee transgender-related laws — a ban on gender-affirming care for minors and a ban changing sex designation on birth certificates . The appeals court ruled that both laws treated the sexes equally.

“Although Plaintiff identifies as a girl, the Act prohibits her from using the facilities that correspond to her gender identity, while students who identify with their biological sex at birth are permitted to use such facilities,” Campbell wrote in his Sept. 4 ruling. “However, the Act and policy do not prefer one sex over the other, bestow benefits or burdens based on sex, or apply one rule for males and another for females.

The Human Rights Campaign, an LGBTQ+ rights group representing D.H., called the decision a “disappointing setback”

“However, we will continue to fight for Tennessee’s LGBTQ+ youth so they can have the freedoms they deserve,” Ami Patel, an attorney for the organization, said in a statement.

The suit was one of the two that attempted to challenge the bathroom law known as the Tennessee Accommodations for All Children Act. The second lawsuit was dropped after the child plaintiffs moved out of state.

Across the U.S., at least 11 states have adopted laws barring transgender girls and women from girls and women’s bathrooms at public schools, and in some cases other government facilities. The laws are in effect in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Utah. A judge’s order putting enforcement on hold is in place in Idaho.

According to the Human Rights Campaign, Tennessee has enacted more anti-LGBTQ+ laws more than any other state since 2015, identifying more than 20 bills that advanced out of the Legislature over the past few months.

Oregon high schools implement new graduation requirements

A state law passed last year now requires high school students in Oregon to take a half credit each of personal finance and career path skills courses in order to graduate.

This new requirement goes into effect for the class of 2027, or current sophomores.

Grants Pass School District 7 has offered a class on career path skills for years, but not one on personal finance. Trisha Evens, director of secondary education, said parents have been asking for this type of course.

"We've been told, ‘My kid doesn't know how to open a bank account, they don't know how to invest, they don't understand the concept of balancing a checkbook, how credit cards work.’ We'd like it to have some real life skill application," she said.

The goal of these courses, Evens said, is to prepare students for the real world.

"Students will be more prepared for life after high school to navigate day to day living, away from their parents’ home, on their own, contributing to our economy, to our workforce in a way that helps us be productive," she said.

But, Evens said it’s hard work for the district to create a new, separate course, as the state requires, rather than integrating the material into current classes. The district is working to develop the personal finance course and plans to offer it next year.

"We offer economics, so one would think personal finance could just integrate into the economics class, but it became very clear over the summer that is not allowed," she said. "We're in the process of developing that. There will be some residual effect on some of our other classes, but we haven't quite figured that out yet."

According to the law, the higher education and career path skills course includes instruction on things like applying for jobs, college, financial aid and scholarships and developing career-related skills.

The personal financial education course, meanwhile, includes instruction on things like credit scores, investments, strategies for creating a budget, taxes and building financial wellbeing.

"Many districts are currently determining what implementation of the new diploma requirements related to Senate Bill 3 may look like depending on what’s already in place within their local school district," according to a statement from the Oregon Department of Education. "ODE is committed to supporting all districts in this transition through the development of new state standards, professional learning opportunities and sharing instructional material resources."

Some districts, like the Klamath County School District, already had these classes in place and will only need to make minor adjustments to comply with state law.

Others, like the Phoenix-Talent School District, are still in the planning stage for both courses.

The Medford School District will instead "develop a strategic, four-year scope and sequence of career and college readiness credits for students," according to a statement from the district. "This approach allows students to get the most developmentally-appropriate standards at the age when those standards will be most relevant to them."

" Districts can decide locally how the courses will be implemented and the grade levels in high school in which students will take the courses based on the law and rule," according to a statement from ODE.

Evens said Grants Pass School District 7 has already seen positive impacts in the years it has been offering the course on career path skills.

"The class opens up opportunities for students to explore things that maybe they wouldn't have, had they not taken that interest survey and realized, 'Hey, I have a real strength in engineering. Maybe I should explore what kind of careers would an engineer have,'" she said. "It opens up the doors of possibility for students, and that's what we want them to know. There's lots of opportunity."

School districts can also request a one-year waiver of these new state requirements if they are unable to provide the courses due to a lack of qualified teachers.