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College
College of Arts and Sciences
Department
Department of Political Science

302 Bowman Hall
Tel: 330-672-2060
E-mail: polisci@kent.edu
Web: www.kent.edu/polisci

The Pre-Law minor provides a background for the study of law through challenging coursework that reinforces and extends the liberal arts foundation gained through the Kent Core. It prepares students for advanced analytical and writing dexterity, and introduces them to the social and governmental structures that underlie the law.

No specific course of study is required for admission to law school. Most law schools, including all in Ohio, require a bachelor’s degree for admission. The bachelor’s degree may be from any discipline or college at Kent State University.

Law schools emphasize the value of reading comprehension, analytical skills and a good command of written English. While these skills can be obtained in various ways, a general liberal arts background is recommended. Courses in English literature, American history and government are considered essential. Many pre-law students choose a major in political science, history, sociology, psychology, economics or English. A Bachelor of Integrative Studies is suitable if carefully planned.

Law schools vary considerably in their admission requirements. Most place major emphasis on the overall GPA and the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) score. Students usually take this test about one year before beginning law school, but it is highly recommended that students take the exam in June before their last year as an undergraduate.

Students considering law as a career should seek individual advising from the pre-law advisors in the Department of Political Science or in the students’ major department. A list of pre-law advisors is available in the college office. Consultation with a pre-law advisor is urged, regardless of the students’ major, minor or college. The Department of Political Science also information LSAT registration, pre-law planning guides, information on law school admissions of Kent State University students and financial aid information. The department sponsors a pre-law club. Opportunities also exist for students to participate in mock trial and moot court activities as well as legal internships. The Department of Political Science and the Office of Continuing and Distance Education offer an LSAT Preparation Course before the June offering of the LSAT.

 

Attribute Legend: DD Diversity–Domestic; DG Diversity–Global; ELR Experiential Learning; KAD Kent Core Additional; KBS Kent Core Basic Sciences; KCM Kent Core Composition; KFA Kent Core Fine Arts: KHU Kent Core Humanities; KMC Kent Core Mathematics and Critical Reasoning; KSS Kent Core Social Sciences; WIC Writing Intensive

Please read the sections in the University Catalog on Kent Core, diversity, writing-intensive and the experiential learning requirements.

PRE-LAW MINOR REQUIREMENTS (21 credits)
Attribute Course Title Credits Min. Grade
DD/KSS CACM 11001 Introduction to Conflict Management 3  
  ENG 30064 Argumentative Prose Writing 3  
KAD PHIL 11009 Critical Thinking 3  
  POL 30130 Courts 3  
  Electives: Choose three courses, one each from the following areas: 9  
  Social Science    
  POL 30100 American Political Theory (3)    
  POL 40182 Constitutional Law: Government Powers (3)    
DD POL 40183 Constitutional Law: Civil Rights and Liberties (3)    
  PSYC 30111 Forensic Psychology (3)    
  SOC 32762 Deviant Behavior (3)    
  History, Philosophy and Justice    
KSS CRIM 26704 Issues in Law and Society (3)    
  CRIM 33300 Development of Justice in America (3)    
DD HIST 41071 American Social and Intellectual History, 1876-present (3)    
DD PHIL 31035 Philosophy and Justice (3)    
  PHIL 41025 Philosophy of Law (3)    
  Conflict Management and Legal Practices    
  CACM 34040 Negotiation (3)    
  CACM 38080 Mediation: Theory and Training (3)    
DG/WIC CACM 41010 Reconciliation Versus Revenge: Transitional Justice (3)    
  COMM 45807 High Impact Professional Speaking (3)    
  POL 40170 Moot Court I (2)    
  POL 40171 Moot Court II (1)    
  MINIMUM TOTAL 21  

Notes:

  • Maximum three courses counted toward the students’ major may  be counted toward the pre-law minor
  • It is recommended that students pursuing the pre-law minor give strong consideration to the following courses in fulfillment of the Kent Core Requirements or college general requirements: in the humanities and fine arts category: HIST 12070 and 12071, COMM 15000 and 26000 and PAS 23001 and 23002; in the social sciences category: CRIM 12000, ECON 22061 and POL 10100. Students are strongly encouraged to consider prerequisites of advanced courses in the pre-law minor as they select their Kent Core courses or college general requirements.

Graduation Requirements:

  • Minimum cumulative 2.000 GPA.
  • Students must complete at least two upper-division courses in the minor at Kent State on a graded basis (A-F).