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Pre-Law

Earn a well-rounded undergraduate degree that prepares you for law school.

By earning an undergraduate degree with a broad liberal arts background, you’ll prepare yourself to analyze and explore legal issues in your pursuit of becoming a lawyer. You will work with an academic advisor to develop a specialized plan of study in conjunction with any other undergraduate major.

Program type:
Pre-Professional Program
Format:
On Campus
Est. time to complete:
4 years
Credit hours:
Depends on Major

Why study pre-law at UND?

Application Deadlines
Fall:
Aug. 16
Spring:
Dec. 15
Summer:
May 1

While there are no specific prerequisite classes to be admitted to law school, there are classes available at UND to help you develop the skills needed to be a successful lawyer. You'll work with an academic advisor to help develop your individual plan of study. Choose classes from the following areas:

  • Communication
  • English
  • Philosophy
  • Criminal Justice Studies

With the state's only Law School on campus at UND, choosing the University of North Dakota is the right choice for your education. While at UND, you are welcome to attend law events, sit in on a law class, schedule a tour of the law school, and connect with law faculty and staff.

Flexible Pre-Law Program

With UND's Pre-Law Program, you'll earn the tools necessary to be successful in law school while earning a degree in your field of choice Law schools do not require any particular major. Students are admitted to law school from almost every academic discipline. Traditional majors of law school applicants include:

UND also offers an accelerated Law (Bachelor's/J.D.) program which allows you to earn a bachelor's in Criminal Justice Studies, Philosophy and Religious Studies, or Political Science and a J.D. in six years.

There is also a Philosophy and Religion degree with a Pre-Law Concentration that may be the right option for you, exploring topics relevant to critical thinking you'll need at Law School.

Pre-Law at UND

  • Connect with classmates in several organizations and associations specifically for students interested in law.

  • After completing your undergraduate degree, you can apply for acceptance to the UND School of Law, the state's only law school.

  • Earn a cross-discipline, liberal arts education from UND.

Law Degree Jobs

9%

Expected job growth for legal occupations through 2026.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

80K

Median annual salary for individuals working in legal occupations.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Prepare for a wide range of careers:

  • Lawyer
  • Judge
  • Trust manager
  • Ethics and compliance officer
  • Policy analyst
  • Security officer
  • Police officer
  • Conflict resolution
  • Private practice attorney
  • Corporate counsel
  • State’s attorney
  • Criminal defense attorney
  • Public interest attorney

UND Law Alumni

Law alumni have gone on to a variety of successful careers with:

  • Crowley Fleck PLLP
  • Fredrikson & Byron, P.A.
  • North Dakota Supreme Court
  • State of North Dakota
  • Conmy Feste, Ltd.

Pre-Law Courses You Could Take

PHIL 371. Philosophy of Law. 3 Credits.

An investigation of the nature of both law and legal reasoning. Study of the nature of law focuses on theories of natural law, legal positivism, and legal realism. Legal reasoning concerns justified interpretation of precedent and statute within the common law tradition. Additional topics dealt with as time allows, encompass such issues as the justification of punishment and enforcement of morality. S, even years.

PHIL 342. Advanced Ethics. 3 Credits.

This course will examine contemporary (20th and 21st century) ethical theories as well as moral problems affecting societies around the world. Topics may include human rights, sexual ethics, ethical consumerism, and ways in which science and technology have affected moral deliberation and judgment. S, odd years.

PHIL 355. Social and Political Philosophy. 3 Credits.

This course examines core issues in society and governance: the nature of justice, the limits of freedom, the role of religion, family and pluralism in the modern community, are a few examples of possible topics. Students in the course may examine both classical and contemporary theories of political society. Offered Fall every 3 years (2008).

COMM 110. Fundamentals of Public Speaking. 3 Credits.

The theory and practice of public speaking with emphasis on content, organization, language, delivery, and critical evaluation of messages. Additional emphasis on student performance stressing original thinking, effective organization, and direct communication of ideas. F,S,SS.

POLS 116. State and Local Government. 3 Credits.

Structure, function and problems of state and local government; executive, legislative, and judicial processes; federalism and metropolitan government. F,S.

POLS 225. Comparative Politics. 3 Credits.

An introduction to comparative politics with emphasis on the democratic systems of Europe. F.

Ready to Lead

Immerse yourself in student life on campus and share your passion for leadership.

Explore More Options

Looking to add a double major, pursue graduate work or connect with the department?

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