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Pre-Law at UND

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. Select from four plans specifically designed to prepare you for the rigors of law school and practice.

Program type:
Pre-Professional Program
Format:
On Campus
Est. time to complete:
4-6 years
Credit hours:
120-180
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Why choose Pre-Law at UND?

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

 

If you're an international student, refer to the international application process for deadlines.

While there are no specific prerequisite classes to be admitted to law school, the Law School Admissions Council advises that prospective students choose courses that sharpen their analytical reasoning and writing skills. The Council goes on to recommend that students preparing for law school should be able to think, read, and write well and have an understanding of what shapes human experience.

At UND you have multiple options to choose from that are designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to sit for the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) and succeed in law school.

Undergraduate Pre-Law Options

Traditional 4-Year Degree

Looking for a traditional four-year undergraduate experience before attending Law School? We recommend you explore the Philosophy and Ethics degree with a Pre-Law Concentration which will focus on topics and the critical thinking skills you'll need at Law School.

Accelerated 3+3 Degree

Shave off a year of law school while earning your bachelor's degree at the same time. Our unique accelerated Law (Bachelor's/J.D.) program  allows you to specialize in an undergraduate program while getting a jump start on law school. You complete both degrees in six years rather than seven — saving time and money.

You will complete the first three years (90 credits) of your undergraduate program in Criminal Justice Studies, Journalism, Philosophy and Ethics or Political Science. The fourth year of your undergraduate degree will double count credits and meet the Essential Studies Capstone requirement to complete your bachelor's while you begin your coursework for the J.D.

Legal Studies Minor

You can also earn a Minor in Legal Studies to further accentuate your training for a career in law.

Pre-Law Experience

As you enroll in one of these UND programs, you will work closely with faculty mentors who will guide you through the law school application process including preparing for the LSAT and composing your statement of purpose.

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. There are also many ways for you to get involved and connect with other pre-law students such as joining the UND Pre-Law Society.

Pre-Law Programs 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

95K

Median annual salary for individuals working in legal occupations

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

A law degree will prepare you 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

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 Programs Courses

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. F.

CJ 365. Law and Society. 3 Credits.

This course explores legal ideals, deviations from those ideals, and the relationship between culture, social structure, and law. Prerequisite: CJ 201, CJ 210, CJ 220, & CJ 270; or Legal Studies minor. F,S.

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. F, even years.

CJ 341. Criminal Law. 3 Credits.

This course covers the fundamentals and foundations of American criminal jurisprudence with an emphasis on common law definitions of crimes and modern requirements for the criminalization of behavior, statutory laws. Prerequisite: CJ 201, CJ 210, CJ 220, and CJ 270; or Forensic Science major; or Legal Studies minor. F,S.

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.

Leader in Law

UND student, Chandon Pierre, plans to fight for equal rights, social justice and fair educational and economic opportunities.

Read Chandon's Story

 

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Explore More Options

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

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