Pre-Law

Pre-Law at Baylor University is not a major, but instead consists of two academic designations,‘Pre-Law’ and ‘Pre-Law Interest.’ There are no course prerequisites for attending law school. Rather, experts recommend that Pre-Law students maximize their education by taking the most rigorous and demanding classes possible. Students planning to attend law school should select a major that reflects their interests and aptitude. Pre-Law students thrive in many of Baylor’s diverse academic programs but should carefully choose courses that will prepare them for law school success. A well-rounded Pre-Law curriculum will include courses that require substantial writing, under close scrutiny, the development of analytical reasoning skills, reading comprehension and oral expression, and courses relevant to a student’s specific legal interests. Pre-Law students may want to consider adding a minor in Legal Reasoning and Analysis (see College of Arts & Sciences-Multidisciplinary Programs). Although not required for law school, this minor is designed to ensure optimal preparation for the academic rigors of law school.

Baylor Pre-Law helps students navigate this interdisciplinary preparation. The function of the Pre-Law program is to help students from all academic majors to explore the possibility of attending law school, move through the application process, and prepare for success in law school, and the legal profession. One-on-one professional advising is available to help Pre-Law students begin to prepare for law school. All designated students have access to the program’s resources from the time they enter as freshmen. Regular workshops and speakers, connections with lawyer-alumni, and internship opportunities enable Pre-Law students to gain a realistic understanding of the legal profession, and to begin to develop the skills they need to succeed as future lawyers.

All students may add the ‘Pre-Law’ designation prior to the completion of 24 residential credit hours, at Baylor. Following the completion of the required 24 credit hours, students must hold, and maintain, a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.2. Those who do not meet this minimum GPA requirement cannot add, or retain, the Pre-Law designation beyond the completion of those initial 24 credit hours. However, they may choose the alternative ‘Pre-Law Interest’ designation, which does not require a minimum GPA and can be added at any stage of a student’s undergraduate studies, regardless of their cumulative GPA. Exceptions are made only in rare circumstances, and at the discretion of the Pre-Law Program Manager.

Students should note that regardless of their designation as either ‘Pre-Law’ or ‘Pre-Law Interest,’ they will have full access to the services and resources of the Pre-Law program. However, students who do not meet the academic requirements are encouraged to meet with the Pre-Law Program Manager to discuss their goals and how to improve their academic performance. The minimum GPA required for the ‘Pre-Law’ designation (3.2) will be assessed at the conclusion of each spring semester, allowing students who fall below the requirement at the end of the fall semester to retain the designation until the end of the spring, allowing them the chance to bring their cumulative GPA back up to the required 3.2.

More information about the services Baylor Pre-Law offers can be found at http://www.baylor.edu/prelaw or by contacting the Pre-Law Manager.

The adoption of either the ‘Pre-Law’ or ‘Pre-Law Interest’ designations does not restrict a student’s career options in any way and as such, all students who are considering careers in the legal profession should add the full Pre-Law designation to their student records upon arriving at Baylor. Adding either the ‘Pre-Law’ or ‘Pre-Law Interest’ designations gives students access to Baylor Pre-Law emails and events and other Baylor Pre-Law resources. Students wishing to add or delete the Pre-Law designation on their student records should contact the Pre-Law Program Manager, or their academic advisor.

Special Appointment

Certain broadly interdisciplinary courses which are available for elective credit for various degree programs are offered under the heading of University Studies.