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Why Pre-Law?

Law schools look for students with a broad liberal arts education emphasizing skills in oral and written communication, and the ability to think creatively and logically. In general, law school graduates must be well-rounded persons able to understand human nature as well as legal philosophy.

Designed as a pre-professional program –not a major– pre-law is taken in conjunction with a major aiming to provide the students with the foundations commonly desired by law schools.

The La Sierra University Advantage

The La Sierra University Advantage

  • Network and gain valuable insights in La Sierra's Pre-Law Club
  • Benefit from La Sierra University's wide selection of liberal arts courses.
  • Learn in small classes to intensify your learning experience.
  • Take classes from professors with doctorates in their field, not from teaching assistants.
  • Have a faculty adviser who will guide you on your way to Law School admission.
Join us to start your path towards a career in law.

Employment Outlook

Employment of lawyers is expected to grow about as fast as average for all occupations through 2014, primarily as a result of growth in the population and in the general level of business activities. Job growth among lawyers also will result from increasing demand for legal services in areas such as health care, intellectual property, venture capital, energy, elder, an trust, and environmental law.
La Sierra University’s pre-professional program in Pre-Law prepares students for matriculation to law school.

Contact US

advising@lasierra.edu
951.785.2452

Pre-Professional Program: Pre-Law

Pre-Law Pre-Professional Program

Pre-Law
Law schools desire students with a broad liberal arts education emphasizing skills in oral communication, creative and logical thinking, and writing ability. La Sierra University’s Department of History, Politics, and Society has specific courses designed to familiarize students with legal history and principles and emphasizes critical thinking and expository writing skills. Our Pre-Law Program highly recommends four courses to cultivate those skills--Introduction to Law and related courses concerning domestic and international law, Advanced Expository Writing, and Logic. Other strongly recommended courses include courses from the Psychology Department and the School of Business as well as Criminology, Business Law, and U.S. Constitution.

Fast Facts Pre-Law

Average completion time4 Years
Program Units72
AccreditationWASC
 Program Planning GuideDownload
If you are undecided or have a particular interest in history or sociology and/or political science the Department of History, Politics and Sociology can provide you with some of the following advantages and services:
  1. Curriculum:
    The History major in particular has the goal of preparing the undergraduate student for law school. Courses in American Government, Comparative Government, and the US Constitution, among other requirements, are emphasized for the purpose of providing you with a strong foundation for your future law school experience.
  2. Scholarships:
    A number of scholarships, for which pre-law students are eligible, are available through the Department, including the Wilfred J. Airey Pre-law Scholarship, and the Gail Kendall Women's Pre-law Scholarship.
  3. Internships:
    Each year a departmental major spends a quarter as a legislative intern in Washington, D.C., working as a staff member for a US Congressperson. The Department has also placed students in state programs in Sacramento and Honolulu and in summer experience programs in the offices of both District Attorneys and Public Defenders within the Inland Empire.
  4. Pre-Law Advisement:
    Two advisors, one an attorney, are available to assist you with any questions or help you may seek regarding your Pre-Law program, law school admission, or the practice of law. Additionally, the instructor of the Introduction to Law course is a collaborating faculty member of the Department of History, Politics and Sociology, and is engaged in the full-time practice of law.
  5. Resource Center:
    The department’s Frederick Hoyt Library contains a wide assortment of information sources concerning law school opportunities, including the Official Guide to US Law Schools, law school bulletins, video presentations of law school programs, LSAT information, past State Bar examination results for law schools, and other pertinent information to help you successfully plan for law school.
  6. Office Experience:
    If you are interested in part-time employment with a local law firm during the school year, the Department has contacts with lawyers in the Inland Empire and Orange County and has placed several students in part-time positions over the past few years.
  7. The Pre-Law Club:
    La Sierra University has an active Pre-law Club that organizes each year from various schools and departments across the campus. History, Business, Communications, and Psychology majors are particularly well-represented; however, a student from any major is welcome to become a member.
Becoming a lawyer opens up a vast field of career opportunities. Aside from practicing civil or criminal law –taking depositions, trying cases, and doing all the things we normally envision lawyers doing– lawyers have the opportunity to apply their skills in a wide range of occupational areas. Examples include:
  • Corporate Counsel
  • Arbitrator
  • Legislative Analyst
  • Judge
  • Court Research Staff
  • Consultant
  • Legal Reporter
  • Law Firm Manager
  • Commercial Loan Administrator
  • Publisher
  • Estate Administrator
  • Technical Writer
  • Trust Officer
  • Investment Banker
  • Politician
  • Claims Adjuster
  • Stockbroker
  • Director of Charitable Foundation
  • Foreign Service Officer
  • Labor Negotiator
  • Paralegal Instructor
  • Probate Referee
  • Law Librarian
  • Regulation Analyst
  • CIA/FBI Agent
  • Police Administration
  • Civil or Criminal Investigator
  • Family/Business Mediator
  • College/High school teacher
  • Forensic Psychologist
  • Agent for Athletes/Entertainers
  • City/County Clerk
  • Novelist

For further information or advice, contact Jeffrey N. Dupée, Ph.D., J.D., Professor of History, Humanities Hall, Room 212, (951) 785-2365

Contact and Location

advising@lasierra.edu
951.785.2452
Office of Academic & Career Services
Sierra Vista Hall — Room #109

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