Law schools insist there is no single preferred undergraduate major for law school. Law students come from a variety of majors including English, history, philosophy, political science, and sometimes even business, the natural sciences, and a number of others. What matters most is the quality and breadth of your program. To be well prepared you should select rigorous courses that will require you to think. You should select a major with enough elective hours to allow you to take courses from a variety of areas. But select a major you are interested in. Don't select a major because somebody told you it was a good pre-law major.

RECOMMENDED COURSES: While there is no single major, there are some areas of study/skills which will be particularly helpful. Over twenty years ago the American Association of Law Schools suggested some course background that every law student should have. That report mentioned

 Economics: Economics is becoming increasingly important in the law.

 Writing Classes: Take courses which will make you write and which will improve your writing skills.

 Logic or Mathematics Classes: These are recommended for the precise reasoning skills required.

 History or Government Classes: Every law student should understand government processes and be well grounded in history

 Ethics: An understanding of the moral dimensions of life is essential.

 Undergraduate Law Courses: AALS says these might be taken to see if you are interested in the law, but not as preparing for law school.

 Psychology: Every law student should be familiar with the sciences of human behavior.

PRE-LAW ADVICE: Normally your major advisor is the best source of information on courses to take, but if you have questions he or she cannot answer there are liberal arts pre-law advisors who can help you.

PRE-LAW CLUB: The College of Humanities and Social Sciences sponsors a pre-law club for students. Contact: Dr. Laquita Saunders (History) lsaunders@astate.edu , or Hans Hacker (Political Science) hhacker@astate.edu .