The Criminal Justice Pre-Law Pathway

While it might seem an obvious choice, majoring in criminal justice truly is an excellent way to prepare for law school. According to the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) criminal justice is one of the top five majors students earn to prepare for law school and a career in law.

The American Bar Association does not recommend any specific undergraduate major, but instead advocates that students pursue courses and majors that challenge their thinking, develop research and writing skills, learn problem-solving strategies, and provide exposure to the law. However, a criminal justice major at MVNU goes one step further and prepares students practically, as well as holistically. With a degree in criminal justice at MVNU, students take coursework that covers the Constitution, criminal law, and criminal procedure - all of which will also be prescribed in law school. Learning and application of the law at the undergraduate level puts you one step ahead of other new law students.

If you major in criminal justice, you might also intern with actual lawyers, such as prosecutors and criminal defense attorneys, where you would help draft complaints, assist in criminal investigations and defenses, help interview witnesses, and observe courtroom trial cases. There is no experience like actual experience, and a major in criminal justice is one of the best ways to find out if law school is for you by working with the law and interacting with those who practice law.

It must be noted that a high GPA and Law School Admission Test (LSAT) scores are critical to law school acceptance. Acceptance committees also highly consider an applicant's work or internship experiences, writing abilities (acceptance essays), pro bono commitments, and letters of recommendation. The goal is to present oneself as a candidate with a variety of experiences along with a strong knowledge base of law-related coursework. Specific questions about preparation for a career in law can be directed to Dr. Marc Hedrick, Associate Professor of Criminal Justice.

Note: The Criminal Justice Pre-Law Pathway is not an MVNU degree option. It is a recommended sequence of courses for students to pursue in anticipation of application to law school and a career in law.