What is a Pre-Law Degree?
Lawyers serve as advocates for their clients, dealing with complex legal challenges that impact individuals, businesses, and communities. With such a critical role, entering the legal field requires a strong foundation in analytical thinking, research, and communication.
A Pre-Law degree is designed to prepare undergraduate students for the law school. While law schools don’t require a specific undergraduate major, a Pre-Law B.A. offers coursework tailored to the skills and knowledge needed for success in legal studies.
Palm Beach Atlantic University’s Pre-Law degree program exists to help build your confidence through focused coursework and LSAT/law school admission preparation.
Why Choose a Pre-Law B.A.?
At PBA, you’ll get great support through one-on-one advising, hands-on learning experiences, and resources that help you tackle the demands of law school head-on.
A pre-law degree includes coursework in political science, ethics, and legal studies, helping graduates to prepare for law school with a skillset tailored to the field.
Steps to Becoming a Lawyer
Complete a Pre-Law B.A. Degree
Earning a degree in pre-law is a great first step toward becoming a lawyer. When choosing a university, make sure to look for a degree program that is designed to prepare you for taking the LSAT and attending law school.
PBA’s program emphasizes ethical leadership and hands-on experiences, equipping students with both the knowledge and character to excel in legal studies and beyond.
Take and Pass the LSAT
The Law School Admission Test (LSAT) will determine your readiness for law school. The LSAT is a very important component of law school acceptance, so make sure to really invest in your preparation to ensure your success on the exam.
The LSAT exam will look at your critical thinking skills, reading comprehension, analytical reasoning, and knowledge of your legal education.
Apply to Law School
Applying to law school can be a fun but sometimes stressful experience. It is important to start researching schools early so you have plenty of time to apply to the programs you think would be the best fit.
Your law school application is your chance to shine. You can show admissions counselors your greatest achievements personally, professionally, and academically. Your application will usually include a personal statement where you can express your interest in attending their program and why you would be a great candidate.
Additionally, you will need to provide references from either professors, academic mentors, or previous employers who can speak for your character and abilities.
Earn a Juris Doctor (J.D.) Degree
Once you’ve finished law school you will be awarded a Juris Doctor (J.D.) Degree. This degree typically takes 3 years to complete. The first year will focus on foundational topics such as criminal law, legal writing, and civil procedure. In your second and third years, you will be able to direct your studies by choosing electives that align with your personal interests and career goals.
You will also gain valuable hands-on experience by completing internships and getting feedback from a supervisory team.
Take and Pass the Bar Exam
Preparing for the Bar Exam is a very intense and rigorous process, but having a solid foundation will help you when you reach this point. The Bar Exam is specific to your state and tests your knowledge about legal principles and your ability to apply them to real-world scenarios.
You may want to consider enrolling in a Bar Exam preparation course to give yourself the best chance at passing the exam. Do some research to find out the structure of the exam in your state, take note of important deadlines, and find support to help you from burning out during your studies.
Start Your Legal Career
Once you’ve completed your education, you can start exploring career options. You may decide to work in a law firm, a nonprofit, or a government agency. Regardless of what career path you choose, making connections and networking with others in the field can help you with landing your dream job. Consider joining a professional network or attending events to meet others and learn about opportunities in your community.
Other Career Paths with a Pre-Law B.A.
If you decide becoming a lawyer is not for you, a pre-law degree can still be beneficial in other fields. For example, you can work in advocacy, legal writing, compliance, or mediation. You may even decide to become a teacher or professor after pursuing graduate studies.
Earn a Pre-Law B.A at PBA
Palm Beach Atlantic University offers a cutting-edge Bachelor of Arts in Pre-Law that can help you reach your career goals. Learn more about this exciting degree program and start your application today!
