Academic Programs of Study
Our pre-law major will prepare you for law programs by developing your writing, research, and analytical skills in history and other appropriate disciplines, like criminal justice, political science, philosophy, and sociology. The program also includes courses in legal research and writing.
More About This Degree
- Learn more about this program or visit the Social Sciences website.
- College of Arts and Sciences
- Courses: Available courses in this department
Undergraduate Admissions Requirements
- Official SAT and/or ACT scores
- Completed application
- Essay
- Official transcripts
- Letter of recommendation
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History/Pre-Law
The student who majors in History/Pre-Law will:
- acquire a working knowledge of the history and political systems of the major world areas and of the major historical and political interpretations regarding those areas;
- engage in the modes of inquiry of history, political science, and the cognates of social sciences and humanities, as well as pursue purposeful, honest, and effective research in the fields;
- participate effectively in
discussion of historical, social, and political issues, exercising respect and critical thinking in analyzing opinions and tentativeness in formulating opinions and conclusions; - analyze the cultural characteristics and accomplishments of diverse national, ethnic, and religious groups, recognizing and appraising the values implicit in their specific orientations;
- analyze the impacts of economic and social forces on
political , social, and historical development of nations and world areas and on the global community; - relate historical, ethical and political knowledge to current affairs, responding to the challenges of contemporary society with well-informed effectiveness;
- identify the influence of human emotions upon
historical development and demonstrate empathy with the common aspirations of members of the human community.
History/Pre-Law (72 credits)
42 credits (14 courses) in History
A. Core (24 credits):
| HIST 100 | Roots of the Modern World | 3 |
| HIST 101 | Global History of the Twentieth Century | 3 |
| HIST 105 | Ethnicity and Diversity in the Modern World | 3 |
| HIST 252 | United States History to 1865 | 3 |
| HIST 253 | United States History since 1865 | 3 |
| HIST 260 | Introduction to Historical Research | 3 |
| HIST 200+ | Developing World 200 level | 3 |
| HIST 460 | Seminar | 3 |
B. History Electives (18 credits):
6 courses at 300/400 level, at least one from each of the following areas:
American, European, or non-Western/Global South.
Twelve credits (4 courses) in Social Science Cognates
| SOC 211 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| ECON 100 | Basic Economics (or another Macro-Economics course for transfer) |
3 |
| PS 210 | American Government and Politics | 3 |
| PS 211 | State and Local Government | 3 |
Eighteen credits (6 courses) in Pre-Law Concentration
| PL 200 | Introduction to Law | 3 |
| PL 210 | Legal Reasoning | 3 |
| CJ 200+ | Criminal Justice elective (200 and up) | 3 |
PHIL Elective Choose from:
| PHIL 304 | Symbolic Logic | 3 |
| PHIL 315 | Ethics | 3 |
| PHIL 326 | Political Philosophy | 3 |
| PHIL 328 | Environmental Ethics | 3 |
| PHIL 450S | Moral and Legal Rights | 3 |
| SOC 318 | Social Theory | 3 |
PS 300+ Elective Choose from:
| PS 312 | Symbolic International Relations | 3 |
| PS 315/316 | Constitutional Law I and II | 3 |
| PS 314A/B | American Political Thought | 3 |
| PS 325 | The American Presidency | 3 |
| PS 327G | US Contemporary Geopolitics | 3 |
| PS 400 | Comparative Government | 3 |
A copy of the complete curriculum is available upon request from the Social Sciences Department.
Retention in the program is based on the student maintaining an overall minimum QPA of 2.00, as well as a QPA of 2.33 in the major.
The John R. Lenahan, Sr. Esq. Scholarship Award for excellence in Pre-Law studies is awarded to a student who is either enrolled in the History/Pre-Law major of the Social Sciences Department or pursuing another University major and completing the Pre-Law minor offered by the Department of Social Sciences with the intent of pursuing a career in law. The scholarship is awarded in either the fall or spring semester of the senior year at Marywood University.