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Pre-Law

Crime and Justice Study majors and Pre-Law students Marshal MacDonald (left) and Aaliyah Encarnacion (right)

UMassD Pre-Law Overview

The UMass Dartmouth pre-law program is an advising program that prepares students for admission into a quality law school. With the help of a pre-law advisor, students select recommended courses that will help them prepare for the academic rigor of law school and the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT). The program assists students in being well-positioned to succeed in their legal education and future careers.

The pre-law advising program is open to all UMass Dartmouth majors and encourages students to choose the major they are most interested in. The pre-law advising team recommends courses within that major that develop reading, writing, and analytical skills. Students who know they wish to pursue a legal education and career can major in political science with a concentration in pre-law, philosophy with a concentration in pre-law, or minor in legal studies.

College of Arts and Sciences majors who seek pre-law advisement for two semesters are eligible to participate in the Three-Plus-Three Program with UMass School of Law. This degree option provides a fast track to a law degree in six rather than seven years. The program leads to a bachelor's degree in the program of study and a Juris Doctor degree by UMass School of Law.

Pre-law students are highly encouraged in the first year to apply to the Pre-Law Living Learning Community if they are living on campus. All students are encouraged to become Pre-Law Society members and engage in the student organization activities. Pre-law students who are interested in litigation careers, should also consider the American Mock Trial Association UMass Dartmouth Mock Law Trial competition team. There are pre-law activities through the year that students should all participate in, including the year end celebration and mock law class held each spring.

All students considering law school should make an appointment to meet with the Pre-Law advisor, who is available to assist students in evaluating and pursuing a career in law. The advising staff is available year round. 

Pre-Law Three-Plus-Three Advising Guide (PDF)

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