About This Program
Gain the foundational knowledge and skills needed to succeed in law school and beyond with our interdisciplinary Pre-Law minor. Explore legal theory, critical thinking and problem-solving while building a strong foundation for a career in law. Read more...
Contact Information
- Program Coordinator: Christopher Banks | cbanks6@kent.edu | 330-672-0908
- Speak with an Advisor
Program Delivery
- Delivery:
- In person
- Location:
- Kent Campus
- Stark Campus
Admission Requirements
Admission to a minor is open to students declared in a bachelor’s degree, the A.A.B. or A.A.S. degree or the A.T.S. degree (not Individualized Program major). Students declared only in the A.A. or A.S. degree or the A.T.S. degree in Individualized Program may not declare a minor. Students may not pursue a minor and a major in the same discipline.
Program Requirements
Minor Requirements
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Minor Requirements | ||
| PHIL 11009 | CRITICAL THINKING (KADL) | 3 |
| or PHIL 21002 | INTRODUCTION TO FORMAL LOGIC (KMCR) | |
| PLST 28001 | LEGAL RESEARCH AND WRITING | 3 |
| POL 10200 | INTRODUCTION TO THE AMERICAN LEGAL PROFESSION | 3 |
| POL 30130 | THE JUDICIAL PROCESS | 3 |
| Social Science Electives, choose from the following: | 6 | |
| FREEDOM OF SPEECH | ||
| INTRODUCTION TO JUSTICE STUDIES | ||
| ISSUES IN LAW AND SOCIETY (KSS) | ||
| CRIMINAL LAW | ||
| CRIMINAL PROCEDURES AND EVIDENCE | ||
| ADVANCED CRIMINAL AND LEGAL ISSUES | ||
| LEGAL ENVIRONMENT OF BUSINESS | ||
| LAW OF COMMERCIAL TRANSACTIONS | ||
| BUSINESS FINANCIAL DISTRESS AND BANKRUPTCY | ||
| MEDIA, POWER AND CULTURE (DIVD) (KSS) | ||
| LAW OF MEDIA AND JOURNALISM | ||
| AMERICAN POLITICAL THEORY | ||
| CONSTITUTIONAL LAW: GOVERNMENTAL STRUCTURES AND FUNCTIONS | ||
| CONSTITUTIONAL LAW: CIVIL RIGHTS AND LIBERTIES (DIVD) | ||
| FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY | ||
| DEVIANT BEHAVIOR | ||
| Humanities Elective, choose from the following: | 3 | |
| ARGUMENTATIVE PROSE WRITING | ||
| HISTORY OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS AND BLACK POWER MOVEMENTS IN THE UNITED STATES | ||
| IDEAS IN ACTION: U.S. INTELLECTUAL HISTORY (DIVD) | ||
| PHILOSOPHY AND JUSTICE (DIVD) | ||
| PHILOSOPHY OF LAW | ||
| Legal Practice Skills Elective, choose from the following: | 3 | |
| ARGUMENTATION AND PERSUASIVE COMMUNICATION | ||
| HIGH IMPACT PROFESSIONAL SPEAKING | ||
| INTRODUCTION TO CONFLICT MANAGEMENT (DIVD) (KSS) | ||
| NEGOTIATION | ||
| MEDIATION: THEORY AND TRAINING | ||
| CIVIL PROCEDURE | ||
| TORT LAW | ||
| CONTRACT LAW | ||
| Minimum Total Credit Hours: | 24 | |
Graduation Requirements
| Minimum Minor GPA | Minimum Overall GPA |
|---|---|
| 2.000 | 2.000 |
- Maximum three courses applied toward a student's major may also be applied toward the Pre-Law minor.
- Minimum 6 credit hours in the minor must be upper-division coursework (30000 and 40000 level).
- Minimum 6 credit hours in the minor must be outside of the course requirements for any major or other minor the student is pursuing.
- Minimum 50 percent of the total credit hours for the minor must be taken at Kent State (in residence).
Program Notes
- It is recommended that students pursuing the Pre-Law minor give strong consideration to the following courses in fulfillment of the Kent Core:
- In the humanities and fine arts category: AFS 23001, AFS 23002, COMM 15000, COMM 26000, HIST 12070, HIST 12071
- In the social sciences category: ECON 22061, POL 10100
- Students are strongly encouraged to consider prerequisites of advanced courses in the Pre-Law minor as they select their Kent Core courses.
Program Learning Outcomes
Graduates of this program will be able to:
- Develop reading comprehension, analytical (critical thinking), oral advocacy and writing skills.
- Formulate legal and public policy arguments and apply them to legal practice and alternative non-legal workspaces.
- Organize, compare and apply legal and non-legal strategies that aid in negotiation and reaching settlements or desirable outcomes in contested adversarial disputes in legal and non-legal employment settings.
- Evaluate the operation of the judicial process and the American legal profession within the American political system and global context.
- Interpret the nature of law and politics in the context of adversarial justice.
Full Description
The Pre-Law minor provides a background for the study of law through challenging coursework that reinforces and extends the liberal arts foundation gained through the Kent Core. It prepares students for advanced analytical and writing dexterity, and introduces them to the social and governmental structures that underlie the law.
No specific course of study is required for admission to law school. Most law schools require a bachelor’s degree for admission. The bachelor’s degree may be from any discipline or college. Kent State University also has a number of 3+3 agreements with law schools in Ohio. Interested students should consult with the Pre-Law Center.
Law schools and alternative legal employment emphasize the value of reading comprehension, analytical skills, oral advocacy and a good command of written English. While these skills can be obtained in various ways, a general liberal arts background is recommended. Courses in English literature, American history and government are considered essential. Many pre-law students choose a major in political science, history, sociology, psychology, economics or English. A Bachelor of Integrative Studies degree is suitable if carefully planned.
Students considering law as a career should seek individual advising from the Pre-Law Center or in their major department. A list of pre-law advisors is available in the college office. Consultation with a pre-law advisor is urged, regardless of the student's major, minor or college. The Pre-Law Center can also supply information on LSAT registration, pre-law planning guides, information on law school admissions and financial aid information. The center sponsors an inter-collegiate competitive Moot Court team; a Phi Alpha Delta legal fraternity; a pre-law club; and a Pre-Law Service, Citizenship and Justice living learning community, as well as law-related scholarships and legal internships.