
Contact Information
- Program Coordinator: Christopher Banks | cbanks6@kent.edu | 330-672-0908
- Speak with an Advisor
Fully Offered
- Delivery:
- In person
- Location:
- Kent Campus
- Stark Campus
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, including all in Ohio, require a bachelor’s degree for admission. The bachelor’s degree may be from any discipline or college at Kent State University.
Law schools emphasize the value of reading comprehension, analytical skills 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 advisors in the Department of Political Science or in the students’ 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 students’ major, minor or college. The Department of Political Science can also supply information on LSAT registration, pre-law planning guides, information on law school admissions and financial aid information. The department sponsors a pre-law club. Opportunities also exist for students to participate in mock trial and moot court activities as well as legal internships.
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 | ||
ENG 30064 | ARGUMENTATIVE PROSE WRITING | 3 |
PACS 11001 | INTRODUCTION TO CONFLICT MANAGEMENT (DIVD) (KSS) | 3 |
PHIL 11009 | CRITICAL THINKING (KADL) | 3 |
POL 30130 | THE JUDICIAL PROCESS | 3 |
Social Science Electives, choose from the following: | 3 | |
AMERICAN POLITICAL THEORY | ||
CONSTITUTIONAL LAW: GOVERNMENTAL STRUCTURES AND FUNCTIONS | ||
CONSTITUTIONAL LAW: CIVIL RIGHTS AND LIBERTIES (DIVD) | ||
FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY | ||
DEVIANT BEHAVIOR | ||
History, Philosophy and Justice Electives, choose from the following: | 3 | |
ISSUES IN LAW AND SOCIETY (KSS) | ||
DEVELOPMENT OF JUSTICE IN AMERICA | ||
AMERICAN SOCIAL AND INTELLECTUAL HISTORY, 1876-PRESENT (DIVD) | ||
PHILOSOPHY AND JUSTICE (DIVD) | ||
PHILOSOPHY OF LAW | ||
Conflict Management and Legal Practice Electives, choose from the following: | 3 | |
HIGH IMPACT PROFESSIONAL SPEAKING | ||
NEGOTIATION | ||
RECONCILIATION VERSUS REVENGE: TRANSITIONAL JUSTICE (DIVG) (WIC) | ||
MEDIATION: THEORY AND TRAINING | ||
MOOT COURT I | ||
MOOT COURT II | ||
Minimum Total Credit Hours: | 21 |
Graduation Requirements
Minimum Minor GPA | Minimum Overall GPA |
---|---|
2.000 | 2.000 |
- Students must complete at least two upper-division (30000 or 40000 level) courses in the minor at Kent State on a graded basis (A-F).
- Maximum three courses counted toward the students’ major may be counted 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 and/or college general requirements:
- In the humanities and fine arts category: AFS 23001, AFS 23002, COMM 15000, COMM 26000, HIST 12070, HIST 12071
- In the social sciences category: CRIM 12000, 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 and/or college general requirements.