With its focus on analytical rigor, critical reasoning and strong communication skills, a Notre Dame education provides excellent preparation for law school.
If you are interested in pursuing law school, you can select from a wide variety of majors —including business, economics, communication arts, English, history, international studies, philosophy and political science.
Successful law school applicants should:
- Have a broad understanding of the factors that have influenced the development of American society;
- Be familiar with the fundamentals of political thought and the contemporary American political system;
- Acquire mathematical and financial skills, including an ability to analyze financial data; and
- Possess an understanding of human behavior and social interaction, as well as an understanding of diverse cultures within and beyond the United States, of international institutions and issues, of world events and of the increasing interdependence of the communities within our world.
Political Science/Law and Civic Engagement Major
If you have a particular interest in law and politics, the political science department offers an intensive law school preparatory curriculum through its Law and Civic Engagement program.
The Political Science/Law and Civic Engagement major introduces you to the principal fields of inquiry and intersection within legal systems and political institutions. The program explores the special relationships of women to law and government—as lawmakers, leaders and policymakers.
Course Requirements (42 cr)
Required Core:
POL-101 Intro to Political Science or POL 103 Intro to International Relations
POL-202 American Politics or POL-219 American Presidency
POL-217 Civic Literacy and Inclusive Governance
POL-312 Legal Reasoning
POL-324 Gender, Politics, and the Law
POL-344 Civil Liberties/Civil Rights
POL-361 Methods in Political Science Research
POL-412 Constitutional Law
POL-370 Model OAS or POL-430 International Organizations
POL/HIS-456 Senior Seminar
Internship (IDS 361)
Three additional courses related to your specific interests
Courses fulfilling this requirement include, but are not limited to:
BUS-304 Legal Environment of Business I
BUS-305 Legal Environment of Business II
COM-441 Mass Communication Law
CRM-107 Introduction to Criminology
CRM-310 The Criminal Justice System
PHL-310 Logic
HIS/POL-200 Genocide
POL 201 Misinformation
POL-390 Environmental Policy in US
Minor in Law and Civic Engagement (18 cr)
The political science department also offers a minor in Law and Civic Engagement. When coupled with your major, the Law and Civic Engagement minor prepares you to assume positions of leadership in your community.
If you are interested in attending law school, the minor provides a focused set of courses aimed at providing relevant skills and knowledge.
Course Requirements
POL-101 Intro to Political Science
POL 103 Intro to International Relations
POL-202 American Politics
POL-219 American Presidency
Either:
POL-217 Civic Literacy and Inclusive Governance
or
POL-412 Constitutional Law
Either:
POL-312 Legal Reasoning
or
POL-361 Methods in Political Science Research
Either:
POL-324 Gender, Politics, and the Law
or
POL-344 Civil Liberties/Civil Rights
Either:
POL-370 Model OAS
or
POL-430 International Organizations
Internship (IDS 361)
Contact Us
Pre-Law Coordinator
For more information on the Law and Civic Engagement program, as well as other programs of study that provide preparation for law school, please contact:
Anne Henderson
Associate Professor, History/Political Science Department Chair
410-532-5301
ahenderson@ndm.edu
