What should I major in for law school?
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What should I major in for law school?
From psychology to business, here are nine answers to the question, "What should someone who wants to go to law school major in?"
- Psychology
- Accountancy
- Literature
- Writing
- Philosophy
- Your Strengths/Interests
- Criminal Justice or Criminology
- Political Science
- Business
Psychology
Psychology and law come together to form a rather potent combination, and one can do very well with this combination on their side when building a career in the legal industry.
After all, even as a lawyer, you will need to possess a sound mind and remain aware of how to use, as well as deter, psychological mind games while helping your client win.
A psychology major will help the future lawyer in you learn more about the very people you have set out to assist. More importantly, it will also prepare you for the mental challenges you will have to overcome each day as someone pursuing a career in law.
Accountancy
If your goal is to attend law school, it is important to choose the right major. Accountancy is a recommended major, as it provides a firm foundation in quantitative methods, which will be helpful in legal research and analysis.
These courses also teach vital financial management skills that can assist with case management and legal operations management. Studying accountancy requires critical thinking and effective communication, both of which are integral to the field of law.
Therefore, accountancy can provide a valuable grounding for someone who wants to pursue a career in law.
Literature
Law is a highly lingual profession that demands eloquence in both writing and reading. It’s a profession that relies heavily on language interpretation and information dissemination. All these aspects require a deep understanding of the English language.
The profession is encompassed in layers and layers of writings in volumes of books. Literature equips you with the skills to interpret constitutional articles and learn about the intricacies of law from ancient poetry and philosophical works.
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Writing
For someone interested in law school, a degree in writing can be invaluable. A good friend of mine took this option and majored in Professional and Technical Writing for their undergraduate degree.
Many of her classes focused on the ability to present logical arguments, as well as on how to write persuasively. When applying to law school, this proved to be a significant benefit for her law school application.
Additionally, when she went to her interview, she was told it was refreshing to see someone focus on pursuing a degree in a field that would prove beneficial in their career.
Philosophy
Law and philosophy are like the yin and yang, opposite, interconnected forces; very different, but inseparable. At its foundation, the law must consider human nature, common sense, ethics, and other philosophical topics to be effective.
Law and philosophy are deeply intertwined because the legal realm is so much more than meets the eye. Someone who wants to go to law school can benefit from a major in philosophy because it helps you think about how to persuade judges and juries to think about the world meaningfully.
Your Strengths/Interests
There is no specific major that is required for someone who wants to go to law school. In fact, some law schools specifically encourage applicants to pursue diverse and non-traditional majors, as this can bring unique perspectives and skills to the study of law. That being said, you might pursue a major that will provide you with a sound foundation in critical thinking, reading comprehension, and analytical writing. These skills are important for success in law school and in the legal profession.
Majors that can help to develop these skills include political science, philosophy, history, economics, and English. However, any major that challenges you to think critically and express yourself clearly in writing can be beneficial for law school.
Ultimately, the best major for someone who wants to go to law school will depend on their interests, strengths, and career goals.
Criminal Justice or Criminology
I would suggest majoring in criminal justice or criminology. These two majors provide students with a broad understanding of criminal behavior, the legal system, and our society.
Criminology majors will become familiar with the history of criminal justice and its key players, such as prosecutors, defense attorneys, judges, and corrections officers. They will gain knowledge of police practices, civil rights legislation, constitutional rights, and their implications for the criminal justice system.
Furthermore, a criminology major will comprehend how different systems within the court system function, including pretrial procedures and court structures. This understanding is essential for engaging in legal negotiations or making arguments in court.
Although students must have strong research and analytical skills to succeed in these majors, these are necessary skills you’ll need to develop if you want to be a lawyer one day.
Political Science
Political science is the most popular major for law school applicants, and for good reason. You will study the theory and practice of government and its relationship to the law as a political science major. Your coursework will also cover how laws are created and implemented, as well as the history of each law's formation. You will also get a good understanding of things like political theory, international relations, and political methodology.
Political science is an obvious choice for aspiring lawyers. Because politics and law are related, you will have a solid base to build on when you go to law school. In addition, the problem-solving and critical thinking skills you gain as an undergraduate will be useful in law school and as a practicing attorney. You will have the chance to practice your public speaking skills, which are very important in the business world.My one final tip: choose the major that best fits your goals and/or interests.
Business
I think a business major can serve you well, no matter what direction you go in afterward. The tent poles of our lives are based around business structures and the knowledge can help you in several ways, whether you decide to go to law school afterward, or even if you end up in something completely unique.The legal industry is a business and we're all faced with business decisions in any career we pursue, whether that is a medical field, a career in law, or even as a salesperson or marketer. We learn about business when we're young (Who hasn't had a lemonade stand?) and continue once we develop our own careers later in life.
From my experience, those people who are working in law and have a business major are quite apt at being a contributing member of the team and can take on even more responsibility because of their background in business.
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