Pre-Professional Program

Pre-Law

Law schools do not require any particular major, but are looking for student who can think critically and write well, and who have some understanding of the forces that have shaped human experience.

ODU's Pre-Law Concentration program is designed to develop students into law school applicants who fit this description.

The courses in the Pre-Law Concentration (possible with either a political science or philosophy major) will develop the intellectual skills and interests that are relevant for law school and will provide a liberal arts education of benefit to students throughout their lives.

Completing the courses in the Pre-Law Concentration does not guarantee admission to law school or a high score on the LSAT. Interested students should meet with a Pre-Law Advisor early in their educational careers to discuss strategies to prepare for law school.

Students in Pre-Law will have the opportunity to participate in extracurricular activities that will contribute to their preparation for law school and introduce them to some of the careers that lawyers pursue.

Students who complete the required courses earn a B.A. in Political Science or Philosophy with a Pre-Law Concentration. The students’ transcripts will show both the major and the concentration.

View course descriptions in each subject for prerequisites and co-requisites.

As students meet the overall requirements of a Philosophy major, those in the Pre-Law Concentration should take the following courses.

Suggested Courses Credits
Mathematics  
Select three credits from the following:
  • MTH 140 Introduction to Statistics
  • MTH 270 Mathematical Statistics 
3
Natural Science   
Select three credits from:
  • Biology, chemistry, physics, science, environmental science
3
Philosophy  
  • PHL 101 Introduction to Logic (does not fulfill CORE requirements)
3*
Theology   
Select three credits from the following:
  • THL 106 The Old Testament
  • THL 107 The New Testament
  • THL 225 Introduction to Christian Theology
3
Select three credits from the following
  • THL 204 Epistles of Paul
  • THL 238 Theology of Justice & Mercy
  • THL 303 The Gospels
  • THL 335 Christian Morality
3
Language   
  • Select three credits at the 111-level or above. (Latin is recommended.)
3
History  
Select six credits from the following:
  • HST 110 Western Civilization I
  • HST 111 Western Civilization II
  • HST 201 American History I
  • HST 202 American History II
6
Literature  
Select three credits from the following
  • ENG 460 The Age of Chaucer
  • ENG 463 The Age of Shakespeare
3
  • Select three additional credits in Literature. 
3
Social & Behavioral Sciences   
  • ECN 207 Principles of Microeconomics
  • ECN 208 Principles of Macroeconomics
  • POL 101 The Great Issues of Politics
  • POL 290 Politics & Government: Process & Issues
3

3

3

3
  • Select one additional Political Science Course
3
Total Credits Required

* Used to calculate the Major GPA
45 

Note: In the case of double majors or minors, other courses may be taken in place of those above with the approval of the Pre-Law Advisory Committee.

As students meet the overall requirements for the Political Science major, those in the Pre-Law Concentration should take the following courses.

Suggested Courses Credits
Mathematics

Select three credits from the following:
  • MTH 140 Introduction to Statistics
  • MTH 270 Mathematical Statistics
View course descriptions.
3





Natural Science

Select three credits from:
  • Biology, chemistry, environmental science, physics, science
View course descriptions biology, chemistry, environmental sciencephysics, science.
3





Theology

Select three credits from the following:
  • THL 106 The Old Testament
  • THL 107 The New Testament
  • THL 225 Introduction to Christian Theology
Select three credits from the following
  • THL 204 Epistles of Paul
  • THL 238 Theology of Justice & Mercy
  • THL 303 The Gospels
  • THL 335 Christian Morality

View course descriptions.

6













Language
  • Select three credits at the 111-level or above. (Latin is recommended.)
View course descriptions.
3



History

Select six credits from the following:
  • HST 110 Western Civilization I
  • HST 111 Western Civilization II
  • HST 201 American History I
  • HST 202 American History II
View course descriptions.
6







Literature

Select three credits from the following
  • ENG 460 The Age of Chaucer
  • ENG 463 The Age of Shakespeare
  • Select three additional credits in Literature. 
View course descriptions.
6







Philosophy
  • PHL 101 Introduction to Logic
Select six credits from the following, with no more than three credits at the 100-level:
  • PHL 109 Issues in Philosophy
  • PHL 110 Wisdom & the Web
  • PHL 150 Theories of Ethics
  • PHL 170 Philosophy of Good & Evil
  • PHL 242 Applied Ethics
  • PHL 243 Bioethics 
  • PHL 279A CORE: Ethical Issues of Sex & Marriage
  • PHL 379A CORE: Principles of Justice
NOTE: Students who do not complete PHL 379A must complete ECN 208.

View course descriptions.
9
Social & Behavioral Sciences 
  • ECN 207 Principles of Microeconomics 
View course descriptions.
 3
Total Credits Required 39