Santa Clara has not established a pre-law major or specific program of study to prepare to enter law school. Many Santa Clara major programs and the University's Core curriculum provide much of the necessary preparation and background. In addition to those courses, the departments of Philosophy and Political Science offer a pre-law emphasis within the major (in Philosophy, it is also available within the minor).
Elective courses also provide valuable training and breadth of academic and analytic experience. Some elective courses strengthen specific skills, while others provide perspectives on legal problems and social issues related to the law. Several departments from time to time offer such courses (check with each department to determine when these courses are offered in any given academic year and whether there are any applicable prerequisites). The following are some examples:
- Business 85. Business Law (First Priority to Business Students since the course is a Business School Core Requirement)
- Communication 20. Public Speaking
- Communication 170A. Communication Law and Responsibility
- Economics 126. Economics and the Law
- English 100. Writing in the Public Interest
- English 101. Professional Writing
- English 115. Argumentation
- Environmental Studies 120. Intro to Environmental Law and Regulation in the U.S.
- Environmental Studies 122. Environmental Politics and Policy
- Philosophy 17. Informal Logic
- Philosophy 30. Ethical Issues in the Law
- Philosophy 117. Bioethics and the Law
- Philosophy 118. Ethics and Constitutional Law
- Philosophy 119. Ethics and Criminal Law
- Philosophy 123. Philosophy of Law
- Political Science 45. Criminal Justice System
- Political Science 124. Law, Security, and Force
- Political Science 125. International Law
- Political Science 159. The Constitution and Liberty
- Political Science 160. The Constitution and Equality
- Political Science 161. Law and Politics in the U.S.
- Political Science 171. Gender and the Law in the U.S.
- Psychology 155. Psychology and Law
- Sociology 159. Sociology of Crime
- Sociology 160. Sociology of Law
- Sociology 161. Sociology of Criminal Justice Systems
- Theater 8. Acting for Non-Majors
- Theater 21. Voice 1: Voice, Speech, and Presentation Skills
- Women's and Gender Studies 118. Gender and the Law in the U.S.
- Women's and Gender Studies 189. Sex, Law, and Social Justice
In considering these options, students should note that taking numerous courses with “law” in the title or acquiring a "Pre-Law Emphasis" notation on a transcript does not by itself improve their chances of gaining admission to law school. While these courses and programs may help students explore their academic interest in law, students should not feel they need to specialize in law at the undergraduate level.
Major in Political Science with a Pre-Law Emphasis
- Visit the Political Science Department website for more information.
- Adding a pre-law emphasis adds at most 6 classes to your political science major. Click Political Science Major for a Checklist of Political Science requirements, including the requirements for a pre-law emphasis.
Major or Minor in Philosophy with a Pre-Law Emphasis
- Visit the Philosophy Department website for more information.
- View a complete list of philosophy courses and descriptions here.