What Is the Most Helpful Undergraduate Degree for Law School?

If you’re trying to choose a degree program, your dream career is probably a major factor in your decision! However, while some undergraduate degrees naturally lead to specific career paths, not all fields are like this. Take, for instance, law school.  

What undergraduate degree should you pursue if you dream of a career in the legal field? The answer isn’t as cut and dry as you might expect. Let’s explore what undergraduate degrees are “best” for law school hopefuls—and what that means for your educational journey.

Key Takeaways

• While degrees in criminal justice, political science, and pre-law are common amongst law school applicants, you can ultimately choose any major.
• Law schools heavily consider your GPA, LSAT score, experience, and personal statement in their admissions decisions.
• Given the importance of maintaining a high GPA, you should choose a major that both challenges and interests you.

Is There a “Best” Undergraduate Degree for Law School?

If you want to go to law school, what undergraduate major should you choose? The answer may surprise you: there isn’t a best undergraduate degree for law school. In fact, the American Bar Association doesn’t recommend any specific college majors in preparation for law school. Rather, they emphasize that law schools regularly admit students from “almost every academic discipline.”

What is important is enrolling in an academically rigorous and intellectually challenging undergraduate program. Whether you study political science or music composition, it’s crucial that you hone your research and writing skills during your undergraduate education.

Most Common Undergraduate Majors for Law School Applicants

While there isn’t a “best” degree for law school applicants, there are degrees that are more common amongst law students than others. Below, we’ll look at some of these degrees and why they are advantageous for those pursuing a legal education:

• Political Science
• Criminal Justice
• English
• History
• Business Management
• Communication
• Law and Paralegal Studies

Political Science

With its emphasis on research and writing, majoring in political science provides a strong foundation for a legal career. Typical coursework offers a strong foundation in the U.S. government and political system. Many students also take courses on constitutional law, legislative politics, and other topics that tie directly into the legal field.

Criminal Justice

Especially for those who have an interest in criminal law, a criminal justice degree may be a natural fit. Many criminal justice majors pursue legal careers due to overlap between the two fields. Criminal justice coursework also provides foundational knowledge in the justice system, the American court system, and other relevant topics.

English

Many English majors decide to pursue a legal career, finding themselves well-suited to the field. In particular, English majors tend to possess high analytical skills, persuasive writing abilities, and communication skills. These qualities are all helpful when working on cases or diving into legal research.

History

Like many degrees in the social sciences, history provides both knowledge and skills useful for law school admissions. Along with practice in research and writing, history majors also learn the historical context for the American legal system. History majors also gain a nuanced perspective on the various factors that shaped current laws and regulations.

Business Management

Majoring in business management is another common choice for law school hopefuls—particularly individuals interested in business or corporate law. Business management majors hone their problem-solving skills through their coursework. This is an immensely transferable skill, especially when paired with prior work experience in the corporate space.

Communication

A degree in communication is valuable in every area of the legal field. Those with a background in communication excel not only at legal research and writing—but also at building client relationships and clearly articulating legal arguments. For these reasons, communication degrees are common among law school students.

Law and Paralegal Studies

Already set on a career in law? A law and paralegal studies degree is a great option. The major’s curriculum introduces students to all aspects of the legal field, including legal research and writing, litigation, and various types of law. Additionally, students who don’t have their hearts set on law school can pursue paralegal careers.

Less Common but Advantageous Majors

Majoring in something not on the above list? That’s okay! As previously mentioned, that doesn’t mean you aren’t prepared for law school. In fact, some less common majors amongst law school applicants actually provide ample preparation for success in the legal field, such as:

• Philosophy
• Psychology
• STEM Fields
• Professional Studies

Philosophy

While it may not seem directly related, philosophy majors cultivate numerous skills that are critical for legal professionals. Philosophy coursework often prioritizes logical reasoning, giving students a leg-up on both the LSAT exam and in law school. Additionally, philosophy’s emphasis on ethics and justice is beneficial in both the study and practice of law.

Psychology

A degree in psychology, the study of the human mind and behavior, can easily lead to law school success. Gaining in-depth knowledge of human behavior allows lawyers to understand why clients behave the way they do. Additionally, psychology equips you with invaluable critical thinking skills.

STEM Fields

Worried about your chances of getting into law school with a STEM degree? No need. Law school applicants with STEM degrees demonstrate that they can handle rigorous, challenging coursework—a huge plus in the admissions process. STEM majors can also be able to forge careers in niches that other lawyers can’t, such as patent law.

Professional Studies

For some individuals, a less traditional path toward law school may be the most advantageous. A degree in professional studies allow students to build upon prior work experience, an already sought-after quality among law students, to complete their undergraduate degrees.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Your Degree

Some college majors are more common amongst law students than others. However, this shouldn’t be your only consideration when choosing your bachelor’s degree. Here are some other factors to consider:

• Academic Interests and Strengths. Make sure your major is something you’re genuinely interested in, not just a major that “looks good” to law school admission councils.
• GPA. Law schools are concerned with your academic abilities overall, not just your major. While your major of choice should be challenging, it should also allow you to graduate with a high GPA.
• Career Goals. Interested in practicing a particular type of law or within a specific industry? Your bachelor’s degree may be the perfect time to dive into that interest and develop expertise in a niche area.

How to Prepare for Law School Beyond Your Major

Aside from your bachelor’s degree, what else do law schools look at for admissions? The two biggest factors considered are your LSAT score and your undergraduate GPA. These are typically thought of as the biggest indicators of success in law school. Therefore, it’s crucial that you prepare well for the LSAT and keep your grades up if you’re applying for law school.

Additional factors considered in law school admissions include your personal statement, letters of recommendation, past work experience, and extracurricular involvement. Even though these are weighed as heavily as your LSAT score and GPA, they’re still important for schools to get an overall picture of you as an applicant.

Discover How UC Online Can Help Your Professional Law Journey

Still not sure what degree is right for you? That’s okay. At the University of Cincinnati, we offer many online degree programs that will prepare you for the rigor of law school. Whether you’re drawn to criminal justice, communication, or law and paralegal studies, UC’s online programs allow you to complete your degree with flexibility and success in mind.

If you’re ready to explore all that UC has to offer, your next step is to contact your Enrollment Services Advisor. UC’s dedicated online staff is here to help you begin your journey in law today.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the best major for law school?

There isn’t a “best” major for law school! While some degrees such as political science, communications, and criminal justice are most common, law schools regularly accept students with a wide variety of degrees.

Do law schools care about your major?

While law school admissions committees do consider your undergraduate major, it’s only one factor in their decision. More important than choosing a specific major, your undergraduate GPA and LSAT score give law schools a strong indication of your academic potential.

Do law schools prefer a BA or BS degree?

Law schools generally don’t prefer one degree over the other, so long as you develop analytical, critical thinking, and communication skills. These skills are ultimately what will help you score well on the LSAT and perform well in your law school coursework.

Can you get into law school without a pre-law degree?

Absolutely! A pre-law major can be advantageous for admittance into law school; however, it’s most critical that your undergraduate coursework prepares you for the critical thinking and communication required in law school.