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St. Ambrose Pre-Law Program
10
Reasons to Study Pre-Law at St. Ambrose University
St. Ambrose University offers many advantages for students
interested in pursuing a career in law:
1.
A proven record of helping students gain admission into
quality law schools.
In the last ten years St. Ambrose students have been accepted
into law schools at Drake University, the University of Iowa, The John Marshall
Law School, De Paul University, St. Louis University, Creighton
University and Valparaiso University.
2. Close interaction with faculty.
A St. Ambrose education offers students the chance to work
closely with faculty in preparation for law school. Unlike faculty in
many large state universities, St. Ambrose faculty are committed to
advising students in every phase of their preparation for and
application to law school. We will help you design a course of study
that meets your interests and addresses your weaknesses. Once you decide
to apply to law school, St. Ambrose faculty will help you research law
schools and develop your personal statement. Finally, because we know
our students so well, the St. Ambrose faculty is able to write detailed
letters of recommendation for our students.
3. An interdisciplinary Minor in Pre-Law Studies.
There is no pre-law major at St. Ambrose University, or, for that
matter, at any other university. Unlike medical school and other
professional schools, law schools do not prescribe particular courses to
be taken nor do they specify undergraduate majors. Instead, law schools
are looking for students who have a broad education and the ability to
think logically, argue persuasively, and write and speak cogently. The
Pre-Law Program at St. Ambrose University seeks to provide these
qualities through its Interdisciplinary
Minor in Pre-Law Studies and its Pre-Law
Certificate.
Thus students who are interested in going to law school can major
in any number of programs at St. Ambrose, from the liberal arts to the
sciences to business and accounting.
4. A Pre-Law Certificate
Primarily for Political Science majors who are interested in
going to law school, the Pre-Law Certificate provides a concentration of
courses that will meet the student’s interest in law while at the same
time providing the student with a course plan tailored to law school
preparation. This program is intended to bolster the student’s academic
record, draw attention to law school admission’s boards, and help
students develop the proper intellectual skills for success in law
school. The prescribed course of study which is outlined below requires
the completion of 33 credit hours and includes courses in philosophy,
political science, English, speech, economics, and accounting. Students
who complete this course of study are awarded a pre-law certificate at
the annual student awards banquet.
5. Law Internships
Students may gain three credit hours participating in an
internship with a local law firm. The pre-law internship provides an
opportunity for students considering law school to work within a law
firm, to observe what lawyers actually do in their daily activities, and
to perform a variety of tasks that will help them determine if they have
the desire, capabilities, and temperament that it takes to be a lawyer.
The specific tasks that students will perform will be worked out
between the firm and the student and they will vary depending upon the
needs of the firm, the student’s abilities and previous experience,
and the student’s performance. These
tasks may, however, range from copying and filing to doing basic legal
research, assisting in the interviewing of clients, and assisting in the
lawyer’s courtroom preparations and duties.
Read
our Guidelines
for Internships.
Click
here for a Student
Internship Evaluation.
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6. An active Pre-Law Club
St. Ambrose University is one of only two schools in Iowa with a
pre-law chapter of Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity International,
the largest law fraternity in the world. (Click here for more
information on Phi Alpha Delta: http://www.pad.org/).
We have one of the most active student groups on campus. Our Chapter
provides activities like the following:
*LSAT Preparation
*Law School Forum in Chicago
*Guest Lecturers and speakers
*Visit to University of Iowa College of Law
*Social activities
Ambrose
students at Gino's East in Chicago during the Law School Forum
7. Ambrose
offers a wide selection of courses in law
Business law
Law and Economics
Constitutional Law
Civil Rights/Civil Liberties
Law and Society
International Law
Administrative Law
8.
Our Pre-Law Center offers several services for pre-law students
*Computer with printer and full internet access
*Library
*Study materials
9. A Mock Trial Program
Students at Ambrose can enroll in Mock Trial for General Education
Credit (three hours maximum). Our mock trial team trains for and
competes in multiple intercollegiate tournaments which are sponsored by
the American Mock Trial Association (see: http://www.collegemocktrial.org/).
Last year the Ambrose team won the Best New Team Award at its Regional
Tournament.
10.
Frank and Jane Folwell Endowed Chair in Political Science and
Pre-law
Jane and her late husband Frank Folwell have generously provided the
first fully endowed Chair in the history of St. Ambrose University. This
Chair supports a teaching position in the Department of Political
Science, and also provides resources for many of the pre-law programs,
including Mock Trial. One outstanding political science/pre-law student who is
graduating receives the Frank and Jane Folwell Award in Political
Science and Pre-Law at the annual Student Awards Ceremony.
For more information
on Pre-Law Studies at St. Ambrose University, contact:
Dr. Joseph Hebert
Assistant Professor of Political Science and Director of Pre-Law Studies
Office Location: McMullen Hall 208
Phone: 563/333-6402
Email: HebertJosephL@sau.edu
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