Political Science Department

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Bachelor of Arts in Political Science

Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration

Pre-Law Certificate

Interdisciplinary Minor in Pre-Law Studies

Pre-Law Studies

Pre-Law Club

Course Information

 


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, Iowa, John Marshall in Chicago, and De Paul.

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 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 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. [To open this you will need Acrobat Reader, a free program you can download if you don't already have it. PDF documents are common on the web, and once you have this program you will be able to access any PDF file. Get Acrobat Reader.]

6. An active Pre-Law Club
[* Indicates programs, activities and resources made possible by the Folwell gift. See number 10 below].
*LSAT Preparation
*Law School Forum in Chicago
*Guest Lecturers and speakers
*Visit to University of Iowa College of Law
*Social activities

7. 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. A Pre-Law Center
*Computer
*Library
*Study materials

9. A Mock Trial Program

10.  Frank and Jane Folwell Endowed Chair in Political Science
Through this generous endowment the pre-law program receives additional financial support in carrying out its functions and activities.
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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563/333-6000 or 800/383-2627
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