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Pre-Law Program at Jacksonville University

The Pre-Law program at Jacksonville University offers a unique series of support services to help students who are considering Law School or a career in public service. The program offers a Pre-Law certificate designed to provide students with an understanding of the legal profession and the foundational skills necessary to succeed in law school and expose students to the many areas of legal studies.

Pre-Law Certificate

The Pre-Law certificate is a 13-credit certificate that enables students to explore their interest in legal issues and to develop the critical skills necessary to succeed in law school and a legal career. Students will complete a 1-credit Proseminar in Legal Studies, 6 credits in Foundational Courses, and 6 credits in Legal Studies Courses.

Required Courses

• JU 175: Proseminar in Legal Studies (1 Credit)
  • This course acts as a primer for students interested in law school. Students will learn about the study of law, the application process, and legal research skills.
• Foundational Course (6 Credits)
  • Foundational courses are designed to build skills in critical thinking and communication. Students may choose any two courses from the following selection:
    • COMM 302SI: Persuasive Speaking
    • ENGL 302WI: Writing: Exposition
    • ENGL 304WI: Writing: Argumentation
    • HIST 400WI: The Technique of History
    • MATH 301WI: Intro to Abstract Mathematics
    • MATH/PHIL 330: Symbolic Logic
    • JU 300: Mock Trial
    • OR internship Credit: Mock Trial participation or internship credit may be approved by the chair of the Pre-Law Certificate (Up to 3 credits total can be counted toward the Certificate)
• Legal Studies Courses (6 Credits)
  • Legal Studies courses allow students to explore their interest in the law and legal issues. Students may choose any two courses from the following selection:
    • COMM 455: Communication Law
    • PHIL 311: Political Philosophy
    • OR POL 401: Political Theory
    • PHIL 320: Philosophy of Law
    • POL 309: Constitutional Law
    • SOC 189: Intro to the Criminal Justice System
    • SOC 305: Criminology
    • SOC 380: Juvenile Delinquency

Experiential Learning

The Pre-Law Program at Jacksonville University offers a variety of engaged learning activities and extracurricular programs to help prepare students for law school and foster their interest in the legal system. These include:

• An active Pre-Law Society led by students that plan events, LSAT support sessions, and meetings with attorneys and judges from the Jacksonville area.
• A Mock Trial team that competes against nationally ranked teams including Florida State and the University of Miami.
• LSAT preparation in the form of mock exams and study sessions.
• Internships at the Public Defender's Office, Jacksonville Bar Association, Jacksonville Area Legal Aid, and the only undergraduate internship at a federal courthouse in the state of Florida.

Law School Preparation

As you prepare for law school, it is important to stay on track and meet suggested deadlines for admissions testing and registration. This timeline highlights some of the important steps you should take throughout your time at JU:

• Freshman Year: Discuss your interests with our Pre-Law Advisors, join the JU Pre-Law Society and Mock Trial Team.
• Sophomore Year: Begin coursework in the Pre-Law Certificate program, begin studying for the LSAT, including taking a practice exam, observe a trial in Jacksonville, continue meeting with a Pre-Law Advisor, meet and get to know your faculty members.
• Junior Year: Create your account with the Law School Admission Council, register for and take the LSAT, complete a legal internship, research potential law schools of interest, continue meeting with a Pre-Law Advisor, continue building relationships with faculty members.
• Senior Year: Work with your Pre-Law Advisor to draft your personal statement, request recommendation letters for law school applications, submit applications to law schools.