Pre-Law
Prepare for Law School
Build critical thinking, communication, and analytical skills.
The Pre-Law program at Davis & Elkins College prepares students for admission to law school by combining a rigorous multidisciplinary curriculum with the broad liberal arts education that top law programs value. Law schools require no particular undergraduate major, although extensive work in history, political science, or economics is strongly recommended.
Students interested in a law career are encouraged to consult with the History Department Chair or Political Science Program Coordinator as soon as possible after entering Davis & Elkins College.
The pre-law minor at D&E draws on faculty expertise from across the Social Sciences Division — history, political science, criminology, business, environmental science, communication, English, and philosophy — to give you a genuinely interdisciplinary legal education. This breadth is intentional: law touches every aspect of human society, and the strongest law school candidates are those who can think and write across disciplines. Faculty advisors will help you plan a course sequence, prepare for the LSAT, and build the academic record and personal profile that competitive law schools seek.
Law school admission is based primarily on grade point average and LSAT placement. Because law schools have far more qualified applicants than they can accept, an above-average academic record throughout your undergraduate years is essential. Transcripts are reviewed for consistency of performance, course load, and curriculum rigor. Faculty advisors at D&E will help you build that record from your very first semester.
Minors
Pre-Law Minors
The requirements for a minor in pre-law consist of 18 credit hours of specified and elective courses in criminology, political science, communication, math, philosophy, business, environmental science, outdoor recreation management, and history.
The minor aims to:
- Increase student’s critical thinking skills.
- Increase student’s understanding of law and its multiple functions.
- Develop student’s oral and written communication skills.
The requirements for a pre-law minor consists of 18 credit hours.
Courses
What We Offer
Required Courses
- Criminal Procedure
- Civil Liberties
- Pre-Law Seminar
Critical Thinking
Choose One
- Argumentation
- Critical Thinking
- Logic
The Practice of Law
Choose One
- Business Law I
- Criminal Law
- Environmental Law
- Risk Management and Liability
Theoretical Connections
Choose One
- Historiography and Methods
- Rhetorical Theory
- Literary Criticism
Recommended Supporting Programs
Pre-Law students are encouraged to complement the minor with a major in one of the following fields, which align closely with law school entrance expectations:
- History — Develops research, analytical writing, and contextual reasoning skills central to legal argument
- Political Science — Provides a foundation in constitutional law, policy, and governmental systems
- Criminology — Offers direct preparation for criminal law, procedure, and the justice system
- Business — Ideal for students interested in corporate, contract, or commercial law
- English — Strengthens writing, literary analysis, and rhetorical skills valued by law schools
- Communication — Builds oral advocacy, argumentation, and persuasion skills
Careers in Law
A pre-law education from D&E, combined with a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school, opens the door to one of the most diverse and intellectually demanding professions in the world.
Career options for law graduates include:
Legal Practice
- Private Practice Attorney (Litigation, Corporate, Family, Real Estate, Estate Planning)
- Criminal Defense Attorney
- Prosecutor/District Attorney
- Public Defender
- Environmental/Natural Resources Attorney
- Immigration Attorney
- Intellectual Property Attorney
- Civil Rights Attorney
Government and Public Service
- Federal or State Government Attorney
- Judge/Magistrate
- Legislative Counsel/Policy Advisor
- Law Enforcement Officer/Special Agent
- Military Judge Advocate (JAG)
Business and Corporate Roles
- In-house Corporate Counsel
- Compliance Officer
- Contract Manager
- Risk Manager
- Financial Regulatory Analyst
Non-Legal Careers Strengthened by Legal Training
- Nonprofit Executive Director/Advocacy Leader
- Journalist/Investigative Reporter
- College Administrator or Policy Officer
- Human Resources Director
- Healthcare Administrator
Supporting Programs
D&E’s participation in the Frasure-Singleton Student Legislative Program offers pre-law students a unique experiential opportunity: spending a week observing the West Virginia Legislature, attending seminars with government officials, lobbyists, and reporters, and completing an individual research project.
Why Pre-Law at D&E
The pre-law minor at D&E is genuinely multidisciplinary — drawing on History, Political Science, Criminology, Business, Environmental Science, Communication, English, and Philosophy — giving you a breadth of legal perspective that single-department programs can’t match.
Small class sizes mean faculty know you by name and invest in your success.
The History Department Chair and Political Science Program Coordinator serve as dedicated advisors who will help you plan your course sequence, prepare for the LSAT, and navigate the law school application process from your very first semester.
The Pre-Law Seminar — a capstone course reserved for juniors and seniors — is dedicated entirely to making you a competitive law school candidate, helping you find the right schools, sharpening your application materials, and preparing you for the LSAT with direct faculty mentorship.
Internship and experiential learning allow you to explore the legal profession, build your resume, and make professional connections before graduation.
D&E’s broad liberal arts curriculum ensures that you graduate as a strong writer, critical thinker, and effective communicator — exactly the qualities that law school admissions committees and practicing attorneys value most.