Non-DegreePre-Law Program

Students on campus

Prepare for law school by becoming a part of our Pre-Law Program.

If you are thinking about becoming an attorney or simply want to know more about the law, then you are encouraged to become a part of Bellarmine University’s Pre-Law program. The aim of the program is to enhance the training of its undergraduate students who are interested in pursuing law school and a successful law-related career.

Preparing for Law School

Undergraduate students are often surprised to learn there is no specific “Pre-Law” major or minor at Bellarmine, as with most other colleges. What is required in Bellarmine’s Pre-Law program is that the student develops certain basic skills essential to the practice of law. Those core skills include analytic problem-solving, critical reading, written and oral communication, listening, general research, task organization and management. Components of Bellarmine’s Pre-Law program include Pre-Law advising, curriculum analysis and suggested course selection, assistance with the selection of law schools, and preparation for the Law School Admission Test.

Although law schools do not specify which major a Pre-Law student must select, undergraduate degrees in political science, philosophy, criminal justice studies, history, psychology, communication, English, business administration, and economics are typical Pre-Law choices. Regardless of your major, law school advisors suggest taking as many writing and reading-intensive courses as you can. Also, because the LSAT has a strong focus on logic, Bellarmine Pre-Law students are encouraged to take a course in logic (PHIL 302) prior to taking the LSAT.

Why Bellarmine Pre-Law?

Acceptance to accredited law schools is competitive, so it is important to attend a college with high academic expectations. It is also important to apply yourself and make the most of your undergraduate education. In Kentucky, roughly 1 of every 3 college graduates who apply to law school are accepted, and out-of-state admissions can be even more competitive. Law schools consider students from a wide range of undergraduate backgrounds, so it is not necessary to attend college at a large university to be admitted to a state law school.

The liberal arts foundation at Bellarmine develops the reading, writing, speaking, and critical thinking skills valued by law schools, such that Bellarmine uniquely positions student to consider law school after graduation from undergraduate studies. Bellarmine's small, liberal arts setting and favorable student-to-faculty ratio allow students to get to know their Pre-Law advisors and other faculty personally. This will help immensely with personal recommendation letters and allow for plenty of one-on-one Pre-Law advising, LSAT help and application assistance from our Pre-Law Directors, who are both attorneys and law school graduates. Graduates from Bellarmine’s undergraduate program have gone on to attend law schools at the following institutions: University of Louisville, University of Kentucky, Valparaiso University, Marquette University, Indiana University, University of Dayton, St. Louis University, George Mason University, and Notre Dame.

Riley Goff

“The Pre-Law Director connected me with this wonderful opportunity. Over a semester, I got to be involved in various cases and had many projects that I was working on. Alongside the attorney, I met with federal prosecutors, sat in on numerous court sessions, and met with defendants in the office and the correctional facility. Through this experience, I got to meet many incredible people who can help me with my future plans, while also gaining a lot of experience to add to my resume and to make me stand out when applying to law school!”


Riley Goff, Criminal Justice Studies and Political Science double major on the Pre-Law Track

Legal Internship Program

In coordination with Bellarmine’s Pre-Law Program, the Political Science Program at Bellarmine sponsors a non-paid legal internship program for students interested in going to law school and practicing law. The program attempts to match students with a firm or other legal entity in their area of interest. Students receive 3 hours of class credit for at least 90 hours of internship work performed in a semester. As a condition to joining the program, firms agree that students will be much more than mere “gofers” (e.g., making copies, delivering documents, etc.). Instead, students will be offered opportunities such as performing very basic legal research, drafting basic legal documents, accompanying attorneys to courthouse hearings, and sitting in on client consultations. Since the legal internship program’s inception in the fall of 2012, students have had the opportunity to intern with the Jefferson County Commonwealth Attorney’s Office, a Jefferson County Circuit Court Judge, an immigration law firm, criminal defense firms, and general practice firms. The opportunities these internships provide are phenomenal, allowing students to gain valuable insights into the “inner workings” of the legal field. Any student or legal entity interested in learning more about the program, please contact Dr. David Scott.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Pre-Law a major?

No. Our Pre-Law Program is a carefully crafted program to ensure you get the credits you need to be ready for law school.

What is the best major if I want to be a lawyer?

Many students choose to major in political science, philosophy, criminal justice studies, history, psychology, communication, English, business administration, and economics, but there is no rule here. You can choose any undergraduate major and, so long as you complete the Pre-Law Program, you will be sure to get the credits you need to enter law school.

If I complete the Pre-Law Program, am I guaranteed entry into law school?

No. Our faculty are top professionals in their fields. They know very well the skills and expertise you’ll need to get into law school. It is up to you to do the hard work to ensure your own success but we will help you every step of the way.

Is financial aid available?

Yes. When you complete your application to Bellarmine, you’ll receive a comprehensive financial aid award, based on your experiences and need.

Bellarmine University has established a Pre-Law advisory panel consisting of faculty from various academic disciplines who assist prospective law students with their program of study, making certain that they develop those skills necessary to be successful for law school. Pre-Law students are advised to take challenging coursework, including logic and writing-intensive classes that help prepare for the LSAT. Pre-Law students also have opportunities to hear speakers on legal topics, to meet alumni who have been through law school, and to visit law schools prior to their application. Practice testing and other preparations for the LSAT are highly recommended. To get early experience in the field, many Bellarmine students participate in for-credit internships relevant to a legal career. Pre-Law students are strongly encouraged to join Bellarmine’s Pre-Law Society.

Career Opportunities

To practice law, you must complete three years of law school and then pass the bar exam. Though Kentucky does not identify areas of legal specialization, lawyers generally focus on a legal sub-discipline such as insurance law, real estate law or environmental law. Many law school graduates apply their professional training to related fields such as business, law enforcement, arbitration or politics.

On-Campus Experiences

The Pre-Law Society at Bellarmine is a student organization for those interested in learning more about the law. The club sponsors law career speakers, law school visits, LSAT study groups and other activities of interest to prospective law students. As an added benefit, joining the Pre-Law Society provides students with a large, supportive network of peers who are at various stages of the law school preparation process.

Mock Trial is a national competition for undergraduate students emphasizing skill development in courtroom arguments and procedures. Bellarmine’s expertly coached Mock Trial team is highly respected among the nation’s top teams, with several national awards to its credit.

Law School Admission Criteria

Law schools consider your college GPA, the degree of challenge in your college course work, extracurriculars, work, service activities, letters of recommendation and your personal statement. An undergraduate GPA of 3.5 would be typical of successful Pre-Law students. Most law schools place even greater importance on your performance on the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT), which is a half-day standardized exam, typically taken after completing the junior year of undergraduate studies.

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