Pre-Law Preparation Course Suggestions

While law schools require an undergraduate degree they do not require any specific coursework prior to admission. However, certain classes prepare you for the study of law. Classes that have writing requirements are usually helpful (e.g. most English classes, some history and G. E. classes, etc.). Keep in mind that law schools are looking for students with a diverse education. The following courses will help you develop your writing skills and reasoning abilities as well as give you glimpses into various aspects of the legal field. This list is not exhaustive. Also, some of these classes are not offered regularly, so remember to check the course schedule and directory. Don’t feel that you have to take any one of these classes in order to go to law school!
Take classes that you enjoy. Law is a very broad field, so courses in Baroque Art History, Entomology, or any other subject might come in handy some day.

Courses Directly Related to Law

Agriculture & Resource Economics 18 - Business Law
Asian American Studies 155 - Legal History & the Asian American
English 107 - Freedom of Expression
Environmental Science & Policy 161 - Environmental Law
Environmental Toxicology 138 - Legal Aspects of Environmental Toxicology
Hydrology 150 – Water Law
Humanities 5 - Representation of the Law in Literature and Film
Philosophy 119 - The Philosophy of Law
Political Science 7 - Contemporary Issues in Law and Politics
Political Science 122 - International Law
Political Science 151- Constitutional Politics of the First Amendment
Political Science 152 - The Constitutional Politics of Equality
Political Science 154 - Legal Philosophy
Psychology 115 - Psychology and the Law
Sociology 151 - The Criminal Justice System
Sociology 155 - Sociology and the Law
Women’s Studies 140 - Gender and Law

Writing Courses

African American Studies 152 - Major Voices in Black World Literature
Asian American Studies 130 - Asian American Literature
UWP 1 - Expository Writing
UWP 19 - Writing Research Papers
UWP 101 - Advanced Composition
UWP 102 - Writing in the Disciplines
UWP 104B - Writing in the Professions: Law

Communication Courses

Communication 1 - Introduction to Public Speaking
Communication 3 - Interpersonal Communication Competence
Communication 130 - Group Communication Process
Communication 134 - Interpersonal Communication
Communication 152 - Theories of Persuasion
Dramatic Art 10 - Introduction to Acting
Human Development 140 - Communication and Interaction with Children

Logic/Reasoning Courses

Philosophy 5 - Critical Reasoning
Philosophy 12 - Introduction to Symbolic Logic
Philosophy 112 - Intermediate Symbolic Logic
Philosophy 113 - Advanced Logic

History Courses

Classics 110 - Origins of Rhetoric
History 4 A,B,C - History of Western Civilization
History 9A,B - History of East Asian Civilization
History 17 A,B - History of the U. S.
History 72B - Social History of American Women and Family
History 111 A,B,C - Ancient (Roman & Greek) History
History 132 - Crime & Punishment in Early Modem Europe
History 174 A,B,C - Recent History of the U.S.
History 176 A,B - Social & Cultural History of the U.S.

Business and Economics Courses

Agriculture & Resource Economics 112 - Fundamentals. of Business Organization
Agriculture & Resource Economics 118 - Tax Management
Agriculture & Resource Economics 142 - Personal Finance
Agriculture & Resource Economics 143 - Investments
Agriculture & Resource Econ 146 - Government Regulation of Business
Economics 1A,B - Principles of Macroeconomics
Economics 121 A,B - Industrial Organization
Economics 162 - International Economic Relations
Sociology 139 - Corporations and Society

Social Issues and Ethics Courses

African American Studies 145A- Black Social & Political Thought
American Studies 156 - Race, Culture, & Society in the US
Community & Regional Development 47 - Orientation to Community Resources
Environmental Science & Policy 164 - Ethical Issues in Environmental Policy
Nature and Culture 120 - Environmental Ethics
Political Science 4 - Basic Concepts in Political Theory
Philosophy 14 - Ethical & Social Problems's in Contemporary Society
Philosophy 24 - Introduction to Ethics & Political Philosophy
Philosophy 115 - Problems in Normative Ethics
Philosophy 116 - Ethical Theories
Psychology 1 - General Psychology
Psychology 168 - Abnormal Psychology
Science and Society 20- Genetics and Society
Sociology 1 - Introduction to Sociology
Sociology 120 - Deviance
Sociology 150 - Criminology
Sociology 152 - Juvenile Delinquency

Politics and Governmental Process Courses

African American Studies 80 - Introduction to Black Politics
Anthropology 104N - Cultural Politics of the Environment
Anthropology 139AN - Race, Class Gender Systems
Chicana/o Studies 30 - US Political Institutions And Chicanas/os
Chicana/o Studies 131 - Chicanas in Politics & Public Policy
Chicana/o Studies 132 - Political Economics of Chicana/o Community
Community& Regional Development 157 - Politics and Community Development
Community & Regional Development 158 - Small Community Governance
Geography 143 – Political Geography
Native American Studies 116 - Native American Traditional Governments
Native American Studies 117- Native American Governmental Decision Making
Native American Studies 118 - Native American Politics
Philosophy 118 - Political Philosophy
Political Science 100 - Local Government and Politics
Political Science 104 - California State Government and Politics
Political Science 105 - The Legislative Process
Political Science 107 - Environmental Politics & Administration
Political Science 150 - Judicial Politics and Constitutional Interpretation
Political Science 153 - The Constitutional Politics of the Justice System
Political Science 187 – Administrative Behavior
Political Science 155 - Judicial Process and Behavior
Political Science 168 - Chicano Politics
Sociology 118 - Political Sociology