Pre-Law

Learn the history and heart behind our laws – then learn the laws themselves.

Little-known fact: 100 percent of our pre-law graduates who went on to law school were accepted into one of their top three law school choices. So, if you’re drawn to the world of the U.S. legal system, obtaining a degree from our pre-law program could be the first and most important step toward pursuing your legal career.

As a pre-law student at University of the Cumberlands, you’ll gain experience from a diverse range of courses that will cover the writing, researching, and reasoning skills you need to succeed in a variety of legal professions. While engaging with, analyzing, and interpreting legal texts, you’ll grow in areas like research, argumentative writing, and public speaking – all activities that will prepare you for a successful career in law. You’ll also develop answers to some of life’s biggest questions, like what it means to be a good citizen and live a moral life. Dig deeper into history, civilization, the justice system, and your own life philosophy through the pre-law degree program at Cumberlands.

Anchor: Stats

By the numbers

$127,990

Average Salary

10%

Industry Growth

100%

Law School Acceptance Rate

22

National Debate Champions

Anchor: Programs & Requirements

Programs & Requirements

* The credit hours listed on this page only reference the specific program requirements and is not reflective of the total hours necessary to receive your degree. Cumberlands requires all students obtain a minimum of 60 hours for an associate’s degree and a total of 120 hours for a bachelor’s degree. Transfer and prior learning credits may be counted toward those totals.

To learn more about our General Education Requirements, please visit the page referenced below or explore our Academic Catalog.

General Education Requirements

Officially, this program is a "Bachelor of Science with a Minor in History and Political Science – Pre-Law Emphasis." Many students are surprised to learn that pre-law is not one specific major, it’s an emphasis on the preparation needed to pursue legal education. In other words, there are no preferred majors for admission to law school – but you do need education in a related field in order to be prepared. This is where our pre-law program shines. Through the study of American government, political theory, public policy, an introduction to the requirements of legal education, and more, you’ll be prepared to take the next step on your journey to becoming a lawyer.

Note: The campus pre-law advisor, as recognized by the Law School Admissions Council (LSAC), the body which produces the LSAT and handles all applications to law school, is Nathan Coleman, Ph.D., a professor in Cumberland's’ Department of History and Political Science.

Course Requirements

Required Courses (29 hours)

Additional Requirements (6 hours)

Pre-Law Elective Courses (12 hours)

Elective Courses

12 Elective Credits selected from the History or Political Science Section

For Pre-Law Students, the Department recommends selecting from the following courses: intermediate and advanced History courses focusing on constitutional topics:

For Pre-Law Students, the Department recommends selecting from the following Political Science Courses.

Bachelor of Arts option (12 hours)

A Bachelor of Arts degree requires completing the same courses as a Bachelor of Science with the addition of completing one foreign language sequence through the intermediate level.

3+3 Program with NKU Chase Law

3+3 Accelerated Law Program with NKU Chase Law

Students at University of the Cumberlands have an early enrollment opportunity into law school through a partnership with Northern Kentucky University’s (NKU) Salmon P. Chase College of Law.

The Chase 3+3 Accelerated Law Program combines a final year of undergraduate study with a first year of law school.

Students in the program may complete an undergraduate degree and a law degree in six years – three years of undergraduate work plus three years of law school, hence the program’s name – instead of the traditional seven years. Besides enabling students to become lawyers one year sooner, the program also eliminates a whole year of tuition costs.

Cumberlands students who wish to apply to the Chase 3+3 Accelerated Law Program must be in good academic standing and have completed enough credit hours to meet senior status. Students who are accepted into the program will receive their bachelor’s degree from University of the Cumberlands after successfully completing their first year at Chase.

Anchor: Mission & Goals

Mission and Goals

Strong communication and critical-thinking skills.

Logical and analytical reasoning, writing, and reading comprehension skills.

How to maintain composure and quickly gather thoughts in pressured situations.

Overview of America’s legal system and underlying values.

Introduction to political theory, public policy, and government.

Anchor: Career Outcomes

Pre-Law Careers & Outcomes

Lawyer: $127,990

Lawyers advise and represent clients on legal proceedings or transactions.

Paralegal: $56,230

Paralegals and legal assistants perform a variety of tasks to support lawyers.

Political Scientist: $122,510

Political scientists study the origin, development, and operation of political systems.

Professor: $79,640

Postsecondary teachers instruct students in a variety of academic subjects beyond the high school level.

Historian: $63,940

Historians research, analyze, interpret, and write about the past by studying historical documents and sources.

Detective: $66,020

Police officers protect lives and property. Detectives and criminal investigators gather facts and collect evidence of possible crimes.

Anchor: FAQs

Common Questions

What is pre-law?

Pre-law describes an educational program designed to help you prepare for success in law school. University of the Cumberlands’ pre-law program involves courses from departments like history and political science that offer the foundational knowledge and skills you need for success in law school as well as a future legal career.

What can I do with a pre-law degree?

Many students pursue a pre-law degree with the intent to become future lawyers. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the legal profession will grow over the coming decade, due to the continuing need for legal services across diverse industries and settings — from finance to healthcare to criminal defense. Pre-law is also good preparation for career paths that do not require a law degree, such as paralegal and legal assistant roles. These professionals support lawyers in their work, such as by conducting research, gathering facts, and drafting legal documents.

Is a degree in pre-law worth it?

Many students find that earning a pre-law degree is a valuable investment — whether they plan to pursue a career as an attorney or something else entirely. Advantages of this degree include LSAT preparation, law school success, higher earnings, and flexible career options.

What types of courses will I be taking as a pre-law major?

Many students are surprised to learn that pre-law is not one specific major, but an emphasis on the preparation needed to pursue legal education. In fact, there are no preferred majors for admission to law school. Some of the most popular pre-law majors include political science, business, English, history, philosophy, and economics. What each of these programs have in common is a diverse range of courses that introduce students to skills they’ll need in law school.

Will a pre-law degree at UC prepare me for law school?

The pre-law emphasis at University of the Cumberlands offers the foundation you need to excel in law school and beyond. Our Department of History and Political Science produces the largest number of law school applicants compared with other academic departments at UC, and its graduates have achieved a 100 percent law school acceptance rate over the last 22 years.

How affordable is this program?

All programs at University of the Cumberlands are offered at some of the lowest rates in the nation – and we even include free textbooks through our One Price Promise! For more information on how affordable this program would be for you, visit our Financial Aid page.

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