7 College Majors to Consider If You Want to Be a Lawyer
Explore 7 college majors to consider if you want to be a lawyer, including political science, criminal justice, and philosophy, to prepare for law school success.
If your goal is to become a lawyer, choosing the right college major can help lay the groundwork for law school and your future legal career. While law schools accept a variety of academic backgrounds, some majors provide stronger preparation for the skills you’ll need: critical thinking, research, writing, and argumentation. From humanities to social sciences, selecting a major that aligns with your interests and builds relevant skills can give you an advantage in law school admissions and beyond.
1. Political Science
Imagine studying the structure of governments, political theory, and public policy while honing analytical skills. Political science is one of the most popular majors for aspiring lawyers because it develops a deep understanding of legal systems, civic processes, and policy analysis.
Students in political science learn to evaluate legislation, interpret case law, and craft persuasive arguments. These skills directly translate to law school, where reading comprehension, analysis, and structured argumentation are essential. Graduates often pursue careers in public service, lobbying, or legal research, in addition to law school.
FAQ: Is political science required for law school? No, but it provides excellent preparation for the LSAT and legal reasoning skills.
2. Criminal Justice
Suppose you’re drawn to law enforcement, legal procedures, or criminal law. A criminal justice major offers a foundational understanding of the legal system, law enforcement practices, and courtroom procedures.
This major helps students grasp the practical application of laws, ethical considerations, and the judicial process. While it may focus more on policy and procedure than theory, it prepares you for law school by providing real-world context for legal studies.
FAQ: Can criminal justice majors pursue non-criminal law fields? Yes. Law school allows specialization in various areas, including corporate, environmental, and intellectual property law.
3. Philosophy
Picture analyzing ethical dilemmas, constructing logical arguments, and debating complex ideas. Philosophy majors gain critical thinking, logic, and reasoning skills, which are invaluable for success in law school and legal practice.
Courses in ethics, logic, and argumentation teach students how to build strong cases and evaluate opposing viewpoints. Philosophy majors often excel on the LSAT, particularly in sections testing analytical reasoning.
💡 Tip: Engage in debate clubs or writing-intensive courses to further develop your argumentative skills.
FAQ: Is philosophy too abstract for law school preparation? Not at all. The focus on logic, ethics, and critical thinking directly supports legal reasoning and analysis.
4. English or Literature
Imagine reading complex texts and crafting persuasive essays. English majors develop strong writing, comprehension, and analytical skills, all crucial for law school.
Law relies heavily on interpreting texts, constructing arguments, and writing clearly and persuasively. Studying literature or advanced writing prepares students for legal writing assignments, research papers, and law school exams.
FAQ: Can English majors succeed in law school? Yes. The emphasis on reading and writing makes English majors well-prepared for the demands of legal education.
5. Economics
Suppose you’re interested in corporate law, tax law, or financial regulations. An economics major provides an understanding of market behavior, finance, and analytical modeling.
Law schools value students who can approach problems logically and quantitatively. Economics develops critical reasoning, data analysis, and the ability to interpret complex information—skills transferable to corporate law, antitrust law, and policy work.
FAQ: Is economics only useful for corporate law? No. While it’s valuable for corporate fields, economics also strengthens analytical thinking applicable to various law specializations.
6. History
Picture exploring past legal systems, social movements, and landmark cases. History majors learn to research, analyze, and contextualize events—skills directly applicable to legal studies.
By studying historical events and legal precedents, students gain insight into societal trends, legal evolution, and critical analysis, which are essential for understanding law in context. History majors often excel in research-heavy law school courses.
⚠️ Warning: Focus on research and writing-intensive history courses to maximize preparation for law school.
FAQ: Can a history major specialize in corporate or criminal law later? Yes. Law school allows students from any academic background to choose a specialization regardless of their undergraduate major.
7. Communications
Imagine learning to craft persuasive arguments, deliver presentations, and analyze audience needs. A communications major develops public speaking, writing, and interpersonal skills, all vital for legal practice.
Courses in rhetoric, media studies, and persuasion provide a foundation for courtroom advocacy, negotiation, and legal writing. Communications majors also gain confidence presenting arguments—a skill every lawyer needs in trials, mediations, or client meetings.
FAQ: Does a communications degree limit law school options? No. Law schools accept students from diverse majors as long as they demonstrate critical thinking, writing, and analytical skills.
Final Thoughts on Choosing a Pre-Law Major
Selecting the right undergraduate major can help prepare you for law school and a successful legal career. Political science, criminal justice, philosophy, English, economics, history, and communications each offer unique skills that translate well to law studies. Beyond your major, gaining experience through internships, debate, research, and volunteer work strengthens your law school application. Ultimately, your passion, dedication, and preparation matter as much as your major in achieving a successful career as a lawyer.
💡 Tip: Focus on developing analytical, research, and writing skills—these are universally valuable in law school and legal practice.