Pre-Law Courses and Advising

While the University of Texas Permian Basin does not offer a degree (or a minor) in Pre-law (yet) or legal studies. We do offer courses and assistance for those planning to apply for law school after graduation.

Preparing for Law School

Lawyers with strong undergraduate preparation are needed in every field. Good law schools do NOT recommend a specific undergraduate major or prescribed course of study before you apply. You DO need a high G.P.A. and a clear academic focus. We encourage you to major and minor in disciplines that interest and excite you. 

• Critical analytical thinking skills
• Command of written and oral communication
• Appreciation of other cultures
• Broad-based knowledge of literature, the arts, history, the social sciences, mathematics, and the physical and biological sciences 
• In-depth knowledge of one or more fields of knowledge

• Volunteer in the community
• Get involved with student organizations
• Do an internship
• Learn to network

• COMM 3355 Advanced Public Speaking
• COMM 4315 Communication Law
• CRIM 4312 Criminal Procedure
• CRIM 4322 Legal Foundations of Corrections
• CRIM 4333 Law and Society
• CRIM 4381 Ethics in Criminal Justice
• PLSC 3321 Comparative Politics
• PLSC 3330 Judicial Politics
• PLSC 4327 International Relations
• PLSC 4335 Constitutional Law: Governmental Powers
• PLSC 4336 Constitutional Law: Civil Liberties

Taking the LSAT 
The Law School Admission Council (LSAC) is the organization which administers the LSAT. The LSAT is a 3 ½ hour aptitude test to predict how well a student will do in law school. It tests reading comprehension as well as logical and analytical reasoning.
The LSAT is required by every law school in North America. The LSAT should be taken the summer before your college senior year or at the latest the October before you plan to attend law school. 

• Freshmen and sophomore years: focus on getting good grades, learning how to write and take tests, involving yourself in school organizations.
• Freshman and sophomore years: contact the pre-law advisor on campus, finish your General Education requirements, begin to take courses in your major and minor, and attend all Pre-Law sponsored activities.
• Junior year: maintain your GPA and your volunteer activities, schedule an internship off campus, start examining law schools and their requirements, study for the LSAT, maintain contact with the pre law advisor, schedule the LSAT. (Note: UTPB is an official site for the LSAT. Check the lsac.org for dates, registration information, and code number for UTPB)
• Senior year: maintain your GPA, schedule the LSAT if you have not taken it earlier, makes finalize decisions about law school.