Pre-Law Degree (BA) | Marywood University

Begin Your Journey to a Promising Legal Career with a Pre-Law Degree

Step into the world of legal studies with Marywood University's newly introduced Pre-Law degree, distinguished as one of the top programs in Pennsylvania for legal professions. This recognition, based on data from the Department of Education and prominent ranking sources, underscores our commitment to excellence and innovation in legal education. Designed for those driven by a passion for justice and the ambition to make an impactful difference, our Pre-Law program offers a robust foundation for future legal professionals.

Why Choose Marywood's Pre-Law Program?

Ranked as a top program in Pennsylvania, our curriculum is tailored to foster a deep understanding of legal principles while promoting critical thinking and analytical skills
Learn from a distinguished faculty of scholars and practicing legal professionals who bring real-world experience directly into the classroom
Engage in internships, mock trials, moot courts, and community service projects that prepare you for the challenges and rewards of a legal career
Represent the student body by joining the Student Government Association (SGA). Marywood’s SGA represents the whole undergraduate student body and provides a variety of programs and activities for students

Join a Community of Future Legal Leaders

Pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Pre-Law means embarking on a path to excellence in the legal field. With our program's top ranking in Pennsylvania, comprehensive curriculum, and focus on experiential learning, you're not just preparing for law school—you're setting the stage for a successful and fulfilling legal career. As a Pre-Law major, you'll be part of a vibrant community that values leadership, service, and academic achievement. Our program fosters a supportive network of peers, mentors, and alumni, providing a foundation for success in law school and your future career.

Ready to make your mark in the legal world with a top-ranked education? Discover the opportunities waiting for you in Marywood University's new Pre-Law Degree (BA) program. Your future in law starts here.

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I loved Marywood and being able to live in a community where everyone cares and knows everyone. This goes from the fellow students, faculty, and professor. I have such a close relationship with my advisor and other faculty it makes you feel comforted that there are so many people you can go to for advise and help at any time.
Zachary Penzone '21 Read All Testimonials

The Center for Law, Justice and Policy focuses on enriching undergraduate education through research collaboration and community outreach. Our mission is to integrate students into a network of legal professionals and advocates from the start of their undergraduate career. By emphasizing innovative legal studies and real-world applications, we advance justice and policy, equipping students for significant societal contributions.

The three major functions of the Center are as follows:

Management of academic programs and internships in Pre-Law, Criminal Justice, and Sociology
An interdisciplinary hub for teaching and research collaborations
Community outreach and network building with legal professionals

Outcomes & Opportunities

#16Best in Pennsylvania programs offering legal profession programs »

*plexuss.com

$126,930 median salary »

*bls.gov

Get InvolvedMore than 100+ club and organization opportunities on campus »

#20 in Best Value Schools US News & World Report »

Top Employers

Federal Government
Law Firms
Local Government
Real Estate Agencies

Top Career Paths

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Compliance Officer
Mediator
Paralegal

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Admission Requirements

Undergraduate Admissions Requirements

Completed application
Official transcripts
Letter of recommendation
Official SAT and/or ACT test scores (Marywood is test optional)
Essay (optional)

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Facilities & Technology

Liberal Arts Center

102 Morgan Road
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The Liberal Arts Center contains classrooms utilized by several programs, as well as the Office of Admissions and a variety of other administrative offices. It is also home to the iconic Rotunda and the NativityMiguel School of Scranton.

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Liberal Arts Center Classrooms

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The Liberal Arts Center provides classroom space for coursework in the Social Sciences, English, Philosophy, and Religious Studies programs.

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Scholarships & Tuition

An affordable education is possible at Marywood.

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Faculty

Courses & Curriculum

The pre-law program offers undergraduate students a multifaceted and rigorous educational path that is both enriching and pragmatic. With a comprehensive curriculum designed by the American Bar Association's guidelines, the program encourages students to pursue areas of interest that challenge and develop their research and writing skills, which are crucial for a successful legal career. The program’s structure—comprising 39 credits, including 30 foundational credits in law and related disciplines, followed by 9 credits in specialized cognate fields—facilitates
a broad and deep understanding of the law and its applications. This design makes it feasible for students to consider pre-law as a double major, enhancing their academic portfolio and broadening career opportunities. The program's flexibility allows for exploration in various fields such as environmental law, biomedical and health law, criminal law, and civil rights and social justice, ensuring that students can tailor their
education to their passions and career aspirations. Additionally, courses like & Shadow and Service & provide practical experience by allowing students to shadow legal professionals and engage with the community, further solidifying the program's value as a preparatory stage for legal education and beyond.

The American Bar Association emphasizes:
Whatever major you select, you are encouraged to pursue an area of study that interests and challenges you, while taking advantage of opportunities to develop your research and writing skills. Taking a broad range of difficult courses from demanding instructors is excellent preparation for legal education. A sound legal education will build upon and further refine the skills, values, and knowledge that you already possess.

The major will total 39 credits, making it easier for students to select Pre-Law as a double major. All Pre-Law students would take 30 foundation credits, followed by 9 credits in the cognate fields listed below.

Pre-Law Foundation Classes (30 credits)
PL 200 Intro to Law
PL 210 Legal Reasoning
CJ 319 Criminal Law and Procedure

https://www.americanbar.org/groups/legal_education/resources/pre_law/

PL 499 Internship
PL/HIST 260 Intro to Historical Research or CJ/SOC 351 Social Research
PL/HIST 460 Senior Seminar or CJ/SOC 465 Senior Seminar
*English XXX (3 credits beyond general education core requirements)
*HIST or PS XXX (6 credits)
*PHIL XXX (3 credits beyond general education core requirements)

*Courses that Fulfill ENGL, HIST/PS, and PHIL XXX courses:

HIST 314: American Political Thought
HIST 320H: The American Presidency
ENGL 220: Advanced Writing Techniques
ENGL 230: Argument and Research
ENGL 240: Professional and Technical Writing
ENGL 420: Editing and Style
ENGL 425: Rhetoric and Persuasion
ENGL 470: Business and Technical Writing
PHIL 215: Critical Thinking
PHIL 315: Ethics

Pre-Law Cognate Fields (9 credits)
Environmental

CJ 340: Environmental Crime and Justice
CJ 302: White Collar Crime
CJ/SOC 470: Urban Crime Patterns
ENGL 331: Environmental Literature
ENGL 486: Environmental Writing
ENGL 483: Social Justice Writing and Rhetoric
ENGL 484: Political Writing and Rhetoric
ENGL 490: Feminist Writing and Rhetoric
HIST 434: Nature and the New American Nation
HIST 401: Labor/Industrialization in America
PHIL 328: Environmental Ethics
PHIL 340: Animal Ethics
PHIL 415: Climate Justice

Biomedical and Health

BIOL 105 DNA Forensics
BIOL 110: Principles of Biology
CJ/SOC 304 Social networks of crime & health
CJ 302: White Collar Crime
CJ 340: Environmental Crime and Justice
ENGL 483: Social Justice Writing and Rhetoric
ENGL 484: Political Writing and Rhetoric
ENGL 486: Environmental Writing
ENGL 490: Feminist Writing and Rhetoric
HIST H399K: Health in US History
HIST 402: Pandemics Through History
HSA 432: Legal Aspects of Clinical Health Care
PHIL 324: Bioethics
PHIL 334: Ethics, Science, and Biotechnology
PHIL 344: Healthcare and Social Justice
PHIL 354: Philosophy of Mental Health

Criminal Law

CJ 220: Law Enforcement
PS 315 & 316: Constitutional Law I & II
CJ 302: White Collar Crime
CJ/SOC 304 Social networks of crime & health
CJ 425: Children’s Rights and Societal Responsibilities
CJ 433: American Prison
ENGL 483: Social Justice Writing and Rhetoric
ENGL 484: Political Writing and Rhetoric
ENGL 490: Feminist Writing and Rhetoric
HIST 310: Pennsylvania History & Government
HIST 320J: Crime and Punishment
HIST 370: Narcotics in Modern World History
HIST 399L: US Legal History (to be developed)
PHIL 316: Philosophy, Society and Law
PHIL 452: Philosophy of Law
RST 230 Political and Liberation Theology

Civil Rights and Social Justice

CJ/SOC 212: Violence and Peace
CJ/SOC 470: Race, Ethnicity, and the Criminal Justice System
ENGL 483: Social Justice Writing and Rhetoric
ENGL 484: Political Writing and Rhetoric
ENGL 490: Feminist Writing and Rhetoric
PHIL 326: Political Philosophy
PHIL 344: Healthcare and Social Justice
PHIL 345: Race, Class, and Gender
PHIL 431: Global Justice
RST 250T: Catholic Social Teaching
RST 230 Political and Liberation Theology
RST 215 Foundations of Christian Morality
RST 216 Social Morality: National Issues
RST 233 Christian Social Morality: A Global Perspective

Courses in cognate fields may not be used to fill Foundation requirements.

Additional course option
PL 101: Shadow and Service (3 credits): This course provides an opportunity to, first, shadow a legal professional and, second, to assist the legal profession and the communities it serves. Course is designed to develop understanding of

1) the various employment opportunities available to pre-law students

2) the necessary educational and experience requirements for various professions in law

3) the specific duties and responsibilities of the major careers in law and be aware of avenues for advancement

4) the relations between law, social service agencies, and the communities they serve PL 101 may substitute for one of the courses listed above or may be taken in addition to the required 39 credits for the pre-law degree.

Pre-Law Minor-18 credits
● PL 200
● PL 210
● 4 classes from Foundation Courses for the Major

80+ opportunities for you to find the right fit with 50+ undergraduate degrees and 30+ graduate and certificate courses.

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Center for Law, Justice Policy

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