Political Science Pre-Law Major

Political science has a well-deserved reputation as the preeminent field of study for students considering legal education. The emphasis on understanding the nature and role of law in our public lives, on critical thinking about political issues and institutions, and on learning to express our thoughts clearly on these matters, make a degree in political science an excellent gateway to the study of law.

Whether your career goals are in public leadership, litigation, law enforcement, private practice, or even if you are not really sure what they are, we invite you to consider our program as a place to work and learn.

Admissions
Tuition & Fees
Courses & Curriculum

Careers with a Political Science Pre-Law Degree

A legal education is valuable in a wide variety of careers. In addition to traditional lawyering — serving as a prosecutor or dealing with individual and private sector clients — attorneys work as legislative aides, political activists, business executives, reporters, political appointees, educators, policy analysts, and public officials.

Anyone considering law school will want to explore the full range of careers open to those qualified to practice law. These include fields such as nonprofits, libraries, think tanks, and governmental agencies. Both legal and nonlegal opportunities open up due to the broad range of skills acquired through a major in political science–pre-law. These skills include those related to communication, critical and analytical thinking, research, and organization and management.

Follow Alumnus Jeffrey Billingslea's Career from Volkswagen to Nike

Political Science Careers & Internships

Admission Requirements

This program has no requirements beyond University admission and transfer requirements.

OHIO Admissions

Political Science Pre-Law B.A. Courses & Curriculum

Students must complete a total of 30 semester credit hours of POLS coursework, including foundational and theory courses and electives.

Along with a number of courses that specifically focus on the law, the Political Science Department offers a broad array of related classes on politics and the different forms and functions of government. It also offers extensive for-credit internships in professional legal environments, pre-law advising, a thriving majors association, and connections to a network of campus resources for the prospective student of law. With professors involved in studying and teaching about different aspects of the legal environment, the department has the resources to help students get what they need.

How to Prepare for Law School

�� also offers an award-winning pre-law advisor, a fully engaged alumni network, mock law classes, Law School Day, a Mock Trial team, and much more.

Pre-Law at OHIO

Pre-Law Advising Center

Study Law in Northern Ireland or South Africa

Spend a week studying abroad with faculty and student colleagues and earn OHIO credits.

Northern Ireland: Human Rights, Law and Justice

South Africa: Law, Justice & Transitions to Democracy

Intern in Washington, D.C., with the Scripps Semester Program

The program gives students the opportunity to learn from industry professionals working in the nation's capital.

Scripps Semester in D.C.

Student Success Stories

Undergraduates' Work Published in Law and Politics Journal

Political Science students Abigail Scherer and Zachary Donaldson were featured in the first publication of The Undergraduate Politics and Law Journal.

Scherer’s article, “The Impact of Policy: How Section 8 Shapes Citizenship,” explains the analytical tool she developed and used in her thesis. Donaldson wrote his article on “Xi and Putin: Comparing Operational Codes and looking to Taiwan and Ukraine.”

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