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Program Codes:
PRELW
Minor
Mercyhurst University offers an interdisciplinary Pre-Law Minor to students in any major who may be considering law school. The goal of the minor is to help students determine if law school is the right choice for them and to help them prepare for law school by exposing them to some fundamental area of study.
The minor allows for flexibility in course selection so that students are able to focus on their specific areas of interest, while at the same time build a foundation that will help them succeed in law school. The minor can be declared at any time during a student’s matriculation.
The American Bar Association (ABA) does not recommend any one particular major or area of study for students who wish to go on to law school. However, the ABA does recommend several core skills and values that build a “sound foundation for a legal education.” These core skills and values include the following:
Based on the ABA recommendations, students are required to take six courses (18 credits) that teach these core skills and values, or cover some topical areas dealt with in law school.
A survey of the legal principles found in transactions typified in today's business world. Emphasis is placed on the case study method along with real-world examples. Topics covered include: alternative dispute resolution, structure of the court system, contracts, sales, property law, insurance law, and corporate ethics.
A study of the judicial process and the legal framework encountered by criminal justice practitioners. Emphasis is placed on the first, fourth, fifth, sixth, eighth, and fourteenth amendments to the U.S Constitution. This course focuses on criminal law factors and evidentiary procedures from investigation through adjudication. Students will participate in a mock trial in order to synthesize the skills they have developed in this course.
Junior-Senior
An examination of Supreme Court cases dealing with civil liberties and civil rights such as the freedom of speech, religion, assembly, and press. The course also covers due process rights and issues related to criminal law are examined by analyzing Supreme Court cases. The analysis of civil rights and liberties is placed in the context of the American political system and its search for ordered liberty. It is recommended that students complete POLI 100 prior to taking this course.
Students work with a pre-law advisor to choose an additional three courses. The additional courses must cover some core skill or value listed above, or must be relevant to some topical area dealt with in law school. The philosophy behind the minor is to allow students flexibility in choice, while providing them with relevant and beneficial curriculum choices.
An approved law-related internship is highly recommended, and can also be used to fulfill one of the two additional course requirements. POLI 100 American Government is strongly recommended.
No more than two courses in the Minor can be used to count for the Major and/or Core.
