Pre-Law Studies

Law schools don't require one specific major. Instead, they seek evidence of a rich, liberal arts education. They expect you to have strong skills in three major areas: comprehension and expression in words, critical understanding of the human institutions and values with which the law deals, and creative power in thinking. Ohio Wesleyan helps prepare you in all of these areas.

About the Major

Options available to students planning to go to law school include traditional majors such as history, English, economics, and politics and government, as well as supplementary course work to help you to prepare for the Law School Admission Test. An interdepartmental pre-law major also is available. If you major in pre-law, you'll complete a second major in a traditional course of study as well as core courses in English, philosophy, history, economics, and politics and government.

You'll take six electives to complete your major, all chosen with an eye toward breadth and depth of preparation and in careful consultation with your advisor. This list of courses includes those found most helpful to OWU young alumni who have gone on to study law.

Related Minors

Get Real

Intern and learn where the political action is. Through the Wesleyan in Washington program, you will live and work in Washington, D.C.

The Wesleyan in Washington Program is an intensive, full-time internship experience. The program builds on your classroom study by providing you with unique opportunities to apply what you've learned in class to practical, real-world settings. The Wesleyan in Washington Program matches you with internship placements that precisely reflect your interests and professional goals.

Wesleyan in Washington Program

All Voting Is Local

Madinah Binraymond '27 completes fellowship focused on election processes and impact.

Entertainment Industry

Callie Comstock '23 interned at Greenpoint Pictures, an award-winning production company.

United Nations Association

Danielle Black '22 worked as a program intern with the UNA-NCA

Go Global

From your first year on campus, you can get off campus—with travel-learning courses. Journey to a distant land and immerse yourself in another culture. Learn how classroom theory truly connects with real-world experience. You can take Travel-Learning courses in history, politics, English, science, and many other fields - and travel to Europe, Asia, Africa, Central and South America, Alaska, and more.

Travel-Learning Courses

A Taste of Knowledge

Vincent Sack '27 traveled to the U.K. to study food regulatory policies as part of a TLC.

Paul's Journey in Greece

Alexis Thomas '20 traveled to Greece to study the Apostle Paul's influence in the region.

Do Good

Community service is a core component of the OWU Connection, and students have opportunities to make a difference in communities in central Ohio and around the world.

Community Service Learning

Service in the Lakota Nation

Callia Barwick '24 led an OWU team working with a nonprofit on the Rosebud Reservation.

Highlights

National Moot Court Competitors

The Pre-Law program sponsors participation in annual regional and national moot court and mock trial competitions. An active student Pre-Law Club participates in all aspects of the program. In 2016, seniors Katherine Berger and Rhiannon Herbert led OWU to a top-5 finish in the American Collegiate Moot Court Association National Championships.

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Mock Convention

Ohio Wesleyan students nominate a ticket for president and vice president and set the party platform during OWU's Mock Convention, held every four years. The convention is an Ohio Wesleyan tradition that dates back to 1884.

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Internships

Pre-Law Studies offers internships in professional legal settings, a speaker series, professional pre-law advisors, and assistance both in preparing for the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) and in applying to law schools and graduate programs.

Arneson Institute

The Arneson Institute for Practical Politics and Public Affairs helps you learn more about political life through internships and independent study. In recent years, OWU students have worked with legislators, law firms and courts, public interest groups, and political campaigns.

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Graduate Outcomes

Callia Barwick '24

Callia was active in student government and pre-law initiatives, participated in policy research projects, and engaged in programs supporting civic engagement and environmental policy awareness. She now works as a Student Contractor in Business and Policy Support at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in Delaware, Ohio.

93% Accepted

From 2012-2020, an average of 15 OWU students applied to law school each year, and 93 percent were admitted to at least one program.

Top-50 Programs

One-third of OWU students going to law school in the past seven years moved on to schools ranked in the top 50 by U.S. News and World Report, including Harvard, Virginia, Michigan, Vanderbilt, Northwestern, Washington University, Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Carolina, William and Mary, and Ohio State.

Top Internships

OWU students have been placed in internships with the Ohio Attorney General's office, the Columbus and Delaware City Attorneys' offices, the Delaware County Juvenile Court, congressional and state legislative judicial committees, the Federal Judicial Center, public defenders' offices, and private law firms nationwide.

Diverse Majors

During the past five years, OWU students from a wide range of majors have been admitted to law schools. Just under half majored in Politics & Government or Pre-Law, while others majored in History, Economics, English, Psychology, Women's & Gender Studies, Communication, International Studies, Biology, Zoology, Philosophy, Sociology & Anthropology, and Theatre.

Headlines

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A Look at Pre-Law

National Finalists— In 2016, seniors Katherine Berger (left) and Rhiannon Herbert earned a top-5 finish in the American Collegiate Moot Court Association’s national championship.

National Finalists

In 2016, seniors Katherine Berger (left) and Rhiannon Herbert earned a top-5 finish in the American Collegiate Moot Court Association’s national championship.
Mock Convention in Gray Chapel— Mock Convention has been an OWU tradition since 1884.

Mock Convention in Gray Chapel

Mock Convention has been an OWU tradition since 1884.
Campus Campaigning— Many students are active in political campaigns during election season.

Campus Campaigning

Many students are active in political campaigns during election season.
Small Classes . . . — Mean great discussion. Jim Franklin leads a Politics & Government class.

Small Classes . . .

Mean great discussion. Jim Franklin leads a Politics & Government class.
Mock Convention— In 2016, students in OWU's Mock Convention nominated Ohio Governor John Kasich for president.

Mock Convention

In 2016, students in OWU's Mock Convention nominated Ohio Governor John Kasich for president.

Department Contact Info

Location

Elliott Hall 205
Ohio Wesleyan University
Delaware, OH 43015
P 740-368-3906
E pg@owu.edu

Department Contact

Chair: Franchesca Nestor
Associate Professor in the Department of Politics & Government; Fellowships Director
Elliott Hall 303
740-368-3796
fvnestor@owu.edu

Academic Assistant: Deborah Lovell
Elliott Hall 205
740-368-3906
djlovell@owu.edu