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Dec 26, 2024
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OHIO University Undergraduate Catalog 2013-14 [Archived Catalog]
Political Science—Prelaw Major (B.A.)
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 Return to: Ohio University College of Arts and Sciences
Major code BA4203
College of Arts and Sciences
Political Science Department
Bentley Annex 266
Phone: 740.593.4373
Fax: 740.593.0394
proffitt@ohio.edu
http://www.ohio.edu/pols/
Susan Burgess, contact person
Program Overview
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 Information
Freshman/First-Year Admission
No requirement beyond University admission requirements.
Change of Program Policy
No selective or limited admission requirements.
External Transfer Admission
No requirement beyond University admission requirements.
Opportunities Upon Graduation
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 activitists, 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–prelaw. These skills include those related to communication, critical and analytical thinking, research, and organization and management.
Requirements
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Political Sciences Hours Requirement
Complete a total of 30 semester credit hours of POLS coursework, including all the requirements below. Political Science: Introduction
Complete only one of the following courses. POLS 1600 is recommended for POLS majors. Foundations of Political Science: Part I
Complete the following course: Foundations of Political Science: Part II
Complete one of the following courses: Political Theory
Complete the following course: Political Science Electives
Complete 18 hours of Political Science courses at the 3000 or 4000 level.
- No more than six hours of the following courses may count: LPA 4120 , 4140 , 4680 , 4840 , 4890 , or 4900 .
- No more than three hours of the following courses may count: POLS 4910 , 4911 , or 4961 .
- No more than six hours of the following courses may count: POLS 4900 , 4901 , 4902 , 4903 , 4904 , 4905 , 4931 , 4932 , 4933 , 4934 , 4944 , 4935 , 4941 , 4942 , 4943 , 4944 , or 4945 .
Political Science Advanced Elective
As a part of the political science electives description listed immediately above, complete one of the following courses: Preparation for Law
If you plan to enter law school after earning an undergraduate degree, it is prudent to choose a major that reflects your true academic interest. Law schools draw students from a variety of majors, and history has proven to be one of the most successful in launching students toward successful careers in law. This is because our courses provide an understanding of the context within which the western legal tradition emerged. They explain the impact that laws and courts have had on shaping society and, conversely, how societal change has reshaped legal practice. As critically the habits of a historian teach students to read and contextextualize evidence, to consider multiple perspectives, and to frame and express arguments, skills that numerous lawyers and administrators of law schools suggest are the closest approximation of legal practice that can be simulated in an undergraduate curriculum.
Additional information about the history department’s prelaw program is available at:
www.ohio.edu/history/undergraduate/prelaw.html.
In addition to our diverse array of history courses, you are advised to use your general electives to take other courses helpful in enhancing your analytical abilities. Those may include courses from English composition and literature, American literature, political science, economics, sociology, philosophy (include ethics and logic), accounting, psychology, and a foreign language. Courses in speech, and training in expression, as well as activities that develop the capacity for independent thought and action, are recommended.
The Ohio Supreme Court has ruled that to enter law school you must be able to show possession of an undergraduate degree from an approved college if you wish to take the Ohio Bar Examination. Law schools in the State of Ohio require the degree of all entering students, regardless of the state in which they plan to take the bar examination. More general informaton regarding prelaw can be found at: www,cas.ohiou.edu/undergrad/cat/PreLaw.asp. |
Return to: Ohio University College of Arts and Sciences
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