The Political Science Department offers an accelerated “pre-law” program for political science majors. Students complete a three-year liberal arts education program at Xavier (105 hours). In their senior year, students enroll at an American Bar Association accredited law school. After successfully completing 24 hours at law school, the student receives a B.A. degree from Xavier.
To participate in the program, a student must maintain a cumulative average of 3.0 and register with the Director of the Pre-Law Advising Center throughout his/her three years at Xavier. The proposed course of study and transfer hours must be approved by the department. A student’s minor should be any subject which 1) develops analytical skills, 2) develops writing skills, and/or 3) relates to the student’s proposed law specialty. For example, another social science discipline, History, English, Philosophy, Business Administration, Mathematics, a physical science, foreign language, Computer Science, or Public Administration may be selected as a minor. The student should delay taking free electives and the electives in the major to be eligible for the accelerated program.
The program does not assure a student’s entry into law school. Admission to an accredited law school is the responsibility of the student. Several law schools in the United States allow admission to the exceptional student without an undergraduate degree. The student interested in Pre-Law should see the Director of the Pre-Law Advising Center at his or her first Xavier registration.
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