Pre-Law

At SAU, we've designed our pre-law program to be interdisciplinary, which challenges you to combine two or more academic fields of study. You get to choose any major you'd like, and then layer your education with courses that prepare you for law school.

As a pre-law student, your SAU professors will encourage sustained reflection on the relationship between law and human nature. Fundamental concepts – such as human nature, truth, justice, virtue, citizenship, and leadership – will be explored through the lens of major political philosophers during a required course, Truth, Justice & Politics.

You'll also receive a practical introduction to the basic elements of the American legal system, as well as other legal systems and the history of legal thought and practice.

It's essential that you have success in law school and practicing law, so you'll pay special attention to logical and critical thinking, persuasive argument, and cogent speaking and writing.

Get an idea of your coursework by reading descriptions in the online course catalog.

At SAU, all pre-law students receive one-on-one guidance and advising from program director Dr. Joe Hebert.

Join Mock Trial at SAU. This program simulates a real courtroom trial with students serving as attorneys and witnesses. Our team consistently earns top ranks at competitions, and first-year and transfer students who commit to the team can apply for a $1,000 annual scholarship, renewable for up to eight semesters. For more information on Mock Trial, contact coach Sarah Gorham.

Broaden your understanding of global challenges, and define the role you want to play, by joining Model U.N. You'll explore a range of issues, such as international conflicts, terrorism, nuclear weapons, and poverty. Last year, our SAU chapter represented Colombia at the American Model United Nations Conference in Chicago and Germany at the Midwest Model United Nations Conference in St. Louis. At these conferences, we represent a nation-state and debate world topics in order to develop resolutions. More than 2,000 college students attend these conferences, individuals who also want to improve, and challenge, the world. Our members also help inspire the next generation of change-makers. Each summer, we offer a Model United Nations camp for high school students. Learn more

Our campus is active, and so is the Quad Cities community. Throughout the year, you can attend events, conferences and seminars hosted at SAU. You can learn more about the challenges we, and the world, face; expand on your classroom education; deepen your appreciation of the arts; and make a commitment to act and strengthen our world. The pre-law program at SAU also organizes events for students. 

Political Science Department faculty will advise students of any major who want to pursue law in graduate school.

In particular, SAU has a 3+3 law degree agreement with the University of Iowa College of Law. During your junior year at SAU, you can apply to the University of Iowa Law School and earn both your bachelor's and law degree in just six years. See Undergraduate Requirements below.

If accepted into the program, you can earn your senior year of undergraduate credits during your first year of law school.

For more information, contact Dr. Joe Hebert, Director of Pre-Law Studies at St. Ambrose.

3+3 Plan Requirements

• Pass PSCI 110 Law and Society
• Complete PSCI 304, 316, or 320 with a grade of A- or better
• Complete all SAU general education requirements
• Complete all major or minor requirements (with the exception of courses that the major/minor department waives or substitutes)
• Complete all SAU graduation requirements. Non-major electives or the requirement of the last 30 SAU credits are exempt.
• Meet all admission requirements of the University of Iowa College of Law

The Interdisciplinary Minor in Pre-Law is for students interested in studying law. It has a threefold mission. First, it seeks to encourage sustained reflection upon the relationship between law and human nature. Second, it seeks to give students a practical introduction to the basic elements of the American Legal system, as well as other legal systems and the history of legal thought and practice. Third, it seeks to provide students with the background and skills necessary for success in law school and in the field of law. Special attention will be given to logical and critical thinking, persuasive argument, and cogent speaking and writing.

Entry procedure for an Interdisciplinary Minor in Pre-Law Studies: Approval and planning a course of study with an advisor and the program director in Political Science is required.

Requirements for Interdisciplinary Minor in Pre-Law Studies: Students may not count more than twelve hours of Political Science toward the minor. Nine hours must be from approved General Education courses. 18 semester credits from the following: • Foundation Course (3 credits): PSCI 110. • One of the following (3 credits): CRJU 400; PSCI 320; PHIL 210; or THEO 310. • Two of the following (6 credits): COMM 432; CRJU 221, 411, 487, 499; ENGL 303; HIST 307, 350; PSCI 304, 360; PSYC 321, 325, 327, 328; or SOC 120, 235, 340, 365. • One of the following (3 credits): COMM 228, 329; ENGL 216, 315; LAT 101; PHIL102; or PSCI 305. • Capstone experience (3 credits): WI-PSCI 400, or capstone in major with permission.