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I am interested in becoming a lawyer. What science classes should I take ?
I am currently junior
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7 answers
Paul Goetzinger MPA
Academic and Career Advisor | Freelance Writer | TRIO Program Director
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Paul’s Answer
While law schools generally do not require a specific major, students should focus on subjects that build a strong foundation in the legal and judicial systems.
Some specific course recommendations include:
Social Sciences: I strongly emphasizes taking a diversity of social science courses, specifically Political Science, Sociology, and Psychology.
History & Government: Classes that assist in understanding American Government and the legal system are considered very helpful for law school success.
Business & Economics: I recommends these to help students understand how businesses operate, which is particularly useful for fields like Contract Law or Mergers and Acquisitions.
Substantive Skills: Attempt to gain a "substantive background" beyond just theory, such as taking Finance or Accounting to prepare for corporate law, or Science classes (physics, reaction times) which can be relevant in criminal law cases like traffic accidents.
Legal Writing: Mastering legal language, specifically the IRAC (Issue-Rule Analysis-Conclusion) format, is one of the most challenging but essential skills for success. Many community colleges offer courses in legal research and writing, which might be found in a paralegal degree program.
I also suggests checking your local courthouse or looking online for volunteer opportunities to gain real-life experience in the judicial system.
Some specific course recommendations include:
Social Sciences: I strongly emphasizes taking a diversity of social science courses, specifically Political Science, Sociology, and Psychology.
History & Government: Classes that assist in understanding American Government and the legal system are considered very helpful for law school success.
Business & Economics: I recommends these to help students understand how businesses operate, which is particularly useful for fields like Contract Law or Mergers and Acquisitions.
Substantive Skills: Attempt to gain a "substantive background" beyond just theory, such as taking Finance or Accounting to prepare for corporate law, or Science classes (physics, reaction times) which can be relevant in criminal law cases like traffic accidents.
Legal Writing: Mastering legal language, specifically the IRAC (Issue-Rule Analysis-Conclusion) format, is one of the most challenging but essential skills for success. Many community colleges offer courses in legal research and writing, which might be found in a paralegal degree program.
I also suggests checking your local courthouse or looking online for volunteer opportunities to gain real-life experience in the judicial system.
Updated
Baljit’s Answer
Hi Lorelei,
While science classes aren't typically needed for a law degree, it's a good idea to confirm this with the admissions office of the school you want to attend. The type of law you choose to focus on can influence your background studies. For intellectual property law, courses in biology, chemistry, and physics can be helpful. If you're interested in criminal law, consider studying sociology, forensics, and psychology. For medical-related law like malpractice, biology is beneficial. Wishing you the best of luck on your journey!
While science classes aren't typically needed for a law degree, it's a good idea to confirm this with the admissions office of the school you want to attend. The type of law you choose to focus on can influence your background studies. For intellectual property law, courses in biology, chemistry, and physics can be helpful. If you're interested in criminal law, consider studying sociology, forensics, and psychology. For medical-related law like malpractice, biology is beneficial. Wishing you the best of luck on your journey!
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Vianne’s Answer
Law schools don't need you to take specific science classes, but they do want to see that you can think critically, tackle tough subjects, and do well in your studies. It's a good idea to choose a science class that helps you build useful skills for the future.
For your senior year, consider taking environmental science, forensic science, or biology. These subjects are relevant and not too overwhelming. Environmental science is great if you're interested in areas like environmental, public interest, or policy law. Forensic science connects well with criminal law and helps you understand how scientific evidence is used in legal cases. Biology is also a solid choice and shows you can handle challenging work, especially if it's an advanced class.
In the end, the best science class is one where you can do well while also keeping up with important classes like English, history, government, and debate or speech. Law schools care more about your GPA, reading skills, writing ability, and analytical thinking than whether you took physics or chemistry. Choose a science class that fits well with your schedule and helps you focus on the skills that really matter for a future in law.
For your senior year, consider taking environmental science, forensic science, or biology. These subjects are relevant and not too overwhelming. Environmental science is great if you're interested in areas like environmental, public interest, or policy law. Forensic science connects well with criminal law and helps you understand how scientific evidence is used in legal cases. Biology is also a solid choice and shows you can handle challenging work, especially if it's an advanced class.
In the end, the best science class is one where you can do well while also keeping up with important classes like English, history, government, and debate or speech. Law schools care more about your GPA, reading skills, writing ability, and analytical thinking than whether you took physics or chemistry. Choose a science class that fits well with your schedule and helps you focus on the skills that really matter for a future in law.
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Ilan’s Answer
Hi Lorelei,
It is so great you want to go to law school!
Since there is no specific path/major to get into law school, there are no specific classes you need to take.
However, there is one type of law that you cannot integrate unless you have a scientific background, and that is Patent Law. For Patent Law, if you do not have a scientific background, you will not be able to work in that field. I, myself, was interested in Patent Law, but learned too late of that requirement and had to give up on going into that field. But if that is a field you are interested in, I would strongly advise to check a science major and add it as a major.
Otherwise, just take any class you are interested in. No need to pressure yourself into taking one class or another.
Good luck!
It is so great you want to go to law school!
Since there is no specific path/major to get into law school, there are no specific classes you need to take.
However, there is one type of law that you cannot integrate unless you have a scientific background, and that is Patent Law. For Patent Law, if you do not have a scientific background, you will not be able to work in that field. I, myself, was interested in Patent Law, but learned too late of that requirement and had to give up on going into that field. But if that is a field you are interested in, I would strongly advise to check a science major and add it as a major.
Otherwise, just take any class you are interested in. No need to pressure yourself into taking one class or another.
Good luck!
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Anil’s Answer
That is a great question! While law schools don't require any particular scientific course of study, the type of science classes you take in high school and college could be helpful in your legal career. The answer to what to study depends in part on what kind of lawyer you think you want to be. If you want to be a criminal lawyer (either defense or prosecution), forensic science may something you should consider studying. Lawyers who specialize in patent law often have a solid background in engineering, so chemical, mechanical, or structural engineering are examples of sciences that can help certain patent lawyers succeed. A medical malpractice lawyer should have some knowledge and comfort with biology, chemistry, and human anatomy. Computer science would be useful for patent lawyer or a lawyer who represents computer or internet companies. But most importantly, I think you should think about what sciences most interest you and take those.
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Maggie’s Answer
If you want to be a lawyer, there’s no single “right” science class you have to take. Think of science classes as a way to explore what kind of problems you might want to solve someday. The classes you enjoy now can actually point you toward the kind of law you’d like later.
For example, if you’re the kind of person who loves tinkering with technology or figuring out how apps work, computer science could be a great fit—and down the road, that interest could lead you to tech law or intellectual property. If you find yourself watching documentaries about drug trials or big lawsuits against pharmaceutical companies, chemistry or biology suddenly isn’t just homework—it’s background for future cases. Even environmental science can connect to real-world legal battles over climate, land use, or pollution.
Bottom line: take science classes that spark your curiosity. They’ll help you build strong thinking skills, and they might quietly shape the kind of lawyer you become later on.
For example, if you’re the kind of person who loves tinkering with technology or figuring out how apps work, computer science could be a great fit—and down the road, that interest could lead you to tech law or intellectual property. If you find yourself watching documentaries about drug trials or big lawsuits against pharmaceutical companies, chemistry or biology suddenly isn’t just homework—it’s background for future cases. Even environmental science can connect to real-world legal battles over climate, land use, or pollution.
Bottom line: take science classes that spark your curiosity. They’ll help you build strong thinking skills, and they might quietly shape the kind of lawyer you become later on.
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DENNIS A’s Answer
Hi Lorelei: Lawyers come in all shapes and sizes! Most of us are just nuts! So any science class you want to tae is perfect. Lawyers are need for patents, for medical stuff, for computer cases, for drug testing. Pretty much any science class you take will help you become a better lawyer. First rule of thumb, take classes you like. Enjoy yourself so you'll be a better lawyer! Good luck.