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If you are wanting to go to law school for criminal law after undergrad, what will be best to major in?
Not sure what I want to do.
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5 answers
Updated
West’s Answer
Criminal justice will definitely help you when you get to the point of actually being a criminal prosecutor or defense attorney. However, your undergrad degree won't help much in law school, whichever route you choose. Law school is very big on theory, and very small on application. Typically, folks choose english, history, or political science undergrad programs as a basis for law school. I went the history route, and figured the increased writing and research would help. It did, but minimally. Personally, I wish I had done as another person who answered here suggested, chose an undergrad degree that would broaden my horizons rather than limit them, just in case my priorities/aspirations changed or shifted.
Just my two cents.
Just my two cents.
Hi West - Welcome to CareerVillage!
Kim Igleheart
Updated
Kim’s Answer
Danessa,
Hi! I think you should major in whatever you might want to do if you do not go on to law school - law schools aren't all that particular on majors, and people's plans sometimes change. This leaves the field wide wide open.
1. Cybersecurity - the world of internet crime is a big one, and, you need a solid background if that's an area that appeals to you.
2. Science in general - need to understand stopping distances of cars for DWI/fatality charges, product tampering, narcotics cases, blood spatters, etc.
3. Social sciences - why people do what they do, how their life circumstances have affected them, how to win over a jury (not that many cases go to juries, but, you need to be prepared)
4. Math - oh, I don't know!
5. Business - lots of crimes can involve business dealings
6. Music ?
7. Engineering - collapse of a building being intentional destruction or even criminal negligence
I think you get the idea. Use your undergrad to get background in something you may end up lawyering in, but not in something you won't be able to use if you don't become a lawyer.
hope this helps!
Kim
Hi! I think you should major in whatever you might want to do if you do not go on to law school - law schools aren't all that particular on majors, and people's plans sometimes change. This leaves the field wide wide open.
1. Cybersecurity - the world of internet crime is a big one, and, you need a solid background if that's an area that appeals to you.
2. Science in general - need to understand stopping distances of cars for DWI/fatality charges, product tampering, narcotics cases, blood spatters, etc.
3. Social sciences - why people do what they do, how their life circumstances have affected them, how to win over a jury (not that many cases go to juries, but, you need to be prepared)
4. Math - oh, I don't know!
5. Business - lots of crimes can involve business dealings
6. Music ?
7. Engineering - collapse of a building being intentional destruction or even criminal negligence
I think you get the idea. Use your undergrad to get background in something you may end up lawyering in, but not in something you won't be able to use if you don't become a lawyer.
hope this helps!
Kim
Updated
Jessica’s Answer
Hi Danessa,
The nice thing about law school is that you can major in anything for undergrad. Some thoughts to narrow this down:
1. Major in what interests you regardless of if it "fits."
2. Major in Criminal Justice since you're thinking of focusing on criminal law.
3. Major in another social science that will give you a holistic background and could be good training to take the LSAT and give you skills that are important for law school and the career - research, writing, understanding logic (i.e. english, political science, philosophy)
I hope this helps and good luck!
Jessica
The nice thing about law school is that you can major in anything for undergrad. Some thoughts to narrow this down:
1. Major in what interests you regardless of if it "fits."
2. Major in Criminal Justice since you're thinking of focusing on criminal law.
3. Major in another social science that will give you a holistic background and could be good training to take the LSAT and give you skills that are important for law school and the career - research, writing, understanding logic (i.e. english, political science, philosophy)
I hope this helps and good luck!
Jessica
Updated
Shanna’s Answer
I would definitely take Psychology as a major, and perhaps take courses in criminal psychology during undergrad. I would also meet with your college advisor, and tell them you career goals, to get specific recommendations on which courses to take because some courses require pre-requisites to get in.
Updated
Jessica’s Answer
I received my degree in Criminal Justice and considered law school. Most people either major in Political Science or Criminal Justice if you want to go the criminal law track. I believe Criminal Justice gives you a well rounded look at the criminal justice system, policing, theory, etc. Plus I had to perform a ton of research to write papers so it's prepares you for law school in that way as well.