Curricular Planning: Undergraduate Education, Coursework and Choosing a Major
The staff and academic advisors of our pre-law team support students in selecting a major and planning coursework. Students admitted to law school can come from almost any academic discipline, and the American Bar Association does not recommend any undergraduate major or group of courses as preparation for pursuing a law degree.
Instead, students are encouraged to select a major that helps build the necessary core skills, values, knowledge and experiences to support preparation for law school admission. Students are encouraged to take a broad range of challenging courses, and to embrace opportunities that expose them to the profession.
Core Skills, Values, Knowledge, and Experience
- Problem Solving
- Critical Reading
- Writing and Editing
- Oral Communication and Listening
- Research
- Organization and Management
- Public Service and Promotion of Justice
- Relationship-building and Collaboration
- Background Knowledge
- Exposure to the Law
Cheyney University’s pre-law curriculum provides abundant opportunities for students to develop the vital skills and competencies for law school. These courses may be incorporated into your major, or may be taken to further supplement the undergraduate curriculum of any major you choose:
| COURSE# | TITLE | Knowledge, Skills and Competencies |
|---|---|---|
| RPO 111 | US GOVERNMENT | Exposure to law and government |
| RPO 311 | INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS | Exposure to international law |
| RPO 316 | AMER CONSTITUTIONAL LAW | Exposes students to issues in constitutional law |
| RPO 411 | CIVIL LIBERTIES & LAW | Exposure to the legal foundation of civil liberties |
| RSO 201 | INTRO TO SOCIOLOGY | A foundation course for any area of law – and prereq to 300-400 level RSO courses |
| RSO 219 | INTRO TO LAW & SOCIETY | Introduction to criminal/civil rights law |
| RSO 303 | EARLY SOCIAL THOUGHT | A consideration of the social contract and its importance to rational/legal government |
| RSO 304 | INTERGROUP & ETHNIC RELAT | Provides exposure to issues in social justice/civil rights |
| RSO 315 | SOCIOLOGY OF POVERTY | Exposure to issues of social justice/civil rights |
| RSO 371 | JUVENILE OFFENDERS | Exposure to issues in juvenile justice, including family and criminal law |
| RSO 483 | SPECIAL TOPICS IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE | Provides an overview of issues in criminal justice |
| HPH 300 | PHILOSOPHY OF LIBERAL STUDIES | Review of the history of Greek “Legos,” and early writings in law |
| HPH 317 | SOCIAL AND POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY | Reviews social and political philosophy, critical thinking, and the constitution |
| HPH 213 | ETHICS | Philosophy course on ethics and critical evaluation |
| HEN 202 | INTRODUCTION TO LITERATURE | Develop and apply critical thinking, reading, and writing skills |
| HEN 420 | LITERARY CRITICISM | Develop and apply critical thinking, reading, and writing skills |
| HEN 319 | ADVANCED COMPOSITION | Develop and apply critical thinking, reading, and writing skills |
| HEN 114 | SPEECH | Develop and apply critical thinking, reading, and writing skills |
| HEN 326 | ADVANCED SPEECH | Develop and apply critical thinking, reading, and writing skills |
| HRM 333 | HOSPITALITY LAW | Exposure to hospitality law; topics such as employment discrimination and contracts |
| BGN 330 | BUSINESS LAW | Introduction to the nature and development of law and the legal process |
Cheyney University also offers a “Law and Government” concentration in the Liberal Studies degree program.