Pre-Law
Determining Your Calling to Law School
Let us come alongside you as you determine God's unique calling within the legal field. Visit with professors and advisors to determine if law school is something you are being called to and determine where that could lead.
Preparing You Academically for Law School
Establish the foundation needed to be successful in law school and beyond. Whether participating in a mock trial, or analyzing a contract or legal documents, students will leave DBU equipped with skills needed for law school. Students have the opportunity to minor in Legal Studies or take these pre-law classes as electives that complement their major.
Preparing You Personally and Professionally for Law School
Engage with other students on similar career paths through our student organizations or through service opportunities. Gain real-world experience through internships and shadowing opportunities that help enhance your learning.
Preparing You for the LSAT and Law School Admissions
Take advantage of the connections that DBU offers, whether it is the Kaplan test prep course, law school tours, or other workshops. Students will receive personalized guidance from the pre-law advisor to help them make decisions such as where to go to law school or what career to pursue once they obtain their degree.
Pre-Law Advisor
Please contact Julia Smith at smithjc@dbu.edu for information about the Pre-Law advisor.
Pre-Law Alumni Testimonials
Faith Myers
Legal Studies Major, Oklahoma College of Law
Faith graduated from DBU in 2021 with a B.A. in English with minors in Legal Studies and Spanish. She is currently a Law Student at the University of Oklahoma College of Law. Faith shares about her time as a student at DBU.
"I am beyond grateful for the faculty at DBU who invested in not only my career goals but my life outside of the classroom. It has been a true blessing that they have all been willing and able to help even into my law school career."
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Sidney Carter
Associate Consultant, CoSpero Consulting
Sidney graduated from DBU in 2020 with a B.A. in Political Science with minors in Legal Studies and Communications. She is currently an associate consultant at CoSpero Consulting.
"With each class that I have taken in the pre-law program, I have felt equipped with critical thinking skills and knowledge that I know will last a lifetime."
Sierra Woodard
Associate Member of Texas State Bar, SMU Dedman School of Law
Sierra graduated from DBU in 2020 with a B.A. in Criminal Justice and Intercultural Studies. She is currently an associate member of the Texas State Bar at SMU Dedman School of Law Criminal Defense Clinic.
"The advisors and faculty provide a learning style focused on practically preparing you for law school. The biblical foundation on which the faculty teach seamlessly pulls together the redeeming work of Christ and the law as a whole."
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Drake Kube
JD Candidate, Baylor Law School
Drake graduated from DBU in 2022 with a B.A.S. in Political Science and government. He is currently a JD Candidate at Baylor Law School.
"Pre-law at Dallas Baptist University has shown me that I can be the light for people in their darkest of days."
Pre-Law Alumni Profiles
Armie Lewis '12
Attorney, Reynolds Frizzell LLP
Stephen Crane '06
Attorney, Crane Law Firm PLLC
Seth Roberts '02
Trial Attorney, Locke Lorde LLP
Bryan Stevenson '95
Chief Legal Officer, Arcosa Inc.
Pre-Law Articles
Pre-Law FAQs
What is the Pre-Law course plan?
DBU does not recommend specific Pre-Law courses. However, if a student is interested in learning more about the legal process, DBU offers a Minor in Legal Studies. The American Bar Association (ABA) states the following concerning preparation for law school:
"The ABA does not recommend any undergraduate majors or group of courses to prepare for a legal education. Students are admitted to law school from almost every academic discipline. You may choose to major in subjects that are considered to be traditional preparation for law school, such as history, English, philosophy, political science, economics or business, or you may focus your undergraduate studies in areas as diverse as art, music, science and mathematics, computer science, engineering, nursing or education. Whatever major you select, you are encouraged to pursue an area of study that interests and challenges you, while taking advantage of opportunities to develop your research and writing skills. Taking a broad range of difficult courses from demanding instructors is excellent preparation for legal education. A sound legal education will build upon and further refine the skills, values, and knowledge that you already possess."
DBU requires a minimum cumulative, major, and minor GPA of 2.0.
Legal Studies Minor
Students who choose to pursue a minor in Legal Studies will engage in a robust 15-hour curriculum that includes one required course (A Christian Worldview of Business, Politics, and the Law), along with four additional courses, which may include:
- Business and Contract Law
- Criminal Law and Personal Injury
- Constitutional Law Theory
- Legal and Political Advocacy
- Internship in Political Science
- Special Topics in the Law
- Mock Trial
Course Catalog
What Pre-Law internships and experiences are available?
Through the DBU Pre-Law program, students have the opportunity to meet with an advisor individually to help them think through internship options and decide the best course of action. DBU works with local lawyers and law firms to create experiences and pipelines to equip students with the connections they need to be successful. Students also have the opportunity to participate in various on-campus organizations/teams that expose them to practical opportunities to learn more about the practice of law as they consider this as a career.
Internships
- Students can meet with their advisors to discuss internship opportunities and locations. Former students have interned with local law firms, finance firms, state Senators, and other local opportunities.
Christian Legal Society
- Christian Legal Society is a national organization that exists as a fellowship of Christians dedicated to serving Jesus Christ through the practice and study of law, the defense of religious freedom and life, and the provision of legal aid to the needy.
- DBU’s chapter of the Christian Legal Society (CLS) provides opportunities to hear from various speakers in the practice of law who are followers of Christ and who apply their faith to their practice. Speakers include: In House Counsel, partners and lawyers from large firms as well as solo/small firms, prosecutors, legal advisors within government, etc.
- An important goal of CLS is to help our members learn more about the different law schools they can consider upon the completion of their undergraduate work by doing law school visits.
- If you would like to consider joining DBU’s Christian Legal Society, please apply here.
Debate Team
- Dallas Baptist University's debate team competes in the nationwide International Public Debate Association. Students can compete in parliamentary and team policy debates. NPDA-affiliated teams compete in extemporaneous, two-on-two parliamentary-style debates. Topics for debate include a wide range of subjects, from discussions of value to public policy.
Model UN
- Model United Nations is an educational program designed to learn diplomacy, critical thinking, teamwork, and other leadership skills. In Model UN, students will have the opportunity to learn by simulation through representing different countries. As their assigned countries, student teams will form positions based on the position their country truly represents.
Is law school for me?
Navigating decisions about your career can be daunting, but our professors and advisors want to come alongside you to help as you determine God's calling on your life. We want to help you make the most informed decision that leads you in a direction to use your gifts to further the kingdom. The Pre-Law program is designed to highlight students’ natural giftings as well as equip students who feel called to use the law to serve others in God’s name. While working on your undergraduate degree in your major of choice, you have the opportunity to be able to sit down with professors and advisors to discuss law school as an option for you and pray through whether this might be God's calling for you.
As you make this decision to further your education and pursue a career in the law field, there are a few things you should take into consideration:
- Your calling from the Lord
- Whether law school plays into your natural strengths
- Your short and long-term goals and how law school can help you achieve them
- Your passion for justice, helping the community, and interest in the legal field
- Whether you are prepared for the investment of time and money that law school will require
How can DBU prepare me for law school?
LSAT Prep Course
- Dallas Baptist University partners with Kaplan, a leader in the test preparatory industry, to provide a robust LSAT preparation course for DBU students. With this course, students are able to study with peers, take practice tests, and work through guided analysis of test content.
Building a Resume
- Most law schools look not just at a student's GPA and LSAT scores but at a holistic picture of each candidate's background. Thus, it is important that students build a resume that showcases who they are, how they are committed to the study and practice of law, and how they are interested in serving the community. Our DBU Pre-Law advisor provides information, feedback, and resources to students wanting to learn how to build a comprehensive resume.
Application Process
- Applying to law school is an important step for our students, so at DBU, we provide support, counsel, and help to students who are actively applying for admission to law schools. At many law schools, the admission decision is based on a number of factors, including a student's GPA, LSAT score, resume, demonstrated commitment to the study and practice of law, personal statement, and letters of recommendation. Our Pre-Law advisor regularly helps students understand this process, create a complete portfolio that showcases their unique qualities, and apply for admission at a variety of law schools.
Why prepare for law school at DBU?
Students who choose to prepare for law school at Dallas Baptist University have the unique experience of a program with Christian distinctives. Through Christian worldview classes or mentorship relationships with professors, students learn how to grow in their faith and connect their faith to their profession.
At DBU, students receive personalized attention from professors, whether it is a lunch to discuss big issues or a sounding board to grapple with life’s big decisions. Education at DBU is about more than gaining knowledge, but it extends its reach to learning how to engage knowledge with faith for a deeper foundation and understanding. Pre-Law classes are taught in a mixed method style that models law school classes, but are geared toward undergraduate learning style. These courses are designed to help students get a picture of what law school will look like and determine if law school is for them. Students have the opportunity to put this knowledge to practice outside of the classroom through internships, research opportunities, missions, and more.
Whether you need help preparing for the LSAT, making a decision about law school, or surviving a challenging course, Dallas Baptist University professors in the Pre-Law program are here to help.
Pre-Law Informational Webinar
