At the University of Dayton, any student, regardless of major, thinking about attending law school should join the Prelaw Program. The program provides students with the guidance and academic assistance necessary to prepare them for success in the study of law. Because law schools seek students with a broad, liberal arts education and discourage students from having a vocationally-oriented "prelaw" major, prelaw students at the University of Dayton select undergraduate majors based on their interests and aptitudes. They select these majors either as incoming first-year students or, with the aid of their prelaw advisors, later in their college career. However, in order to receive adequate counseling, all students thinking about postgraduate work in law should declare their prelaw intentions to the prelaw office as early as possible. This enables them to take full advantage of all the counseling, advising, and preparatory services provided by the Prelaw Program.

In addition to courses in their majors, prelaw students select courses that help develop analytical skills and academic abilities necessary for success in law school and careers in law. While no prelaw course of study is perfect for all students, particular courses taken in conjunction with a traditional academic major provide the prelaw student with an excellent academic preparation for legal study. Students take courses which emphasize the following:

1. Skill in the analysis and synthesis of ideas. Courses in such disciplines as history, literature, mathematics, philosophy, and the sciences develop critical, analytical thinking.
2. Proficiency in communicating ideas effectively and clearly. Courses in such areas as composition theory and process, exposition and argumentation, persuasion, and the techniques and uses of research aid in the development of
   this ability.
3. Comprehension of the basic principles of the American political and legal systems, including their origins and functions. Courses in British and American history, political science, and criminal justice promote an understanding of these concepts.
4. A critical examination of the ethical issues in the law and the legal profession. Courses in philosophy and religious studies form a basis for such an examination.
5. An understanding of the basic principles of economics and accounting.

Members of the Prelaw Committee help students develop an appropriate course of study based on their interests, aptitudes, and goals. In addition, they provide students with information about law school recruitment, financial aid, the Law School Admission Test (LSAT), and the writing of applications and securing of recommendations. The Prelaw Program also sponsors LSAT preparation workshops, a prelaw internship (through the Political Science department) for which students receive course credit while working in an attorney's office, and mock trial competition. A chapter of Phi Alpha Delta, a national law fraternity, is active on campus.

Prelaw Committee

R. Alan Kimbrough (English), Director
Becker (Sociology), Cahoon (Psychology), Flockerzie (History), Frasca (Economics, Business Administration), Huff (College of Arts and Sciences), Ingram (Criminal Justice, Political Science), Payne (Philosophy) H. Pestello (Sociology), Pierce (Political Science), Robinson (Biology), Russo (School of Education), Yoder (Communication)