Prelaw provides students with the guidance and academic assistance necessary to prepare them for success in the study of law. This program is directed by the Prelaw Committee composed of professors trained in prelaw advising. Law schools discourage students from having a "prelaw" major. At the University of Dayton, therefore, such an undergraduate major is unavailable. Upon entering the University, students simply declare their interest in prelaw and become members of the prelaw program. They may select a specific major either as incoming first-year students or, with the aid of their prelaw advisers, later in their college careers.

Prelaw at UD

First-year students participate in a semester-long orientation program, meeting for an hour once a week with their prelaw advisor, representatives of law schools, and practitioners in the legal profession. The purpose of the orientation is to introduce the student promptly to prelaw at UD, to acquaint the first-year student with various undergraduate majors, to discuss the nature of law school, and to demonstrate the variety of ways in which lawyers practice their profession. Then, throughout their years at UD, prelaw students are advised about appropriate courses, as well as the law school admission and selection process.

A simulated Law School Admission Test (LSAT) is offered twice a year and can be taken as many times as a student wishes. Such a test familiarizes the student with the kinds of questions on the LSAT and can be used as an effective means to diagnose the student's academic strengths and weaknesses. For seniors, the Prelaw Program sponsors an LSAT preparation course. These programs have proven to be one of the most helpful features of the Prelaw Program.

A legal internship is available for juniors and seniors. Students spend approximately 15 hours a week in a lawyer's office, assisting attorneys and gaining a feel for what the practice of law is like. Three hours of academic credit are given for this internship course.

Interested students participate in the UD mock trial teams. Teams compete locally and nationally. For all students, there is the opportunity to join Phi Alpha Delta, a law fraternity, which, among its many activities, organizes programs introducing students to the variety of careers available to attorneys.