Undergraduate Degrees that Prepare You for Law School: A Comprehensive Guide

Choosing the right undergraduate degree is a crucial step in preparing for law school. Law schools value critical thinking, strong writing skills, and a broad knowledge base—qualities that can be developed in various academic disciplines. Whether you’re aiming for a career in corporate law, criminal defense, or public policy, selecting an undergraduate program that aligns with your strengths and interests can give you a competitive edge in law school applications.

In this guide, we’ll explore the best undergraduate degrees that provide the foundation needed for law school. While law schools do not require a specific major, certain fields of study can enhance the skills most beneficial for law school success. Let’s dive into the best undergraduate degrees to prepare for law school!

Undergraduate Degrees that Prepare You for Law School

1. Political Science: A Classic Choice for Aspiring Lawyers

Political Science is one of the most popular undergraduate degrees for students pursuing law school. This major provides a deep understanding of government systems, legal structures, and political processes, all of which are crucial in the study of law. Political Science majors often delve into topics such as constitutional law, international relations, and public policy—subjects that lay a strong foundation for law school.

Key Benefits:

Develops a solid understanding of the legal system and governmental structures.
Encourages critical thinking, analytical skills, and argumentation—key components of law practice.
Offers opportunities for internships in legal and political settings, strengthening your application.

Related Careers:

Public Policy Analyst
Lobbyist
Legislative Assistant

2. History: The Study of Laws Through Time

History is another excellent undergraduate degree for future law students. Law is heavily influenced by historical context, as many legal principles stem from historical events and precedents. Studying history sharpens your ability to analyze complex situations, understand the evolution of legal systems, and apply critical thinking to different scenarios—all vital skills for law school.

Key Benefits:

Teaches how to read and interpret complex texts and documents.
Improves research and writing abilities, essential for law school essays and case studies.
Explores legal history and case law, giving you an early exposure to legal concepts.

Related Careers:

Historian
Archivist
Legal Researcher

3. Philosophy: The Foundation of Logic and Ethics

Philosophy might seem like an unconventional path for aspiring lawyers, but it’s one of the best degrees to prepare for law school. Philosophy focuses on logic, reasoning, and ethics, all of which are fundamental to the practice of law. Legal professionals must think critically and reason logically when constructing arguments, and a philosophy degree provides these skills in abundance.

Key Benefits:

Strengthens logical reasoning and the ability to argue effectively, both of which are core skills in law school.
Explores ethical dilemmas, providing a strong foundation for understanding moral issues in law.
Encourages deep analysis and the ability to think abstractly—key for interpreting legal texts and precedents.

Related Careers:

Ethics Consultant
Legal Analyst
Academic Researcher

4. English: Mastering Writing and Communication

An English degree focuses on reading comprehension, writing, and verbal communication—skills that are essential for law students and lawyers alike. Legal writing is an integral part of law school, and an English major will equip you with the skills needed to draft compelling arguments, understand dense legal texts, and communicate effectively.

Key Benefits:

Improves reading comprehension and writing skills, crucial for law school assignments and case briefs.
Enhances communication abilities, both written and oral, essential for making arguments in court.
Teaches the art of persuasion, which is central to the practice of law.

Related Careers:

Legal Writer
Communications Specialist
Editor

5. Sociology: Understanding Society and Law

Sociology provides insight into human behavior and social systems, which is invaluable in understanding how laws affect society. A sociology degree offers perspectives on crime, justice, and inequality, which are key issues in the legal world. Studying sociology will allow you to examine how law interacts with society, making it an excellent choice for students who are interested in social justice, criminal law, or family law.

Key Benefits:

Develops an understanding of social dynamics, including how laws impact communities and individuals.
Strengthens research and analytical skills, which are essential for case analysis and legal research.
Offers insights into criminal behavior, social justice, and law enforcement, providing a solid foundation for criminal law or civil rights law.

Related Careers:

Social Worker
Policy Analyst
Criminal Justice Advocate

6. Economics: The Intersection of Law and Business

An Economics degree is another strong choice for future law students, especially those interested in corporate law, antitrust law, or international law. Economics teaches how markets function, the role of government in regulation, and the principles behind financial decisions. Many legal fields, particularly business law, require an understanding of economics, making this major highly relevant.

Key Benefits:

Develops critical thinking and problem-solving skills, which are essential for analyzing legal issues.
Provides an understanding of financial regulations, corporate governance, and economic policy, all of which intersect with law.
Strengthens analytical and quantitative skills, which are important for dealing with financial and business-related legal cases.

Related Careers:

Financial Analyst
Corporate Lawyer
Policy Advisor

7. Criminal Justice: Directly Relevant to Law and Legal Practice

For students who are passionate about criminal law or law enforcement, a Criminal Justice degree is a great choice. This major provides an overview of the criminal justice system, including law enforcement, courts, and corrections. Students also learn about criminal behavior, constitutional law, and civil rights—topics directly relevant to a career in law.

Key Benefits:

Offers a direct path to understanding the criminal justice system, which is helpful for law school and future legal practice.
Explores key areas of law, such as constitutional rights, criminal procedure, and case law.
Provides opportunities for internships and fieldwork in law enforcement and legal settings.

Related Careers:

Criminal Defense Lawyer
Prosecutor
Law Enforcement Officer

8. Business Administration: Ideal for Corporate and Tax Law

A Business Administration degree provides a solid foundation for students interested in corporate law, tax law, or business law. This degree covers a variety of topics, such as accounting, marketing, and management, all of which are beneficial for practicing law in business-related fields. Business law often requires an understanding of contracts, negotiations, and corporate governance—skills you can develop in a business administration program.

Key Benefits:

Equips students with knowledge of business practices, which is crucial for business and corporate law.
Enhances negotiation, contract drafting, and dispute resolution skills.
Offers opportunities to specialize in areas like tax law or corporate governance.

Related Careers:

Corporate Lawyer
Tax Consultant
Business Consultant

9. Mathematics: Strengthening Analytical and Problem-Solving Skills

Though not the most common major for law school, a Mathematics degree can be a great way to develop analytical and problem-solving skills. Law often involves complex logical reasoning and the ability to break down difficult problems, skills that math majors excel in. Students who study math are trained to think critically, solve problems efficiently, and approach challenges with a logical mindset—all valuable traits for a lawyer.

Key Benefits:

Strengthens logical reasoning and problem-solving abilities.
Encourages attention to detail, which is essential for analyzing case law and contracts.
Provides a unique skill set that can be valuable in niche legal fields, such as patent law or intellectual property law.

Related Careers:

Patent Attorney
Actuary
Legal Consultant

Prepare For Law School With Your Undergrad Studies

Conclusion: Which Undergraduate Degree Should You Choose for Law School?

While there is no one-size-fits-all approach to preparing for law school, the best undergraduate degree to prepare for law school is one that hones your critical thinking, writing, and analytical abilities. Political Science, History, Philosophy, and English are all popular choices, but majors in Sociology, Economics, Criminal Justice, and Business Administration can also provide valuable skills that will serve you well in law school.

Ultimately, the best degree for you will depend on your interests and career aspirations. Whatever major you choose, make sure to develop strong reading, writing, and critical thinking skills, as these are the foundation for success in law school.

Start your journey to law school today by choosing an undergraduate degree that not only prepares you for law school but also aligns with your passion and career goals!

What Every University Student Wishes They Knew Before Starting

How to Best Approach Your Professor