UO-Specific Resources/Programs

 You may choose to change/add additional majors/minors to help you explore law-related topics. You may also choose to take a few electives in relevant interest areas too help you further develop your knowledge and skills in preparation for law school. Here are some majors/minors that pre-law students are often drawn to:

• General Social Science: Crime, Law and Society concentration
  • On the Class Schedule, you can search “GSCL” on the subject filter to find courses offered each term.
• Political Science
  • Look at the Career Paths to help you narrow down interests within Political Science.
• Planning, Public Policy, and Management
• Indigenous, Race, and Ethnic Studies
• Global Studies
  • Global Studies offers many professional concentration areas within the major that can help narrow down interests within Global Studies.
• Philosophy
• Economics
• Legal Studies minor
  • The Legal Studies minor has courses that are offered through the UO Law School for undergraduate students. This may be helpful to get some exposure to legal topics.
• Writing, Public Speaking, and Critical Reasoning minor
• Criminology minor
• Forensics minor
• The School of Journalism and Communication also offers:
  • J 385 Communication Law (pre-req: J 201)
  • J 496 Issues in Communications Ethics & Law (rotating topics such as Internet Law and Strategic Communication Law)

While these may be common topics, as long as the courses help you build on writing, research, and critical reasoning skills or that they align with your interests within law, they will likely prepare you as a well-rounded candidate and applicant. Are you interested in family law? Consider taking some Family and Human Services courses. Interested in environmental law? Take some Environmental Studies courses. Human Rights? Look into Global Studies.There are many other departments and courses you can look into outside of the ones listed above.

• Pre-Law Advising (that’s us!)
• Academic Advising (major exploration, grad planning)
• University Career Center (Resume, Cover Letter, Interview, Job/Internship search)
• Tutoring and Academic Engagement Center (Writing Support)
• Counseling Center (Mental health resources)
• Accessible Education Center (Academic accommodations)
• Financial Wellness Center (Budgeting, understanding credit, and more)

• UO Mock Trial – If you’re interested in learning more about the law, honing your public speaking and critical thinking skills, or preparing for law school, Mock Trial will give you a glimpse into courtroom procedure. To learn more about UOMT, contact UOMockComm@gmail.com 

• UO Undergraduate Law Association – The Undergraduate Law Association at the University of Oregon is open to all majors who are interested in pursuing knowledge about the legal industry and law school. We will invite a variety of speakers to touch upon all aspects of the field from LSAT prep and law school life, to court cases and the lifestyles of practicing lawyers. The goal of the association is to guide and enrich students as they delve deeper into the field of law.
• 3+3: Six Years to a Law Degree – The 3+3 Program allows  Honors College students to complete both a Bachelor’s degree and  a Juris Doctor at the UO by shaving a full year from the typical 7-year path to a JD. If interested, please contact the Director of Undergraduate Advising, Elizabeth Raisanen. 
• UO School of Law – UO’s pre-law advisors do not work for or represent the UO School of Law. Students interested in speaking with the Law School directly can reach out to the Admissions team (link above).
• Wayne Morse Scholars Program – The Wayne Morse Scholars program is for UO undergrads from any background or major. It provides skills building, service learning, and leadership training to students interested in public affairs and community engagement. Applications are due each spring and the program begins the following fall. Any current UO student who can commit to at least two years in the program is eligible to apply. 
• University of Oregon LSAC Prelaw Undergraduate Scholars (PLUS) Program
• More to come!