PSYCHOLOGY AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
Pre-Law Degree
Psychology and Social Science Bachelor’s Degree Programs
As a pre-law major at BVU, you’ll gain a competitive edge through engaging courses taught by expert faculty, co-curricular activities, internships, leadership opportunities, and unique professional development experiences. BVU’s pre-law school program emphasizes not only substantive knowledge of the law, but develops the skills most important to success in law school including logical and analytical reasoning, research, critical thinking, and communication skills.
Take Me To
Why should I earn a pre-law degree?
Learn Valuable Skills
Expertly designed curriculum emphasizes logical, analytical, and critical-thinking skills. You’ll also acquire legal research and trial advocacy knowledge.
Well-Equipped
Pre-law students complete a credit-bearing Law School Admission Test (LSAT) and a mock trial preparation course.
Competitive Advantage
Through specially crafted professional development experiences, you’ll have a competitive edge in the law school admission process.
What I Can Do With a Pre-Law Degree
- Law school or graduate school
- Law offices
- Government agencies or public-sector jobs
- Non-profit organizations or private businesses
- Political campaigns
- On Campus
On Campus
Storm Lake
Why pursue pre-law studies at BVU?
Dedicated Professors
Learn from expert faculty who are licensed attorneys. A dedicated pre-law advisor assists you as you prepare for law school or professional life.
100% Acceptance
BVU’s pre-law students who received faculty recommendations have a 100 percent law school acceptance rate.
Dual Degree Programs
Qualified students can take advantage of BVU’s 3+3 Accelerated Law School Entry Program. In this program, students can apply for admission to law school with the University of Iowa College of Law or Creighton University School of Law. Through this accelerated program, you’ll earn both your Bachelor of Arts and Juris Doctor in just six years.
Past Internships for Pre-Law Students
- Iowa Secretary of State
- Iowa District Court
- U.S. House of Representatives
- Law firms
- Government agencies
Job Placements of Pre-Law Graduates
- Assistant legal counsel to Wisconsin governor
- United States congressional staff
- United States Department of Defense staff
- County attorneys
- Political Campaigns
Past Graduate School Placements
- University of Iowa
- Wake Forest University
- Syracuse University
- University of Kentucky
- Creighton University
Internships in Washington, D.C.
BVU has a long-standing relationship with The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars, which is an organization that matches students with internships in Washington, D.C. The Washington Center has placed BVU pre-law majors in the White House, the U.S. Congress, law firms, policy think tanks, the U.S. Department of the Interior, and various law enforcement agencies.
Join a Welcoming Community.
Share Remarkable Experiences.
TAYLOR LOY, Class of 2019
Taylor acquired a wealth of knowledge through BVU’s pre-law program. From an AWOL trip that took her to a Native American reservation in South Dakota where she worked with girls in advance of prom, to working at a soup kitchen and serving the homeless in Washington, D.C., she learned the value of hands-on service-learning experiences. She rounded out her education at BVU with an internship with the Buena Vista County Attorney’s Office. Taylor now holds her Juris Doctor after completing the 3+3 program through Creighton University School of Law.
Pre-Law Courses
- Major in Political Science - Legal Studies Track (40 Credit Hours)
Required support work
- PSCN 110 Introduction to American Government
- PSCN 115 Introduction to Politics
- PHIL 130 Logic
Legal Studies Core
- PSCN 205 Introduction to Political Philosophy
- PSCN 245 Introduction to American Law
- PSCN 370 Legal Research and Writing
- PSCN 400 Pre-Professional Seminar
- PSCN 401 LSAT Preparation
- PSCN 460 Constitutional Law
- PSPA 320 State and Local Politics OR PSPA 360 Introduction to Public Affairs
Electives
Complete Option A, B, or C
Option A (choose four)
- CRIM 340 Criminal Law OR CRIM 371 Criminal Procedure
- MGMT 315 Business Law I
- PSCN 240 Judicial Process
- PSCN 465 Civil Liberties
- PSCN 485 Special Topics in Political Science
- PSCN 495 Political Science Internship
- PSCN or PSPA course at 300 level or higher not previously completed to satisfy a PSCN requirement
Option B
- PSCN 490 Washington Center Internship Program
Option C
This option is available to students in the “3+3” Accelerated Law School Entry dual degree program.
Electives (choose two)
- CRIM 340 Criminal Law OR CRIM 371 Criminal Procedure
- MGMT 315 Business Law I
- PSCN 465 Civil Liberties
- PSCN 495 Political Science Internship
- PSCN or PSPA course at 300 level or higher not previously completed to satisfy a PSCN requirement
AND admission to the "3+3" Accelerated Law School Entry Program & successful completion of the first year of full-time study in partner law school's Juris Doctor program.
Buena Vista University 3+3 partners include the University of Iowa College of Law and Creighton University
School of Law (“partner law schools”). Eligibility for the “3+3” Accelerated Law School Entry Program is
contingent on satisfaction of the following criteria:- ACT of 24 (or above) or SAT of 1110 (or above) at time of admission to BVU
- Successful completion of:
- A minimum of 98 credit hours
- the Legal Studies Track – “Support Work,” “Core Courses,” and “Electives”
- BVU Foundations of Collegiate Learning and Liberal Arts Core requirements and IDST 400
- Favorable recommendation from BVU’s designated Pre-Law Advisor.
- Successful admission to a partner law school.
- Successful completion of one year of full-time study (30 semester hours) in the partner law school’s Juris Doctor program
A full description of the dual degree program is available from BVU’s designated pre-law advisor and in the academic catalog.
Financial Aid & Scholarships
We’ll help you figure out your options for financial assistance and possible scholarships.
Learn MorePre-Law Faculty
Our instructors are committed to helping you build the future of Iowa and beyond.
See Our FacultyTransfer Your Credits
Do you have previously earned credits or an associate degree? BVU accepts most —if not all — of your credits so you don’t have to retake courses.
View Course EquivalenciesEarn a Master’s Degree Faster with Our Accelerated Program
With BVU's Plus One program, you can earn your teaching English as a second language or organizational leadership master's within one year of graduating with your bachelor’s degree.
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Explore a Pre-Law Degree
Find out more about earning a bachelor’s in psychology and social science with BVU.
