The minor in Pre-Law Studies is recommended for all students interested in going to law school after graduating from Russell Sage College. It would also be helpful for students who are interested in a law-related career after college, such as jobs in government or in the courts.
The American Bar Association’s Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar has published a statement on preparation for legal education which has guided the formulation of this minor. According to the ABA, no specific major is or should be required for admission to law schools in the United States. However, undergraduate coursework is recommended that develops skills that can help students prepare for the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) and that builds a skills and knowledge base that can help students once they reach law school. The skills referred to by the ABA include: analysis and problem solving; critical reading; writing; oral communication; listening; and, legal research. The knowledge base includes: contemporary political systems; history, political theory; ethics and theories of justice; economics; and human behavior. [18 credits]
Core
Writing Intensive
- Complete one of the following:
Pre-Law Electives
- Complete three additional pre-law courses with advisement from the pre-law minor advisor
Minor Policy
- Minors may be declared any time before the completion of the drop/add period in the first term of the senior year or before completion of 87 credit hours, whichever comes later.
- Successful completion of at least a one course in the minor is a prerequisite to such declaration.
- Only two of the required minor courses may also count toward major or another minor’s requirements. A minimum of half the required credits for the minor must be completed at Sage.
- GPA in Minor required (minimum): 2.200 or higher
Accelerated Program with Albany Law School
Russell Sage College and Albany Law School have partnered to offer a 3+3 accelerated Law School program (bachelor's degree to JD degree) for entering first-year students and rising sophomore students who meet certain requirements.