Mission Statement
The Pre-Law Program at Greenville College prepares students for redemptive service to society by preparing students for a career in the many fields of law.

The Program
The Pre-Law program at Greenville College is not a specific course of study, rather it is the combination of well chosen courses in conjunction with a major. Following the guidelines of the Association of American Law Schools, Greenville College emphasizes broad preparation that includes a selection of courses in Business, Comunication, English, History, Political Science, Philosophy, and Sociology. This combination of courses prepares you to read rapidly with comprehension, write clearly with precision, speak cogently, think critically, and reason logically. Thus equipping you for the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) and the rigors of law school and legal practice.

An Expanded Classroom
Students at Greenville are encouraged to create experential learning courses by participating in internships. Some examples of internship opportunities include employment in:

• A private law firm
• The Coles County Public Defender's Office
• The federal government through the Coalition of Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU) Washington Semester Program

Graduates
Greenville College graduates have enjoyed a high rate of success in law school. Former graduates include:

• Bond County State's Attorney
• Sr. Vice President for Corporate Affairs, Pet Milk
• Political Consultant

Pre-Law Club
Students interested in the study of Pre-law are invited to join the Greenville College Pre-Law Club. The student led organization works to set up visitations to law schools, invite guest speakers, and to create fellowship opportunities on and off campus for its members.

Let us have faith that right makes might; and in that faith let us dare to do our duty as we understand it. --Abraham Lincoln, 1859

Suggested Pre-Law Courses
“Let Justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an everflowing stream.” - Amos 5:24

Law schools accept any major, and no major is particularly superior in preparing you for a career in law. More than anything else, you need a well-rounded education. In particular, you will need to be able to read with high comprehension, write clearly and cogently, speak persuasively, and particularly, think critically and logically. The following courses are suggested as additions to your major to help you do these things. You should not try to take all of these classes. Take those which you believe will strengthen you. This list is intended to acquaint you with your options.

Political Science:
POL 210 - American Government
POL 311 - History of Political Philosophy
POL 350 - Readings in Government

History:
Any American history course would be very helpful.

Communications Classes: You will need to be able to communicate well.
COM 201 - Advanced Public Speaking
COM 301 - Persuasion/Argumentation
COM 305 - Voice and Diction
COM 306 - Introduction to Public Relations
MGT 301 - Professional Communications

In addition, you are urged to take part in activities, such as school plays or the radio station, which will accustom you to speaking before an audience.

Criminal Justice Classes:
CRJ 201 - Introduction to Criminal Justice
CRJ 270 - Law Enforcement
CRJ 351 - Juvenile Delinquency

Management Department: Many legal issues intersect with business issues.
MGT 101 - Introduction to Business
MGT 203/204 - Microeconomics and Macroeconomics
MGT 211 - Financial Accounting

Psychology Department:
PSY 101 - General Psychology
PSY 360 - Introduction to Psychopathology (With the permission of the instructor.)

Philosophy Department:
PHL 280 - Logic: This class is recommended for the LSAT
PHL 330 - Ethics

Sociology:
SOC 101 - Principles of Sociology
SOC 103 - Social Problems
SOC 301 - Marriage and Family
SOC 303 - Crime and Deviancy
SOC 351 - Juvenile Delinquency

Law Classes: These classes deal with the law from different points of view.
MGT 222 - Business Law
BIO 365 - Environmental Law and Policy: (With the permission of the instructor)

Capstone Courses: These courses are intended to prepare you for law school. These may be the most useful courses we offer.
POL 310 - The U.S. Constitution
POL 399 - The Bill of Rights

Additional Opportunities:
The CCCU Washington Semester is a wonderful experience for those intending to become lawyers. It provides you with a number of excellent political science courses and the opportunity to work at internships in the US government. Many of our students have also held internships in local and state government.

Considerations:
Whatever your major, you should focus on developing excellent writing skills. Take as many writing intensive courses as you can. Also consider courses in research methods and statistics. Both will be very useful for you in law school and during your career. A second language would make you more marketable.

Time Table

Year One:

• Explore majors that interest you.
• Visit the pre-law advisor.
• Visit the Law School Admission Council Website (www.lsac.org )

Year Two:

• Investigate internships and the CCCU Washington Semester.
• Attend a Law School Expo.

Year Three:

• Begin to prepare for the LSAT.
• Begin to study Law Schools.
• Take one of the Capstone courses.
• Take Logic in year three or four.

Year Four:

• Take the LSAT.
• Take one of the Capstone courses.
• Gather letters of recommendation for applications.
• Apply to law school.