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Pre-Law

Marisa Heller at her undergraduate commencement in the spring of 2025
CCB building exterior
Liberal Arts building (LARTS) with yellow flower in foreground

Pre-Law
at Âé¶¹¹ÙÍø Dartmouth

Âé¶¹¹ÙÍø Dartmouth offers several pathways for students interested in pursuing a career in law. Through pre-law advising, students in any major can explore legal careers, prepare for the LSAT, and receive support with law school admissions. Students may also choose a pre-law concentration within crime and justice studies, philosophy, or political science majors, or minor in legal studies. Qualifying business, humanities, and social sciences majors may apply to Âé¶¹¹ÙÍø Law's accelerated 3+3 program.

Students walking along the campus quad
Student speaking with faculty
Student walking with faculty in hallway

Build your pathway to law school

No matter what you choose to study, you can prepare for law school at Âé¶¹¹ÙÍø Dartmouth.

Law schools seek students with strong critical thinking, writing, and analytical skills—qualities that can be developed through a wide range of academic and extracurricular experiences. Âé¶¹¹ÙÍø Dartmouth provides multiple options and resources to help every student build the foundation they need for law school and a future in the legal profession.

Explore your pre-law options at Âé¶¹¹ÙÍø Dartmouth

Students interested in law can choose from a range of academic pathways and support services. Whether you're looking for individualized advising, a concentration within your major, a customizable multidisciplinary program, or an accelerated route to law school, Âé¶¹¹ÙÍø Dartmouth provides multiple ways to prepare for law school and a career in the legal profession.

 

Crime and justice studies/philosophy student Aaliyah Encarnacion smiling
Pre-law advising

Open to all Âé¶¹¹ÙÍø Dartmouth undergraduates, pre-law advising helps students in any major explore legal careers, plan coursework, and prepare for the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). Advisors offer year-round guidance selecting classes that build critical reading, writing, and analytical skills, as well as support with law school applications, internships, and networking. Âé¶¹¹ÙÍøD alumni are also welcome to access pre-law advising services.

Pre-law concentrations

Students majoring in crime and justice studies, philosophy, or political science can pursue a concentration in pre-law, choosing electives designed to strengthen skills in argumentation, logic, and legal reasoning—key areas for success on the LSAT and in law school. Each concentration blends a strong liberal arts foundation with courses that connect theory to legal practice.

Âé¶¹¹ÙÍøD overlooking quad towards LARTS
Multidisciplinary studies major

Through Âé¶¹¹ÙÍøD's multidisciplinary studies major, students can design a personalized program that combines coursework across disciplines. Create a unique focus area—such as blending accounting and crime & justice studies to explore tax law, combining philosophy and marketing to study copyright and media law, or pairing political science and sustainability to examine environmental policy and law. With guidance from a faculty advisor, you'll shape an academic path that aligns with your interests and prepares you for law school or a legal career.

Legal studies minor

Students in any major can add a minor in legal studies to gain a deeper understanding of legal systems, public policy, and the role of law in society. The minor complements a range of majors—from business and science to engineering and the arts—while building critical thinking and communication skills valued in the legal field.

Students walking along the campus quad
Pre-law living learning community

First-year students interested in law are encouraged to apply to the Pre-Law Living Learning Community (LLC) if they plan to live on campus. This community connects students with peers who share similar interests, as well as faculty mentors and pre-law events throughout the year. Members often participate in the Pre-Law Society and Âé¶¹¹ÙÍø Dartmouth Mock Trial Team, gaining teamwork, communication, and advocacy experience.

3+3 program with Âé¶¹¹ÙÍø Law

Qualified students in Âé¶¹¹ÙÍø Dartmouth's College of Arts & Sciences or Charlton College of Business can earn both a bachelor's degree and a Juris Doctor (JD) in just six years through the accelerated 3+3 program. Students complete three years of undergraduate study at Âé¶¹¹ÙÍø Dartmouth, then transition directly into Âé¶¹¹ÙÍø Law for three years of professional legal education. Early planning is key—students should meet with a pre-law advisor as soon as possible to stay on track for this accelerated option. Learn more about 3+3 advantages, eligibility, and more.

100%

Âé¶¹¹ÙÍø Law students guaranteed clinic or internship placement

Âé¶¹¹ÙÍø Law students walking away from the Âé¶¹¹ÙÍø Law building.

And yes—we have a law school.

Âé¶¹¹ÙÍø Law, the only public law school in Massachusetts, offers Âé¶¹¹ÙÍøD students unique advantages, including the accelerated 3+3 option and access to pre-law resources right on campus.


Learn more about the School of Law at Âé¶¹¹ÙÍø Dartmouth

Contact

Bobby Hazelton Ii

Assistant Teaching Professor
Management & Marketing

508-999-8444  bhazelton@umassd.edu

Charlton College of Business 206


Jessica Oliveira

Academic Advising Coordinator, Pre-Professional Programs

508-999-8758  faooe_]*kheraen]<qi]oo`*a`q

Claire T. Carney Library 230


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