UMKC Pre-Law

The UMKC Pre-law program is designed to help you make wise decisions about becoming a lawyer. It is not a major. There is no one, magic major that prepares you for law school and UMKC is proud to have students exploring political science, English literature, history, philosophy, communication studies, economics, and psychology, among other majors. The ultimate pre-law curriculum emphasizes the development of the skills that are necessary to achieve the following goals: ·Acceptance to the best possible law school for that individual. ·Academic success in law school. ·Vocational success as a lawyer or a non-practitioner in a legally related field. To attain these goals, you should select a curriculum that hones and develops superior writing skills, along with excellent oral communication, logical reasoning, and critical reading skills. It is not enough, however, to be prepared for the academic rigors of law school. The pre-law program also provides information and advice to enable you to make wise choices regarding various issues, including: ·Do you really want to become a lawyer? ·What law schools should you apply to? ·What do you need to do to apply to law school? ·What do you need to do to succeed in law school? ·How can you afford law school? ·What does it mean to be a lawyer? ·What area of the law do you want to practice in? ·What are the alternative careers available to someone with a law degree? The Pre-law program is a special package of benefits students can participate in regardless of major. These benefits include: ·Academic advising by a special team of pre-law advisers (the team includes two lawyers). ·Law school and career counseling. ·A pre-law section for the A&S 100 freshman seminar, taught by a lawyer, is open to incoming first-year students. ·The UMKC Collegiate Mock Trial team. ·A pre-law chapter of Phi Alpha Delta, International, one of the world's largest legal societies. ·Workshops and advising on law school applications and personal statements. ·A preparation program for the Law School Admissions Test, "Ready, Set, LSAT," offered in conjunction with the Institute of Professional Preparation; alternatively, we provide information regarding private LSAT preparation programs. ·Mentoring/shadowing/internship opportunities with area attorneys, government agencies (e.g., Jackson County Prosecutors Office, Western Missouri Legal Aid). ·Arranging shadowing opportunities with law schools being considered by students. If you need further information regarding the UMKC pre-law program, please contact: Derek Moorhead Pre-law Coordinator UMKC School of Arts and Sciences Office Phone:  816-235-6094 E-mail:  moorheadd@umkc.edu