Mar 28, 2024  
OHIO University Undergraduate Catalog 2012-13 
    
OHIO University Undergraduate Catalog 2012-13 [Archived Catalog]

Political Science—Prelaw Major (B.A.)


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Major code BA4203

College of Arts and Sciences
Political Science Department
Bentley Annex 266
Phone: 740.593.4373
Fax: 740.593.0394
goodd@ohio.edu
http://www.ohio.edu/pols/

Barry Tadlock, contact person
 

Program Overview

Political science has a well-deserved reputation as the preeminent field of study for students considering legal education. The emphasis on understanding the nature and role of law in our public lives, on critical thinking about political issues and institutions, and on learning to express our thoughts clearly on these matters, make a degree in political science an excellent gateway to the study of law. Whether your career goals are in public leadership, litigation, law enforcement, private practice, or even if you are not really sure what they are, we invite you to consider our program as a place to work and learn.


Admissions Information

Freshman/First-Year Admission

No requirement beyond University admission requirements.

Change of Program Policy

No selective or limited admission requirements.

External Transfer Admission

No requirement beyond University admission requirements.


Opportunities Upon Graduation

A legal education is valuable in a wide variety of careers. In addition to traditional lawyering–serving as a prosecutor or dealing with individual and private sector clients–attorneys work as legislative aides, political activitists, business executives, reporters, political appointees, educators, policy analysts, and public officials. Anyone considering law school will want to explore the full range of careers open to those qualified to practice law. These include fields such as nonprofits, libraries, think tanks, and governmental agencies. Both legal and nonlegal opportunities open up due to the broad range of skills acquired through a major in political science–prelaw. These skills include those related to communication, critical and analytical thinking, research, and organization and management.


Requirements

Universitywide Graduation Requirements


To complete this program, students must meet all Universitywide graduation requirements .

College-Level Requirements for the College of Arts and Sciences


View the A&S - College Level Requirements (A&S CLR) .

Political Sciences Hours Requirement


Complete a total of 30 semester credit hours of POLS coursework, including all the requirements below.

Political Science: Introduction


Complete only one of the following courses. POLS 1600  is recommended for POLS majors.

Foundations of Political Science: Part I


Complete one of the following courses. POLS 2200  is required for POLS - Prelaw majors.

Foundations of Political Science: Part II


Complete one of the following courses:

Political Theory


Complete the following course:

Political Science Electives


Complete 18 hours of POLS courses at the 3000- or 4000-level.

Political Science Advanced Elective


As a part of the political science electives description listed immediately above, complete one of the following courses:

Preparation for Law


If you plan to enter law school after earning an undergraduate degree, it is prudent to choose a major that reflects your true academic interest. Majors in history, philosophy, political science, and sociology and anthropology are often considered excellent academic preparation for law school. See the respective department listing s in the catalog for specific information about major requirements. Additional prelaw information is available at: www.cas.ohiou.edu/undergrad/cat/PreLaw.asp.

You may also want to select courses from English composition and literature, American literature, history (English and American), political science, economics, sociology, a laboratory science, mathematics, philosophy (include ethics and logic), accounting, psychology, and a foreign language. Courses in speech, and training in expression, as well as activities that develop the capacity for independent thought and action, are recommended.

For students interested in environmental law the Department of Geography  offers a prelaw major grounded in sciences preparation.. See Geography—Environmental Prelaw  for information. The Department of Philosophy  offers an opportunity to prepare for the study of law through a program emphasizing logic and the analysis of social, political, and legal thought. See Philosophy—Prelaw Major . The Prelaw program in the Department of Political Science  centers on the Law, Justice, and Political Thought. See  Political Science—Prelaw Major .

The Ohio Supreme Court has ruled that to enter law school you must be able to show possession of an undergraduate degree from an approved college if you wish to take the Ohio Bar Examination. Law schools in the State of Ohio require the degree of all entering students, regardless of the state in which they plan to take the bar examination.

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