Pre-Law

Courses & Majors

At Carthage, there is no one pre-law path to law school or other graduate-level studies. While most pre-law students major in political science or history, law schools accept students with majors in other areas.

Carthage recommends that in addition to courses in their major, students take expository composition, accounting, American government, American history, Constitutional law, economics, ethics, legal theory, logic, psychology and statistics.

An Introduction to Law course provides the basic foundations for pursuing interests in legal studies. The Mock Trial course (Criminal Justice 3300) is an excellent forum for gaining some appreciation of the lawyering skills required in preparation for trial and courtroom work. A range of courses offered through different majors and programs at Carthage provides further preparation for law school.

Some of those courses are listed below. Others may be provided as topics or J-Term courses, so check this website or contact Pre-Law advisors listed on the Pre-Law home page to find out what additional possibilities may be available, including internships.


Related courses offered at Carthage


Pre-Law Majors

If you are still undecided about your major, you may want to consider the following as preparation for law school:


Pre-Law Experiences

You should also try to learn what law school is about and what the practice of law is like in the real world. Carthage provides many learning opportunities to help you accomplish this, including:

  • Carthage Mock Trial Team (Criminal Justice 3300)
  • Legal internships with the Racine County District Attorney, the State Public Defender's Office, circuit court judges, and various law enforcement agencies.
  • Phi Alpha Delta Pre-law Fraternity
  • Annual Lawyer Forum

Law School

Carthage graduates have attended law schools nationwide including:

  • De Paul
  • Hamline
  • Harvard
  • John Marshall
  • Loyola
  • Marquette University
  • Northern Illinois
  • Northwestern University
  • Princeton
  • University of Illinois
  • University of Minnesota
  • University of Wisconsin
  • Valparaiso University

Academics at Carthage

Prospective Students

A Bid to Nationals

Mock Trial Team earns first bid to national competition. Read more ...

Forensic Science.On-campus course separates fact from fiction.