Pre-Law Program
The Pre-Law Program at St. Mary’s University provides undergraduate students with numerous resources and tools to help them be successful in law school and law-related careers. The Pre-Law Program is open to students from any major.
The Pre-Law Program includes:
- Dedicated pre-law advisor who will help with the selection of courses to better prepare students for academic success in law school;
- Online suite of resources that provides vital information on
- Access to regular information sessions on law schools and law-related careers;
- LSAT preparation course at steeply discounted rates;
- Opportunities to participate in moot court and mock trial competitions;
- Guidance on the early admission program to St. Mary’s Law School (the Nelson Wolff Law Early Admissions Program) and the St. Mary’s Law Guaranteed Admissions Program;
- Assistance with the law school application process, including letters of recommendation and personal statements;
- Opportunities to visit law schools and participate in law school forums.
Nelson Wolff Law Early Admissions Program
The Nelson Wolff Law Early Admission Program offers motivated, talented undergraduate students who plan to attend law school the opportunity to complete a bachelor’s degree and a law degree from St. Mary’s School of Law in less time. The program allows qualified St. Mary’s undergraduate students in most degree programs to begin law school after completing 91 undergraduate hours, reducing the time it takes to complete both degrees by one year. For more information, visit: https://law.stmarytx.edu/admission/applying-j-d/early-admission-program/.
Guaranteed Admissions Program
St. Mary’s undergraduate students who graduate with a specified GPA, earn a minimum of 151 on the LSAT exam, and would be eligible for admission to the Bar in the State of Texas, is guaranteed admission to the St. Mary’s School of Law. For more information, visit: https://law.stmarytx.edu/admission/applying-j-d/guaranteed-admission/.
St. Mary’s Mock Trial Undergraduate Student Organization
Pre-law students from all majors prepare and compete in simulated trials with fictional cases. The organization and competition foster the development of skills and knowledge required for careers in the legal profession, including critical thinking and oral communication. Students have the opportunity to present cases in front of attorneys and judges who evaluate students’ performance and provide feedback.
Careers
While many undergraduate students plan to attend law school in order to become a lawyer, there are many other law-related career options that may or may not require the juris doctorate. Some examples include: paralegals and legal assistants, mediators, compliance specialist, lobbyist, court reporter, human resource officer, policy analyst, private or public investigator, legal technology support specialist, and contract administrator. Pre-law students are encouraged to do internships that allow them to explore career options before attending law school.
Learn more about the Pre-Law Program at St. Mary’s by contacting:
Leona Pallansch, Ph.D.
Director, Pre-Law Program
Associate Professor, Political Science
210-436-3204
Alan Haynes, J.D.
Assistant Service Professor in Law | Associate Director, Pre-Law Program
Director of Pipeline Initiatives
210-436-3930
Nelson Wolff Law Early Admission Program
The Nelson Wolff Law Early Admission Program offers advantages to motivated, talented undergraduate students who plan to attend law school. The program allows qualified St. Mary’s undergraduate students in eligible degree programs to earn both a bachelor’s degree and a law degree from St. Mary’s School of Law in less time.
Eligible St. Mary’s students enter the St. Mary’s law school after completing 91 hours or more of undergraduate study. Students who complete the first year of law school will apply those credit hours to complete the requirements for a bachelor’s degree and can continue to earn a law degree with two additional years (61 credit hours) of study in the law school. In the event that the student does not successfully complete at least one year of law school, any law school credit hours earned will be applied to the remaining hours needed to obtain the bachelor’s degree.