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 careers in law, preparing for and applying to law schools, LSAT preparation, and other law-related topics;
  • 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 are 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 have an opportunity to prepare and compete in simulated trials with fictional cases either through our mock trial registered student organization or through the mock trial team.

The student organization is open to all undergraduate students; participation on the team requires trying out and being admitted to the team. Both organizations foster the development of skills and knowledge required for careers in the legal profession, including critical thinking and oral communication. For more information, contact the Pre-law Advisor.

Careers

While many undergraduate students plan to attend law school in order to become an attorney, 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 specialists, lobbyists, court reporters, human resource officers, policy analysts, private or public investigators, legal technology support specialists, and contract administrators. Pre-law students are encouraged to participate in internships that allow them to explore career options before attending law school.

Learn more about the Pre-Law Program at St. Mary’s by visiting https://www.stmarytx.edu/academics/academic-special-programs/pre-law/ or contact:

Gustavo “Gus” Guzman, Ph.D.
Director, Pre-law Program
Assistant Professor, Criminal Justice
210-436-3519

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.

Eligible Degree Programs: