Preparing for the Study of Law at Berea College

Berea College offers courses, activities, and advising for those preparing to study law upon graduation. Dr. Robert W. Hoag, Professor of Philosophy, coordinates activities and advises students interested in law and careers in law-related fields.

Those interested in law should look for courses that emphasize reading, writing, and reasoning based on critical examination of difficult texts and issues. Good preparation for the study of law requires demonstrated excellence in a broad, academically rigorous curriculum, such as courses in mathematics, literature, foreign languages, or philosophy. No specific major is required or recommended: preparing for the study of law is not so much learning information as it is the development of abilities to read, write, and reason well. Thus, those interested in law should select specific courses and majors based on their academic interests and the demands made on one's abilities to read, write, and reason.

Berea College's General Studies curriculum provides an excellent opportunity to develop those abilities paramount for the study of law. This curriculum provides a broad academic background; the reading, writing, and speaking requirements develop one's abilities to read, write, and reason; and excellence in General Studies courses demonstrates learning and achievement of the sort prized by law schools. So, choose sections and professors that challenge one's abilities to read, write, and reason carefully about difficult texts. Consider a foreign language to fulfill the Cultural Area requirement for graduation from Berea. Consider studying mathematics beyond the minimum graduation requirement. Seek sections of Western Traditions whose course descriptions indicate that they address questions about law and society or that complement your interests in the study of law.

What We Offer

Berea College offers a number of elective courses related to law. For example, "PHI 104: Morality, Law, and Philosophy," uses legal materials to address contemporary social issues in America and broader questions about relationships between law and morality. The Political Science Department offers courses on American Government and Constitutional Law. The English Department provides debate course and sponsors a competitive debating team. As preparation for taking the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT), it is strongly recommended that students complete "PHI 106: Introductory Reasoning " at least a year before graduation. Also, some graduates report that an accounting course can be useful in law school, since so much of the law is related to business.

Activities related to law are designed to develop interests in and inform students' decisions about pursuing the study of law. The Law Forum is a campus student organization providing opportunities to visit law schools, prepare collaboratively for the LSAT, and meet professionals pursuing many different careers related to law. In collaboration with the Center for Effective Communication, a few faculty annually conduct seminar sessions to help students prepare for the LSAT. In order to judge whether to pursue a career in law, students can design internships or spend some time with local, practicing attorneys as they go about their daily activities. A library of catalogs and information about law schools is readily available on campus, as well as information regarding the LSAT.

Where Our Graduates Go

Berea College graduates have been successful in the study of law. Several have finished near the top of their law school classes at the University of Kentucky. And graduates have completed law degrees at such nationally prestigious schools as Columbia, Vanderbilt, the University of Virginia, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.