The Pre-Law Program guides and supports you as you explore whether you have a vocation for a legal career. If you do, we equip you with the knowledge, skills and experiences necessary to excel in law school.

25
Best Value Schools' Top 25 national ranking since 2019.
99%
Pre-Law minors accepted into law school over past 10 years.
23
Different majors represented in Pre-Law Studies in 2023.

A High-Quality Education

Head Start in Legal Writing

Required Experiential Learning

LexisNexis Partnership

PLW 350: Introduction to Legal Research, Writing and Analysis is a legal writing course taught by lawyers who are experts in legal writing. Our course gives an unparalleled head start on your first-year law school legal writing course. Learn all of the basics before you even get to law school.

Required experiential learning through legal internships or the mock trial program for Pre-Law Studies minors assists students with vocation identification and exploration of career options as future legal professionals. It also provides practical and professional experience while working toward an undergraduate degree.
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Students who participate in this online certification course are exposed to basic legal research techniques as they develop familiarity with the LexisPlus legal research platform, both of which are typically reserved for law school students and legal professionals. Students will earn a micro-credential for their resumes.

Arianna Pearson enjoys the University of Dayton’s pre-law program because its experiential learning opportunities allow student to explore the legal profession. “I was a participant in Dayton’s Mock Trial team and this gave me a feel for what it’s like to be a civil or criminal litigant.”

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Visit Campus

Interested in learning more about pre-law? We'd love to meet with you. Schedule an academic appointment by calling our department at 937-229-4229. You can also choose to schedule a general campus tour and admission presentation.

General Campus Tour and Admission Presentation

Featured Programs and Initiatives

Mock Trial

Student teams compete in simulations of real trials, advancing through local, regional and national competitions. Team members are assigned roles of attorneys and witnesses.

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The Pre-Law Minor

With one-on-one mentorship students will earn a minor in preparation for law school.

Experiential Learning

Real-World Experience

Through practical learning opportunities like internships and co-ops, you can build your resume, gain practical experience and prepare for a successful career.