Pre-Law
The verdict is in—pre-law advisors, law school admission directors, the American Bar Association, American Association of Law Schools and attorneys strongly agree that a well-rounded liberal arts education is the best preparation for the rigorous and demanding study and practice of law.
Central’s pre-law program is an advising-based program. Students, with their academic advisor, choose courses that maximize their skills and academic record prior to applying for law school. Central students are successful on the LSAT and in securing acceptance into law school with the assistance of an on-campus pre-law advisor, internship coordinator and academic advisors to ensure that you choose challenging courses designed to prepare you to write well and think logically— skills that law students and attorneys use to analyze complex and sometimes conflicting cases and statutes, while expressing their legal reasoning with clarity, logic and precision.
The Central Difference
Grad School Preparation
Our pre-law program is designed to position you for a successful experience in law school. Your pre-law advisor can provide strategic advice about choosing courses to prepare for law school, LSAT preparation and program options during the law school application process.
Growing up the Central Way
Beatriz Mate-Kodjo ’11, civil rights attorney at BMK Law, advises others how to act as positive change agents in the workplace.
Pre-Professional Opportunities
Central’s pre-law advisor can help arrange experiential opportunities such as legal internships with local or Des Moines-based law firms, as well as experience on the mock trial team. Central College is one of the founding members of the American Mock Trial Association and has qualified for the national mock trial tournament numerous times, including most recently in 2012, 2013 and 2016.
Off-Campus Experiences
Central students can study off-campus — both internationally or domestically in the United States. These opportunities give students the chance to prepare to be global citizens, equipped to compete in the global job market. Students can check out experiences led by Central faculty or attend select academic programs across the world that provide opportunities for study, service, internships and other types of experiential learning. Options include experiences in Chicago, Washington, D.C., Central America, Ghana, England, the Scottish Highlands and more.
Beyond Central
Putting the “Hire” in Higher Education
- State Public Defender, State of Iowa, Des Moines
- Legislative liaison for Governor Terry Branstad, Des Moines
- Attorney, Ahlers & Cooney, PC, Des Moines
- Attorney, Cooper, Goedicke, Reimer and Reese Law Firm, P.C., West Des Moines
- Paralegal, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, Houston, Texas
- Attorney, Brubaker, Flynn & Darland, P.C., Davenport
Victoria Warren ‘23 Recognized as Outstanding Attorney at Mock Trial
Victoria Warren ‘23, from Story City, was recognized as an Outstanding Attorney during 20th annual Illinois State University Mock Trial Invitational.
Organizations
- Mock Trial Team
No matter what your interests are, Central has a student group for you! Learn how you can get involved with groups and organizations at Central.
Graduate Placement
Central graduates have been accepted into law schools at college and universities across the United States.
Internships
- BrownWinick, Des Moines
- Akerman Senterfitt, Washington, D.C.
- Intern with federal district court judge, Des Moines
- Iowa Attorney General’s Office, Des Moines
- Marion County Attorney’s Office, Knoxville
Courses & Faculty
Students may major in any area that fits with personal and professional life goals. The American Bar Association Committee on Pre-Law Education and Iowa law schools recommend that you consider key skill areas when choosing courses such as writing, analytical reasoning, logical thinking and problem-solving, critical reading, oral communication and research and information literacy. Those interested in law should value serving faithfully the interests of others while promoting justice as well as have a healthy respect for history.
Regardless of major choice, students are strongly advised to successfully complete general logic during the sophomore or junior year and upper-division research and writing intensive course(s) during the sophomore through senior years.
Learn more about this discipline in the course catalog.
Meet the Faculty
- Andrew Green, B.A., M.A., Ph.D., Professor of Political Science
Learn More
Want to find out more about Pre-Law at Central? Contact us to learn more about this discipline and our other strong academic programs.
Visit campus to observe classes and experience The Central Difference firsthand.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.