If you want a career that touches almost every area of our social, political and professional lives, then discover the tremendous advantages of Pre-Law Advisement at St. John's University.
Through Pre-Law Advisement, you will experience faculty guidance, select courses, choose activities and gain the knowledge to prepare you for admission to the law school of your choice.
- Choose a broad range of courses to strengthen your analytical and communications skills along with your understanding of cultural, political and legal issues.
- Participate in activities that build your knowledge of law school admission requirements, practices and policies.
- Gain access to internships and programs such as the Mock Trial Team that allow you to “test the waters” before embarking on a legal career.
- Experience a broad, quality education that will prepare you not only for the law but for a fulfilling life.
Jobs for lawyers are expected to grow by 6 percent over the next decade. But competition will be fierce, from admission to respected law schools to securing the right jobs. Our personalized Pre-Law Advisement Program gives you an edge, with extensive activities and mentoring by professors who are not only respected legal scholars but seasoned legal practitioners as well. Students in the program also benefit from the resources of St. John's University's widely respected School of Law.
Since there is no such thing as a "pre-law curriculum," advisors guide you in choosing courses and activities that build the skills, knowledge and confidence that law schools prize. Each year, St. John's graduates earn admission to America's top law schools. One reason is the high quality of St. John's more than 100 academic programs in the arts, sciences, business, education, pharmacy and allied health. The other reason is our pre-law advisors, who know the courses, experiences and activities you need for admission to law school — including St. John's nationally ranked Mock Trial Team.
We invite you to explore the Pre-Law Advisement Program at St. John's.
Advisement
There is no set of required courses for law school admission. You can major in the liberal arts, business, education or the natural and applied sciences. What law schools do look for is high academic achievement; strong analytical and communications skills; and a demonstrated interest in the law. Your score on the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) also is important.
The Pre-Law Advisory Committee offers expert assistance to students interested in law and each undergraduate college has a pre-law advisor/s. Your pre-law advisor is trained to help you prepare for law school by selecting courses, securing internships and talking with law school admission representatives the Pre-Law Advisory Committee invites to campus every semester. You will also have access to a collection of materials about becoming a lawyer.
Combined B.A., B.S./J.D. Programs
Combined undergraduate (B.A., B.S.) and law school degree programs are offered by two academic units — St. John’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (B.A.) and the College of Professional Studies (B.S.) — through their partnership with the University’s highly respected School of Law. The program allows you to complete an undergraduate and law degree in six years.
Please see the requirement chart for the academic progression criteria in this dual degree program.
To be accepted for a combined undergraduate and law degree, you need a minimum 3.5 grade-point average following your sophomore year. You also need to achieve an above average score on the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) and to demonstrate a commitment to the law and the maturity to complete an accelerated program. (Acceptance to the program does not guarantee admission to the School of Law.) Please arrange to meet with your pre-law advisor in order to pursue the combined B.A., B.S./J.D. program.
Career Outcomes
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2016-17 Edition) employment of lawyers is projected to grow 6 percent from 2014 to 2024, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Demand for legal work is expected to continue as individuals, businesses, and all levels of government require legal services in many areas.
Law firms will continue to be the largest employers of attorneys while many large corporations are increasing their in-house legal departments. This will result in an increase in the demand of lawyers in various settings such as financial and insurance firms, consulting firms, and health care providers.
Also, the federal government is likely to continue to need lawyers to prosecute or defend civil cases on behalf of the United States, prosecute criminal cases brought by the federal government, and collect money owed to the federal government. However, budgetary constraints at all levels of government will likely moderate employment growth.
Contact Information
St. John’s College Pre-Law Advisors
Joyce Lawlor, M.L.S.
Associate Dean and Pre-Law Advisor
Academic Coordinator, MA Global Development and Social Justice Program
St. John’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences – Queens Campus
St. John’s Hall – Room 135
718-990-6129
[email protected]
Joseph Bongiorno, J.D., Ph.D.
Associate Professor of History and Pre-Law Advisor
St. John’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences – Staten Island Campus
DaSilva Hall – Room 329
718-390-4561
[email protected]