Pre-Law

Jumpstart your purpose-driven legal career. From arguing before the United States Supreme Court to advocating positive change for their local communities, our graduates are making a powerful difference in the world. Discover how ACU’s Pre-Law program equips you to be a Christian servant in every setting.

Jumpstart your purpose-driven legal career. From arguing before the United States Supreme Court to advocating positive change for their local communities, our graduates are making a powerful difference in the world. Discover how ACU’s Pre-Law program equips you to be a Christian servant in every setting.

Main Content

Pursue a Legal Studies Minor

Any major can add a legal studies minor to set a solid foundation for law school through a Christian perspective. This minor offers legal externships as well as LSAT and law school admission preparation unique to the undergraduate experience. Learn to practice law by acting justly, loving mercy and walking humbly with God.

Legal Externship

Gain real life experience that fits your career goals through a legal externship before you even begin law school. You’ll work closely with our pre-law advisor to determine your area of interest and locate a host. Guided through each step of the process, you can be confident you’re gaining the confidence to move forward successfully.

Legal Studies Seminar

This seminar introduces you to the Christian perspective of studying and practicing law. You’ll be introduced to the unique opportunities and challenges you’ll face as a Christian in a legal profession and learn to navigate those in a way reflective of Christ.

Discounted LSAT Preparation

Be ready for the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT). This non-credit seminar delivers some of the best LSAT preparation curriculum at a significantly reduced cost through live online lectures and personalized test preparation resources, all payable through course fee/financial aid.

Expected Curriculum

In order to earn the Legal Studies Minor, you will need to take the following classes:

Furthermore, you must select one course from each of the following menus:

  • Critical Analysis
  • Personal Skills and Ethics
  • Communication and Collaboration
  • Promotion of Justice
  • Legal Knowledge

 

Pie chart showing the wide variety of majors students pursue with a pre-law minor.

 

Your Major, Your Way

Pre-law students come from many areas of study across campus. No matter your major, you belong here.

ACU Pre-Law Scholarships

ACU has long-standing relationships with the prestigious law schools at Pepperdine University and Baylor University, made better by many of our graduates who have proven successful at these institutions. Each year our faculty nominate two pre-law students to receive up to full tuition scholarships to Baylor and Pepperdine Law.

All Rise

All Rise supports first-year students from underrepresented backgrounds (i.e., racial minority, first-generation and/or Pell-eligible) in pursuing a legal career throughout your time at ACU. Through intentional mentorship, you will learn how to apply to law school, connect with an extensive like-minded ACU network and discover internal and external resources to chart your path forward.

Hear From Our Students

Act Justly, Love Mercy

“I added pre-law, because I felt there’s something more I can be doing as a social worker. My passion is advocacy and relationship, to be the voice for the voiceless, to be the person that has everyone’s back. If I can be their megaphone, it’s going to stretch and grow me as I do kingdom work.”

Mackenzie Stevens
Abilene, Texas
Major: Social Work, Pre-Law
Activities: World’s Backyard student leader, Cornerstone peer leader, campus tour guide

Becoming More

“ACU is doing God’s work, and I’m blessed to be part of that community. I had fascinating, thought-provoking courses that forced me to examine my assumptions and taught me how to argue my points. I’m indebted to them for a great education and preparation for a top law school. After I graduated and went on to a secular law school, I realized how much I missed studying our laws through the lens of a rich faith tradition.”

 

Lori (Halstead ’01) Windham
J.D., Harvard Law School
B.A., Abilene Christian University

Meet the Team

Who We Are

While we are proud that 88% of our graduating seniors are admitted to law school, we know that getting to law school is not the ultimate goal. Instead, our purpose is to help students consider how they will live out God’s calling through the legal profession.

Portrait of Chris Riley.

Chris Riley, Pre-Law Advisor

Not every program across campus has the privilege of a dedicated faculty advisor to see our students through their journey. Chris Riley, assistant professor of political science and criminal justice, serves as ACU’s pre-law advisor to guide your preparation for law school. He holds a J.D. from Texas Tech School of Law and an M.P.A from Penn State. Prof. Riley has practiced law since 2003, serving as a court law clerk, an attorney in private practice at a large law firm and as one of ACU’s in-house attorneys.

 

Hunter Welcome Center at night

Abilene Welcomes You

Visit Abilene, tour campus and see for yourself what our Pre-Law program can offer you.