Student having conversation in class

Pre-Law

Mode of Study:
On Campus
Degree Level:
Undergraduate, Major, Concentration
Degree Types:
Bachelor of Arts, Pre-Professional Advising
Department:
School:
School of Arts & Sciences

The First Step to Your Career Practicing Law

There is no one academic path to getting admitted to law school, but most practicing attorneys would agree that majoring in Politics as a core foundation for success in law school is the best choice. Students interested in pursuing law school can select the Pre-Law Concentration to add to their Politics studies, providing the core knowledge that the American Bar Association (ABA) recommends to achieve success in law school.


Female Student in class

Catawba College's Politics Bachelor of Arts degree program offers a broad-based approach to the study of politics valued by law schools. It provides you with a comprehensive understanding of political systems, communication skills, critical thinking skills, analytical problem-solving skills, decision-making skills, and research skills. Under the guidance of the department’s engaged and inspiring faculty, Politics majors at Catawba accept responsibility for the development of their own educational careers.

Catawba College students who major in Politics with the Pre-Law concentration consistently have been admitted to at least one law school after their Catawba graduation. Coursework includes Judicial Process, Constitutional Law, English Grammar, Professional & Technical Writing, Economics, Accounting, and Ethics. Incoming freshmen students majoring in Pre-Law at Catawba College may be eligible for and are encouraged to apply for department scholarships upon acceptance to the College.

Program Highlights

  • Scholarships

    Incoming freshmen students majoring in Pre-Law may be eligible for an academic scholarship upon acceptance to Catawba College.

  • Small Class Sizes

    Inspiring and knowledgeable faculty carefully advise and instruct Politics majors in small classes of less than 15 students.

  • Internships in Politics

    Catawba Politics majors have recently pursued a variety of internships at local law firms, social service agencies, and at local, state, and federal government offices.

When talking about working in the Senate in the future, now I have the skills and the knowledge to know I can do it.

Aharon Mckee '23  As a Politics major, Aharon interned with Victory Institute, a national organization dedicated to elevating openly LGBTQ+ leaders who can help further equality in all levels of government.

Program Details

Study Politics Abroad

Study Politics Abroad

Study Abroad opportunities for Catawba's Politics majors are often associated with course-specific offerings and through the College Honors Program.

Undergraduate Research in Politics

Undergraduate Research in Politics

Politics majors at Catawba College conduct and present their own research, often born of projects completed for specific classes with Politics Department faculty. This research may be presented at the annual campus Interdisciplinary Creativity and Research Symposium, at the State of North Carolina Undergraduate Research and Creativity Research Symposium, or at other professional and honors conferences.

Participate

Participate

The Catawba Political Science Association (CPSA) serves as an academic and professional focal point for students majoring, minoring, and/or interested in Politics and Political Science as disciplines or areas for related careers. Members meet regularly for scholastic and social activities. Delegations regularly attend such professional meetings as the American Political Science Association, the Southern Political Science Association, and the North Carolina Political Science Association. Membership is open to all Political Science Majors and Minors.

I chose the Politics major with a concentration in Pre-Law because it is a challenging and interesting course load, and I enjoy studying the inner workings of government and the law.

Joseph Peterson '13  Politics Major (Pre-Law); Graduate of Campbell University’s Wiggins School of Law

Net Price Calculator

Net Price Calculator

Estimate your share of college costs and how much financial aid you may be eligible to receive

Our calculator is designed to give you an early indication of what type of financial aid you may qualify for if you were attending Catawba College as a first-year, transfer, online, or graduate student.

Outcomes

Outcomes

Careers - Catawba Politics majors are making their mark in the following positions:

    • Political Campaign Staff
    • Lobbyist
    • Public Relations Specialist
    • Urban/Regional Planner
    • Teacher/Professor
    • Pollster/Survey Researcher
    • Attorney/Lawyer

Graduate Schools - Politics alumni from Catawba College have gone on to earn degrees at the following schools:

    • Florida State University School of Law
    • University of Georgia Master of Public Administration Program
    • Catholic University Columbus School of Law
    • UNC-Chapel Hill Ph.D. Program in Political Science
    • Drake University School of Law
    • Duquesne University School of Law
    • University of Tulsa School of Law
Contact Us

Department of Politics

Hours
M
9am - 5pm
TU
9am - 5pm
W
9am - 5pm
Th
9am - 5pm
Fr
9am - 5pm
SA
Closed
SU
Closed
Phone
Location
3rd Floor
Hedrick Administration Building