Thinking about law school? Two of the most common questions future lawyers ask are: What should I major in as a pre-law? Is prelaw a major? The good news is, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Law schools welcome a wide range of academic backgrounds. However, some pre law majors do show up more often than others, and they can help you build the skills law schools love to see.
In this guide, we’ll break down the most popular pre-law majors, what skills each can offer, and how to choose the best major for you. Whether you’re exploring political science, philosophy, psychology, or something more unexpected, we’ve got you covered.
Is There A Required Major for Law School?
Short answer: Nope.
There is no required pre law major. Law schools accept students from basically every field—arts, sciences, business, humanities, and beyond. Most universities don’t even offer a dedicated “pre-law major” or path to choose from.
What matters most is not what you major in in undergrad, but how well you do in your classes and whether your coursework challenges you to grow. The ABA recommends choosing a major that:
- You enjoy and find intellectually stimulating
- Helps you build critical skills like reading, writing, research, and analysis
- Prepares you to think deeply and argue logically
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Popular Pre Law Majors
Here are some of the most common pre law majors for law school applicants, plus what each one can help you develop.
1. Political Science
This is the classic go-to for many aspiring law students. You’ll learn how governments and legal systems work, understand public policy, and dive into constitutional law—all helpful for eventual law school success. You’ll also develop strong writing and research skills, which are crucial for law students and future lawyers.
2. History
History majors get tons of practice reading dense texts, researching, and writing long-form arguments—essential skills that will help you on the LSAT. Understanding legal precedent is also a big part of history and law.
3. English or Literature
Law is all about language. As an English major, you’ll practice analyzing dense texts, writing clearly, and crafting persuasive arguments—skills that carry over directly to both law school and the LSAT. Strong reading comprehension is especially valuable for the LSAT Reading Comprehension Section, where the ability to untangle complex passages quickly can give you a real edge.
4. Philosophy
It’s no surprise that philosophy students tend to do well on the LSAT. In your classes, you’ll practice spotting assumptions, building arguments, and wrestling with ethics—skills needed for the Logical Reasoning Section.
5. Economics
Economics blends math, logic, and real-world policy. It’s especially useful if you’re interested in business law, tax law, or regulations. Plus, it teaches you to evaluate costs, benefits, and systems.
6. Psychology
Want to understand why people act the way they do? Psychology helps you explore human behavior, something every good lawyer needs to do, whether in negotiations, trials, or interviews.
7. Criminal Justice
If you’re interested in criminal law, this major gives you a head start. You’ll study the legal system, law enforcement, courts, and corrections.
Further Reading
Other Solid Majors for Pre-Law Students
You’re not limited to the majors above! Some law school applicants also come from:
- STEM fields (math, biology, engineering, etc.): Especially valuable for patent law, health law, or environmental law. Bonus: STEM majors often perform well on the LSAT, too!
- Business or Finance: Much like Econ, these majors are great if you’re eyeing corporate law, mergers, contracts, or tax.
- Journalism / Communications: Builds writing, public speaking, and persuasion skills.
- Foreign Languages / International Studies: Useful for immigration or international law.
How to Choose the Best Pre Law Major for You
Here’s what to consider when choosing the right undergrad major for you:
✅ Pick something you’re interested in. You’re more likely to do well—and enjoy your undergrad experience—if you’re genuinely interested in the material, especially as you go through the higher level classes and things start to get harder.
✅ Challenge yourself. Law schools respect rigorous courses. Don’t take the easiest route or the “easiest” major. Choose one that helps you grow.
✅ Build key skills. Writing, reading comprehension, critical thinking, and logical reasoning should be part of your coursework.
✅ Maintain a strong GPA. Your LSAT score and GPA are the two most critical numerical factors in your law school application. While you have the opportunity to retake the LSAT if needed, your GPA becomes fixed after a certain point, leaving no room for further improvement.
✅ Don’t forget your extracurricular activities. Regardless of your major, you can also join pre-law clubs, mock trial, debate, or volunteer in legal settings.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, your college major is just one piece of your law school application. What matters most is how you use your undergraduate years to build skills, explore interests, and prepare for the next step.
Whether you major in political science or physics, philosophy or finance, the key is to be intentional about your choices. Choose courses that make you think, write, argue, and question and you’ll be on the right path.
Whatever you choose to major in, you will inevitably have to take the LSAT before applying to law school. While some of your classes might give you a basic understanding of LSAT skills, you’ll need some more preparation before you’re ready to crush it. And that’s where we come in! Whether it’s in a Live course led by expert Blueprint LSAT instructors, in a Self-Paced Course that gives you total control over your schedule and studying, or one-on-one with a tutor, we have the LSAT prep that fits your learning style.
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