“The academic rigor and open-door policy of the professors provided me with the skills needed to be accepted and succeed at University of Virginia Law.” – Britney Maddux (’09), University of Virginia School of Law

Are you considering a career in law? The nation’s top law schools seek applicants who have received a well-rounded undergraduate education — one like the liberal arts and sciences curriculum Christopher Newport University offers. Regardless of your undergraduate field of study, our Pre-Law Program will help prepare you for law school.

While no specific courses are required for law school admission, courses in constitutional law, logic and legal reasoning are helpful toward preparing for the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) and the rigors of law school. Both the Constitutional Studies Concentration in American Studies and the Philosophy of Law Minor at CNU offer courses particularly relevant to such preparation.

Helpful Resources

In addition to prerequisite coursework, CNU offers various resources to help you gain admission to your law school of choice:

  • Academic and career advising
  • Mentoring
  • Internships
  • Workshops, seminars and guest lectures
  • Networking opportunities
  • Phi Delta Alpha professional pre-law fraternity

We also encourage you to explore legal careers firsthand by volunteering in courts and law offices and shadowing practitioners in various legal fields — experiences CNU will help you find.

Pre-Law Crew

Every freshman at CNU enrolls in a Learning Community of 20 to 30 students. You will take at least three courses with your fellow crew members. Beginning in fall 2010, you may participate in the Pre-Law Crew that will connect you with other pre-law students and set you on the path to academic success.

"As a result of the courses I took at CNU, I entered law school able to dissect, organize and coherently argue complex material." -Bonnie Brown ('09), College of William and Mary Law School


Law School Admission Test (LSAT)

Plan to take the LSAT during your junior year at CNU. We encourage you to consult the following as you prepare for the test:
Law School Admission Test

LSAT Prep Course


The Christopher Newport University Educational Foundation and Kaplan offer a LSAT prep course on campus during the Spring Semester. Students receive a discount from Kaplan's normal rates. Students should take the course during their junior year. Please contact the Advancement Office to register for the course.

Additional Helpful Sites

As you apply to law school, explore these online resources, some of which will help you to assess your potential for success:

Law Schools

Wednesday, September 7, 2011 at 7:00 p.m.
Pre-Law Lecture Series 2011-2012
Guest Speaker, Jenn Rosen, Admissions Office, Richmond School of Law
Topic:  Law School Application Workshop
Freeman Center, Meeting Room 101

Tuesday, September 27, 2011 at 7:00 p.m.
Second Year Experience Workshop Series
Presenters, CNU Associate Professors William Thro and Lori Underwood
Topic: What to do if you want to go to Law School
Freeman Center Meeting Room 201

Tuesday, November 1, 2011 at 7:00 p.m.
Pre-Law Lecture Series 2011-2012
Guest Speaker, Dean Brauch, Regent University Law School
Topic: Law School in General and Regent University
David Student Union, Washington Conference Room

Wednesday, February 8, 2012 at 6:00 p.m.
Pre-Law Lecture Series 2011-2012
Guest Speaker, Michelle Rahman, Associate Dean for Admissions, Richmond School of Law
Topic:  Pre-Law Mock Admissions Committee
David Student Union, Washington Conference Room

Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 6:00 p.m.
Pre-Law Lecture Series 2011-2012
Guest Speaker, Faye Shealy, Associate Dean for Admission,
William & Mary Law School Admission Office
Topic:  Law School Admission Process
Freeman Center, Meeting Room 101