Legal Studies and Pre-Law
The Concord University Pre-Law Mentoring Program provides those students considering a career in the legal system a chance to have real world, academic and professional experiences, unique at the undergraduate level, to better prepare for the challenge of some of the best law schools in the United States. The program is designed to provide students with a foundation in legal research and writing, ethics, and a variety of special topic electives, such as, family law, criminal law, and litigation.
Credit Hours | Course Number | Course |
3 | LSPL 101 | Introduction to the Legal Studies |
3 | LSPL 201 | Legal Research and Writing |
3 | LSPL 301 | Legal Ethics |
3 | LSPL 405 | Legal Studies Capstone |
6 | From Area of Emphasis |
Students may receive additional credit for participating in the following optional programs:
Credit Hours | Course Number | Course |
3 | LSPL 220 | Special Topics |
1-12 | LSPL 450 | Clerkship |
* indicates a course with a lab component
Genetics
Credit Hours | Course Number | Course Name |
4 | BIOL 302 | Cell and Molecular Biology* |
3 | BIOL 370 | Evolution |
4 | BIOL 401 | Genetics* |
N/A | N/A | Genetics Apprenticeship
(assist with summer Institute) |
Environmental
Credit Hours | Course Number | Course Name |
4 | BIOL 101 | General Biology I* |
4 | BIOL 102 | General Biology II* |
4 | BIOL 201 | Ecology and Field Methods* |
3 | GEOG 200 | Principles of Physical Geography |
3 | GEOG 300 | Sustainable Development |
3 | GEOG 319 | Political Geography |
3 | POSC 104 | American Federal Government |
3 | POSC 202 | State and Local Government |
3 | POSC 225 | Special topics in Political Science |
3 | POSC 401 | Constitutional Law |
Research and Writing
Credit Hours | Course Number | Course Name |
3 | ENGL 250 | Technical Writing |
3 | ENGL 302 | Study of the English Language |
3 | ENGL 300 | English Grammar |
2 | SOSC 2701 | Introduction to Library Research |
Child Law
Credit Hours | Course Number | Course Name |
3 | SOWK 236 | Human Behavior and Social Environment I |
3 | SOWK 321 | Working With Children and Adolescents |
3 | PSY 205 | Child and Adolescent Development |
Human Rights
Credit Hours | Course Number | Course Name |
3 | HIST 390 | Women’s History |
3 | POSC 329 | American Foreign Relations |
3 | POSC 401 | Constitutional Law |
3 | SOWK 302 | Human Diversity |
Criminal Behavior
Credit Hours | Course Number | Course Name |
3 | PSY 422 | Abnormal Psychology |
3 | SOWK 336 | Human Services in Corrections |
3 | SOC 303 | Criminology |
Business
Credit Hours | Course Number | Course Name |
3 | BGEN 301 | Introduction to the Legal Environment |
3 | BGEN 302 | Legal Concepts in Accounting |
Communications
Credit Hours | Course Number | Course Name |
3 | CART 101 | Fundamentals of Speech* |
3 | CART 360 | Communications Law |
3 | SOC 321 | Popular Culture |
Recreation and Sports
Credit Hours | Course Number | Course Name |
3 | RTM 240 | Programs and Operations in Recreation |
3 | RTM 320 | Legal Aspects (of Recreation) |
The benefits of the program include the following:
- Schedule counseling
- Undergraduate courses meant to introduce the rigors of the law school experience (legal environment, legal research, etc.)
- LSAT preparation
- Law school admission and selection assistance
- Internships
- Access to professional legal research materials such as Westlaw.
- Membership opportunity to Phi Alpha Delta Pre-Law Fraternity, International, and participation in National Moot Court competitions
ΦAΔ
The Concord University Chapter of Phi Alpha Delta Pre Law Fraternity International is a professional organization that strives to provide opportunity and experience to aspiring Pre law students. Recently, our PAD Chapter has:
- Attended PAD’s annual National Pre-Law Conference in Washington D.C. where we participated in the annual mock trial competition placing in the national top ten.
- Took a tour of the West Virginia School of Law and Georgetown University.
- Spoke via Skype wth Baylor and Richmond University
- Received valuable information from Richmond University, Washington and Lee, George Mason University, George Washington University, West Virginia University, The University of Virginia, and many others.
- Hosted a political debate between the Senatorial Candidates for the Sixth District of West Virginia.
Furthermore, Concord University’s Phi Alpha Delta Chapter is a tremendous opportunity for fellowship and interaction with others having similar interests. Our Chapter is not limited to Pre-Law students; in fact, we currently have numerous Political Science and Geography majors, serving as members. We encourage anyone to get involved with Phi Alpha Delta and see where we can help you go!
Phi Alpha Delta’s Mock Trial Team
The Phi Alpha Delta mock trial team(s) is open to all Concord University students. During the fall semester, we meet once a week to practice trial advocacy skills and prepare for the annual Phi Alpha Delta Mock Trial Competition that is held in Washington D.C.. Although anyone may participate in the mock trial class, only PAD members can compete at the competition. In the past 2 years, the Concord University mock trial teams have placed at least one team in the top 6.
One advantage to Concord’s LSPL Program is the training and experience that the student will receive on Westlaw. Westlaw is a complete and fully integrated legal and business research system containing more than 17,000 databases. Since most law schools use Westlaw, this gives the Concord University graduate a great advantage over the competition. Training in the use of Westlaw is available as a component of the Legal Research and Writing course.