Find your future at UCM
At the University of Central Missouri, we know the best schools for pre-law prepare
you with various hands-on experiences, as well as beneficial programs and resources.
At UCM, these include:
- Oral arguments: Watch the Missouri Western District Court of Appeals hold oral arguments on campus
each fall and network with court judges. Join UCM’s Forensics/Speech and Debate team,
The Talking Mules, which consistently brings home trophies at all levels.
- UCM Mock Trial: Build your communication skills, trial advocacy skills and confidence by training
with students from many other programs. We regularly rank in invitational, regional
and national tournaments. 100% of the UCM Mock Trial team members have been accepted
to law school.
- Student associations: Expand your legal knowledge and make professional connections. UCM’s chapter of Lambda
Alpha Epsilon, a national criminal justice association, holds regular meetings and
participates in regional and national competitions. This group has brought home the
regional trophy 20 consecutive times. Students interested in law school join our Pre-Law
Student Association for meetings, special events and LSAT preparation.
- Mentorships and internships: Get advice on law school, the bar exam and careers from UCM staff who hold J.D. degrees.
Become an intern for real-world experience that strengthens your resume. Your internship
opportunities include work in prosecuting attorney, public defender and victim advocate
offices or at Legal Aid of Western Missouri.
- UCM’s 3+3 program: Begin your education and training at UCM in any degree program. Upon completion of
90 credit hours and your degree requirements, you’ll transfer to or and can fulfill your Juris Doctor degree requirements in three years.
Preparing You for Law School
Get Involved and Get Ahead
Pre Law Student Association
The Pre-Law Student Association is a longstanding organization at UCM that brings
together students from different disciplines who are interested in attending law school.
Members of the organization typically meet twice a month to discuss a wide array of
issues associated with the law. The PLSA organization takes field trips, including
to MINK Law Day each September, invites law school admissions counselors to campus,
visits law schools, meets judges of the Western District Court of Appeals each fall
when they hear “live” cases on campus, and introduces speakers during Politics and
Social Justice Week. The organization also has tremendous resources to assist students
in preparing for the LSAT and it periodically administers practice LSAT exams. Students
interested in pursuing a law degree are strongly encouraged to join the Pre-Law Student
Association!
Mock Trial Team - #2 Ranked team in MO!
Mock Trial is a total immersion, communication skills activity, which gives students
the opportunity to learn and practice trial advocacy skills. Students from all academic
departments can participate and do so by competing in invitational, regional and national
tournaments. Students work with Adam Sommer, a local attorney and the Mock Trial
Coach, in small workshop groups, combining knowledge of the law with advocacy skills.
The training focuses on developing strategic, coherent case theories; preparing and
delivering persuasive opening statements and closing arguments; and conducting clear,
effective witness examinations. Students learn a variety of trial techniques, and
utilize demonstrative aids and exhibits in a trial setting. Students become acquainted
with and apply the Federal Rules of Evidence and Rules of Civil and Criminal Procedure.
Most important, students build confidence in their abilities and eventually become
thoughtful, credible, and quality advocates. UCM’s Mock Trial program has had considerable
success over the years, earning many bids to the national tournament. Students
interested in joining Mock Trial can contact Adam Sommer at ucmmocktrial@gmail.com.
Lambda Alpha Epsilon
LAE is open to all students interested in a career in criminal justice. LAE meets
regularly on campus and hosts guest speakers from all criminal justice professions.
The Criminal Justice and Criminology program has hosted the Gamma Epsilon Delta chapter
of the American Criminal Justice Association since 1966. The chapter was named after
G.E. "Bill" Davila, one of the department's original faculty members. Students regularly
participate in competitions on the regional and national level that include physical
agility, mock crime scene investigation, firearms, and written academic examinations. For
more information contact Dr. Gregg Etter (etter@ucmo.edu)
UCM Talking Mules Team
UCM's Forensics/Speech and Debate team competes regularly at state, national, and
international competitions. With a long history of success, the team has earned team
and individual trophies at all levels. For more information contact
or find them on Facebook: University of Central Missouri Debate & Forensics
What can you do with a pre-law related degree from UCM?
UCM does not offer a law or pre-law degree, but we offer many bachelor’s degrees to
help you select the best major for pre-law for you. No matter which you choose, you
should graduate with a foundation of legal study and meet pre-law requirements to
be accepted to law school.
Take advantage of UCM’s partnership with the University of Missouri, which will help
you gain acceptance to their Columbia or Kansas City law schools. Through our 3+3
program, your final year at UCM counts as your first year at either of these schools.
This enables you to complete your bachelor’s degree and Juris Doctor degree in six
years.
Get expert help to navigate your future
UCM faculty, who have met pre-law requirements and completed law school, will write
letters of recommendation and help you with the personal statement for your law school
application. Their guidance, as well as that of UCM’s General Counsel and Scholars
Program Director who also hold Juris Doctor degrees, is a big reason alumni say we’re
one of the best schools for pre-law. Look to them for advice as you prepare for careers
such as:
- Circuit or appellate judge
- Prosecuting attorney or public defender
- Private attorney
- Military judge advocate general
- Corporate general counsel
Students from these programs at the University of Central Missouri have gone on to
be successful in law school:
Which Major Should I Choose?
The most common majors at UCM that go on to law school include Political Science,
Criminal Justice & Criminology, History, and English, but there are many others.
The American Bar Association states:
The ABA does not recommend any undergraduate majors or group of courses to prepare
for a legal education. Students are admitted to law school from almost every academic
discipline. You may choose to major in subjects that are considered to be traditional
preparation for law school, such as history, English, philosophy, political science,
economics or business, or you may focus your undergraduate studies in areas as diverse
as art, music, science and mathematics, computer science, engineering, nursing or
education. Whatever major you select, you are encouraged to pursue an area of study
that interests and challenges you, while taking advantage of opportunities to develop
your research and writing skills. Taking a broad range of difficult courses from demanding
instructors is excellent preparation for legal education. A sound legal education
will build upon and further refine the skills, values, and knowledge that you already
possess.
https://www.americanbar.org/groups/legal_education/resources/pre_law/
The best minor for pre-law
After choosing your best major for pre-law, pair it with UCM’s Legal Studies minor for a solid foundation in the study of law. Our Political Science, Criminal Justice
and Criminology and Business Law faculty work together to provide a diverse introduction
and strong footing in legal studies through coursework that includes:
- Criminal Law and Procedure
- Legal Environment of Business
- Public Law and the Judicial Process
Kelsie H.
Criminal Justice BS 2016 - Communication MA 2018
I couldn’t have chosen a better university to help with my transition into law school.
I was first introduced to the idea of attending law school by multiple professors
in the Criminal Justice Department. They were all extremely open about their experiences
in law school, in the legal profession, and were eager to make sure I had all the
information I needed. I was also given the opportunity to speak with a pre-law advisor
whenever I wanted and take an LSAT prep course. My LSAT prep course instructor set
up a meeting for me to meet with a few attorneys in town and they were able to answer
all my remaining questions and address any doubts that I had. To top it off, I was
awarded a scholarship which paid for my books during my first year. I am thankful
to this day that UCM professors and staff are so caring and helpful.
David R.
Political Science BA & International Studies BA 2016 - Legal Studies Minor - Spanish
Minor
Choosing UCM for my undergraduate studies remains the greatest contribution to my
success as a student at Mizzou Law. My coursework in Political Science, International
Studies, and Legal Studies ensured that I was both able to get into the law school
of my choice and thrive inside the law school classroom. Participating in high impact and engaging learning programs
at UCM, like Mock Trial and Debate, equipped me with skills that opened doors at Mizzou
before I even stepped onto campus – preparing me for success outside of the classroom. You will not find a better undergraduate program that instills
the professionalism, excellence, and work ethic that every law student needs to excel.
The pre-law program at UCM is a springboard to success in your legal career, and it
is why I would Choose Red again.
Kayla K.
Criminal Justice BS 2015 - Criminal Justice MS 2016
The University of Central Missouri helped prepare me for law school in many ways.
Some of those ways include: teaching me how to study, taking complete notes, understanding
complicated terms, how to manage my time, and how to be detail orientated. My Bachelor's
and Master's degrees are in Criminal Justice from UCM. This provided me with a strong
background in criminal law. I went to law school prepared to learn so much more about
criminal law and found out I already knew what they were teaching because of my time
at UCM. It also helped that I had some of the best professors I've ever had to teach
the material while at UCM. UCM also taught me how to handle a lot of courses at once
as I finished both my Bachelor's and Master's degrees in just four years and will
be completing law school in 2.5 years. I firmly believe that UCM is part of why I've
been successful at the University of Missouri- Kansas City School of Law. My advice
to anyone considering law school is to study hard and take as many law classes at
UCM as you can, it will pay off when you begin law school.
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