Specialized Programs
Direct Admission Eligibility
SIUE offers the opportunity for some students to be directly admitted to their majors, rather than begin as undeclared students. Most students who qualify for honors may also be eligible for direct admission. Learn more about Direct Entry.
Honors Pre-Law Program
The Southern Illinois University School of Law and the SIUE University Honors Program have created a cooperative honors pre-law program that can lead to guaranteed admission to the SIU School of Law.
While at SIUE, students must maintain good academic standing with the University Honors Program (3.2 GPA), complete the required honors curricular and co-curricular requirements, complete the honors pre-law program courses, and complete a bachelor's degree. Students must also meet the law school admission requirements to be guaranteed admission to the SIU School of Law. Students also have the chance to participate in a variety of courses, programs, and lectures related to the law.
Who qualifies for admission to the honors pre-law program?
The program is open to any member of the University Honors Program who earned an ACT composite score in the 85th percentile or higher (or the equivalent critical reading and math SAT score).
What major is required to participate in this program?
There is no required major for your admission to the SIU School of Law. The University Honors Program works with all majors at SIUE, and the honors pre-law program can be integrated into any course of study. Students interested in law school take courses that will build their reading comprehension, written and oral communication, and analytical skills.
Will I be required to take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT)?
Students are required to have a valid LSAT on file through the Law School Admission Council. Although the exam score is an important factor in determining eligibility for scholarships, students in the honors pre-law program do not need to meet a minimum score.
Can I apply to other law schools?
Participation in this program does not prevent students from applying to other law schools. The SIU School of Law will not require an early decision from you.
What if I decide I am no longer interested in pursuing law school?
There is no penalty should a student decide they are no longer interested in pursuing a legal education.
Curriculum
The honors pre-law program includes a 15 hour concentration of law-related courses from a variety of departments on the SIUE campus. If approved by the sponsoring department, these courses can also be used to meet major or minor requirements, including any other law or pre-law specialization.
Note: Not all courses are listed here.
Area One: Legal Foundations
- CJ 348/PHIL 348/POLS 392: Law and Society
- POLS 390: The Judicial System
- CJ 410: Judicial Process
Area Two: Critical Thinking, Reasoning and Logic
- PHIL 213: Deductive Logic
Area Three: Communication
- ACS 204: Argumentation and Debate
- ACS 300: Communication in Interviewing
- ACS 304: Conflict Management and Communication
- ACS 305: Listening
- ENG 332: Argumentation
- ENG 410: Rhetoric, Writing and Citizenship
- ENG 416: Language and Society
- ENG 490: Advanced Composition
- ENG 491: Technical and Business Writing
- THEA 112A: Acting I
Area Four: Legal Studies
- ANTH 369: Introduction to Forensic Anthropology
- MC 401: Media Law & Policy
- PHIL 340: Social and Political Philosophy
- PHIL 343/POLS 391: Philosophy of Law
- PHIL 441/POLS 485: Modern Political Theory
- PHIL 498/POLS 498: Legal Theory
- POLS 495: Constitutional Law I: Powers of Government
- POLS 496: Constitutional Law II: Civil Rights and Civil Liberties
- POLS 497: Environmental Law
- POLS 498: Legal Theory
Area Five: Honors Pre-Law Program Elective
- Any additional three-hour course from the list above or other approved elective
- A major- or minor-required course in a law specialization could be used to complete this elective
