Philosophy and Law
"In addition to being personally rewarding, majoring in philosophy at SRU equipped me with the skills that were tremendously helpful in the study of law, and which continue to guide me in the legal profession. Effective attorneys have to clearly communicate complex ideas and must be able to construct arguments capable of withstanding scrutiny and counterargument. These are just the kinds of skills the study of philosophy hones." - Robert Hartley, JD, Duquesne University School of Law, Class of 2012
Although the American Bar Association and the Law School Admission Council do not recommend any particular major, the study of philosophy provides excellent preparation for law school and a career in law. Philosophy majors consistently outscore other majors on the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT). This is not surprising since the study of philosophy provides students with exactly the sorts of skills and critical dispositions needed by law students, lawyers, and judges. Philosophy teaches students to think, read, and write well. It engages students in critical thinking, challenges their beliefs, and improves their tolerance for uncertainty. The core courses in philosophy - logic, ethics, theory of knowledge, and social and political philosophy - are in fact the very fields that serve as the foundation of law.
Average LSAT Scores by Major, 2022-2023 (source: apaonline.org, retrieved September 2023)
- Economics
- Philosophy
- History
- English
- Finance
- Other Arts and Humanities
- Political Science
- Psychology
- Communications
- Sociology
"While no single curricular path is the ideal preparation for law school, you should choose courses that sharpen analytical reasoning and writing skills. Law schools prefer students who can think, reach, and write well, and who have some understanding of what shapes human experience." - Law School Admissions Council
"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. You should seek courses and other experiences that will engage you in critical thinking about important issues, challenge your beliefs and improve your tolerance for uncertainty." - The American Bar Association
For more information about pursuing a philosophy degree at sru tailored to a career in law, contact dr. Katherine cooklin, the sru philosophy department pre-law advisor, at katherine.cooklin@sru.edu.