Pre-Law
The Frank G. Raichle Pre-Law Center
The Frank G. Raichle Pre-Law Center assists students who wish to enter the legal profession by offering counseling and advisement regarding law schools and the Law School Admissions Test and by providing several partial pre-law scholarship awards. Internship and other opportunities are enhanced by the work of the university’s alumni Desmond Law Society.
The Raichle Center also sponsors an annual lecture series on law and American society. Past Raichle Lectures have included six justices of the U.S. Supreme Court.
Students interested in law are encouraged to contact the Director at their earliest opportunity and are encouraged to join the pre-law fraternity, Phi Alpha Delta.
Pre-law students may wish to consider joining the college’s Mock Trial team and enrolling by instructor’s permission in the one credit Mock Trial course (LEG 101)
Canisius University does not offer a Pre-Law Major; the college instead offers a program that prepares students to succeed both in law school and in the legal profession. Students wishing to choose law as a career may major in any field or fields as undergraduates. They should bear in mind, however, that their aim must be the attainment of a broad liberal education. Specifically, they should attain considerable skill in language, knowledge of human institutions and values and an ability to reason critically. The committee therefore recommends that students wishing to choose law as a career include in their undergraduate programs of study the following:
- Courses which develop skills of accurate comprehension and precise expression in language.
- Courses in which knowledge of human institutions can be attained, with special reference to American constitutional law and history.
- Courses which develop abilities in logic and appreciation of ethical and political values.
- Courses in introductory accounting and economics.
The Raichle Pre-Law Center offers an accelerated option for those who want to earn their bachelor’s degree and law degree (JD) in 6 years. Canisius University is now a partner institution for the University at Buffalo School of Law’s 3+3 Accelerated BA-JD program. To learn more, please visit the 3+3 Accelerated BA-JA program webpage.
Pre-Law Program
Freshman Year
Introduction to the Raichle Pre-law Center.
Attend New Student Orientation Program Session. Fall
Phi Alpha Delta Membership
Consider membership in Desmond Pre-Law Chapter of Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity.
Raichle Pre-Law Center
Attend comprehensive presentation by the Raichle Center Director covering the following aspects of the law school application process and the legal profession. All pre-law students are invited to attend. Fall
- What is the legal profession all about?
- Varieties of practice, e.g. law firm, in-house, government.
- What opportunities does a law degree provide in addition to the practice of law?
- The current state of the legal job market.
- The cost of attending law school and financing law school education.
- Building a resume that will help get you into law school.
- Choosing a curriculum that will be attractive to law school admissions committees.
- Internship opportunities.
- The LSAT (Law School Aptitude Test): how to prepare; when to take.
Sophomore Year
Phi Alpha Delta Membership
Consider membership in Desmond Pre-Law Chapter of Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity.
Course Selection
Consider pre-law recommended electives in selecting courses. Fall/Spring
RAICHLE PRE-LAW CENTER
Attend comprehensive presentation by the Raichle Center Director covering the following aspects of the law school application process and the legal profession. All pre-law students are invited to attend. Fall
Pre-Law Scholarship Competition
Sophomores satisfying eligibility requirements may apply for a partial pre-law scholarship for their junior year. Spring
Junior Year
Course Selection
Consider pre-law recommended electives in selecting courses. Fall/Spring
RAICHLE PRE-LAW CENTER
Attend comprehensive presentation by the Raichle Center Director covering the following aspects of the law school application process and the legal profession. All pre-law students are invited to attend. Fall
Pre-Law Scholarship Competition
Juniors satisfying eligibility requirements may apply for a partial pre-law scholarship for their senior year. Spring
Internships
Juniors interested in doing a law-related internship during the summer preceding senior year or during their senior year should submit an application and supporting materials to the Director. Spring/Summer
Getting into Law School
A Strategy for Success
A service provided by the Raichle Pre-Law Center consisting of one-on-one counseling during the Spring semester on the law school application process, including the following topics:
- Selecting the right law school.
- Applying to law school including early admissions.
- Preparing for the LSAT.
- Writing the personal statement.
- Updating resumes.
- Obtaining letters of recommendation.
Senior Year
RAICHLE PRE-LAW CENTER
Attend comprehensive presentation by the Raichle Center Director covering the following aspects of the law school application process and the legal profession. All pre-law students are invited to attend. Fall
One-on-one advisement sessions with Raichle Pre-Law Center Director on the law school application process, including: whether and when to retake the LSAT; strategies for enhancing chances for admission at particular law schools; negotiating scholarship and financial aid offers; selecting which law school to attend. Fall/Spring
Courses
The following courses are available as options for any student, particularly those interested in legal careers.
LEG 100 Exploring Legal Careers 1 Credit
Course designated for Pre-Law students.
Offered: occasionally.
LEG 101 Mock Trial 1 Credit
Acquire knowledge of trial proceedings, rules of evidence and courtroom skills necessary to qualify for Mock Trial team membership; prepare for and compete in Mock Trial tournaments. Students may take this class up to 4 times for credit.
Prerequisite: permission of instructor.
Offered: fall & spring.
LEG 201 Legal Reasoning, Writing and Advocacy 3 Credits
Examine process and techniques which lawyers use to advocate effectively in the American legal system. Analyze the art of legal argument, decision-making and reasoning. Draft legal briefs and memoranda, including use of precedent.
Fulfills College Core: Advanced Writing-Intensive
Offered: occasionally; typically fall semester.
Recommended Electives
Pre-law students should consider taking one or more of the following courses. Not all courses listed are offered every semester or academic year; check availability during course registration. Some courses listed have course prerequisites; check college catalog. Pre-Law students seeking additional information regarding recommended electives should consult with the director of the Raichle Pre-Law Center.
Information after the course title is provided to help students understand the reason each course is recommended as a potential elective.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Accounting | ||
| ACC 201 | Financial Accounting (introduction to financial concepts relevant to study of business-related law school courses such as taxation and corporate law) | 3 |
| ACC 202 | Managerial Accounting (introduction to financial concepts relevant to study of business-related law school courses such as taxation and corporate law) | 3 |
| Criminal Justice | ||
| CRJ 250 | Criminal Law and Procedure (acquisition of knowledge of substantive criminal law and consitiutional protections for criminal defendants) | 3 |
| CRJ 275 | Criminal Courts | 3 |
| CRJ 280 | Legal Writing and Advocacy I (use of language in the administration of law, including ways to read and brief cases and to read statutes) | 3 |
| CRJ 285 | Legal Writing and Advocacy II | 3 |
| Digital Media Arts | ||
| DMA 216 | Digital Media Law (legal issues in cyberspace, First Amendment, copyright, libel, privacy) | 3 |
| Economics | ||
| ECO 101 | Principles of Macroeconomics (introduction to the economic system that undergirds and plays a major role in our legal system) | 3 |
| ECO 102 | Principles of Microeconomics (introduction to the economic system that undergirds and plays a major role in our legal system) | 3 |
| English | ||
| ENG 217 | Law and Literature (literary presentations of legal institutions) | 3 |
| Philosophy | ||
| PHI 225 | Logic (preparation for LSAT) | 3 |
| PHI 241 | Ethics: Traditions in Moral Reasoning | 3 |
| PHI 261 | Philosophy of Law (philosophical underpinnings of law) | 3 |
| Political Science | ||
| PSC 103 | The American Constitution (constitutional foundations of governmental power) | 3 |
| PSC 320 | American Constitutional Law I (introduction to law school case method, i.e. use of court decisions to exemplify legal principles, acquisition of substantive knowledge of major areas of Constitutional law) | 3 |
| PSC 321 | American Constitutional Law II (introduction to law school case method, i.e. use of court decisions to exemplify legal principles, acquisition of substantive knowledge of Constitutional rights) | 3 |
| PSC 420 | The Constitution, The War on Terror and Civil Liberties (introduction to law school case method, i.e. use of court decisions to exemplify legal principles, acquisition of substantive knowledge of major areas of law) | 3 |
The 3+3 Accelerated BA/BS-JD program through the University at Buffalo School of Law is open to a variety of majors. By participating, you can:
- Complete your undergraduate education and law degree in less time (and for less cost) than the 7 years typically required
- Become fully eligible for scholarships and grants offered to qualified incoming students at the University at Buffalo School of Law
- Upon successful completion of the first-year curriculum at UB Law School, a student's credits for the year will be transferred to Canisius to complete his or her bachelor's degree which will then be conferred by Canisius.
Eligibility
This unique program is open to pre-law students who:
- Plan to major in Criminal Justice, Economics (BA), English, Environmental Studies, History, Philosophy, Psychology (BA), Political Science, Sociology, Strategic Communication.
- Take the LSAT or GRE no later than January of their junior year*
- Apply to the UB School of Law no later than February 1 of their junior year
- Complete all academic requirements toward their major by the end of their junior year
- Maintain a cumulative GPA at Canisius of 3.5 or higher
*The LSAT score must be at or above the median LSAT score for the UB School of Law’s previous year’s enrolled class or the GRE score must be at or above the 70th percentile for Verbal Reasoning and the 40th percentile for Quantitative Reasoning.
For more information, contact the Raichle Center director.
