Prepare for law school with a certificate in Legal History. The certificate will position you to succeed in law school and give you an advantage in the admissions process.
Through this certificate program, you will:
- Learn about the historical development of the U.S. legal system
- Read legal documents
- Perform legal research
- Practice argumentative writing
- Develop analytical skills
The coursework includes:
- Two required classes
- Two elective courses from the History Department
- One zero-credit directed studies course that is fulfilled by submitting a paper from any History class about a legal topic
The Legal History Certificate program is specifically focused on the skill set future lawyers need. The American Bar Association (ABA) and the Law School Admissions Council (LSAC) have identified background historical knowledge as an essential foundation for a law school education. Lawyers must understand historical precedent, the historical context in which laws were made, and the evolution of legal doctrine. The ABA and the LSAC also emphasize the importance of critical reading, research, and writing skills as important preparation for an advanced legal education. The Legal History Certificate will prepare students in all of these areas.
Students interested in the Legal History Certificate should contact a History Department academic advisor or the program’s primary faculty sponsor, Dr. Katherine Unterman.