Pre-Law Program | Northern State University

Preparing you for admission into any school of law

As a lawyer, you’ll be an advocate for your clients, using the rule of law to see that justice prevails in every case. While pre-law is not a major itself, we’ll match you with a degree program and the necessary coursework required to prepare you for admission into law school.

Honors Law Opportunity Program

NSU offers the Honors Law Opportunity Program, which provides qualifying students a chance for guaranteed admission into the USD Knudson School of Law! HLOP aims to help grow the number of committed, talented lawyers in northeast South Dakota. To qualify, Northern students must:

Be admitted into the Honors Program.
Have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.5 and ACT score in the 80th percentile (26 or above on the ACT or SAT equivalent).
Demonstrate strong academic achievement and a personal commitment to building South Dakota communities.

WONDERING IF THIS PROGRAM IS FOR YOU?

Is Northern's pre-law program a good fit? The answer is yes if you:

Often think and reflect on issues
Have strong critical thinking and reading comprehension skills
Excel at analytical thought
Enjoy debate or argument
Pay attention to detail
Like to write and research
Are comfortable speaking in public
Enjoy helping people

CAREERS

The pre-law program is designed to give you a basic education in preparation of law school. Students need to graduate with a bachelor's degree to apply for law school. With a law degree, you could work as a:

Paralegal
Lawyer
Law enforcement
Investigator

INTERNSHIPS

At Northern, we believe getting you out of the classroom and into a real-world workplace setting is a critical part of your education. You'll have several opportunities for internships and other forms of experiential learning throughout your time at Northern. Learn more at Student Experiences!

SCHOLARSHIPS

The NSU WolfPACT is the highest guaranteed, four-year scholarship in the region. But that isn't the only scholarship available at Northern. Visit Arts and Sciences Scholarships for other scholarship opportunities!

COURSES

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SUGGESTED MAJORS AND MINORS

What major do you need to get into law school? Students in our law program often major in:

And they often minor in:

STUDY ABROAD

Experience the world while earning your degree through NSU Study Abroad! With hundreds of opportunities available around the globe, Northern can make your study abroad dream become a reality. Learn more at Study Abroad!

STUDENT RESEARCH

At Northern, you'll have the chance to conduct cutting-edge research that can have real-world impacts - while still an undergraduate student. Now with our brand new, state-of-the-art Jewett Regional Science Education Center, the sky is truly the limit. Learn more at Student Research!