Is a Sociology Degree Good for Law School?
Sociology is a good undergraduate degree to pursue before starting law school. Understanding societal structures and their impacts can help prepare you for a legal career.
Law school is a graduate degree program that requires law students to complete a bachelor's degree before applying. There aren't required majors or a single best major for law school, but some undergraduate programs will help prepare you for law school and the legal profession.
Social sciences, like sociology, can provide a strong foundation for future law students by helping them understand the human side of legal work and give them the skills to understand human behavior and how society can impact individual decisions.
What Is a Sociology Degree?
Sociology majors cover multiple topics that are relevant to law. A sociology degree studies human behavior within social constructs through demographic lenses like race, gender, age, and income status.
Unlike social work, sociologists don't usually work in a one-on-one setting. Instead, sociologists work to provide social justice at a systemic level by understanding how public policy and other laws can impact individuals. This work is significant in criminal justice-related work. Understanding why people behave a certain way is advantageous for prosecutors and defense attorneys.
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How Is Sociology Used in Law?
Sociology applies to law in multiple ways. One of the ways is through criminology. The justice system is one of the many systems sociologists review to see how they impact individuals. Law school applicants can use sociology to understand their clients or the actions of the opposing side to help develop their cases.
Sociology programs also include problem-solving and analytical skills to review laws and their impact on various demographics. Awareness of the law's impact can help lawyers defend clients and work as politicians or other public policy officials making laws.
Can I Get Into Law School With a Sociology Degree?
Yes, you can get admitted to law school with a sociology degree. Graduate legal studies can benefit from multiple undergraduate degree programs, which is why law schools don't require a pre-law or other undergraduate degree. Your undergraduate major is less important than your GPA, LSAT scores, and class rankings.
Although there isn't a required pre-law school major, some are regarded higher than others because of their applications to legal careers and studies. Sociology benefits students looking to start a law program after graduating.
Benefits of a Sociology Degree for Law School Admissions
There are several benefits of a sociology major before law school. There are several concentrations of law degrees, and sociology applies to nearly all of them.
Deeper Understanding of Society
Sociologists know that no one acts independently of their surroundings. Knowing how societal pressures impact a person's behavior can help provide a deeper understanding of their actions. For a lawyer building a defense or establishing a case as a prosecutor, knowing why a person acted the way they did can help provide nuance to a case.
Improved Research Capabilities
Understanding vast societal constructs isn't an innate skill. Sociology majors perform deep research. Research methods are employed to review precedents for cases and other legal work. Law school coursework requires large amounts of research. Sociology majors enhance their research skills before starting law school.
Enhanced Writing and Communication Skills
Writing skills are essential to legal work. Although trial law is a component of most legal career paths, more legal work gets done through written means like:
- contracts
- depositions
- legal briefs
For students pursuing corporate law, writing and reading documents will be a large part of their daily work.
Knowing how to write out legal documents is a skill that develops in law school. However, English and other elective requirements in a sociology major can provide a quality foundation.
Better Critical Thinking Skills
Analyzing the law and building cases requires critical thinking skills. Sociology's study of social systems requires critical thinking as well. You will develop your critical thinking skills for several years before beginning your law school program by combining two fields of study. Although several pre-law majors can develop these skills, not all will provide the same context as a sociology major.
Preparation for Specific Law Specializations
Legal career paths include multiple specializations. Some will benefit more from a sociology major. Criminal justice attorneys work as either defense attorneys or prosecutors. Knowing how the system affects those on trial is beneficial for both sides. Additionally, family law handles sensitive topics with wide-reaching impacts on people of various ages. Knowing how adults and children might react to legal outcomes helps lawyers protect the feelings of all involved in the case, mainly the least powerful.
Best Types of Law for an Undergraduate Degree in Sociology
Pursuing a legal career can take multiple different paths. The career path will depend on which legal specialization you want to pursue. Some of the best types of law for a sociology major include:
Family Lawyer
Family lawyers handle personal matters like divorce, custody, and even adoption. Family lawyers must understand how society can impact family units and individuals. After law school, there are multiple certification programs for further specialization.
Criminal Defense Attorney
Defense attorneys build cases to protect the rights of an accused person. Using skills learned with a sociology major, these lawyers can better analyze their clients and help understand their actions.
Labor Lawyer
Societal structures include employers. Labor lawyers work to secure workers' rights through company policies surrounding workplace safety and even salary disputes.
Immigration Lawyer
Society doesn't stop at borders. The larger systems in place affect immigrants, both in their home nation and their new one. Immigration lawyers work to help immigrants legally settle in and find employment and housing while applying for visas and citizenship.
Governmental Lawyer
Government lawyers work in cases that bridge the gap between civilians and their governments. They work in any level of government, from local to federal. Government lawyers are involved in cases around eminent domain, tax law, wrongful death, and more.
