Law School and Criminal Justice Major?

Question

I know that traditionally law schools look for political science, philosophy, economics, etc. majors and that they don't view criminal justice as a rigorous enough degree. I am majoring in criminal justice and after graduating would maybe like to go into law enforcement (police work) and maybe juvenile or adult probation to start out in the CJ field. Another interest has been law school but with a CJ major I may be at a disadvantage because CJ isn't always viewed as very prestigious. My school has a Pre Law program with many Political Science and Philosophy courses related to law. Would going through this Pre Law program, along with a Bachelor's in Criminal Justice increase the chances of law school acceptance with a CJ degree? Anyone out there get accepeted into law school with a Criminal Justice degree?

Answer 1

I have a Criminology degree. Should be kinda similar.

In talking with my law school's admissions people, I found out that Poly Sci and the more "traditional" pre-law degrees aren't looked upon favorably cuz they know they're not rigorous. Rigorous is a science degree, engineering degree, and sometimes English. Most of the BA degrees aren't considered rigorous. Your CJ degree isn't going to hurt you any more than any other degree.

The key is to keep your grades up. With stellar grades, they aren't going to care too much about what your major was. An A is an A. Now, if you're competing against an Engineering student who also has the same GPA, then your major matters more. But, CJ isn't going to be particularly hurtful.

Law schools also don't necessarily like a "Pre-law" degree. Too many "law" classes indicates that the law school may have to retrain that person if the "law" classes aren't how law schools like to teach things. The primary focus of law school is not what laws are out there, but how to think like a lawyer.

So, as long as you keep your grades up, you'll be fine as a CJ major. There are plenty of those in law schools.

Answer 2

I am currently a law student and in my class there were only about 25% political science/pre-law majors. Schools look for diversity in degrees so any undergrad major will not hurt you. You are better off studying a subject matter you can do well in and if you are looking to work in the CJ field with your law degree than your focus on that area may help you as it will show direction in your desire to work in that area.

I was not a CJ major myself but I have several friends that have a CJ degree that are in law school with me. I had a graduate degree in social work when I entered law school.

Answer 3

I'm a CJ major. Don't think about what law schools like or don't like, choose your major based on what courses you want to take. The reason I say this is because if you enjoy your courses, you will do well. I have a 3.8 as a CJ major and I think law schools like that better than me struggling through Economics with a 2.8. Do what you like to do and it should work out. Good luck!