Political Science and Law
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FAQs-Jurisprudence, Law and Society, and Pre-Law Studies

  1. Please explain the Jurisprudence, Law and Society major.
    Jurisprudence, Law and Society is an educational gateway to a career in law that is favored by many law schools. Graduates of the major have a liberal arts degree embedded with analytic research and writing tools. In addition to a career in law, a wide variety of career options are available.
  2. Please explain the Pre-Law minor.
    The Pre-Law minor enhances the value of all majors by adding reasoning, researching and writing skills in a program in which courses often overlap with general education requirements.
  3. Are there special admissions requirements for the Jurisprudence, Law and Society major?
    For entry into the Jurisprudence, Law and Society major, students must meet one of the following criteria: top 20% of high school class; or an overall minimum GPA of 3.0 at the completion of at least 24 credits at Montclair State University or transfer institution; or an overall minimum GPA of 3.0 in the first three courses in the Jurisprudence, Law and Society major.
  4. How will the Jurisprudence, Law and Society, major help me if I want to go to law school?
    Knowledge and skills acquired in the major help prepare students for law school and for careers in law-related fields. Students in the year-long capstone Senior Research and Writing Seminar produce an interdisciplinary scholarly work that is proof of their mastery of the major’s intellectual disciplines. Graduate schools, law schools and employers are impressed with such an achievement. Students can also take advantage of our 90-hour three-credit Internship to get an inside look at the practice and profession of law. Students are placed with judges, law firms, corporations or government agencies, gaining invaluable firsthand experience in preparing for law school and beyond.
  5. When are required core courses offered to complete the Jurisprudence, Law and Society major?
    Introductory law courses and legal research are offered both fall and spring semesters. Advanced core courses in the Jurisprudence major are offered annually. JURI495, Senior Seminar I, is offered in the fall semester and JURI496, Senior Seminar II, is offered in the spring semester. The major can be completed by both day and evening students. A number of elective courses in the major are offered every semester and also generally during winter or summer sessions.
  6. What is the difference between a taking a Jurisprudence, Law and Society major and a Pre-Law minor?
    The Jurisprudence, Law and Society major provides a full interdisciplinary approach to law and an examination of societal forces that generate statutes, case law and regulations. This includes the year-long interdisciplinary Senior Seminar capstone experience. The Pre-Law minor provides a more general and brief experience, which includes many general education courses. The Internship is open to students in both the major and the minor.
  7. Can I take both a Jurisprudence, Law and Society major and a Pre-Law minor?
    No, students are only allowed to take one, either the Jurisprudence, Law and Society Major or the Pre-Law Studies Minor.
  8. How will the Jurisprudence, Law and Society major help me if I do not go to law school?
    The Jurisprudence, Law and Society major develops your abilities to think critically, reason analytically, articulate effective positions, conduct scholarly research and write with clarity and precision. The Senior Seminar also teaches the interdisciplinary research process, which enhances preparedness for any workplace environment.
  9. Do you suggest taking a double major or a minor with Jurisprudence, Law and Society?
    It is suggested that a student add a second major or minor in addition to the Jurisprudence, Law and Society major because of the need to work in law and one or more additional disciplines for the Senior Seminar. The Political Science major is the most frequent major for Pre-Law students because of the relationship between government and law. The Political Science major is 33 credits and the Jurisprudence, Law and Society major is 33 credits. Because of the overlaps between the two majors, a student can complete both majors in 54-57 credits; have left over credits for free electives and still graduate in four years. Students with a 3.0 GPA may also wish to consider our five-year BA/MA program, which is open to students in both the Political Science and the Jurisprudence, Law and Society majors.