Pre-Law at Houghton

Students who plan to attend law school after graduation from Houghton may choose majors and minors from a wide selection of academic offerings. No particular majors or minors are required. The program for pre-law students is flexible and emphasizes the development of critical analytical thinking, habits of thoroughness, intellectual curiosity, and scholarship, and the ability to organize data and communicate the results.

A balanced selection of courses in several disciplines is advised, including: critical thinking, logic and ethics; communication, public speaking, and argumentation and debate; algebra, topology, and accounting; research and writing; as well as philosophy, history, politics, and other social sciences. While some law courses are offered (constitutional, business, and international law), they do not constitute the program’s core. In all of these areas, Houghton’s pre-law program directly reflects law school admissions expectations and requirements.

While at Houghton, each student has a curriculum advisor from the major area. In addition, each student works with a pre-law advisor to develop an individualized program. Internships for juniors and seniors in local law offices are available and encouraged.

A legal education provides Christians with the training and credentials to have a unique and positive impact on contemporary society. A broad liberal arts curriculum is widely regarded as the preferred preparation for law school.

Law Schools Attended by Houghton College Graduates Since 1980 

• Albany Law School
• Capital University
• Cleveland Marshall School of Law
• College of William and Mary
• Cornell University
• Dickinson School of Law
• Duke University Law School
• Duquesne University
• George Mason University
• Georgetown University
• George Washington University
• Harvard University
• New England School of Law
• New York University
• Northern Illinois University
• Ohio Northern University
• Ohio State University
• Pace University
• Pepperdine University
• Quinnipiac University (formerly Univ. of Bridgeport)
• Regent University
• Rutgers University
• Stanford University
• Stetson University
• Syracuse University
• Temple University
• University of Baltimore
• University of British Columbia
• University of Buffalo
• University of Chicago
• University of Denver
• University of Iowa
• University of Maryland
• University of Michigan
• University of Missouri - Kansas City School of Law
• University of Notre Dame
• University of Oregon
• University of Pennsylvania
• University of Pittsburgh
• University of Richmond
• University of South Carolina
• University of Toronto
• University of Virginia
• Valparaiso University
• Vermont Law School
• Villanova University
• Western New England College