The Value of Philosophy as a Path to Law School:
- The study of philosophy as an undergrad develops exactly the sorts of skills that law students will be required to draw upon in law school. These skills include: analyzing complex situations; drawing distinctions; formulating definitions; interpreting and comprehending abstract concepts and texts; evaluating evidence and arguments; and writing and speaking with clarity, focus, and argumentative rigor. Philosophy students also receive a broad and in-depth exposure to the fields of study that serve as the foundations of law: ethics, social and political philosophy, logic, justice and human rights, and epistemology.
- It is important to stress that both philosophy and the study of law teach students how, not what, to think.
"There is no better training for a legal career than the study of philosophy. A deep engagement with logic, ethics, and political philosophy prepares students well for the LSAT entrance exam, law school, and legal practice. It gives those students a head start in their professional careers.”
Michael Gentithes
Associate Dean of Academic Affairs at The University Of Akron School of Law
The 3+3 Philosophy B.A./J.D. program
Some of the strongest practical reasons to consider majoring in philosophy in our 3+3 Philosophy B.A./J.D. program include:
- Allowing students to complete both a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in philosophy and a juris doctor (J.D.) degree in a total of six years, saving students a full year of undergraduate study, tuition and living expenses.
- Gaining an advantage for students getting out into the working world a year earlier than students who follow the traditional path, increasing their long-term earning potential and giving them a head start on making a difference in their chosen field.
Have questions?
Email Travis Hreno at th34@uakron.edu.