Grand Valley State University's pre-law program, in keeping with the recommendations of U.S. law schools and LSAC (Law School Admissions Council), is not one major that is defined as pre-law. As law school officials point out, students will learn the law in great detail once they attend law school. As undergraduates, pre-law students should focus on gaining a broad liberal arts education.
GVSU's approach to pre-law encourages students to pursue majors that will complement their law degree while providing the diverse intellectual foundation necessary for success in the field of law. GVSU also recommends that students experience several pre-law courses, courses related directly to law, to help students understand if they are suited for a career in law.
Pre-Law Advisors
Kristine Botsford Mullendore, J.D.
Professor of Criminal Justice and Legal Studies
271C DeVos
(616) 331-7147
mullendk@gvsu.edu
Profile
Mark Richards, Ph.D.
Associate Professor and Chair of Political Science
1106 AuSable Hall
(616) 331-3457
richardm@gvsu.edu
Profile
John Uglietta, J.D., Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Philosophy
B-3 209 Mackinac Hall
(616) 331-2846
ugliettj@gvsu.edu
Profile
Pre-Law FAQ
Professor Mark Richards of the Political Science Department operates the Pre-law FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) site, which is highly recommended for anyone contemplating pre-law. Please visit for more information about pre-law at GVSU, GVSU courses in law, the Law Society student organization, the LSAT, and links to many helpful pre-law resources.
PERL
The mission of the PERL (Pre-law Education Residential Living) program is to provide advising and support to students of any major who are interested in attending law school and pursuing a career in law (also known as pre-law students) after completing their undergraduate degree. GVSU's PERL program is an academic learning and living community designed for 46 first-year students.
LEAP
The Legal Education Admission Programs (LEAP) provide an opportunity for GVSU's business, legal studies and political science undergraduate majors to earn bachelor's and juris doctor degrees in about six years of full-time study (three years of undergraduate studies plus three years of law school). The programs were developed by Grand Valley State University's Seidman College of Business, GVSU's Political Science Department, GVSU's Legal Studies program and Michigan State University College of Law (MSU Law). For more information, visit the Political Science LEAP site, the Legal Studies site or the Seidman College of Business site.
Legal Studies
The School of Criminal Justice administers the major and minor in Legal Studies. Students may choose Legal Studies to focus directly on the processes of law making, implementation, enforcement, and practice. The Legal Studies program also prepares students to be legal assistants, also known as paralegals, who may not provide legal services directly to the public, except as permitted by law. "The GVSU Legal Studies program is designed to develop legal assistants/paralegals. Although many legal assistants/paralegals opt later to become lawyers, the GVSU program is designed to prepare students for an occupation that is both separate and different from being a practicing attorney. It is not designated or expected to be used by a traditional college student preparing him/herself to go directly to law school. Therefore, while it is a preferred degree for many students who will have to work before attending law school, it is not a pre-law program, per se." - from the GVSU Legal Studies website.
