Pre-Law

Pre-Law and Political Science

Political science is a very popular major or minor for pre-law students (students who plan to attend law school). Political science provides students with an understanding of the state, national and international institutions that make law, and includes courses such as Constitutional Law I and II, International Law, and American Judicial Politics.

For information on pre-law in general at GVSU, see the GVSU pre-law website.

Pre-Law Advising
Political science professor Mark Richards is a pre-law advisor for GVSU students.
Contact information:
Mark Richards, Ph.D.
Professor and Chair of Political Science
1106 AuSable Hall
(616) 331-3457
[email protected]
Profile

Pre-Law Advising Guide
Our pre-law advising guide is an excellent starting point for any GVSU student interested in pre-law. 

Pre-Law FAQ
Professor Mark Richards of the Political Science Department maintains 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.

GVSU Pre-law Google Group
All GVSU students interest in pre-law should join the GVSU Pre-law Google group to receive periodic e-mail updates.

1. Sign into your GVSU student e-mail. Make sure you are signed out of any other Google accounts. 

2. Send a message to [email protected] and leave everything else blank. Delete your signature.

3. Look for a message in your GVSU student e-mail with subject “Join request for gvsuprelaw”

4. Open the “Join request email” and click the blue “Join This Group” button. If adding from a mobile device you may need to click desktop version in the footer.

5. Once your request has been approved, you will receive a message confirming you have been added to the group

6. If you have any problems joining the group you can email Dr. Mark Richards for assistance ([email protected]). You can unsubscribe at any time.

LEAP

Enjoy a new degree of success and distinguish yourself academically and professionally by earning both a bachelor's degree from GVSU Political Science and a Juris Doctor (JD) from Michigan State University College of Law (MSU Law). The Legal Education Admission Program (LEAP) provides an opportunity for GVSU's political science undergraduate students to earn both degrees in about six years of full-time study (three years of political science plus three years of law school). 

Poli Sci Pre-law News

PLS Alumni Starting Law School at Michigan, MSU and UDM

PLS Alumni Starting Law School at Michigan, MSU and UDM

Clockwise from top left: Zachary Richardson (UDM), Alexis Krichevsky (UDM), Tyler Hines (Michigan), Julian Sanders (MSU)

Sep 1, 2023

IR & PLS Alumni Attending Law School at FIU, Indiana and Tennessee

IR & PLS Alumni Attending Law School at FIU, Indiana and Tennessee

Clockwise from top left: Emma Everhart-Deckard (Indiana), Charlie Anderson (Indiana), Zachary Schmidt (Tennessee), Tyler Newland (FIU)

Sep 1, 2023

IR & PLS Alumni Heading to Wayne Law

IR & PLS Alumni Heading to Wayne Law

Clockwise from top left: Katie Koczak, Joel Pagel, Haris Kljuvic

Sep 1, 2023

PLS Alumni Heading to Law School (2 of 2)

PLS Alumni Heading to Law School (2 of 2)

Clockwise from top left: Alexa Aqwa, Henry Morris, Hannah Shorkey, Blake Yaeger, Abby Dood, Camilla Russo

Aug 17, 2022

PLS Alumni Starting Law School (1 of 2)

PLS Alumni Starting Law School (1 of 2)

Clockwise from top left: Mazie Broekema, Julian Sanders, Greydon Deal, Cheyann Scutt

Aug 17, 2022

View More Poli Sci Pre-law News

Events

SUSTAINABILITY SHOWCASE (Nov 27 - Dec 2)

December 2, 2023 All Day

You're invited to come learn about the research projects, innovative designs, and assessments that students in the Environmental and Sustainability Studies (ENS) Program have been working on this...

Spanish Study Huddle & Craft Night

December 4, 2023 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Join us for a night of cultural crafts and studying help before final exams. Help is available from fellow Spanish students and tutors for studying, speaking, and writing for extra exam practice....

Understanding The Gaza Strip (Panel Discussion)

December 6, 2023 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM

The brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.- The NOTORIOUS Iota Epsilon Chapter, and GVSU�s African/African Studies Program Presents �Understanding The Gaza Strip� Faculty Panel Discussion! As...

Understanding The Gaza Strip (Panel Discussion)

December 6, 2023 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM

The brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.- The NOTORIOUS Iota Epsilon Chapter, and GVSU�s African/African Studies Program Presents �Understanding The Gaza Strip� Faculty Panel Discussion! As...

Van Andel Global Trade Center's The Business Travelers Series: Navigating France

December 13, 2023 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

France holds abundant opportunities for Michigan businesses poised to establish a fresh market presence or eager to broaden their horizons within this beautiful country. Michigan’s top three...

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Spotlights

Toby Hutchins Spotlight

Toby Hutchins

Toby Hutchins, Vice President of Fennville Board of Education

Lindsay (Schachtner) Ryan Spotlight

Lindsay (Schachtner) Ryan

Lindsay Ryan, Chief of Staff, Congressman John Moolenaar

Steve Smith Spotlight

Steve Smith

Executive Assistant to the Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Worldwide Digital Content, Advertising, and Corporate Development

Mollie Smith Spotlight

Mollie Smith

Sales account manager at Learning Care Group in Novi, Michigan

Erion Veliaj Spotlight

Erion Veliaj

Mayor of Tirana, Albania

View More Spotlights



Page last modified August 17, 2022