Pre-Law

The legal system affects nearly every aspect of our society.  Lawyers form the backbone of this vital system, linking it to society in many ways. For that reason, they hold positions of great responsibility and are obligated to adhere to a strict code of ethics.

What can I do with this degree?
Career options: Lawyers held about 695,000 jobs in 2002. About three out of four lawyers practiced privately, either in law firms or in solo practices. Most of the remaining lawyers held positions in government and with corporations and nonprofit organizations. For those working in government, the greatest number were employed at the local level. In the Federal Government, lawyers work for many different agencies, but are concentrated in the Departments of Justice, Treasury, and Defense. For those working outside of government, lawyers are employed as house counsel by public utilities, banks, insurance companies, real-estate agencies, manufacturing firms, and other business firms and nonprofit organizations. Some salaried lawyers have part-time independent practices; while others work part time as lawyers and have a different full-time occupation.

Academic options: While this program is designed for direct employment, many of the courses can transfer to a four-year degree program.

Department/Contact Information: 

• Office of Advising : 903-510-2768
• Geoffrey Willbanks, Instructor, History/Department Chair, Social Sciences
  - Jenkins Hall 139 | gwil1@tjc.edu | 903-510-2768

REQUIRED COURSES
This degree may be earned with fewer than the displayed credits as long as the fulfilled course requirements total at least 60 credits.  Students must meet the Reading Requirement.  Complete required General Education, core and support courses.

NOTE: Law schools do not require a particular major for admission nor do they prescribe specific pre-law courses. Your major should be an area in which you have an interest and one that will help you become familiar with government, the economy, business, and issues that affect society and humanity. The specific degree plan above is for those who choose a concentration in a field of Liberal Arts.

* Indicates courses required for graduation from Tyler Junior College with an Associate in Arts degree.  A total of 60 hours must be completed to earn an AA degree.  In addition, students must complete the General Graduation Requirements for all Degrees listed in the TJC Catalog.

Visual/Performing Arts:
ARTS 1301; DRAM 1310; MUSI 1306; ARTS 1303, 1304; DANC 2303; DRAM 2361, 2362; MUSI 1308, 1309

Humanities:
COMM 1307; ENGL 2322, 2323, 2327, 2328, 2332, 2333, 2352, 2353; HIST 2311, 2312; HUMA 1301, 1302; PHIL 1301, 2306; FREN 2311, 2312; SPAN 2311, 2312, 2317; SGNL 2301, 2302

Social/Behavioral Science:
ECON 2301, 2302; GEOG 1303; PSYC 2301, 2314, 2319; SOCI 1301, 2301, 2331

Laboratory Sciences:
Must be lab-based and includes chemistry, biology, geology, physics, and astronomy.

Institutional Option:
AGRI 1309; BCIS 1301; BCIS 1405; ENGR 2304; FREN 2311; SGNL 2301; SPAN 2311

**This is a suggested degree plan and students are strongly encouraged to seek advisement for course planning from their academic advisor or faculty advisor.  Since senior college requirements differ, Tyler Junior College recommends that all students who plan to transfer check with their senior college regarding transferability of particular classes into degree requirements.  The final responsibility for the selection, scheduling, and satisfactory completion of degree or certificate requirements rests with the student.**