Pre-Law Concentration
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Program TypeConcentration
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SchoolSchool of Arts & Sciences
Prepare for success in law school and beyond. Be a servant leader in a profession rooted in the ideals of justice, fairness, and equality.
What You’ll Learn
The pre-law concentration includes coursework in logic, American political philosophy, trial advocacy, constitutional law, and legal ethics. The concentration can be taken with any Mary bachelor’s degree. Degrees that develop critical thinking, effective writing, and strong oral communication skills are good preparation for law school.
- Gain Real-world Experience
Complete an internship for credit with lawyers and legislators in the Bismarck area. Engage with members of the legal profession who visit Mary from a wide variety of practice areas and different parts of the country.
- Be Mentored by Leading Legal Practitioners
Participate in the Emerging Leaders Academy and receive one-on-one mentorship from a leading professional in the community.
- Practice Trial Advocacy Skills
You’ll explore how to give opening and closing statements, introduce evidence at a trial, and approach persuasion in a trial setting.
- Prepare for Law School Admission
You’ll practice interviewing for law schools and prepare for the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT).
Program Information
Please visit our catalog for admission requirements and a full list of our courses.
Featured Faculty
Mark M. Springer, PhD
Director of Politics Program, Associate Professor of Politics
I started at the University of Mary in Bismarck, ND in Fall 2006. I have taught over 35 different courses in politics/political science, history, and criminal justice. Over the course of my career, I have served in various functions such as chair of the Institutional Review Board, graduate coordinator, department chair, faculty representative to faculty senate, faculty president, and numerous committees.
In the community, I serve as chair of the Apple Creek Township Board. I have also served as president for Apple Creek School Board.
My teaching philosophy fits a system where students and faculty are part of a learning community. Ethics and integrity are values that I stress inside and outside of the classroom; I believe we develop as people if we are open to discussion, but also reflective of the values that are important to building a community.
I try to demonstrate to students that a classroom code of conduct is reflective of society at large; the development of a strong community begins with a commitment to professional standards and is a product of the core values of respect for others in society. I feel these values are important for students to understand in order to become effective leaders.
The bottom line is that I love to teach. Each individual has an interesting background and history that makes that student unique to the class.
I like seeing students make connections between politics and their life in a meaningful way so that they can see that it is not all about power but can be a shared experience that is positive in life.
