Psychology To Law: A Career Transition?

The path to becoming a lawyer is not a one-size-fits-all journey. While some law students major in pre-law, others come from various undergraduate backgrounds, including psychology. In fact, psychology ranks as one of the most popular pre-law majors, as it provides a strong foundation in research and writing skills, analytical competency, and an understanding of human behavior, which are all essential for a career in law.

The LSAC and the American Bar Association (ABA) emphasize that there are no specific requirements for undergraduate education for prospective law students. Instead, success in law school and the legal profession is determined by a combination of factors, including GPA, LSAT scores, and the development of critical skills such as problem-solving, oral communication, and research capabilities.

Therefore, it is entirely possible for someone with an AB in Psychology to pursue a career in law. The analytical and research skills gained during an AB Psychology program can be a strong asset when applying to law schools and embarking on legal studies.

Psychology as a pre-law course

Psychology is a popular pre-law major for students aspiring to enter law school. While there are no specific requirements for undergraduate education, the American Bar Association (ABA) recommends that undergraduates gain skills in problem-solving, critical reading, writing and editing, oral communication and listening, research organisation and management, public service and promotion of justice, relationship-building and collaboration, and law. A Bachelor of Arts (AB) in Psychology covers many of these recommended skills and knowledge areas, making it a suitable pre-law course.

The broad curriculum of an American law and legal system course covers tort law, contract law, constitutional law, and criminal and civil law. Students study landmark state and federal cases and draw comparisons between other countries and America's unique legal system. While a pre-law major is not necessary to get into law school, undergraduates need high GPAs and LSAT scores. The LSAT, a standardised test for law school, serves as a good indicator of who will succeed in law school.

A Bachelor of Arts (AB) in Psychology provides students with research and writing skills, analytical competency, and fundamental education in human behaviour. Psychology pre-law teaches students about human behaviour and judgment, focusing on interpreting and analysing research findings. Many psychology degrees cover cognitive, behavioural, personality, social, and clinical psychology. Some schools offer psychology degrees with a concentration in pre-law, which may include courses in psychology, political science, communication, and human behaviour.

The skills gained through a psychology degree, such as critical reading, analytical thinking, public speaking, and researching, are valuable for a legal career. Additionally, internships or clinical experiences can provide connections that can lead to paid work in the legal field. Overall, a Bachelor of Arts (AB) in Psychology can be an excellent pre-law course, providing a strong foundation for law school and a future career in law.

The LSAT as a performance indicator

The Law School Admission Test (LSAT) is a standardised test that serves as a good indicator of a student's likelihood of success in law school and their performance in their first year. The test has been used for law school admissions since 1948, and scores range from 120 to 180, with an average score of 150-152. Top law schools require scores above 170.

The LSAT is designed to test a student's proficiency in logical reasoning, analytical reasoning, and reading comprehension. These skills are essential for success in law school, as they form the basis for critical thinking, problem-solving, and legal analysis. The test also includes a variable section that is not scored but is used to test new questions for future iterations of the exam.

While the LSAT is a significant factor in law school admissions, it is not the sole determinant. Law schools also consider a student's undergraduate grades, particularly their GPA, and letters of recommendation from professors. However, research has shown that LSAT scores are more closely linked to first-year law school grades than undergraduate GPAs. This suggests that the LSAT is a strong indicator of a student's ability to succeed in law school, at least in their initial year.

It is worth noting that the LSAT has faced some criticism. Some researchers argue that first-year grades may not provide a complete picture of law school success and that other factors, such as work experience or grades in subsequent years, could be better predictors. Additionally, the validity studies conducted by the LSAC, the organisation that administers the LSAT, have been criticised for not considering other factors in applicants' backgrounds and for not being easily accessible to the public. Despite these criticisms, the LSAT remains a widely used and accepted indicator of law school performance.

Psychology and law careers

Psychology and law are two fields with several key similarities, and a degree in one or both of these subjects can lead to a variety of career paths. A bachelor's degree in psychology can be a good pre-law degree, as it provides research and writing skills, analytical competency, and fundamental education in human behaviour, which are all useful for law school.

The broad curriculum of an American law and legal system course covers tort law, contract law, constitutional law, and criminal and civil law. Students study landmark state and federal cases and draw comparisons between other countries and America's unique legal system. While there are no requirements to study pre-law to get into law school, undergraduates need high GPAs and LSAT scores. The LSAT has been the standardised test for law school since 1948 and is a good indicator of success in law school.

A degree in psychology can also be useful for a career in law, as psychologists often help people in social services or the legal system. A psychology degree can cover cognitive, behavioural, personality, social, and clinical psychology. Some schools offer psychology degrees with a concentration in pre-law. Psychology pre-law teaches students about human behaviour and judgment, and this research-based degree focuses on interpreting and analysing research findings.

Students can also pursue a dual degree in psychology and law, which can broaden their education, give them more credentials, and expand their employment opportunities. With a dual degree, students can pursue careers in either field separately or combine them into a more specialised career. For example, a graduate with a dual degree could become a judge, a bailiff, a victim advocate, or a psychology professor.

There are also many careers that combine psychology and law, such as forensic psychology, expert witnessing, and clinical forensic psychology. Forensic psychologists may work in secure forensic units, community mental health centres, jails, prisons, courts, specialised agencies, or private practices. They may also be involved in teaching, training, or supervision in a psychology department, a medical school, a hospital, an interdisciplinary institute, or a clinic.

Psychology as a research-based degree

Psychology is a popular pre-law degree, and it is one of the top five majors overall, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. While there is no requirement for a specific undergraduate education, psychology provides a good foundation for law school as it imparts research and writing skills, analytical competency, and fundamental education in human behaviour and judgment.

The broad curriculum of a psychology degree covers various specialisations, including cognitive, behavioural, personality, social, and clinical psychology. For example, the Bachelor of Arts (AB) in Psychology offered by De La Salle University includes courses in cognitive psychology, abnormal psychology, clinical psychology, and psychological measurement. Cognitive psychology explores how human psychology processes information about ourselves and our world, leading to complex behaviours. Abnormal psychology introduces students to the nature, causes, and interventions for psychological disorders, using the DSM-5 classification system. Clinical psychology focuses on the nature, scope, and ethical considerations of the field, analysing cases through different clinical models and developing clinical interviewing skills.

Psychology and law school requirements

Overview

The LSAC and the American Bar Association (ABA) note that prospective law students do not need any specific undergraduate education. Law schools do not require prerequisites or pre-law study, and students from various educational backgrounds apply to law school. However, there are other requirements that must be met, such as high GPAs and LSAT scores.

Psychology as a Pre-Law Degree

Psychology is one of the most popular pre-law majors and provides a good foundation for law school. It imparts research and writing skills, analytical competency, and fundamental education in human behavior and judgment, which are all useful for a legal career. Psychologists, like lawyers, often help people in social services or the legal system.

Law School Requirements

The requirements for law school include high GPAs and LSAT scores. The LSAT, a standardized test for law school since 1948, is a good indicator of success in law school. It consists of four parts: logical reasoning, analytical reasoning, reading comprehension, and an unscored variable section. A score above 170 is required for the top law schools.

Bachelor of Arts (AB) in Psychology

A Bachelor of Arts (AB) in Psychology can be a good pre-law degree as it covers various relevant topics. For example, the course at De La Salle University includes cognitive psychology, abnormal psychology, and clinical psychology. The curriculum teaches students about human psychology and how it can be understood as a system that processes information about ourselves and the world. It also covers the nature, causes, and interventions of psychological disorders, as well as the ethical considerations involved in the practice of psychology.

Other Considerations

While a strong academic record and LSAT score are crucial, other factors can also enhance a law school application. Developing relationships with professors can help, as they can provide letters of recommendation and academic guidance. Additionally, seeking advice from a pre-law advisor can be beneficial to ensure all requirements are met.

Frequently asked questions