Launch Your Legal Career
Are you passionate about pursuing a career in law or a legal-related field? Our Bachelor of Arts degree in Pre-Law is meticulously designed to prepare you for admission into law school or to embark on a variety of legal-adjacent careers. Our comprehensive curriculum encompasses courses across a range of disciplines to equip you with the skills essential for a successful legal career.
Belhaven’s BA in Pre-Law program stands out by integrating a broad spectrum of disciplines to foster a well-rounded understanding of the legal world. This program not only primes students for the LSAT and law school but also provides valuable insights into public relations, intercultural communication, and criminal justice—all taught from a Christian worldview.
Why You’ll Love Pre-Law at Belhaven
Diverse Disciplines
Our extensive curriculum covers a variety of disciplines, providing you with the essential skills for a successful legal career.
Internship Opportunities
Belhaven's state capital location offers abundant internships at government institutions, museums, and archives, providing invaluable practical experience and professional networking opportunities.
Comprehensive Curriculum
Our Pre-Law program combines essential courses in the humanities and business that are crucial for developing strong analytical, communication, reading, and writing skills.
Christian Worldview
You are challenged to think critically and analytically about who God is — and who you are — as we equip you to fulfill your calling to glorify God and be a blessing to the world.
39,100 Job Openings for Lawyers
Over the next decade, according to U.S. BLS.
13:1 Student/Faculty Ratio
Small class sizes mean close-knit learning communities
14 Years in a Row
Named a College of Distinction
1883 Founding Date
Our rich heritage of excellent educational opportunities spans nearly 140 years
What Can You Do with a Pre-Law Degree?
Graduating with a B.A. in Pre-Law from Belhaven University opens up a world of opportunities. Here’s what you can look forward to:
Legal Career Preparation: Primarily, this degree prepares you for law school. With dedicated faculty advisors, you’ll be well-prepared for the LSAT and law school admissions interviews.
Graduate School Opportunities: Belhaven’s BA in Pre-Law not only readies you for immediate employment but also sets a strong foundation for further education. Graduates can pursue advanced degrees in law or related fields, benefiting from our program’s rigorous academic training and comprehensive skill development.
Legal-Adjacent Careers: Beyond law school, the skills you develop can lead to careers in business, criminal justice, and other humanities fields. Employers value the communication, analysis, and critical thinking skills honed in our program.
Double Major & Get Your 5th Year Free
Fuel your academic passions and expand your career options. Belhaven offers our freshmen a unique deal: double major, and we’ll pay the tuition if you need a fifth year in school. Double major in two arts programs, pair a business degree with a STEM major … the possibilities are endless!
Career Opportunities in Legal Occupations
Wondering what types of jobs are available with a degree in Pre-Law? According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, some career paths in the legal field include:
- Judicial Law Clerks
- Lawyers
- Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators
- Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers
- Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates
- Paralegals and Legal Assistants
- Legal Support Workers
- Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers
Pre-Law: What You Need to Know
- 4-Year Plan for Freshmen (pdf)
- 4-Year Plan for Transfers (pdf)
A Pre-Law degree from Belhaven University is an investment in your future. This program cultivates essential skills in communication, critical thinking, and ethical reasoning, preparing you for a variety of career paths and graduate studies. With a broad understanding of the legal landscape and a solid Christian foundation, you’ll be well-equipped to make a meaningful impact in your community and beyond.
According to the American Bar Association, the core skills and knowledge needed when preparing for law school are as follows:
- Problem Solving
- Critical Reading
- Writing and Editing
- Oral Communication and Listening
- Research
- Organization and Management
- Public Service and Promotion of Justice
- Relationship-building and Collaboration
- Background Knowledge
- Exposure to the Law
Successful Alumni Who Continued to Study Law
Daniel McPherson graduated in 2005. He worked at Belhaven University and the William Morris Group Insurance Company before deciding to go to law school at Mississippi College of Law, graduating in 2018. Daniel now serves as Assistant District Counsel with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Vicksburg, MS.
Tiffany Merritt graduated from Belhaven in 2018. She completed a Master of Legal Studies in Indigenous Peoples Law in 2022 from the University of Oklahoma, and she is planning to continue on to a full law degree.
Ryan Carr graduated from Belhaven 2017 and attended Mississippi College School of Law, graduating in 2020.
Elliott Clark graduated from Belhaven in 2012. He went to the University of Alabama law school. Elloitt practiced law at a small firm in Meridian, MS before moving to Utah. Elliott is now serving as an assistant AG at the Attorney General’s Office in Salt Lake City.
After graduating from Belhaven, Laura Huddleston Carter attended the Mississippi College School of Law, graduating in 2012. Laura served for several years as a lawyer for the State of Mississippi Department of Revenue.
Bradley Broughton graduated from Belhaven in 2007 and completed his law degree from the University of Alabama School of Law in 2012.
Why Trust Belhaven With Your Future?
Our quality is recognized by SACSCOC, which grants our institutional accreditation and authority to award associate, bachelor’s, master’s, educational specialist, and doctoral-level degrees. Plus, we’re consistently recognized by organizations like U.S. News & World Report for our academic excellence, commitment to community service, expert faculty, and overall value.
Meet Our Faculty
Assistant Professor of Social Work and Chair of Social Work and Criminal Justice
Candace Carter
Assistant Professor of Social Work and Chair of Social Work and Criminal Justice
Professor of English & Chair of the English Department
Don Hubele
Professor of English & Chair of the English Department
Professor of History and Director of the Honors Program
Jonathan Koefoed
Professor of History and Director of the Honors Program
Associate Professor of Public Relations, Chair of the Communications Department
Bill Moak
Associate Professor of Public Relations, Chair of the Communications Department
Associate Professor of Business Law
Elanor Nabors
Associate Professor of Business Law
Dean of the School of Humanities and Ministry and Professor and Chair of History
Seth Parry
Dean of the School of Humanities and Ministry and Professor and Chair of History
Professor and Chair of International Studies
Kristen White
Professor and Chair of International Studies
Contact Us
Office of Admission
Phone: 601-968-5940Mailing Address:
1500 Peachtree Street, Box 153
Jackson, MS 39202
For campus visit:
Jimmy Hood Welcome Center
855 Riverside Drive
Jackson, MS 39202
Fax: 601-300-2932
Verse of the Year
God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him.
Philippians 2:13