Courses
Pre-Law Courses
Miami offers 1-credit pre-law courses that enable students to explore the legal profession, assess their interest in law, and become competitive law school applicants.
Beginning in their first year, students can explore their interest in law and learn about the diversity of the profession through guest speakers who work in a variety of fields, including:
- criminal prosecution
- law firm litigation
- public interest law
- business
- lobbying
- in-house counsel
Students will also have the opportunity to get a taste of law school in a mock law class.
This course is designed to allow prelaw students to explore the toolbox of skills necessary for success in the field of law, including:
- issue spotting
- advocacy
- persuasive writing
- client interaction
- negotiation
- ethics
This course exposes pre-professional students to current legal ethics and professionalism issues that impact law and policy careers. This course will use a combination of case studies, personal reflections, and class discussions to allow students to understand current and future legal career issues and formulate a personal ethical framework to navigate them.
Miami seniors who apply to law school will learn to navigate their way through the admissions process in PLW 401, a course that equips students with the information necessary to complete competitive law school applications.
Skills-Based Courses
A variety of courses across all disciplines and majors are available to develop the critical reading, writing, and analytical reasoning skills required to succeed in law school and beyond. This recommended course list highlights some of the many courses that can help students develop these critical skills.
| Course | Meets Major Requirements | Prerequisites |
|---|---|---|
| ACC 221 Intro to Financial Accounting |
Sophomore Standing | |
| ECO 201 Principles of Microeconomics |
MTH 201 or MU Math Placement score into MTH 123 or higher | |
| ECO 202 Principles of Macroeconomics |
MTH 201 or MU Math Placement score into MTH 123 or higher | |
| ENG 222 Rhetoric of Information and Data Visualization |
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| ENG 223 Rhetorical Strategies for Writers |
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| ENG 269 Colonial and Post-Colonial Literature |
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| ENG 275 and 276 American Literature to 1900; 1901 to Present |
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| ENG 310 Special Topics in Rhetoric and Persuasion |
ENG 223 | |
| HST 206 Introduction to Historical Inquiry |
HST majors | |
| HST 290K American Law and the Constitution |
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| PHL 263 Informal Logic |
First Course in Reasoning Sequence; Counts towards PHL major |
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| PHL 273 Formal Logic |
Second Course in Reasoning Sequence; Counts towards PHL major |
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| PHL 321 Being and Knowing |
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| PHL 373 Symbolic Logic |
Third Course in Reasoning Sequence; Counts towards PHL major |
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| POL 241 American Political System |
Required for PA, POL, and DGP | |
| POL 201 Political Thinking |
Meets POL requirement | |
| POL 363 Administrative Law |
Meets POL and PA requirement | POL 241 and 261 |
| PSY 111 Intro to Psychology |
Core Requirement | |
| PSY 221 Social Psychology |
Social breadth requirement; First course in the Social Topic Sequence |
PSY 111 |
| PSY 231 Developmental Psychology |
The Developmental breadth requirement; The first course in the Developmental Topic Sequence; A tier 1 course for PSY2-Patterns in Human Development Thematic Sequence |
PSY 111 or EDP 101 |
| PSY 242 Abnormal Psychology |
The Individual breadth requirement; The first course in the Psychopathology Topic Sequence; A tier 1 course for PSY1-Perspectives on Psychopathology Thematic Sequence |
PSY 111 |
| PSY 376 Psychology of Judgement, Decision Making, and Reasoning |
The Cognitive breadth requirement; The second or third course, beyond PSY 271, in the Cognitive Topic Sequence; An Advanced course (300-level or above; A tier 2 course for PSY5-Cognition: Understanding and Improving Thought Thematic Sequence |
PSY 271 and 294 |
| REL 101 Introduction to the Study of Religion |
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| REL 223 Introduction to Buddhism |
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| REL/AMS 241 Religions of the American Peoples |
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| REL 286 Global Jewish Civilization |
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| REL/CRE 343 African American Religions |
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| REL 376 Global Jihadism |
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| SOC 262 Research Methods |
Meets requirements for SOC major and Criminology major track in SOC | SOC 151, SOC 153 or SJS 165 |
| SOC 352 Criminology |
Meets requirements for Criminology major track in SOC, and Criminology minor | SOC 151, SOC 153 or SJS 165 |
| SOC 412 Sociology of Law |
Meets requirements for Criminology major track in SOC; Counts toward Sociology and Social Justice Studies majors | SOC 151 or 153; or SJS 165 |
| STA 261 Statistics |
MTH 201 or 104 or 121 |
| Course | Meets Major Requirements | Prerequisites |
|---|---|---|
| ENG 226 Introduction to Creative Writing: Short Fiction and Poetry |
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| ENG 311 Reading for Creative Writing: Contemporary Literature |
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| ENG 300-level workshop 320 Fiction or 323 Non-Fiction |
ENG 226 (for Fiction) | |
| ENG 339 British Romanticism, 1789-1837 |
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| HST 111/112 Survey of American History |
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| HST 197/198 Survey of World History |
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| HST 200-level course | ||
| PHL 103 Society and the Individual |
First Course in Metaphysics and Epistemology Sequence; Counts towards PHL major and minors |
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| PHL 105 Theories of Human Nature |
First Course in Metaphysics and Epistemology Sequence; Counts towards PHL major and minors |
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| PHL 131 Introduction to Ethics |
First Course in Ethics Sequence; Counts towards PHL major and ethics minor |
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| PHL 321 Being and Knowing |
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| PHL 331 Political Philosophy |
Counts towards PHL major and ethics minor | PHL 103 or 131 |
| PHL 335 Philosophy of Law |
Counts towards PHL major and ethics minor | |
| POL 303 Modern Political Thought |
Meets POL requirements | POL 201 |
| POL 353 Constitutional Rights & Liberties |
Meets POL requirements | POL 241 |
| PSY 251 Introduction to Biopsychology |
The Biopsychology breadth requirement; The first course in the Biopsychology Topic Sequence; A Neuroscience minor core requirement |
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| PSY 271 Survey of Perception, Action, and Cognition |
The Cognitive breadth requirement; The first course in the Cognitive Topic Sequence; A tier 1 course for PSY5-Cognition: Understanding and Improving Thought Thematic Sequence |
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| PSY 325 Psychology of Prejudice and Minority Experience |
The Social breadth requirement; The second or third course, beyond PSY 221, in the Social Topic Sequence; An Advanced course (300-level or above) |
PSY 221 and 294 |
| PSY 327 Introduction to Social Cognition |
The Social breadth requirement; The second or third course, beyond PSY 221, in the Social Topic Sequence; An Advanced course (300-level or above) |
PSY 221 and 294 or permission |
| REL 101 Rethinking Religion: Introduction to the Study of Religion |
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| REL 275 Introduction to the Critical Study of Biblical Literature |
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| REL 286 Global Jewish Civilization |
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| REL 342 Religious Pluralism in Modern America |
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| SOC 352 Criminology |
Meets requirements for Criminology major track in SOC, and Criminology minor | SOC 151, SOC 153 or SJS 165 |
| SOC 412 Sociology of Law |
Meets requirements for Criminology major track in SOC; Counts toward Sociology and Social Justice Studies majors | SOC 151 or 153; or SJS 165 |
| Course | Meets Major Requirements | Prerequisites |
|---|---|---|
| ENG 223 Rhetoric Strategies for Writers |
ENG 111, 112 or permission |
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| ENG 310 Special Topics in Rhetoric and Persuasion |
ENG 223 | |
| ENG 315 Business Writing |
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| ENG 300-level workshop 320 Fiction or 323 Non-Fiction |
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| ENG 316 Legal Writing and Reasoning |
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| ENG/IMS 407 Interactive Business Communication |
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| HST 300-level course | ||
| PHL 103 Society and the Individual |
First Course in Metaphysics and Epistemology Sequence; Counts towards PHL major and minors |
|
| PHL 105 Theories of Human Nature |
First Course in Metaphysics and Epistemology Sequence; Counts towards PHL major and minors |
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| PHL 131 Introduction to Ethics |
First Course in Ethics Sequence; Counts towards PHL major and ethics minor |
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| PHL 321 Being and Knowing |
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| PHL 331 Political Philosophy |
Counts towards PHL major and ethics minor | PHL 103 or 131 |
| PHL 335 Philosophy of Law |
Counts towards PHL major and ethics minor | |
| POL 387 International Security Issues |
Meets POL and DGP major | |
| POL 471 The International System |
Meets POL and DGP major | POL 271 |
| POL 459 American Politics Seminars |
Meets POL major | POL 241 |
| REL 101 Rethinking Religion: Introduction to the Study of Religion |
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| REL 201 Methods for the Study of Religion |
Sophomore standing | |
| REL 341 Protestantism and the Development of American Culture |
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| REL 343 African American Religions |
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| REL 376 Global Jihadism |
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| SOC 412 Sociology of Law |
Meets requirements for Criminology major track in SOC; Counts toward Sociology and Social Justice Studies majors | SOC 151 or 153; or SJS 165 |
| Course | Meets Major Requirements | Prerequisites |
|---|---|---|
| APC 332 Argumentation and Debate |
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| ENG 226 Introduction to Creative Writing: Short Fiction and Poetry |
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| ENG 320 Intermediate Creative Writing: Fiction |
ENG 226 | |
| ENG 323 Intermediate Creative Writing: Creative Nonfiction |
ENG 226 | |
| ENG/IMS 407 Interactive Business Communication |
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| PHL 331 Political Philosophy |
Counts towards PHL major and ethics minor | PHL 103 or 131 |
| PHL 355 Feminist Theory |
Counts towards Ethics Sequence; Counts towards PHL major and ethics minor; Counts towards Women's Studies major and minor |
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| PHL 376 Environmental Philosophy |
Counts towards Ethics Sequence; Counts towards PHL major and ethics minor |
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| PSY 325 Psychology of Prejudice and Minority Experience |
Social breadth requirement; The second or third course, beyond PSY 221, in the Social Topic Sequence; An Advanced course (300-level or above) |
PSY 221 and 294 |
| PSY 327 Social Cognition |
Social breadth requirement; The second or third course, beyond PSY 221, in the Social Topic Sequence; An Advanced course (300-level or above) |
PSY 221 and 294 or permission |
| SOC 352 Criminology |
Meets requirements for Criminology major track in SOC, and Criminology minor | SOC 151, SOC 153 or SJS 165 |
| SOC 412 Sociology of Law |
Meets requirements for Criminology major track in SOC ; Counts toward Sociology and Social Justice Studies majors | SOC 151 or 153; or SJS 165 |
| Course | Meets Major Requirements | Prerequisites |
|---|---|---|
| ENG 316 Legal Writing and Reasoning |
ENG 111/112 | |
| PHL 301 Ancient Philosophy |
Required for PHL major; Counts towards History of Philosophy minor |
PHL 103, 104, 105, or 131 |
| PHL 302 Modern Philosophy |
Required for PHL major; Counts towards History of Philosophy minor |
PHL 103, 104, 105, or 131 |
| PHL 311 Ethical Theory |
Counts towards Ethics Sequence; Counts towards PHL major and ethics minor |
PHL 131 |
| PHL 321 Being and Knowing |
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| PHL 331 Political Philosophy |
Counts towards PHL major and ethics minor |
PHL 103 or 131 |
| PHL 335 Philosophy of Law |
Counts towards PHL major and ethics minor |
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| POL 306 Applied Research Methods |
Required for PA Majors | POL 241 |
| POL 352 Constitutional Law & Politics |
Meets POL requirements | POL 241 |
| PSY 177R, 277R, 377R, 477R Independent Study |
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| PSY 293 Introduction to Psychological Statistics |
Core requirement | STA 261 *May NOT be taken concurrently with STA 261 or PSY 294 |
| PSY 294 Writing and Research Methods in Psychology |
Core requirement | STA 261 and PSY 293 |
| REL 201 Methods for the Study of Religion |
Sophomore standing | |
| SOC 262 Research Methods |
Required for SOC, SJS, and GTY majors | SOC 151, SOC 153, or SOC/SJS 165 |
| Course | Meets Major Requirements | Prerequisites |
|---|---|---|
| CMR 301 Personal Organization Skills |
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| ENG 316 Legal Writing and Reasoning |
ENG 111/112 | |
| PHL 301 Ancient Philosophy |
Required for PHL major; Counts towards History of Philosophy minor |
PHL 103, 104, 105, or 131 |
| PHL 302 Modern Philosophy |
Required for PHL major; Counts towards History of Philosophy minor |
PHL 103, 104, 105, or 131 |
| PHL 311 Ethical Theory |
Counts towards Ethics Sequence; Counts towards PHL major and ethics minor |
PHL 131 |
Law-Related Courses
Miami University offers many courses that cover specific aspects of law, justice, and ethics. See this list of law-related courses.
- BLS 342 - Legal Environment of Business
- BLS 442 - Business Associations & Communal Law
- BLS 443 - Real Estate Law
- BLS 462 - Estates, Wills, & Trusts
- BLS 464 - International Business Law
- BLS 465 - Ethics, Law & Business
- CJS 101 - Introduction to Criminal Justice Studies
- CJS 211 - Policing in America
- CJS 212 - Crime Analysis
- CJS 220 - Criminal Justice and Field Experience
- CJS 225 - Law and Courts in America
- CJS 233 - Free Speech: Crime, Campus, and Cops
- CJS 235 - Forensic Science Survey
- CJS 245 - Human Trafficking and Contemporary Slavery
- CJS 251 - Global and Comparative Justice Exploration
- CJS 256 - Police Organization, Administration and Management
- CJS 271 - Introduction to Criminal Behavior
- CJS 272 - Forensic and Crime Scene Evidence
- CJS 276 - Homeland Security and Critical Incident Management
- CJS 281 - Corrections in America
- CJS 282 - Writing in Criminal Justice
- CJS 311 - Punishment and Social Control
- CJS 312 - Community Corrections
- CJS 321 - Criminal Justice Administration
- CJS 331 - Juvenile Law
- CJS 332 - Criminal Law
- CJS 333 - Criminal Procedure
- CJS 356 - Crime Prevention and Problem Solving
- CJS 401 - Race and Criminal Justice
- CJS 411 - Evidence Law and Expert Testimony
- CJS 445 - Geographic Information Systems for Criminal Justice
- CJS 451 - Comparative Justice Systems
- CJS 461 - Applied Research Methods in Criminal Justice
- CLS 321 - Justice and the Law in Antiquity
- ENG 316 - Legal Writing and Reasoning
- ENG/JRN/IMS 424 - Digital Media Ethics
- HST 290K - American Law and the Constitution
- IES 450/550 - Environmental Law
- ITS 365 F - Law, Violence and Humanitarian Intervention
- MGT 402 - Employment Law (MGT 303 Prereq)
- PHL 131 - Introduction to Ethics
- PHL 310 - Special Topics in Ethics
- PHL 310D - Action and Responsibility
- PHL 311 - Ethical Theory
- PHL 312 - Contemporary Moral Problems
- PHL 331 - Political Philosophy
- PHL 335 - Philosophy of Law
- PHL 411 - Advanced Ethical Theories
- PHL 420 - Seminar in Twentieth Century Philosophy
- PLW 101 - Exploring Careers in Law I
- PLW 201 - Exploring Careers in Law II
- PLW 230 - Mock Trial
- PLW 301 - Professionalism and Ethics in Legal Practice
- PLW 401 - Preparing for a Career in Law
- POL 348 - Gender Politics and Policy in the United States
- POL 351 - Criminal Justice
- POL 352 - Constitutional Law and Politics
- POL 353 - Constitutional Rights and Liberties
- POL 363 - Administrative Law
- POL 382 - International Law
- POL 430C - The Rule of Law
- REL 355 - Religion and Law
- SOC 352 - Criminology (SOC 151 or 153 or SOC/SJS 165 Prereq)
- SOC 412 - Sociology of Law (SOC 151 or 153 or SOC/SJS 165 Prereq)
- SOC 413 - Juvenile Justice
Sue J. Henry Center for Pre-Law Education
159 Upham Hall
Oxford, OH 45056
