Classics and Philosophy Assistant Professor Taylor Cyr, Ph.D., is our Pre-Law program advisor. He serves as the primary advisor for first-year students who have not declared a major and helps them figure out a path that best meets their interests and prepares them for a legal education. Cyr arranges professional development opportunities and guides them through curricular and extracurricular choices.

Our Pre-Law section, FOUN 210 (Vocation Exploration: Law), taught by Cyr every spring, is a one-credit course targeted for students applying to law school the following fall semester. In addition to covering important material regarding application procedures and preparing for the LSAT, this course helps students write a personal statement, perfect a résumé, request letters of recommendation and explore financial aid for law school.

To schedule an appointment with Cyr, contact him at tcyr@samford.edu.

Choosing a Major

We follow the recommendation of the American Bar Association and encourage you to choose a rigorous undergraduate major supplemented by courses that develop the core skills and values needed to prepare for a sound legal education. We do not recommend any particular major for our pre-law students but focus on skill development, practical experience and vocational discernment.

Regardless of major,  students should strive to develop the following ABA-recommended skills and values:

• Analytic/Problem-Solving Skills
• Critical Reading
• Writing Skills
• Oral Communication/Listening Abilities
• General Research Skills
• Task Organization/Management Skills
• Public Service and Promotion of Justice

In addition to these skills and values, pre-law students should take courses that develop the following subject competencies recommended by the ABA:

• A broad understanding of history, including the various factors (social, political, economic, and cultural) that have influenced the development of our society
• A fundamental understanding of political thought and the contemporary American political system
• Some basic mathematical and financial skills, such as an understanding of basic pre-calculus mathematics and an ability to analyze financial data
• A basic understanding of human behavior and social interaction
• An understanding of diverse cultures within and beyond the United States, international institutions and issues, world events and the increasing interdependence of the nations and communities within our world

Read more about “Preparing for Law School” from the American Bar Association. 

Cumberland School of Law's accelerated law program at Samford enables you to earn a bachelor of arts or science degree and a law degree (J.D.) within six years. 

When

If you have completed three-fourths of your bachelor's degree, you may be admitted into Cumberland Law. After completing your first year of law classes, you will be awarded a bachelor's degree in your undergraduate major.

How

To gain admission to the accelerated law degree program, you must apply to the law school through the standard application process. It would be best to generally score equal to or better than the median LSAT in the fall before your application and should have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better.

What if I change my mind?

You will complete the standard law curriculum of 30 credit hours during the first year of law school, with some work counting toward your undergraduate major and other work as upper-level electives. If you choose to drop out before completing your first year, any completed law courses will count toward a bachelor's degree.

Cost

You will be charged law tuition rates for your fourth year at Samford. Four-year tuition scholarships can count towards your tuition. Because students in the law program are classified as graduate students, they would be eligible for more federal aid and higher loan limits.

Are you interested in learning more about the 3+3 Accelerated Law Degree Program? Please meet with your academic advisor to ensure your program eligibility. You are also encouraged to meet with Cyr and contact the Office of Law Admission at Cumberland by phone at 800.888.7213 or by email at lawadm@samford.edu.

As an American Mock Trial Association (AMTA) member, Samford's Mock Trial team competes in national and regional trial simulations nationwide. Mock trials allow students to develop critical thinking, public speaking skills and knowledge of legal practices and procedures. Competitors also cultivate valuable advocacy skills, such as constructing opening and closing arguments, employing rules of evidence and preparing witnesses for direct and cross-examinations. Cumberland is home to one of the nation’s premier Trial Advocacy programs, and the Pre-law Mock Trial Team, coached by two mock trial veterans who are practicing attorneys, seeks to uphold this tradition of excellence.

We do not offer LSAT prep courses, but Cyr connects you to opportunities that prepare you for the LSAT. Below is a list of resources you may find helpful:

• Law School Admission Council - Register here to get information about the LSAT, prep tools, free practice tests, and other relevant information for prospective students.
• Princeton - Princeton Review includes material designed to aid in studying for the LSAT.
• Kaplan Test Prep - Kaplan provides aid for taking the LSAT and other graduate school options.
• TestMasters LSAT Prep – TestMasters provides online and live LSAT prep courses.
• Blueprint LSAT Prep – Blueprint provides online and LSAT prep courses.

Our Pre-Law Society aims to create a community of students and faculty interested in the legal profession by promoting an awareness of the law and legal process. The society strives to help students prepare for law school by providing opportunities for academic advancement while fostering social growth. To develop you into exceptional attorneys, the society will encourage fellowship among students, faculty and local members of the legal profession.