Gannon University

BERNADETTE AGRESTI, Program Director
FACULTY: Atty. Ryan Christy, Hon.. Stephanie Domitrovich

Aims and Objectives:

The Association of American Law Schools recommends that a Pre-Law Program should be concerned with the development of basic skills and insights fundamental to the later attainment of legal competence. The quality of education called for should include:

• comprehension and expression in words;

• critical understanding of the human institutions and values with which the law deals; and

• creative power in thinking.

According to the Association: "The development of these fundamental capacities is not the monopoly of any one subject-matter area, department or division. Rather, their development is the result of a highly individualized process pursued with high purpose and intensive intellectual effort by persons with at least a reasonable degree of native intelligence. Perhaps the most important variable ingredient of a proper climate for this process is the quality of undergraduate instruction. Certainly, it is not any particular course or combination of courses. Shortly stated, what the law schools seek in the entering students is not accomplishment in mere memorization but accomplishment in understanding, the capacity to think for themselves, and the ability to express their thoughts with clarity and force."

At Gannon University individuals expressing an interest in Pre-Law are initially placed in a sequence of courses in their Freshman and Sophomore years which introduce them to many of the major fields within Gannon. During this period the student, in consultation with the Director of the Pre-Law Program, is encouraged to select a field of concentration and to plan a course of studies which seems best suited to his or her individual interests and attitudes and to the fulfillment of the objectives of the Pre-Law Program.

Students from any major may elect to pursue a Minor in Pre-Law Studies consisting in 18 credit hours of approved courses selected from Pre-Law and Cognate fields. Students may also choose to complete a Legal Studies Certificates

  GANNON UNIVERSITY — DUQUESNE SCHOOL OF LAW 3/3 EARLY ADMISSION

BERNADETTE AGRESTI, Program Director
ADVISORY COMMITTEE: Hon. Stephanie Domitrovich, Joseph Martone, Esq., Gary Nash, Esq., Krista Sitterle, Esq., Albert Wehan, Esq.

Gannon University in collaboration with Duquesne University School of Law offers a competitive, early admissions program for Pre Law students. This integrated partnership provides special academic opportunities for qualified students to earn both an undergraduate degree and a law degree in six years rather than seven. Under the early admissions program, students may receive a Bachelors Degree from Gannon University after three years of undergraduate work and the successful completion of the first year of full time study at Duquesne University School of Law.

The early admissions program is only open to those applicants who enter the program as freshmen and complete all three years of their undergraduate work at Gannon University. Admissions is highly competitive and the program is limited to a maximum of twenty students per year.

Students in the early admissions program will choose an undergraduate major in Arts and Humanities, Business, Criminal Justice, English, General Science, History, Accounting, Legal Studies Paralegal, Political Science, and Social Studies at the time of their acceptance into the program and will be required to take several courses from the Pre Law curriculum. Core of Discovery as well as all major and College requirements will be completed at Gannon University except in cases where Duquesne Law School classes may be applied to such requirements.

The Pre Law Adviser and a Pre Law Advisory Committee including a representative of Duquesne University Law School and other members of the legal community, will provide counseling, advisement, opportunities for internships, field trips to Duquesne and generally help prepare those enrolled in the program with assistance in preparing for law school, the law school admissions test and eventual entrance into the legal profession.

Students will take the Law School Admissions Test in their third year and will be interviewed by a selection committee which will include the Dean of Duquesne University Law School or a designate. Selection criteria will include a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.5 for the three years at Gannon University and a minimum LSAT score in the 60th percentile on the LSAT. Evidence of leadership potential and interest and commitment to the legal profession and other qualitative factors will be considered in selection decisions.

Duquesne University will admit from five up to ten students who meet the above criteria and who are recommended by the Selection Committee. At Duquesne's option, more than ten students may be admitted.

The early admissions program is specifically designed for Gannon University undergraduate students with outstanding academic credentials who will distinguish themselves at the undergraduate level. By participating in this program, students may not only save the expenses of the additional year of study normally required to complete both undergraduate and law school degrees but they may also qualify for special scholarship and grant-in-aid opportunities at both Gannon University and Duquesne Law School.

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS:

PLAW 101: Pre-Law Orientation
An introduction to Gannon University and the Pre-Law Program.
NC - Fall

PLAW 260: Introduction to Law in Society
Introduction to legal institutions and processes; evolution of the American legal system; major substantive areas of law; legal reasoning and the adversarial process; and, the role of attorneys and courts in American society.
3 credits/Spring

PLAW 357: Legal Analysis and Persuasion
Legal analysis and persuasion will introduce the student to the fundamentals of legal thinking, including the critical examination of case law, statutory law and other written materials. Applying this legal analysis, students will learn to persuade a targeted audience in both written and oral forms. Classroom exercises include briefs, mock appellate arguments and/or mock trial.
3 credits

Pre-Law Curriculum
This is not the track for 3+3 students. This is the curriculum for pre-law students who have not decide on a major in their freshmen and sophmore years.