Why UMKC?
Pre-law advisors within UMKC’s College of Arts and Sciences take a personalized approach to helping students understand all of the necessary steps to prepare for the study of law.
UMKC graduates who studied in the pre-law program can be found throughout Kansas City and the country, as attorneys in government, large and small firms, business, non-profits and more. Many point to UMKC’s expert advisers, challenging courses, faculty, internship opportunities and law school test preparation as the secrets to their success.
Fast Facts
- Students in the pre-law program can choose their major from more than 30 different programs of study spanning the arts, natural sciences, humanities and social sciences.
- Any major that emphasizes writing and critical thinking skills – the hallmarks of a liberal arts education – can prepare you for law school.
- Average size of a junior/senior level class in most majors is 20-30.
Student Organizations
- UMKC’s nationally ranked mock trial team gives students the chance to apply real rules of evidence and procedure and compete against other colleges and universities.
- Model United Nations offers exposure to international affairs and law.
- Phi Alpha Delta, the co-ed fraternity for students and teachers of the law, offers networking opportunities among peers, local attorneys and judges.
Real World Experience
Careers
Pre-law students who go on to complete a law degree may choose to work within a variety of legal specialties, including :
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Salaries
Average starting salaries in Kansas City for students who go on to complete a law degree:
- Lawyer for non-profit organization, $35,000
- Lawyer working within the government, $40,000
- Lawyer working within a law firm, $60,000
- Lawyer for a company/corportation, $60,000
Admission Requirements
There are no admission requirements beyond the regular admission requirements for the University.
Prerequisite Courses
Major Courses
Students participating in the pre-law program will combine their pre-law
coursework with a major of their choosing. Therefore, the major courses
required depend upon the major the student chooses.
The general degree requirements for UMKC’s College of Arts and
Sciences include:
- communications (12 hours)
- mathematical, symbolic and logical reasoning (6 hours)
- foreign language and culture (16 hours) (high-school coursework may provide exemptions)
- computer and information technology (3 hours)
- literature and philosophy (6 hours); social and behavioral sciences (9 hours), one course must meet the state’s constitution requirement
- physical and biological sciences (8-10 hours), one course with lab
- humanities and fine arts (9 hours)
- general education synthesis (3 hours) and
- one capstone course in the student’s major.
Other Programs Available
Faculty
The pre-law program’s faculty includes:
- five University of Missouri Curators’ Professors
- two Curators’ Teaching Professors and
- many recipients of outstanding research and teaching awards and
- a licensed, practicing attorney as a pre-law adviser.
Pre-Law Program Contact:
Derek Moorhead
816-235-6094
moorheadd@umkc.edu
http://cas.umkc.edu/prelaw/
Contact us
UMKC Office of Admissions
120 Administrative Center
University of Missouri-Kansas City
5100 Rockhill Road
Kansas City, MO 64110-2499
(816) 235-1111
www.umkc.edu
Individuals with speech or hearing impairments may
call Relay Missouri at:
1-800-735-2966 (TT)
1-800-735-2466 (voice)
Visit us
Contact the UMKC Welcome Center at 816-235-UMKC (8652), or toll-free at 1-800-775-UMKC (8652), and we'll arrange a guided campus tour and a meeting with faculty and staff.
