Does an Online BA in Politics and Law Prepare You for Law School?

Introduction

Although Elle Woods in Legally Blonde famously commented “What? Like it’s hard?” after being admitted to law school, it isn’t always that simple. In fact, you may be wondering what bachelor’s degree will give you the best chance of going to law school. That begs the question: does an online BA in politics and law prepare you for law school? 

Maybe you’re also wondering if law schools will even take an online degree seriously. We have good news for you! Law schools are often more concerned with the quality and rigor of your education, rather than the format you studied. You’ll need a strong academic performance over challenging coursework, which displays that you have developed the skills you’ll need to succeed in law school 

UT San Antonio’s Politics and Law degree can be a rigorous, highly effective pathway to law school. And now, you can earn your Bachelor of Arts in Politics and Law 100% online from UT San Antonio! 

This program has years of proven success – alums who are judges, advocates, lawyers and those currently in law school. The fully online Politics and Law degree teaches you the same skills as in-person students – legal reasoning, advocacy, research and writing – while providing you the flexibility you need to study on your own time.

Whether you’re a working professional, a parent, in the military or just looking for a career change, you have an accessible path toward your legal career goals through UT San Antonio Online.

Let’s explore what law schools look for and how UT San Antonio Online’s BA in Politics and Law can help you prepare to succeed. 

What Do Law Schools Look for in Undergraduate Applicants?

You might think you need a specific major to get into law school, but that isn’t true. The American Bar Association (ABA) doesn’t require a “pre-law” degree. You can be admitted from nearly any academic discipline, including a Politics and Law degree. 

Your main focus should be on objective measures of academic success. Did you know GPA and LSAT scores are among the strongest predictors of law school success? That’s why they are typically key factors in admissions decisions. 

Admissions committees also look for:

• Strong academic performance
• Challenging coursework
• Demonstrated research and writing ability
• Meaningful experiences and accomplishments
• Evidence of intellectual curiosity and discipline

With UT San Antonio Online’s BA in Politics and Law, you can develop the research, writing and analytical skills law schools value. Through challenging coursework in legal studies, political science and public policy, you’ll strengthen your critical thinking and problem solving abilities. 

You’ll learn from faculty who have experience in law, courts and government. They’ll help you connect classroom concepts to real-world issues so you’ll be better equipped for the cases you may face.

Core Skills Required for Law School Success

The ABA has noted multiple core competencies that’ll help you succeed in law school. For example, you’ll need to have skills in critical reading, writing, research, problem solving and communication.

Before starting law school, here are three of the most vital skills you’ll need:

• Advanced reading comprehension – you’ll spend hours reading cases, statutes and legal opinions.
• Analytical reasoning – as a lawyer, you’ll have to evaluate arguments, identify flaws in logic and interpret evidence.
• Persuasive writing –  you’ll need to communicate clearly and support arguments with evidence.

With UT San Antonio Online, you’ll develop these competencies through focused and intentional coursework: 

• Legal reasoning – teaches you how to analyze legal issues and argument
• Legal writing – helps you communicate clearly and persuasively
• Policy analysis – strengthens analytical and problem-solving abilities
• Research design – develops your ability to evaluate evidence and construct well-supported conclusions

Developing these abilities is crucial because you’ll need them on the LSAT and through your first year of law school. But don’t worry, UT San Antonio Online is here to help you chase your ambition. 

a BA in Politics and Law Builds a Legal Foundation

Having a stronger academic foundation can help make your transition to law school much smoother. UT San Antonio Online’s Politics and Law degree is interdisciplinary in nature, meaning you’ll study both political systems and legal institutions. This helps you have a more broad understanding of how laws are created, interpreted and applied.

Mastering Analytical and Critical Thinking

As a lawyer, you’ll constantly be asked to analyze arguments, interpret laws and identify weaknesses in opposing positions. 

You’ll develop these skills throughout UT San Antonio Online’s Politics and Law degree. For example, you’ll:

• Evaluate constitutional questions
• Analyze Supreme Court decisions
• Write policy briefs
• Conduct legal research projects
• Develop evidence-based arguments

You’ll take courses that require you to engage with complex legal and political issues, like:

• Introduction to Legal Studies
• Law and Society
• Designing Research in Political Science
• Legal Research and Writing 

The experience you’ll gain in UT San Antonio Online’s Politics and Law degree closely mirrors the Logical Reasoning and Reading Comprehension skills tested on the LSAT.

Deep Dive into the American Legal System

In UT San Antonio Online’s Politics and Law program, you’ll study constitutional law, judicial processes, law and government and more. As you examine how laws are created, interpreted and applied, you’ll build a stronger understanding of the legal system. 

You’ll also become more familiar with the concepts and vocabulary that you’ll see in law school. This way, many of the ideas you encounter in your first year will feel more familiar to you.

Does Studying “Online” Affect Your Law School Chances?

Law schools primarily care about the quality of your academic preparation, your GPA, your LSAT score and the reputation/accreditation of your institution. 

You won’t have to worry about the optics of earning an “online” degree at UT San Antonio. In all of our 100% online programs, you’ll learn from the same faculty members and experience the same rigor as UT San Antonio’s in-person students. When you graduate, your diploma will say “The University of Texas at San Antonio” because you’re earning the same degree. 

The Importance of Regional Accreditation

UT San Antonio is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). This is one of the nation’s recognized institutional accrediting bodies and gives the university authorization to award bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees.

If you’re currently evaluating online programs, avoid schools that lack recognized accreditation or make unrealistic promises. At UT San Antonio Online, you can rest knowing you chose a respected institution. This helps protect your future educational and career opportunities.

Showcasing Time Management and Discipline

Studying in an online format can actually strengthen several of the qualities law schools admire.

You may be balancing coursework with a full-time job, military service, family responsibilities or other commitments. Through your classes, you’ll need to practice the following characteristics that will help you throughout life: 

• Self-discipline
• Time management
• Perseverance
• Independence
• Personal responsibility

If you’ve experienced obstacles while completing your degree, consider highlighting those in your personal statement or admissions interviews. This will help show your resilience and motivation.

The UT San Antonio Online Advantage for Pre-Law Students

You probably know not all degrees are created equal. The same is true for online programs. 

We built UT San Antonio Online’s Politics and Law program specifically for you: a student who wants an academically rigorous education while maintaining flexibility and accessibility.

You’ll learn from faculty who have been where you want to be. They are lawyers, judges, government employees, advocates, public servants and more. 

Throughout the program, you’ll gain valuable insights into the careers you want to pursue.  Faculty members often bring their experiences into the classroom, so you’ll have valuable insight into the careers you aspire to pursue. 

Flexibility of an Online Program

You’re already busy, and life doesn’t stop when you decide to pursue your degree.

At UT San Antonio Online, all your coursework is completed online. You’ll have weekly deadlines but no class meeting times. This way, you can study when it works best for your schedule.

With this flexibility, you can create dedicated time for:

• LSAT preparation
• Internships
• Volunteer opportunities
• Professional networking
• Family responsibilities

Conclusion: Get Your Politics and Law Degree from UT San Antonio Online

If law school is your goal, a politics and law degree can be one of the most relevant and effective undergraduate pathways available. 

With UT San Antonio Online’s BA in Politics and Law, you’ll build the critical reading, analytical reasoning, research and writing skills that law schools value most. And you’ll gain those skills through a rigorous, respected and flexible program designed for your schedule. 

Your success in the law school application process will ultimately depend on your GPA, LSAT performance and academic preparation. This program is built to support each of those goals. 

Are you ready to chase your ambition to make a difference in your community?