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Pre-Law Minor

Minor

With a pre-law minor, you’ll form a strong foundation for law school and a rewarding career.

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By adding a minor in pre-law, you’ll prepare for law school and for a variety of legal careers. Although law schools accept students from many majors and do not require any specific pre-law curriculum, the courses included in the pre-law minor will provide a strong foundation for future success. Pre-law is one of Bethel's pre-professional programs, which means you’ll meet with your advisor to develop a program of courses that fits your interests and prepares you for your next steps.

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Why should I study pre-law at Bethel?

Here, you’ll find a Christ-centered learning community where you belong. Your learning will center in the Department of History, Philosophy, and Political Science—often called the HiPPos—where you’ll learn from professors who get to know you personally and will invest in your success. You’ll experience:

  • One-on-one help from an advisor
    You’ll meet with your academic advisor—and Bethel’s pre-law advisor—to pick a plan that will equip you for your career goals. For more, reach out to our department chair
  • Faith-fueled learning 
    We teach with the belief that all God’s creation and all human beings are worthy of study, so you’ll gain a broad knowledge of human history that is deepened by the integration of a Christian perspective.
  • Flexibility
    Bethel's pre-law minor requires a small number of credits, and it can pair with many majors. 
  • A community where you belong
    You’ll learn in a welcoming community of intellectually curious students and professors who will invest in your success.

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Connect with a counselor

They’ll answer your questions, connect you with professors, and help you find the right time to visit campus. They’ll be there every step of the way to help make applying to Bethel as smooth as possible.

Find your counselor

Courses and skills

What skills will I develop?

As you explore pre-law, you’ll expand your knowledge and develop your skills as you prepare to take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) and continue to law school and a vibrant career.

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Prepare for the Law School Admission Test (LSAT)

This minor will help you prepare for the LSAT, law school, and a rewarding career. The LSAT is an essential gateway to legal education that examines your abilities in reading comprehension and logical and analytical reasoning. The pre-law minor—and all your studies—will equip you with these skills.

Core courses for your next steps

You'll take a unique set of stimulating courses in law, economics, political science, history, and philosophy that will prepare you for your next steps.

A foundation for law and beyond

Pre-law coursework will develop your capacities in research, analysis, and writing; deepen your knowledge of human behavior and institutions; and cultivate a robust philosophical and ethical reasoning that will provide an excellent foundation for law school and a meaningful career.

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Academic plans

Map out your time at Bethel—from day one to your diploma. Your course schedule is designed to help you grow, gain skills, and become who you’re meant to be.

See plans

Learning opportunities

What experiences will I have?

Hands-on learning is at the core of all Bethel majors and minors. That means you’ll find numerous opportunities to get involved, apply what you’ve learned, and gain experience.

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Mentorship

Bethel also has a mentorship program that connects Bethel students with alumni who have gone on to build successful careers in law. In addition, students interested in pursuing a law degree can join the Bethel Pre-Law Club, a student organization that hosts several events and law school tours each year.

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Clubs and organizations

You’ll be able to participate in the Bethel Pre-Law Club, a student organization that hosts law school tours and events. You can also participate in Bethel’s Model United Nations program (BUMUN); Pi Sigma Alpha, the national political science honorary; and United Cultures of Bethel.

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Research

You’ll have the chance to conduct research with professors through programs like Edgren Scholars and summer research projects. And you can conduct your own original research in local or digital archives for your senior seminar paper.

See all experiences

Real-world impact

How will this minor help my career goals?

Through our courses and one-on-one advising, you’ll be prepared to for law school and a successful legal career.

A strong base for law school

This minor will help prepare you for success in law school. You’ll follow in the footsteps of alumni who have gone on to earn degrees at all three law schools in the Twin Cities and several beyond Minnesota.

Transferable skills

The skills that you develop in a pre-law minor are highly transferable. You’ll be ready for a career in law, and you’ll gain knowledge that will be valuable in a variety of careers in business, nonprofit, government, and politics.

Apply your faith to your career

As you wrestle with important questions and study from a Christian perspective, you’ll be well-equipped to glorify God wherever your career takes you.

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Start your journey

Explore Bethel for yourself

Visiting campus is the best way to learn about Bethel and our majors. As you try out academic and campus life at Bethel, you can attend a class, chat with students, meet professors and coaches, tour campus, and get a taste of life in our program.

Schedule a visit

Faculty mentors

Meet your professors

You’ll learn alongside faculty who are distinguished scholars and faithful Christians. They’ll know you by name and invest in your success. Professors are accessible and usually have an open-door policy so you can stop by with questions, and you’ll often find students gathered in the “HiPPos Suite.”

Department of History, Philosophy, and Political Science


Location

Clausen Center (CC) 429

Contact

Andrew Bramsen

Chris Gehrz

Andrew Bramsen

Andrew Bramsen

Associate Professor of Political Science

Bio >

Chris Gehrz

Chris Gehrz

Professor of History

Bio >

Charles Goldberg

Charles Goldberg

Associate Professor of History

Bio >

AnneMarie Kooistra

AnneMarie Kooistra

Professor of History

Bio >

Christopher Moore

Christopher Moore

Associate Professor of Political Science

Bio >

Sam Mulberry

Sam Mulberry

Assistant Professor of History and Co-Director of the Academic Enrichment and Support Center

Bio >

Sara Shady

Sara Shady

Professor of Philosophy

Bio >

Lynn Uzzell

Lynn Uzzell

Associate Professor of Political Science

Bio >

Dan Yim

Dan Yim

Professor of Philosophy

Bio >

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Bruce Berglund

Adjunct Instructor of History, Philosophy, and Political Science

Bio >

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Michael Bumann

Adjunct Instructor of History, Philosophy, and Political Science

Bio >

Omar Fakhri

Omar Fakhri

Adjunct Assistant Professor of Philosophy

Bio >

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Bart Fischer

Adjunct Instructor of History, Philosophy, and Political Science

Bio >

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Andrew Greenlee

Adjunct Instructor of Philosophy

Bio >

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Rushika Hage

Adjunct Instructor of History

Bio >

Amy Poppinga

Amy Poppinga

Adjunct Associate Professor of History

Bio >

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Todd Kline

Adjunct Instructor of History, Philosophy, and Political Science

Bio >

James Hurd

James Hurd

Professor of Anthropology Emeritus

Bio >

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John Lawyer

Professor of Political Science Emeritus

Bio >

Samuel Zalanga

Samuel Zalanga

Professor of Sociology Emeritus

Bio >

11

full-time faculty in the department

93%

of recent alumni say their studies enhanced their writing, critical thinking, and research abilities

60%

recent alumni continuing their studies in graduate school

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Accessible education

Tuition and financial aid

We want you to understand from the beginning what a Bethel education costs. That’s why we made it simple. Beginning in the 2025-26 academic year, tuition for the College of Arts & Sciences will be $25,990—down from $44,050. This more accurately reflects what you can expect to pay, empowering you to make informed decisions and become who you're meant to be.

Estimate your cost today

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Become A Bethel Student

Apply now

You belong at Bethel. If you're ready to see who you could become, start your free application today.

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Find your fit

Explore related programs

This flexible minor will complement almost any major you choose. But here are a few examples:

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History Major

Bachelor of Arts

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English Major

Bachelor of Arts

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Explore the full lists:

Majors and minors Preprofessional programs Endorsements