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There is no pre-law major
Law schools do not require a specific undergraduate major, and they do not prefer one. Applicants are admitted from the sciences, the humanities, the social sciences, business, engineering and the arts.
How undergraduate study fits in
What law schools look for can be built in any field: careful reading, clear writing, reasoning from evidence, and the habit of finishing difficult work. A major you are interested in is the one you are most likely to do well in, and your record in it is what an admissions committee reads.
Some colleges offer a program called pre-law or legal studies. It is one option among many and carries no special weight in admissions. Pre-law advising is a different thing: a service most colleges offer to students in every major.
PreLaw Advisor does not rank majors and does not use your major to assess or predict anything. On your profile it is simply a record of what you studied.
One special case
Patent practice before the USPTO
Representing inventors before the United States Patent and Trademark Office in patent matters requires separate registration with that office. To register, a person must show scientific and technical qualifications and pass a registration examination. The Office accepts certain bachelor’s degrees in technical subjects and also sets out other ways to qualify.
This is a rule about one kind of practice, not about admission to law school. It does not apply to trademark or copyright work, and lawyers without the registration work on patent disputes in court. If patent prosecution interests you, read the Office’s current requirements directly, because they change.
USPTO: becoming a patent practitioner (opens in a new tab) · About patent law
Fields of study
Find your field
The list below is the federal Classification of Instructional Programs, the standard vocabulary colleges use to report their programs. It has 2,143 programs. If yours is not there, your profile accepts your own wording.
Health Professions and Related Programs
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General
- Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General
- Health and Wellness, General
Chiropractic
- Chiropractic
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services
- Communication Sciences and Disorders, General
- Audiology/Audiologist
- Speech-Language Pathology/Pathologist
- Audiology/Audiologist and Speech-Language Pathology/Pathologist
- Communication Disorders Sciences and Services, Other
Dentistry
- Dentistry
Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences
- Dental Clinical Sciences, General
- Advanced General Dentistry
- Oral Biology and Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology
- Dental Public Health and Education
- Dental Materials
- Endodontics/Endodontology
- Oral/Maxillofacial Surgery
- Orthodontics/Orthodontology
- Pediatric Dentistry/Pedodontics
- Periodontics/Periodontology
- Prosthodontics/Prosthodontology
- Digital Dentistry
- Geriatric Dentistry
- Implantology/Implant Dentistry
- Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences, Other
Dental Support Services and Allied Professions
- Dental Assisting/Assistant
- Dental Hygiene/Hygienist
- Dental Laboratory Technology/Technician
- Dental Services and Allied Professions, Other
Health and Medical Administrative Services
- Health/Health Care Administration/Management
- Hospital and Health Care Facilities Administration/Management
- Health Unit Coordinator/Ward Clerk
- Health Unit Manager/Ward Supervisor
- Medical Office Management/Administration
- Health Information/Medical Records Administration/Administrator
- Health Information/Medical Records Technology/Technician
- Medical Transcription/Transcriptionist
- Medical Office Computer Specialist/Assistant
- Medical Office Assistant/Specialist
- Medical/Health Management and Clinical Assistant/Specialist
- Medical Reception/Receptionist
- Medical Insurance Coding Specialist/Coder
- Medical Insurance Specialist/Medical Biller
- Health/Medical Claims Examiner
- Medical Administrative/Executive Assistant and Medical Secretary
- Medical Staff Services Technology/Technician
- Long Term Care Administration/Management
- Clinical Research Coordinator
- Regulatory Science/Affairs
- Disease Registry Data Management
- Healthcare Innovation
- Healthcare Information Privacy Assurance and Security
- Health and Medical Administrative Services, Other
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services
- Medical/Clinical Assistant
- Clinical/Medical Laboratory Assistant
- Occupational Therapist Assistant
- Pharmacy Technician/Assistant
- Physical Therapy Assistant
- Anesthesiologist Assistant
- Emergency Care Attendant (EMT Ambulance)
- Pathology/Pathologist Assistant
- Respiratory Therapy Technician/Assistant
- Chiropractic Technician/Assistant
- Radiologist Assistant
- Lactation Consultant
- Speech-Language Pathology Assistant
- Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services, Other
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions
- Cardiovascular Technology/Technologist
- Electrocardiograph Technology/Technician
- Electroneurodiagnostic/Electroencephalographic Technology/Technologist
- Emergency Medical Technology/Technician (EMT Paramedic)
- Nuclear Medical Technology/Technologist
- Perfusion Technology/Perfusionist
- Medical Radiologic Technology/Science - Radiation Therapist
- Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist
- Surgical Technology/Technologist
- Diagnostic Medical Sonography/Sonographer and Ultrasound Technician
- Radiologic Technology/Science - Radiographer
- Physician Associate/Assistant
- Athletic Training/Trainer
- Gene/Genetic Therapy
- Cardiopulmonary Technology/Technologist
- Radiation Protection/Health Physics Technician
- Polysomnography
- Hearing Instrument Specialist
- Mammography Technology/Technician
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Technology/Technician
- Hyperbaric Medicine Technology/Technician
- Intraoperative Neuromonitoring Technology/Technician
- Orthopedic Technology/Technician
- Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions, Other
Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions
- Blood Bank Technology Specialist
- Cytotechnology/Cytotechnologist
- Hematology Technology/Technician
- Clinical/Medical Laboratory Technician
- Clinical Laboratory Science/Medical Technology/Technologist
- Ophthalmic Laboratory Technology/Technician
- Histologic Technology/Histotechnologist
- Histologic Technician
- Phlebotomy Technician/Phlebotomist
- Cytogenetics/Genetics/Clinical Genetics Technology/Technologist
- Renal/Dialysis Technologist/Technician
- Sterile Processing Technology/Technician
- Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science and Allied Professions, Other
Health/Medical Preparatory Programs
- Pre-Dentistry Studies
- Pre-Medicine/Pre-Medical Studies
- Pre-Pharmacy Studies
- Pre-Nursing Studies
- Pre-Chiropractic Studies
- Pre-Occupational Therapy Studies
- Pre-Optometry Studies
- Pre-Physical Therapy Studies
- Pre-Art Therapy
- Pre-Physician Assistant
- Health/Medical Preparatory Programs, Other
Medicine
- Medicine
- Osteopathic Medicine/Osteopathy
- Podiatric Medicine/Podiatry
- Medicine, Other
Medical Clinical Sciences/Graduate Medical Studies
- Medical Science/Scientist
- Clinical and Translational Science
- Pain Management
- Temporomandibular Disorders and Orofacial Pain
- Tropical Medicine
- Medical Clinical Sciences/Graduate Medical Studies, Other
Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions
- Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling
- Psychiatric/Mental Health Services Technician
- Clinical/Medical Social Work
- Community Health Services/Liaison/Counseling
- Marriage and Family Therapy/Counseling
- Clinical Pastoral Counseling/Patient Counseling
- Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy
- Mental Health Counseling/Counselor
- Genetic Counseling/Counselor
- Infant/Toddler Mental Health Services
- Medical Family Therapy/Therapist
- Hospice and Palliative Care
- Trauma Counseling
- Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions, Other
Optometry
- Optometry
Ophthalmic and Optometric Support Services and Allied Professions
- Opticianry/Ophthalmic Dispensing Optician
- Optometric Technician/Assistant
- Ophthalmic Technician/Technologist
- Orthoptics/Orthoptist
- Ophthalmic and Optometric Support Services and Allied Professions, Other
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration
- Pharmacy
- Pharmacy Administration and Pharmacy Policy and Regulatory Affairs
- Pharmaceutics and Drug Design
- Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry
- Natural Products Chemistry and Pharmacognosy
- Clinical and Industrial Drug Development
- Pharmacoeconomics/Pharmaceutical Economics
- Clinical, Hospital, and Managed Care Pharmacy
- Industrial and Physical Pharmacy and Cosmetic Sciences
- Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Pharmaceutical Marketing and Management
- Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration, Other
Public Health
- Public Health, General
- Environmental Health
- Health/Medical Physics
- Occupational Health and Industrial Hygiene
- Public Health Education and Promotion
- Community Health and Preventive Medicine
- Maternal and Child Health
- International Public Health/International Health
- Health Services Administration
- Behavioral Aspects of Health
- Patient Safety and Healthcare Quality
- Public Health Genetics
- Public Health, Other
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions
- Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions, General
- Art Therapy/Therapist
- Dance Therapy/Therapist
- Music Therapy/Therapist
- Occupational Therapy/Therapist
- Orthotist/Prosthetist
- Physical Therapy/Therapist
- Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy
- Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling/Counselor
- Kinesiotherapy/Kinesiotherapist
- Assistive/Augmentative Technology and Rehabilitation Engineering
- Animal-Assisted Therapy
- Rehabilitation Science
- Drama Therapy/Therapist
- Horticulture Therapy/Therapist
- Play Therapy/Therapist
- Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions, Other
Health Aides/Attendants/Orderlies
- Health Aide
- Home Health Aide/Home Attendant
- Medication Aide
- Rehabilitation Aide
- Physical Therapy Technician/Aide
- Health Aides/Attendants/Orderlies, Other
Medical Illustration and Informatics
- Medical Illustration/Medical Illustrator
- Medical Informatics
- Medical Illustration and Informatics, Other
Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services
- Dietetics/Dietitian
- Clinical Nutrition/Nutritionist
- Dietetic Technician
- Dietitian Assistant
- Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services, Other
Health Professions Education, Ethics, and Humanities
- Bioethics/Medical Ethics
- Health Professions Education
- Nursing Education
- Medical/Health Humanities
- History of Medicine
- Arts in Medicine/Health
- Health Professions Education, Ethics, and Humanities, Other
Alternative and Complementary Medicine and Medical Systems
- Alternative and Complementary Medicine and Medical Systems, General
- Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
- Traditional Chinese Medicine and Chinese Herbology
- Naturopathic Medicine/Naturopathy
- Homeopathic Medicine/Homeopathy
- Ayurvedic Medicine/Ayurveda
- Holistic/Integrative Health
- Alternative and Complementary Medicine and Medical Systems, Other
Alternative and Complementary Medical Support Services
- Direct Entry Midwifery
- Alternative and Complementary Medical Support Services, Other
Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Services
- Massage Therapy/Therapeutic Massage
- Asian Bodywork Therapy
- Somatic Bodywork
- Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Services, Other
Movement and Mind-Body Therapies and Education
- Movement Therapy and Movement Education
- Yoga Teacher Training/Yoga Therapy
- Hypnotherapy/Hypnotherapist
- Movement and Mind-Body Therapies and Education, Other
Energy and Biologically Based Therapies
- Aromatherapy
- Herbalism/Herbalist
- Polarity Therapy
- Reiki
- Energy and Biologically Based Therapies, Other
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
- Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse
- Nursing Administration
- Adult Health Nurse/Nursing
- Nurse Anesthetist
- Family Practice Nurse/Nursing
- Maternal/Child Health and Neonatal Nurse/Nursing
- Nurse Midwife/Nursing Midwifery
- Nursing Science
- Pediatric Nurse/Nursing
- Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse/Nursing
- Public Health/Community Nurse/Nursing
- Perioperative/Operating Room and Surgical Nurse/Nursing
- Clinical Nurse Specialist
- Critical Care Nursing
- Occupational and Environmental Health Nursing
- Emergency Room/Trauma Nursing
- Nursing Practice
- Palliative Care Nursing
- Clinical Nurse Leader
- Geriatric Nurse/Nursing
- Women's Health Nurse/Nursing
- Forensic Nursing
- Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing, Other
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants
- Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training
- Nursing Assistant/Aide and Patient Care Assistant/Aide
- Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants, Other
Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other
- Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other
Browse by group
- Agricultural/Animal/Plant/Veterinary Science and Related Fields
- Architecture and Related Services
- Area, Ethnic, Cultural, Gender, and Group Studies
- Biological and Biomedical Sciences
- Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services
- Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs
- Communications Technologies/Technicians and Support Services
- Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services
- Construction Trades
- Culinary, Entertainment, and Personal Services
- Education
- Engineering
- Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians
- English Language and Literature/Letters
- Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences
- Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
- Health Professions and Related Programs
- History
- Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services
- Legal Professions and Studies
- Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
- Library Science
- Mathematics and Statistics
- Mechanic and Repair Technologies/Technicians
- Military Science, Leadership and Operational Art
- Military Technologies and Applied Sciences
- Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
- Natural Resources and Conservation
- Parks, Recreation, Leisure, Fitness, and Kinesiology
- Philosophy and Religious Studies
- Physical Sciences
- Precision Production
- Psychology
- Public Administration and Social Service Professions
- Science Technologies/Technicians
- Social Sciences
- Theology and Religious Vocations
- Transportation and Materials Moving
- Visual and Performing Arts
Sources
- 1.National Center for Education Statistics. Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020) (opens in a new tab) Codes and titles. Program definitions are published by NCES.
- 2.United States Patent and Trademark Office. Becoming a patent practitioner (opens in a new tab)