Going to law or medical school as a philosophy major
College advice from William F. Nietmann, Professor Emeritus, NAU Department of Philosophy
Edited by University Marketing
Many philosophy majors attend law school or become doctors. It is not only possible to get into graduate programs in law and medicine with a philosophy degree, but it can even be one of the best choices you make for your future career.
Is philosophy a good degree for pre-law students?
Yes, philosophy is a great choice for pre-law. A significant number of students in philosophy are interested in law school, as this career choice is a natural fit. In fact, philosophy is one of the best majors for law school prep—but there is no one universal pre-law major.
Philosophy trains you in the arts of critical reasoning and writing—some of the most important skills you need for success in law school. Studies confirm that the highest-scoring students on the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) majored in philosophy, economics, physics, or mathematics.
What is the best NAU degree for law school?
In addition to our philosophy major, NAU offers the interdisciplinary Philosophy, Politics, and Law degree for students interested in law school. If you have a specialty area in mind already, you can combine your major degree with a minor—or even a double major—in compatible fields like criminal justice, English, history, and more.
Arizona court Commissioner Jacki Ireland was a Criminology and Criminal Justice major with a minor in philosophy. NAU offers pre-law advising for all interested students.
Can I go to medical school with a philosophy degree?
Yes, you can go to medical school as a philosophy major. Over the years, we have seen numerous NAU philosophers prepare for and succeed in med school.
Combining science and philosophy will ultimately make you a better doctor, as the broad perspectives gained during your undergraduate years will create a strong foundation. Philosophy students scored the highest of all liberal arts students on the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), bested by students in very few subject areas—chiefly biochemistry and mathematics majors.
NAU’s premedical advisors are a wealth of information on preparing for medical school and creating the best academic plan for your goals. In general, premed philosophy majors should take the beginning two years of biology, chemistry, and physics, as well as calculus. This is the standard expectation of all future doctors. As you will be taking these required med school prerequisites, you may end up wanting to add a minor in biology, chemistry, or another field to your degree plan—maybe even a double major in Biomedical Science. Be sure to make an advising appointment to discuss your plans.