Major in the humanities
Planning for a career in law? The humanities are a strong place to start.
At the University of Illinois, pre-law is a path you can pursue with any major. Earn a degree in a field you love while preparing for law school with specialized support along the way. Humanities majors are among the 70+ majors offered through the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences.
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A strong path to law can start in the humanities
Humanities majors are among the strongest pathways to law school. Through English, history, philosophy, and other humanities disciplines, you'll learn to:
Connect ideas across sources and identify key insights
Evaluate evidence and challenge assumptions
Build strong arguments and engage thoughtfully with differing viewpoints
Communicate complex ideas through clear, persuasive writing and speaking
A humanities degree helps build the analytical, communication, and critical-thinking skills valued in law school and legal careers.
Hear from humanities majors
Hear directly from humanities students in the College of LAS about why they chose their majors and how their coursework has strengthened the critical thinking, analysis, and communication skills valued in law.
Read their stories and explore humanities majors to find a path that aligns with your interests and goals.
Humanities alumni drive impact
Corinne Cantwell Heggie, BA, ’98, French
"My studies taught attention to detail [and] to acknowledge and respect differences. The lessons I learned on campus continue to serve me well professionally and socially, every day of my life."
Jack Duffley BA, '18, history and economics
"Law school is very reading and writing intensive. Studying history is similar in that sense. History is a set of arguments about the past. The practice of law tends to revolve around providing arguments and interpretation of rules against a set of facts."
Mia Vavaroutsos, BA, ’25, Spanish and English
"My biggest passion is easily literature; whether in English, Spanish, or translated from a language I don't know, I can never seem to pull my head out of a book. Having an English major lets me explore my love for literature in a context that develops critical thinking and analytical writing skills, which I will need for my intended career in law."
Support every step of the way
From choosing courses to preparing law school applications, at Illinois you'll have people to help you plan ahead.
Your academic advisor helps you shape your degree. Illinois' Pre-Law Advising provides specialized resources and individual appointments to help you explore schools. LAS Career Services can help you connect your interests, strengths, and future goals.
Post-graduation success
Humanities graduates achieve strong outcomes after graduation. According to the Illini Success report:
- 97% of English and history graduates,
- 94% of School of Literatures, Cultures & Linguistics graduates,
- and 93% of philosophy graduates
are employed or continuing their education.
Law school destinations
From the humanities to law school: Here are just a few institutions where our graduates continue their education to prepare for careers in law:
- University of Notre Dame
- Chicago-Kent College of Law
- DePaul University
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Chamapign
Common pre-law majors
Many pre-law undergradaute majors fall into the humanities. Below are just a few majors that can prepare you for law school and the legal field.
English
English students uncover how literature, film, and cultural texts reflect and challenge the world around us. Through the study of fiction, drama, poetry, and essays, you’ll sharpen your ability to analyze complex ideas, tackle big questions, and communicate solutions with clarity and creativity.
History
As a history major, you'll dive into the stories that have shaped the world we live in today. You’ll explore how past events connect to present-day challenges, gaining insights that will empower you to tackle complex global issues. A secondary education option in social science and the teaching of history is also available.
Philosophy
Philosophy invites you to dive into life’s most profound questions—about who we are, what we know, and how we determine what’s right. Through deep inquiry, you'll explore everything from the nature of knowledge and experience to the complexities of ethics and values.
As a philosophy major, you’ll sharpen your critical thinking, refine your ability to reason and argue effectively, and enhance your skills in both written and verbal expression. These powerful tools open the door to a wide range of careers, including law.
Comparative & World Literature
Dive into texts in their original languages, connect ideas between cultures, and discover the art of comparison that fuels fresh insights. Graduates go on to dynamic careers in fields like law, where understanding diverse narratives makes all the difference.
Pre-professional programs
Did you know pre-law is considered a pre-professional program? Explore the full range of pre-professional programs available through the College of LAS.