You believe in justice and fair treatment for everyone.
You’re a problem solver and a communicator.
You want to change the world.
As a liberal arts college, Bethel will prepare you for a career in law by
- teaching you how to think critically
- equipping you to ask good questions
- grounding you in excellent writing and speaking skills
Over the past 30 years, Bethel College graduates have enjoyed an acceptance rate into law school of nearly 100 percent.
There’s no specific major required for the pre-law track. However, the most common majors for those looking toward law school are:
Want to talk more with faculty and current students? Schedule a campus visit.
Experiential learning is an important aspect of a Bethel education. Some pre-law students choose to do an internship with a local law office to gain practical experience, while others opt for work or internships within the court system.
With a Bethel undergraduate education and a law degree, you’ll be ready to make your mark in the legal profession.
Post-graduate careers include:
- Private law practice
- Environmental law
- Human rights law
- Family law
- Corporate law
- State and federal government service
- Mediation
- Judiciary
- College presidency
Other law schools from which Bethel College graduates have received juris doctor degrees include:
- American University Washington College of Law, Washington, D.C. (Sarah Rempel ’02)
- Capital University Law School, Columbus, Ohio (Keith Wiens ’78)
- George Washington University, Washington, D.C. (Kristine Kassakert ’95, Bernd Janzen ’88)
- University of Kansas (Deanne Flickinger ’92, Ryan Loewen ’95)
- University of Minnesota (Heather Esau ’96)
- University of Tulsa (Carl Kauffman ’92)
Notable Alumni
- Matthew N. Stucky – ’11
- After graduating from Bethel, Matt was accepted into law school at the University of Chicago but deferred for a year to serve a term with Mennonite Voluntary Service in Seattle. He began his law studies in fall 2012.
- David Stucky – ’05
- David won a prestigious Thresher Award for his work in his major discipline, global peace and justice studies, and then went on to law school at Washburn University in Topeka, Kan. He has since joined staff of the law firm Adrian & Pankratz, Newton, and writes a regular column on legal issues for The Newton Kansan.
- Eric Stucky – ’05
- Eric won numerous awards in forensics competition as a Bethel student. He then went on to law school at Washburn University.
- Samuel Voth Schrag – ’04
- Samuel majored in history with a pre-law emphasis, and Bible and religion, while at Bethel. His liberal arts education helped him discover his true calling as a pastor.
- Amanda Voth – ’03
- Amanda earned her juris doctor degree from the University of Kansas Law School in Lawrence. She is an assistant attorney general in the Kansas Attorney General’s Office in Topeka.
- Joletta Friesen – ’02
- Joletta spent a year in voluntary service in south Texas as a paralegal advocating for the rights of legal and illegal immigrants before entering law school at Washburn University. She graduated with honors in and accepted a job with the firm Bryan Cave in Kansas City, Mo.
A Bethel education will equip you with important skills needed for your future career – such as advocacy, counseling, writing, public speaking and conflict resolution. Bethel’s pre-law program includes courses in business law, forensics, history and United States government. Through your program of study, you’ll develop habits of thoroughness and logical thinking, along with a grasp of social institutions and clarity of expression, as recommended by the Association of American Law Schools.