Pre-Law Program
Available as a pre-professional program
By offering a challenging course of study in a highly supportive environment, the James C. and S. Maynard Turk Pre-Law Program gives students a distinct edge in preparation for an outstanding legal career.
With campus conveniently situated in a judicial hub, Roanoke routinely places students in prime internships with federal judges, public defenders, police departments and U.S. Attorneys' offices. The pre-law program eliminates roadblocks by pairing students with pre-law advisors, paying for student testing fees and covering part of the cost of LSAT preparatory courses.
Learn By Doing
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Our Washington Semester gives you the chance to complete federal internships with agencies such as the U.S. Marshals Service, the Secret Service and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. This program allows you to live, study and intern while earning academic credit from Roanoke College. You will take two courses taught by professors from surrounding universities as well as complete an internship.
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A real courtroom. A real judge. A real-world challenge. That is the setting for Roanoke College’s mock trial team when they step up to argue their cases in their first live event.
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Dr. Daisy Ball, assistant professor of criminal justice, launched an Inside-Out Prison Exchange Program class at Roanoke College. Inside-Out is a unique international educational program that brings traditional college students (“outsiders”) together for semester-long learning with incarcerated individuals (“insiders”). Roanoke College’s program is one of only a handful of Inside-Out programs in Virginia.
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Roanoke students have incredible opportunities to study and tackle internships in the legislative and judicial branches of government.
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Roanoke hosts several lecture series that serve as an open forum on public affairs and law. In addition to classroom sessions with Roanoke College students, guest lecturers give public addresses, free of charge, to the community.
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Teach-ins
The college regularly holds teach-ins with interdisciplinary faculty panels about what's happening in our community and world.
Excited About Law After D.C. Internship
A reality check. That was one of the biggest takeaways for Sontanna Cremins during an internship in the U.S. Attorney's Office for the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington, D.C.
Cremins interned in the Sex Offense and Domestic Violence division, where she worked with numerous intense cases. "Whenever there are kids involved, that kind of makes you cringe," she said. She helped attorneys prepare for trials, met with victims and monitored police body cam footage. "I want to be able to do work like this," said Cremins, who plans to attend law school.
Student Experiences
"Having both practicing and retired attorneys come in to teach classes provides insight into many different components of the legal profession. Since I started classes at Georgetown, I have truly realized how much of a learning experience this was. Many of my peers here have no experience briefing cases; whereas, briefs were frequently among my course requirements in the pre-law curriculum."
Tabitha Green '16
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"I fell in love with the law from my first interactions with it while shadowing an attorney in a small town with a general practice," Jamie Almallen '17 said. When she came to Roanoke College she interned with the U.S. Attorney's Office in Roanoke and later at the Virginia Capital Representation Resource Center. These experiences exposed her to capital punishment which became the topic of her senior thesis.
"My senior thesis was not just a required paper that I needed to complete in order to check off a box to graduate, it was a continuation of my passion. My major and my professors at Roanoke College gave me the knowledge, confidence, and support to pursue the opportunities that came my way," Almallen said. She was accepted to four law schools and is now pursuing her dream at the University of Virginia School of Law
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The Public Affairs Society at Roanoke College offers students the unique opportunity to encourage public discourse between the various disciplines of the public affairs department, such as political science, criminal justice, and international relations. The organization aims to promote awareness, as well as participation, in public issues that affect students in any and every major on campus. It offers students the unique opportunity to encourage and partake in public discourse; something that not every club can offer.
Great opportunities for our students
Our students have opportunities to hear from a wide variety of distinguished speakers through programs held on campus.
Retired U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor speaking to a classroom of Roanoke College students.
Former White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki with journalist Howard Kurtz at her talk, "Civil Discourse and Democracy."
Author Piper Kerman reading from her book, "Orange is the New Black," which details the year she spent in a women's prison for drug trafficking.
Amanda Knox signing copies of her book, "Waiting to Be Heard," after giving a speech.
Former White House intern Monica Lewinsky advocating for a shift in social media culture.
Former U.S. Congressman Tom Perriello (Va.) meeting Roanoke College students like Myles Cooper '18.
The Rev. Joseph Vought discussing "The Intersection Between Law and Gospel" in Roanoke College's Antrim Chapel.
What Makes Roanoke Different
Careers & Outcomes
Caitlin Mitchell ’13 was recently recognized with the top prize for civilian attorneys who work in the Army
The Civilian Service Achievement Medal was presented by Brigadier General George Smawley for “providing outstanding legal support to over 215 soldiers undergoing the Disability Evaluation System” in 2023.
Mitchell also received a 2024 ICE (Interactive Customer Evaluation) Award, which recognizes the top three attorneys who receive the most positive feedback from clients.
Mitchell is stationed at Fort Liberty in North Carolina with her wife and their son.
“Although the Civilian Service Achievement Medal is supposed to be a higher recognition, I was more honored to receive the ICE Award, as it demonstrates that I am truly making a difference for so many soldiers and their families,” Mitchell said.
Ava McCartin '21
Ava McCartin, now a 3L at Penn State Law, was able to prepare for the rigors of the LSAT with help of an LSAT course scholarship and a Kaplan prep grant provided by Roanoke College. Faculty mentors helped her connect with those services and offered strong letters of recommendation for her law school portfolio. "I'm still in contact with my professors and advisors from Roanoke," McCartin said. "They appreciate hearing from you and how things are progressing for you even after you graduate."
Our grads go on to top-notch law schools
News
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The team competed in front of a panel of six judges in an event held at the Roanoke County Courthouse.
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Roanoke College's D.C. program is a unique opportunity to dive into life in a new city and get resume-building experience while still taking your required courses.
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Sean Kennedy, Katherine Vaughan, Talia Cartafalsa and James Suleyman earned the honor of valedictorians of the Class of 2024. Ethan Stevenson is the salutatorian.
Roanoke's innovative curriculum emphasizes critical thinking, research and communication skills essential to working with clients and building a strong legal case. Our program has an impressive record of placing students in top-tier law schools, and a number of our graduates have secured full-ride scholarships. Moreover, Roanoke students have gone on to impressive careers in public interest, criminal and corporate law.
The pre-law program is interdisciplinary, drawing on a variety of different legal perspectives. Coursework is designed to give students the flexibility to investigate subjects most relevant to their future career plans or interests.
We offer a concentration in legal studies. Pre-law students may study any major.