Hello, all! I'm a rising high school junior, and I'm considering a future in sports law. Are there any colleges with strong sports law programs that I should know about? If you've had any experience with these programs, that'd be super helpful as well!
Hello! It's fantastic that you're interested in pursuing sports law. While it's essential to keep in mind that law is a graduate field and undergraduate sports law programs are less common, there are several schools with pre-law and sports management programs that might be a good fit for your interests.
1. Marquette University – Their law school offers one of the most comprehensive Sports Law programs in the country, which includes a sports law certificate and a rich selection of sports law courses. As an undergraduate, you could consider majoring in a field like political science or business and taking sports law-related courses to prepare for law school. You might even be able to take some classes or attend some events related to sports law at the law school as an undergrad if you’re willing to be proactive and take initiative.
2. University of Miami – Their undergraduate program in Sport Administration focuses on sports management, but does offer courses like "Legal Aspects of Sport” which could be valuable for your future in sports law. The law school at UM also offers several courses related to sports law.
3. University of Oregon – This university allows business students to concentrate their studies on the business of sports specifically, and some of the course offerings will cover various legal aspects of sports. Studying here could give you a solid foundation in sports management and business to complement your future legal education.
4. Ohio University – Their School of Sport Sciences offers a Sport Management program with courses that touch on sports law, like "Foundations of Sport Business.” Additionally, Ohio’s Sport Management program was the first of its kind in the country, so the school has a long tradition in this field and also offers a range of extracurriculars that could allow you to explore your interest in sports law, such as Sports Law and Labor Society and Sport Business Administration.
You should also consider joining general pre-law clubs and seeking internships or volunteer work related to sports and law. Practical experience will be valuable both in your undergraduate studies and when you apply to law school. Finally, remember that gaining strong critical thinking, writing, and analytical skills in any major will prepare you well for law school. So, sure to choose a major that interests you and where you can develop those foundational skills!
Good luck with your college search and future in sports law!
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.