YourPace Pre-Law

Start Your Journey to Law School with UMPI’s YourPace Pre-Law Program

The University of Maine at Presque Isle’s YourPace Pre-Law program offers a flexible, competency-based pathway for students preparing for law school and careers in the legal field. Designed to develop essential skills in critical thinking, analytical reasoning, and effective communication, this program provides the foundation needed to succeed in law school and beyond.

Through UMPI’s 100% online YourPace format, students progress at their own speed, mastering coursework in areas such as political science, ethics, public speaking, and legal studies. The program emphasizes the interdisciplinary knowledge and practical skills necessary to navigate the complexities of law, justice, and policy.

Whether you’re looking to become an attorney, work in public policy, or explore careers in advocacy or government, UMPI’s YourPace Pre-Law program offers the flexibility, affordability, and career-focused preparation you need to achieve your goals.

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What Is Competency-Based Education?

Designed to leverage your previous knowledge, college coursework, and work experience, competency-based education enables you to earn your degree at your pace as you demonstrate mastery of relevant academic content.

How our YourPace online programs save you time and money:

Prove your knowledge, move ahead—the faster you advance, the more you save
Flat tuition rate per 8-week session, no matter how many courses you complete
With no weekly deadlines, you control the speed of completion*

*Time to completion varies by student and is based on several factors including prior college coursework, relevant work experience, amount of time dedicated to studying, and the number of courses completed each session.

Upcoming Session Dates

The Dates YourPace Students need to know

There are six opportunities throughout the year to begin our YourPace online program. Find the start date below that works best for you and apply before the application deadline. Please note, application and document deadlines are the same. UMPI must receive all documents including official transcripts by the document deadline to be considered. Transcripts can often take 10 or more business days from the request date to be received by UMPI, please plan accordingly.

Term	APP DEADLINE	DOCUMENT DEADLINE	CONFIRMATION DEADLINE	REGISTRATION DEADLINE	TUITION DEADLINE	START DATE	CLASS END DATE	Term Length
Spring 2	02/07/25	02/18/25	02/25/25	03/04/25	03/06/25	03/10/25	05/02/25	8 weeks
Summer 1	04/11/25	04/22/25	04/29/25	05/06/25	05/08/25	05/12/25	07/03/25	8 weeks
Summer 2	06/06/25	06/17/25	06/24/25	07/01/25	07/03/25	07/07/25	08/29/25	8 weeks
Fall 1	08/01/25	08/12/25	08/19/25	08/26/25	08/28/25	09/02/25	10/24/25	8 weeks
Fall 2	09/26/25	10/07/25	10/14/25	10/21/25	10/23/25	10/27/25	12/19/25	8 weeks
Spring 1	12/12/25	12/23/25	12/30/25	01/06/26	01/08/26	01/12/26	03/06/26	8 weeks

YourPace Pre-Law Program Offerings

The University of Maine at Presque Isle offers pre-law programs in the YourPace modality that are designed to match your career goals. With flexible options and expert faculty, we provide the tools and support you need to succeed in the competitive field of law. Explore our program offerings below and find the perfect pathway to build your future.

The University of Maine at Presque Isle’s YourPace program offers a fully online Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) in Criminal Justice with a Pre-Law Minor, designed for students seeking a flexible, career-driven path into law and the criminal justice system. This University of Maine System-accredited program allows you to build on prior technical or applied credits, combining practical criminal justice coursework with focused pre-law studies to prepare you for law school or law-related careers.

The BAS Pre-Law Minor program delivers a strong foundation in criminal justice principles, including law enforcement, judicial systems, corrections, and investigative techniques. You will also gain critical insights into constitutional law, legal reasoning, and the societal impacts of crime and justice. Courses emphasize analytical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills—core competencies needed for success in law school, legal professions, or advanced criminal justice roles.

With the flexibility of UMPI’s YourPace model, you can progress through coursework at your own speed, balancing education with work or personal commitments. This program equips you with the skills and knowledge to pursue careers in law enforcement, private investigation, judiciary services, or legal support roles, while providing a seamless pathway to graduate-level legal studies.

Take charge of your future and prepare for a rewarding career in law or criminal justice with UMPI’s online BAS in Criminal Justice with a Pre-Law Minor.

The University of Maine at Presque Isle’s YourPace program offers a fully online Bachelor of Liberal Studies (BLS) in Criminal Justice with a Pre-Law Minor, providing a flexible and comprehensive pathway for students interested in the intersections of law, society, and criminal justice. This accredited program is ideal for those looking to build a broad, interdisciplinary education while preparing for law school or law-related careers.

The BLS Pre-Law Minor blends criminal justice fundamentals with coursework in legal studies, constitutional law, and critical reasoning. This program explores the social, political, and ethical issues shaping the criminal justice system and legal professions. You will develop essential skills in research, legal analysis, communication, and critical thinking—key competencies for success in law school, graduate studies, or careers in law enforcement, policy, and judiciary services.

As part of UMPI’s innovative YourPace model, you can complete courses at your own speed, allowing you to balance education with professional or personal responsibilities. The flexibility of the BLS degree combined with the focused Pre-Law Minor ensures you gain both breadth of knowledge and specialized preparation for your next steps, whether that is pursuing law school or advancing into roles in criminal justice, public administration, or legal support.

Prepare for a future in law, criminal justice, or policy with UMPI’s online BLS in Criminal Justice with a Pre-Law Minor, and take the next step toward making a meaningful impact.

In-person Pre-Law Program Options

Not interested in the YourPace modality?
We offer an on-campus in-person Pre-Law pathway to degree completion.

In-person 3+3 Law Program

Prepare for a Legal Career with UMPI’s Pre-Law Program

UMPI’s Pre-Law Program offers a flexible, career-focused pathway for students aspiring to pursue law school or roles in public policy, advocacy, or government. Through interdisciplinary coursework in political science, ethics, history, and communication, the program develops critical thinking, analytical reasoning, and persuasive communication skills—foundational tools for success in legal and professional settings.

YourPace Tuition

Learn more about our affordable tuition

The YourPace Pre-Law Online Program offers an affordable flat tuition rate, ensuring you pay the same amount per session regardless of how many courses you complete. With no hidden fees or additional textbook costs, this flexible competency based education program allows you to save more the faster you finish. Whether you’re looking to accelerate your degree or complete courses at your own pace, you’ll benefit from transparent pricing and a cost-effective learning experience through the University of Maine at Presque Isle.

**Tuition and fees are subject to change

Tuition breakdown:

$1,700 per session**

Flat-Rate Tuition

Frequently Asked YourPace Pre-Law Questions

A Pre-Law program is designed to prepare undergraduate students for law school by developing essential skills like critical thinking, analytical reasoning, and effective communication. It typically includes courses in political science, history, ethics, public speaking, and related fields to build a strong foundation for legal studies.

The Pre-Law program does not guarantee admission to law school. However, it equips students with the knowledge, skills, and academic foundation needed to strengthen their applications and succeed in law school.

The Pre-Law program emphasizes critical thinking, research, persuasive writing, public speaking, and ethical reasoning. These skills are essential for success in law school and legal careers.

While the primary goal is to prepare for law school, the skills gained in a Pre-Law program can lead to careers in public policy, advocacy, government, business, and education, even without attending law school.

Have questions or need more information about competency based education?

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Ready to take the next step toward earning your degree online from UMPI?

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UMPI is ranked as one of the top 10 Regional Colleges in the North for graduates with least debt—UMPI is the top institution in Maine and all of New England to appear on this list. – U.S. News & World Report, 2024.

EXPECT to Finish at YourPace

YourPace Courses Success Coach Center for Innovative Learning

YourPace Admissions

Requirements for these Pre-Law program offerings

We’ve made the admission process simple and streamlined so it’s easier for you to get started. Those interested in earning their competency based education degree in Pre-law should have the equivalent of a high school diploma and possess some prior college credit and/or work experience.

Admission Requirements:

No Application Fee

Minimum 1.75 GPA

Admissions Requirements and Guidelines for Undergraduate Programs

Students must be 20 years of age at the time of application.
High school diploma or equivalent (e.g., HiSet, GED)
Minimum cumulative college of GPA 1.75 from most recently attended institution
- Submission of all official transcripts:Transcripts are only considered official if they are sent directly to UMPI from the granting institution or their electronic ordering service. Student-submitted transcripts are not accepted.
Students who do not have any college credits must submit the following:
- Provide high school transcript, high school equivalency test (HiSet), or GED

Instructions for international students:

All international transcripts will only be accepted if the student provides them through an evaluation service. The evaluation agency must be a member of NACES or AICE. We will not accept unofficial copies (e.g., from the student)
Canadian schools and universities from a French-only institution (mostly in the province of Quebec) must be evaluated
International students are required to demonstrate English proficiency by submitting scores from an English language proficiency test taken no more than two-years prior to date of application

Additional guidelines for international applicants may be found here.

Please Note: Student under 20 years of age do not meet the requirements for the YourPace programs. We do offer other programs that may meet your needs. If you would like more information about our traditional programs, please visit https://www.umpi.edu/admissions/. You can also reach out to the Admissions Office at umpi-admissions@maine.edu or by calling 207.768.9433.

Institutions and third-party vendors may submit official documents such as official transcripts and English proficiency exam score reports to: edocs@maine.edu

Mailing Address:

Application Processing Center
PO Box 412
Bangor, ME 04402-0412

YourPace Pre-Law Courses

The University of Maine at Presque Isle’s YourPace Pre-Law Program is designed to provide you with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in today’s dynamic landscape. Select the tab below to explore the degree option that aligns with your goals and start building a strong foundation for your future success.

Pre-Law Minor, BAS
Pre-Law Minor, BLS

Prepare for Law School with UMPI’s Pre-Law Minor – BAS

The University of Maine at Presque Isle’s Pre-Law Minor, part of the Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) program, offers a flexible and practical foundation for students aiming to pursue law school or careers in advocacy, public policy, or government. This minor complements your applied science studies by enhancing critical thinking, analytical reasoning, and communication skills—essential tools for the legal field.

Through coursework in political science, ethics, history, and public speaking, students gain a comprehensive understanding of societal structures and legal systems. Whether you’re advancing in your current career or preparing for graduate studies, the Pre-Law Minor within the BAS program positions you for success in law and beyond. Take the next step toward achieving your goals with UMPI’s Pre-Law Minor.

Pre-Law Studies Minor – 21 Credit Hours

Pre-law Studies Minor Courses YourPace Course Search

Build a Foundation for Law School with UMPI’s Pre-Law Minor – BLS

The University of Maine at Presque Isle’s Pre-Law Minor, part of the Bachelor of Liberal Studies (BLS) program, provides a comprehensive pathway for students preparing for law school or careers in advocacy, public policy, or the legal field. This minor pairs seamlessly with the broad liberal studies curriculum, equipping students with critical thinking, analytical reasoning, and communication skills essential for success in law and related professions.

With courses in political science, ethics, history, and public speaking, students develop a deep understanding of societal and legal systems while honing practical skills. Whether you’re pursuing law school, exploring roles in government, or enhancing your academic foundation, the Pre-Law Minor within the BLS program offers the flexibility and preparation you need to achieve your professional aspirations. Take the first step toward your future in law with UMPI’s Pre-Law Minor.

Pre-Law Studies Minor – 21 Credit Hours

Pre-law Studies Minor Courses YourPace Course Search

NECHE

The University of Maine at Presque Isle is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).

University of Maine System

UMPI is a respected member of the University of Maine System.

C-BEN

UMPI is proud to be a member institution in the Competency-Based Education Network (C-BEN).

What can you do with a Pre-Law Minor?

Next Step: Admissions

We’re so excited that you’re considering the University of Maine at Presque Isle! As a student at UMPI, we want your experience to be anything but ordinary! So what makes UMPI extraordinary? Our Learning Environment, Our Student Engagement and Our Location!

No matter what stage of life you are in, we can help you take the plunge into higher education and put you on YOUR PATH TO SUCCESS!

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