Pathway to Law School Program
In partnership with The State Bar of California, the Pathway to Law School initiative at Bakersfield College enhances opportunities and advancement in the legal profession for diverse populations, particularly those who have been underrepresented in the practice of law.
Program Benefits
- Counseling and mentoring
- Exposure to careers in the law
- Networking opportunities
- LSAT prep support
- Law-related activities
- Financial aid counseling
- Prescribed course credits will transfer to participating schools
- Waived application fees for admission to the participating law schools
- Special attention regarding college and law school applications at participating schools
- Upon completion of the programs, students will be designated as a California LAW Scholar
Required Courses
A list of courses required for the Pre-Law program is located in the BC course catalog.
Why Study Law?
Studying law explores many aspects of human life and allows you to develop a range of skills. Legal training fosters a broad and deep understanding of the law as well as develops abstract and critical thinking, practical problem solving skills and strong communication skills. The legal profession offers professional growth, opportunities, intellectual challenge, social activism empowerment, financial rewards, prestige and personal fulfillment in diverse areas such as: criminal law, corporate law, real estate law, tax law, family law, education law, patent law, product liability law and many other areas.
Career Possibilities
Career paths and opportunities for lawyers are endless. A law degree can be used in traditional legal employment, non-traditional legal employment and non-legal employment. Below are just some of the careers paths that you can take with a law degree.
- Lawyer
- Judge
- Mediator
- Paralegal
- Secretary
- Consultant
- Educator
- Corporate attorney
- Court Administrator
- Governmental administrator
- Politician
Contact Us
Jo Ann Acosta
Advising Expert Pathway to Law School Program
Educational Advisor
jacosta@bakersfieldcollege.edu
Phone: (661) 395-4667
Christian Zoller
Faculty lead for Pathway to Law School Program
Dept. Chair Public Safety Training
czoller@bakersfieldcollege.edu
Phone: (661) 395-4484
Participating Schools: Colleges/Law Schools
Pre-Law Club
The Mission of the Pre-Law Club is to promote law-related activities for Pre-Law scholars. These activities include law school information sessions, campus visits to law school, statewide debate competitions, local internship opportunities, and social events.
Events include: Law Day, field trips to local court house and law schools in the state of California, and social events with networking opportunities.
Pre-Law Club Meeting Times
Meeting times are still to be determined. Please contact Jo Ann Acosta at jacosta@bakersfieldcollege.edu.
Pre-Law Club on Social Media
Accessibility Center