SDCCD Pathway to Law School Program

Our program is part of a statewide initiative - California LAW Pathways - whose purpose is to "establish a pipeline of diverse students from high schools, community colleges, four-year institutions, and law schools into law or law-related careers so that the legal profession reflects the diverse population of California."

The State Bar's Council on Access and Fairness (COAF) established the Pathway to Law School Initiative in 2015. It includes High School Academies, Community Colleges, Universities, and Law Schools, all of whom agree to a Memorandum of Understanding regarding their responsibilities to the students in the program.

Students who complete the program at Mesa College will be identified as “Cal-LAW Scholars” when they transfer and when they later apply to law school. Participating transfer schools and law schools recognize these students and provide guidance and benefits, such as waived law school admission fees.

Mesa is one of 29 community colleges in the state that have been selected chosen to participate in the California LAW Pathways program.

Link to Mesa's program site

Link to the statewide program site

Law Pathway at Mesa/Miramar/City

"CA Law Scholars" at SDCCD have included majors in Political Science, Administration of Justice, History, Philosophy, Business, Fashion Design, and Engineering.

The program includes 7 required courses that students take along with their regular major and transfer requirements. (In many cases, the courses are ones that students might already be taking if they plan well.)

In addition, students in the program attend an orientation the first semester they join (these are held every semester), as well as at least one program event every semester. They also meet with a mentor and with our program counselor as needed. Students are also encouraged to participate in the pre-law club and all of our program activities so they can make connections with faculty and with other students who share their interest in the law.

We look forward to meeting you and helping you achieve your goals!

Required and Recommended classes for the SDCCD Pathway to Law School Program

Required courses:

1) Law PADM 110 or BUSE 140 or Miramar law course

2) American Government POLI 102 OR POLI 121

3) American History HIST 109 or HIST 110 or HIST 123 or HIST 141 or HIST 142 or HIST 150 or HIST 151 or CHIC 141A or CHIC 141B or BLAS 140A or BLAS 140B

4) Statistics POLI 201 OR PSYC 258 OR MATH 119

5) Communications COMS 103

6) English ENGL 101 or ENGL 105

7) Critical Thinking ENGL 205 or PHIL 205 or HIST 205

Recommended electives:

1) Personal Growth PERG 120

2) Work/Service Experience PADM 270