Academics at Hanover:
Legal Futures Program
Hanover College’s Legal Futures Program (LFP) prepares students for success in law school and legal careers through personalized advising, experiential learning, and a liberal arts education that develops the skills law schools value most.
There is no single path to law school — and at Hanover, that’s exactly the point.
The Hanover College Approach
Hanover College’s Legal Futures Program reflects the College’s holistic approach to post-graduate readiness.
Be YOU, Be KNOWN, Be READY
There is no “right” way to be a pre-law student.
Following guidance from the American Bar Association, Hanover students are encouraged to pursue any major that aligns with their interests and strengths. While Political Science, History, and Philosophy are traditional choices, recent Hanover graduates have successfully entered law school after majoring in Biology, Classical Studies, Communication, Economics, Psychology, Sociology, Spanish, and many other disciplines.
At Hanover, students aren’t just another name on a roster.
With a 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio, an average class size of 13, and 94% of faculty holding terminal degrees, students develop meaningful relationships with professors, staff, and peers.
Legal Futures students also receive support through:
- The Levett Career Center
- Director of Pathway Programs
- COACH Community alumni network
- Application workshops
- Career advising
- Experiential learning opportunities
- Legal Futures Resource Hub (beginning Fall 2026)
Preparing for law school requires more than strong grades.
Hanover students build career competencies through internships, research, volunteer and service experiences, leadership, employment, study abroad, and campus involvement.
Beginning in the 2027 academic year, select students may participate in the Legal Scholars Externship, a for-credit observational experience in legal settings including courtrooms, law firms, city government, nonprofit organizations, and corporate legal departments. Students reflect on these experiences while developing their professional identity and understanding of the legal profession.
Explore Legal Interests Through Coursework
At Hanover College, you’ll learn to think, write, speak, analyze, and understand people like a lawyer.
You can major in virtually any discipline and remain a competitive law school applicant. Rather than following a prescribed checklist, build competencies by exploring courses that match your interests.
Law & Business
- BUSN 211 – Management Concepts
- BUSN 212 – Ethics and Commerce
- BUSN 215 – Business Law and Ethics
- BUSN 216 – Introduction to Sports Management
- BUSN 331 – Human Resource Management
Law & Communication
- CLA/COM 163 – Argument & Persuasion in Antiquity
- COM 320 – Persuasive Communication
- COM 325 – Political Rhetoric and Campaigns
- COM 350 – Communication Law & Public Policy
Law & the Environment
- ECO 221 – Environmental Economics
- ECO 224 – Introduction to Sustainability
- PHI 264 – Environmental Philosophy
- PLS 321 – Natural Resources Policy
- SOC 229 – Environmental Sociology
Law & Politics
- HIS 219 – History of Human Rights
- HIS 330 – History of American Thought
- PHI/PLS 236 – Contemporary Political Thought
- PLS 162 – Modern Politics: Power and Ideas
- PLS 222 – U.S. Legislative Process
- PLS 322 – Political Parties and Interest Groups
Law & Criminal Justice
- SOC 217 – Deviance and Social Control
- SOC 237 – Social Justice & Mass Incarceration
- SOC/PLS 315 – Political Sociology
- SOC 336 – Crime and Corrections
Alumni Perspectives
Maurice “Mak” Kessner
Hanover College ’26
Psychology and Business
Indiana University Maurer School of Law ’29
Where are you headed this fall?
“I’m heading to IU Maurer School of Law with a full-tuition scholarship and hope to pursue criminal or corporate law.”
What made Hanover special academically?
“The close relationships I built with professors and advisors were pivotal to both my undergraduate success and my law school admissions. Their personal feedback strengthened my academic growth and my application.”
What challenged you?
“Hanover professors consistently expected my best work. Their high expectations pushed me to grow academically.”
What advice would you give current students?
“Use the Levett Career Center early and often. Seek help with résumés, LSAT preparation, and applications. Also, take advantage of Hanover’s alumni network—you never know where a conversation might lead.”
Carson Tranter
Hanover College ’24
Economics
Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law ’27
Did Hanover prepare you for law school?
“Absolutely. Hanover’s interdisciplinary liberal arts education and emphasis on reading, writing, and critical thinking prepared me extremely well for the demands of law school.”
What makes Hanover special?
“The people. Hanover students and alumni genuinely support one another. The College teaches students how to think, not what to think, and that’s invaluable.”
What excites you about your current journey?
“I’m looking forward to entering the legal profession after completing my final year of law school.”
Emma Kate McMurtry
Hanover College ’21
History and Communication
Penn State Dickinson Law ’24
Associate Attorney, Hankin Sandman Palladino Weintrob & Bell
How did Hanover support you?
“I felt supported through the relationships I built with faculty, staff, classmates, and the Levett Career Center. Professors were approachable, invested in my success, and always willing to offer guidance as I prepared for law school.”
What has stayed with you from your Hanover experience?
“The skills I developed at Hanover continue to shape my career every day. Hanover challenged me to think critically, communicate effectively, and approach problems from multiple perspectives. Those experiences gave me the confidence to navigate the demands of a legal career.”
What advice would you give current students?
“Take advantage of every opportunity to strengthen your writing, public speaking, and analytical thinking skills. Build relationships with your professors—they can become invaluable mentors and advocates throughout your journey. Seek internships, volunteer experiences, and opportunities to observe the legal profession. Stay curious, ask thoughtful questions, and remember that success in law is built on persistence, preparation, and a genuine commitment to serving others.”
COACH Community
Connect with Hanover alumni working throughout the legal profession.
This section will feature alumni mentoring, networking opportunities, career exploration resources, and video testimonials.
Frequently Asked Questions
Applying to law school is increasingly competitive, and every institution supports students differently.
Hanover’s residential liberal arts environment gives students the time, mentorship, and opportunities to develop the skills law schools value most: critical thinking, communication, analytical reasoning, and intellectual curiosity.
With a 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio and 94% of faculty holding terminal degrees, students receive personalized mentoring that often leads to research opportunities, internships, strong letters of recommendation, professional networking, and long-term mentorship.
Hanover’s close-knit campus also creates meaningful connections with staff who know students personally and can connect them with opportunities aligned with their interests and goals.
Students also receive individualized advising from the Director of Pathway Programs throughout the law school preparation process.
The Director of Pathway Programs, Olivia Owens, serves as Hanover’s official Pre-Law Advisor.
Students can schedule appointments through HanoverConnect, visit the Levett Career Center on the first floor of Duggan Library, or attend weekly office hours.
Beginning in Fall 2026, students will also have access to the Legal Futures Resource Hub on Canvas featuring announcements, events, internship opportunities, volunteer opportunities, application resources, and program updates.
Students are also encouraged to connect with faculty and participate in Hanover’s Pre-Law Club.
Absolutely.
Students are encouraged to explore legal careers through the COACH Community, internships, research, conferences, service opportunities, and study-away experiences.
Beginning in 2027, eligible juniors and seniors may participate in the Legal Scholars Externship, completing more than 50 hours of observational experience in legal settings.
Students may also participate in opportunities such as Hanover’s May Term United Nations Field Study, where they spend two weeks studying international diplomacy at United Nations headquarters in New York City.
Every applicant follows a unique path, but successful candidates typically demonstrate growth in several areas:
- Service and community engagement
- Leadership and teamwork
- Employment and responsibility
- Professional exposure
- Research and scholarly inquiry
- Personal growth and exploration
Examples include volunteer work, faculty research, student organizations, athletics, campus employment, resident assistant positions, study abroad, internships, independent projects, and leadership opportunities.
Faculty mentors and the Director of Pathway Programs can help students identify experiences that best align with their interests and goals.
Preparation begins on your first day at Hanover.
Students are encouraged to meet early with the Director of Pathway Programs to develop a long-term plan that includes academics, leadership, service, and experiential learning.
For students planning to begin law school immediately after graduation, applications should generally be submitted by December of the year before enrollment.
For example, students planning to begin law school in Fall 2028 should aim to submit applications by December 2027.
Students should also allow adequate time for LSAT preparation and testing.
What’s next for the Legal Futures Program?
Hanover continues to expand opportunities for future legal professionals.
Recent and upcoming initiatives include:
- Legal Futures Resource Hub (Fall 2026)
- Legal Scholars Externship (2027)
- Expanded alumni mentoring through the COACH Community
- New networking and career exploration programming
- The inaugural John Trimble Memorial Law Dinner, presented by Lewis Wagner LLP beginning in 2027
The Legal Futures Program will continue developing innovative coursework, experiential learning opportunities, and advising that position students for success at Hanover and beyond.
