California Law Pathways Program
Explore your pathway to law school!
The California Law Pathways will connect Merced College students with California Law Pathway orientations, counseling, transfer support, conference visits, and mentorship from instructional faculty and legal professionals in the field.
Benefits and Support Services
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Dedicated Counseling
Receive guidance for education plans and transfer goals.
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Faculty Champion
Access to mentorship and connection with faculty.
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Application Fee Waivers
Eligible for participating law schools.
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Cal Law Pathway Certification
Self-identify as Cal Law Pathway scholars on transfer applications.
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Free LSAT Prep Course
Offered through Khan Academy and the Law School Admission Council.
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Law-Related Activities & Events
Engage in extracurricular opportunities at Merced College.
About the Pathway to Law School
- California Western School of Law
- Chapman University, Fowler School of Law
- Loyola Law School
- McGeorge School of Law
- Pepperdine University Caruso School of Law
- Santa Clara University School of Law
- Southwestern Law School
- University of California College of Law, San Francisco
- University of California, Berkeley School of Law
- University of California, Davis School of Law
- University of California, Irvine School of Law
- University of California, Los Angeles School of Law
- University of San Diego School of Law
- University of San Francisco School of Law
- University of Southern California Gould School of Law
- Western State College of Law
- Students will maintain in Good Standing for each semester they attend at Merced College or any other colleges or universities or institutions of higher education.
- Students must at no time fall below the standards of ethics or behavior that would bar admission to the State Bar of California.
- Academic misconduct
- Unlawful misconduct
- Employment misconduct
- Financial misconduct
- Cal Law Pathway students must complete an orientation on the program at Merced College.
- Student must sign up with Cal Law Pathways by completing a survey.
- Take advantage of the support services:
- Mentoring
- Workshops
- Counseling
- Field Trips to Conferences or Events
- Students must develop a Student Education Plan (SEP) mapping out both transfer requirements to students’ destination of choice and the specific course requirements for Cal Law Pathways.
- Student must complete the course work at Merced College and enroll in participating law school no later than Fall 2034.
- CRIM-02 INTRODUCTION TO CRIMINAL JUSTICE
- ENGL-C1000 (Formerly ENGL-01A) ACADEMIC READING AND WRITING
- ENGL-C1001 (Formerly ENGL-13 or PHIL-13) CRITICAL THINKING AND WRITING
- COMM-C1000 (Formerly COMM-01) INTRODUCTION TO PUBLIC SPEAKING
- STAT-C1000 (Formerly MATH-10) INTRODUCTION TO STATISTICS
- HIST-17A UNITED STATES HISTORY AND UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION or HIST-17B UNITED STATES HISTORY AND CALIFORNIA STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT
- POLS-C1000 (Formerly POSC-01) AMERICAN GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
- Student must meet with the Career and Transfer Counselor their last semester before transferring to apply for the COAF Cal Law Scholars Certification
- Petition for COAF Law Scholar during your final semester by the deadline:
– Fall Completers: First Friday of fall semester
– Spring Completers: First Friday of spring semester
– Submit Pathway to Law School Student Waiver
- Petition for COAF Law Scholar during your final semester by the deadline:
Pathway to Law School Information Meetings
Orientations are being planned to be offered in Spring 2026. Always check Merced College events website for event information.
Contact
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Jose A Serena Jr.
Dean of Instruction Allied Health & Public SafetyInstruction
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Ernesto Hernandez
Director Career and Transfer CenterStudent Services -
Angel Comer
Student Support CoordinatorStudent Services
Contact
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Career and Transfer Center Program
Student Union (Between NextUp and the Gymnasium)