Our major in Political and Economic Philosophy (PEP) is unique. It is a major for students who like philosophy and want to prepare for a career in law, business or government. PEP students desire to understand the big picture of how philosophy, business, and politics combine to define our nation’s policies, laws and free-market economy.

Since 1991, PEP has been the most popular and successful major for pre-law students at Wheeling Jesuit. Ninety-seven percent of pre-law PEP majors (86 students) who applied to law schools have been accepted, and more than 40% have received full or partial tuition scholarships. PEP majors average around the 68th percentile on the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) and have an average GPA of approximately 3.4/4.

Some of the law schools PEP majors have attended include: Washington and Lee University, Ohio State University, Duquesne University, University of Akron, West Virginia University, University of Dayton, Santa Clara University, Detroit-Mercy University, Syracuse University, University of Pennsylvania and University of Pittsburgh.

Some of the other special features of PEP are:

• As an interdisciplinary major (Philosophy, Business & Political Science), the PEP curriculum is flexible. Students frequently take a double major or one or two other minors. PEP advisors work closely with students to tailor, as much as possible, their curricula to their interests.
• Almost all pre-law PEP majors arrange legal internships moderated by PEP faculty.
• Many PEP faculty are nationally recognized in their fields, and often the authors of the texts and articles used in their PEP courses.
• Pre-law PEP students are offered expert training for the LSAT.

Besides pre-law, PEP majors usually intend to go on to post-graduate or professional schools. Over the years, PEP alumni have earned a Ph.D. in economics from George Mason University, a post-graduate Legal Assistant degree from Georgetown University, MBA’s and various masters’ degrees in political science, public administration, human resources management, and business finance.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or would like more information. Let me close now with a slogan we like to use:

OWN YOUR FUTURE WITH PEP

Thomas Michaud, Ph.D., Professor of Philosophy
Pre-Law Academic Advisor and PEP Major Coordinator
Phone: 304-243-2396 Email: tmichaud@wju.edu