what degrees do you need to have to be a lawyer

by Ms. Amanda Padberg 8 min read

  1. Bachelor's Degree. Anyone who wants to pursue a law degree must first complete a bachelor's degree program (or its equivalent).
  2. Law School. The next step is to graduate from or complete at least three years at a law school accredited by the American Bar Association, with slight variations from ...
  3. State Bar Exam. No matter how well you did in law school, you cannot legally practice law in a given state without passing that state's bar examination.
  4. Character and Fitness Review. Since the practice of law is such a high stakes endeavor, involving the finances and in some cases the freedom of clients, each state bar ...
  5. Oath. Prospective attorneys must take a legally binding oath that they will uphold the codes and the Constitution of the United States, as well as the laws and constitution ...
  6. License. Completion of the above requirements typically results in the individual receiving his or her law license from their state's supreme court or high-court equivalent (the Court of Appeals ...

The majority of lawyers have to spend four years getting their bachelor's degree and three years attaining their Juris Doctor degree. For the Juris Doctor degree to count, it has to be from a school that is accredited by an organization known as the American Bar Association (ABA).

What college courses do you need to become a lawyer?

  • College Composition and two 6-semester courses or 4 3-semester courses from the following:
  • Business
  • Science and Mathematics
  • History and Social Science
  • Foreign Language
  • Composition and Literature (Humanities only)
  • If you wish to register for the CLEP tests, you may do so online. Each exam costs $87, which may be paid online. ...

How to develop skills needed to be a good lawyer?

Part 2 Part 2 of 5: Learning Essential Skills

  1. Practice critical thinking. In order to be a successful lawyer, you must be able to look at a legal issue from all sides in order to come up with ...
  2. Develop your writing skills. Lawyer often underestimate the writing skills that are needed to be a successful lawyer.
  3. Work on your oral communication skills. ...

More items...

What are the best schools to become a lawyer?

  • Business law. ...
  • Corporate law. ...
  • Family law. ...
  • Federal judicial clerkships. ...
  • Health law: Aspiring health lawyers often combine a master's in public health with a J.D.
  • Medical malpractice: Having either a medical degree or a biology degree is helpful for lawyers who litigate malpractice cases, though it is not mandatory. ...

More items...

What degrees should I major in to become a lawyer?

What to Major in to Become a Lawyer

  • History. Examining how the past has helped to shape and define our present—here in the United States and around the world—will help you put into context our current justice system ...
  • English. ...
  • Philosophy. ...
  • Political Science. ...
  • Economics. ...
  • Business. ...
  • General Tips. ...

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What do I need to become a lawyer?

Aspiring lawyers are required to attend a law school that is accredited by the American Bar Association. To be accepted, you’ll need to first pass the Law School Admission Test (LSAT).

How do I become a lawyer?

The Path to Becoming a Lawyer. If you are considering becoming a lawyer, then you’ll need to take the following steps: Step 1. Get Your Degree. Your journey begins by obtaining your undergraduate bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.

What is a lawyer's job?

Career Description. Lawyers act on behalf of clients in court, advising them on proper courses of action in civil and criminal trials. Lawyers typically specialize in one aspect of law, such as criminal justice, family law or liability. Some lawyers may advise companies on contract validity and mergers.

What is criminal defense?

Criminal defense lawyers prepare and argue cases that deal with criminal activity, defending those who have been charged with a crime. Criminal defense lawyers may niche down even further to become a public defender, United States attorney, or a private lawyer. Some may choose to focus on a specific area of criminal law such as DUI, ...

What is the legal profession?

The legal profession is one that offers you numerous benefits. To start, you have a wide variety of career options. From criminal prosecutor to public defendant, tax law to real estate law, your career paths are plentiful. It’s also a career that will keep you mentally sharp. That’s important, because we all want to feel intellectually stimulated and interested in what we do for a living. And finally, the skills you learn while earning your law degree easily transfer into alternative legal careers in legal technology, education and even banking and finance.

What is legal experience?

While education is paramount, legal experience outside of the classroom will be very useful when it comes time to find a job later on. Consider an internship at a local law firm or district attorney’s or public defender’s offices. Any real-world experience you gain early on will only help you pave that path to employment later.

Why is it important to get a law degree?

That’s important, because we all want to feel intellectually stimulated and interested in what we do for a living. And finally, the skills you learn while earning your law degree easily transfer into alternative legal careers in legal technology, education and even banking and finance.

What are the skills needed to become a lawyer?

Some of the skills needed include: Analytical and interpersonal skills.

How many states require continuing education for lawyers?

At least 46 states require lawyers to participate in continuing education courses to maintain their professional license to practice, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Some states require lawyers to pass ethics exams as well. If you relocate, you may be required to complete further education.

Do you have to take the bar exam if you move?

If you relocate, you may be required to complete further education. If you move from one state to another, you need to take the bar exam in your new state. Some states do allow reciprocity, provided you meet their requirements in experience and moral character.

What is the legal oath required for a lawyer?

Prospective attorneys must take a legally binding oath that they will uphold the codes and the Constitution of the United States, as well as the laws and constitution of the licensing state.

How long is the bar exam?

Most bar exams take roughly 18 hours and are spread over three days, and are administered twice a year. The exam includes standardized questions and essays on a variety of areas of law used to assess an individual's understanding of the law and capacity for logical thought. 4. Character and Fitness Review.

How to Become a Lawyer

Becoming a legal professional takes time, so it’s best to break it down into smaller steps. Here are the recommended steps to become a lawyer…

What Does a Lawyer Do?

First, let’s start with the various tasks performed by lawyers. Then we can move into the education. Lawyers provide advice and recommendations to clients of all type regarding their legal options and rights. They are versed in the laws of their area, and use this knowledge to represent individuals, businesses, organizations, or groups of people.

Lawyer Education Requirements

How long is law school? That’s a common question that is a big concern for many aspiring lawyers and people wondering how to become a lawyer. The education of a lawyer is long, complex, and requires an advanced education from a top-class institution.

Required Licensing & Certification for Lawyers

You’ll have to pass a test to become a lawyer, which means passing the bar exam. After completing your law degree, you can’t just jump into the career of a lawyer. First, you need to complete the bar exam, the final hurdle for how to become a lawyer. It’s one of the most difficult exams you’ll ever take, so you’ll need to be prepared.

Career Outlook

If you are thinking of becoming a lawyer, you probably want to know how much does a lawyer make. Lawyers, as you may know, have a reputation as one of the most high-earning professions in the world. While much will depend on your skills and your chosen profession, it’s reasonable to expect a high lawyer salary.

Start Your Law Career with the Right Education

If you want to become one of the best lawyers in the world, you need the right education. Head to our degree database to view the leading online law degrees, all properly accredited, to help you become a leader in the legal profession.

What are the skills required to become a lawyer?

Close reading and reasoning. Lawyers often need to quickly familiarize themselves with relatively large passages of previously unknown text, so classes that involve reading literature very important for developing these skills.

What do lawyers need to know?

Lawyers generally need to have extensive knowledge of any subject that can describe and influence society, such as economics, history, politics, government affairs and other similar ones. Taking a social studies class can help you understand concepts like how laws and regulations are made, how legal procedures and precedents work and other similar concepts that are vital for successfully practicing law.

What are the duties of a lawyer?

Their exact duties and responsibilities are: 1 Providing expert advice to clients regarding potential legal issues that they may expose themselves to or ongoing litigations 2 Analyzing all documents involved in a legal case against their clients, such as witness accounts, police reports, accident reports and other official documents 3 Using their knowledge of the law to find passages and precedents that may then be used in the defense of their clients 4 Working with their clients to develop the most appropriate strategy for each situation, based on the particularities of each legal case 5 Preparing various civil legal documents, such as wills, deeds and contracts 6 Appearing in court before a judge and using legal rhetoric to defend their clients' interests

What can lawyers learn from science?

By learning about science, future lawyers can develop the skills they need to understand various pieces of evidence, use them to investigate cases and connect all the available information to come up with a reasonable conclusion. 5. Mathematics.

What is a lawyer?

Lawyers, also called attorneys, are tasked with advising their clients and representing them in civil and criminal cases. Their responsibilities span from simply offering legal advice to preparing legal documents on behalf of the client and ultimately representing the client in front of a court of law.

How long does it take to get a Juris Doctor degree?

You can earn a Juris Doctor degree by graduating from a law school that's accredited by the American Bar Association, which takes three years. During law school, you can choose to focus on one particular area of the law, such as criminal, environmental, tax, property, real estate or family. Pass the bar exam.

Why is math important in law?

Therefore, mathematics is an important aspect of the job, as the skills you acquire when learning how to solve math problems are usually transferrable to several aspects of the law.

What are the requirements to become a lawyer?

The exact requirements can vary somewhat by state, but educational requirements for lawyers always include certain degrees and exams.

What is the most common law degree?

The J.D. is the most common law degree, but you might also want to pursue a master of law degree or doctor of judicial science degree depending on your aspirations. The doctor of judicial science degree is the highest and most prestigious law degree available and recognized in the U.S.

Do you have to take continuing education to become a lawyer?

Bar examiners in some states also consider the applicant's character. Most states require that lawyers take continuing education courses throughout their careers to keep current and to maintain their licenses to practice.

Do law schools accept applicants who haven't taken the LSAT?

Admissions officers put a great deal of weight on LSAT scores; ABA-accredited law schools won't accept applicants who haven't taken the test. The LSAT is a half-day standardized examination that tests the analytical and reading comprehension skills considered necessary to succeed in law school.

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What Happens After Law School?

  • Once the student successfully graduates from law school, their work is still not done. Every person who wants to become a lawyer must take a test known as the bar exam. If the student passes this test, people say that they have been admitted to the bar. The exact rules for getting …
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What Kind of Bachelor’s Degree Should Students get?

  • Technically, students can get into law school with any kind of bachelor’s degree. While there is no required major, it will be easier for students to get accepted into law school if they take courses like public speaking, history, mathematics, English, government and economics. Some schools have a pre-law program that helps to prepare students for going to law school after they graduat…
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Is Law School Required?

  • While some states offer alternative ways to become a lawyer, law school is required in most states. Even when a state allows students to take the bar exam without a law degree, there are potential problems that students should watch out for. In the state of Washington, students can technically study and work for a lawyer for a set amount of time instead of going to law school. …
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Career Description

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Lawyers act on behalf of clients in court, advising them on proper courses of action in civil and criminal trials. Lawyers typically specialize in one aspect of law, such as criminal justice, family law or liability. Some lawyers may advise companies on contract validity and mergers. On a daily basis, lawyers typically meet with clients …
See more on onlinedegree.com

The Benefits of Becoming A Lawyer

  • The legal profession is one that offers you numerous benefits. To start, you have a wide variety of career options. From criminal prosecutor to public defendant, tax law to real estate law, your career paths are plentiful. It’s also a career that will keep you mentally sharp. That’s important, because we all want to feel intellectually stimulated and interested in what we do for a living. An…
See more on onlinedegree.com

Job Outlook and Salary

  • According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual salary for lawyers was $120,910 in May 2018. Those lawyers working in New York, California and the District of Columbia earned the highest salaries. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that employment for lawyers will rise by roughly 6% between 2018 and 2028. The BLS also suggests competition for legal pos…
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Getting Started on Your Legal Career

  • So you understand your first step on getting started toward your dream career is getting that bachelor’s degree. But here are a few additional resources to check out to get started on your path to becoming a lawyer: 1. Why Online Education Might Be Best-Working adults typically have little free time to attend traditional classes. They also tend to ...
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Pre-Law Studies

  • Before you go to law school, you'll need a bachelor's degree. Law school applicants aren't required to have any particular major for undergraduate education. In fact, the American Bar Association (ABA) encourages students to study any subject they find fascinating and challenging. The ABA also provides advice on the types of classes that will help ...
See more on learn.org

Getting Into Law School

  • After you get your bachelor's degree, you'll need to take the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) before you can be admitted to a school approved by the ABA. This test is a half-day exam that has five sections of multiple-choice questions. The questions measure your abilities in logic, reading and analytics. Once the multiple choice questions are completed, you'll complete a writing samp…
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Law School

  • Once you get to law school, you'll generally spend three years working towards your J.D. Regardless of your law concentration, you'll spend your first year working on foundational courses, such as those on constitutional and contract law, legal writing and civil court procedure. After that you'll focus on your specialization, which may include one of the following: 1. Civil rights 2. Admi…
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Experience and Skill Development

  • In addition to a classroom education, you may want to get experience through part-time employment at a legal office. You can also take advantage of opportunities to do legal writing, and participate in trial situations offered by the law school. Educational and practical experience may help you to develop skills that are critical for lawyers. Some of the skills needed include: 1. …
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Continuing Education

  • At least 46 states require lawyers to participate in continuing education courses to maintain their professional license to practice, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Some states require lawyers to pass ethics exams as well. If you relocate, you may be required to complete further education. If you move from one state to another, you need to take the bar exam in your …
See more on learn.org

Bachelor's Degree

  • Anyone who wants to pursue a law degree must first complete a bachelor's degree program (or its equivalent). The type of undergraduate degree is less important, but often reflects the practice area considered. For example, someone who wants to go into patent law might first pursue a bachelor's degree in engineering. After completing your bachelor's...
See more on findlaw.com

Law School

  • The next step is to graduate from or complete at least three years at a law school accredited by the American Bar Association, with slight variations from state to state. The California Bar Association, for example, requires graduation or the completion of at least four years of law school (non-accredited schools are included); four years of work in a judge's chambers program…
See more on findlaw.com

State Bar Exam

  • No matter how well you did in law school, you cannot legally practice law in a given state without passing that state's bar examination. Many attorneys have passed bar exams in several states, meaning they can practice law in each of those states. Most bar exams take roughly 18 hours and are spread over three days, and are administered twice a year. The exam includes standardized …
See more on findlaw.com

Character and Fitness Review

  • Since the practice of law is such a high stakes endeavor, involving the finances and in some cases the freedom of clients, each state bar requires applicants to undergo moral character and fitness reviews. This review includes question about academic conduct at law school; criminal history; social conduct in general; any applicable disciplinary actions while you were in college or law sc…
See more on findlaw.com

Oath

  • Prospective attorneys must take a legally binding oath that they will uphold the codes and the Constitution of the United States, as well as the laws and constitution of the licensing state.
See more on findlaw.com

License

  • Completion of the above requirements typically results in the individual receiving his or her law license from their state's supreme court or high-court equivalent (the Court of Appeals is New York's highest court, for example). However, please check with your state's bar associationfor the specific requirements for a law license. If you have additional questions about the professional r…
See more on findlaw.com