Lawyers might study engineering in order to learn analytical skills. They might study English to learn the basics of reading and writing. They might also study something like history in order to hone their research skills. Lawyers might even come from …
Pre Law Majors. The first step to becoming a lawyer is to get your undergraduate degree. Law schools across the United States that are accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) require that you have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree before applying for enrollment. Additionally, you should choose an undergraduate institution that is ...
To become a lawyer, individuals need to spend seven years in school. Initially, students get their bachelor’s degree from a college or a university. Afterward, they must take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). The student’s university grades and LSAT score will determine whether they get into the top law school of their choice.
 · Criminal Justice. Like political science, criminal justice is a natural undergraduate major for those applying to law school. As a criminal justice major, you will develop an understanding of the American justice system’s three main …
Here are seven majors for the lawyers of tomorrow, all recommended by the lawyers of today.Business. A business major is a great option for those who are entrepreneurial-minded. ... Criminal Justice / Criminology. ... Economics. ... English. ... Philosophy. ... Political Science. ... Psychology.
Political science is the most popular major for those planning to head to law school for good reason. As a political science major, you'll study the theory and practice of government and its link to the legal system.
Myth # 2: If I attend University X as an undergraduate, then I will have a more competitive chance to gain admission into University X Law School. Many students also believe that their chances are diminished if they attend University X as an undergraduate. The truth is that it does not matter.
In order to qualify in any law school in the country, one must be a graduate of any four-year Bachelor's degree from a recognized university or college.
Bachelor’s in Economics . Economics is an excellent major for aspiring lawyers, especially for those intending to work in corporate law, intellectual property, or another niche where an understanding of economic theory and the levers that drive capitalism can be useful.
Because the criminal justice and legal systems are so intertwined, a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice serves as an excellent undergraduate major in preparation for law school. Those considering work as a prosecuting or defense attorney may find the degree especially helpful, as the coursework and internships will give students a strong familiarity with the criminal justice system. Potential law students can also form helpful relationships with current lawyers that can provide insight into what it’s like to work in the criminal justice system. Helpful courses include criminology, criminal psychology, law & the criminal justice system, and social science research.
Philosophy is not a major that undergraduates generally pursue when thinking about a pathway to law school. In recent years, data shows that it is gaining ground among law school applicants, given the philosophical nature of law and the aspect of it that relates to ethics, human nature, and metaphysics. Philosophy majors learn how to construct arguments and ponder difficult questions using various philosophical theories developed by some of the greatest thinkers in human history. Helpful courses include contemporary philosophy, ethics, individual & society, and philosophy of law.
A bachelor’s degree in business administration is well suited for law school, especially those applicants considering a corporate law track where knowing business fundamentals is helpful. The coursework is rigorous in reading, writing, and quantitative analysis, which is also helpful in preparing for the LSAT. Courses such as business law, contract negotiations, and public speaking are just a few that have proven to be helpful. Potential business majors should be aware that the rigor of coursework may negatively impact their undergraduate GPA, which can be harmful when applying to top law schools.
Moreover, English majors learn to synthesize large amounts of written text and form persuasive and analytical arguments and positions. These skills are not only helpful in the field but serve as excellent preparation for entrance exams like the LSAT.
English has also been a popular undergraduate major for pre-law students as students focus on reading, writing, and comprehension. Perhaps no other major offers the exact skills required to thrive in law school as well as post-graduation.
Courses such as business law, contract negotiations, and public speaking are just a few that have proven to be helpful.
When you get to law school, you will quickly see that reading and writing are the two most important skills for a good attorney. You will be asked to read through cases and other secondary sources. You will be asked to write for a host of different audiences.
The cliche that all roads lead to the legal field is mostly accurate. The attorneys rolls are full of people who studied many different things in college. This means that even if you are not able to choose the perfect major, you still have an opportunity to be a great jurist. Lawyers might study engineering in order to learn analytical skills. They might study English to learn the basics of reading and writing. They might also study something like history in order to hone their research skills. Lawyers might even come from the medical side, having studied a hard science. Each of these things can make you an effective attorney.
When you get to law school, you will quickly see that reading and writing are the two most important skills for a good attorney. You will be asked to read through cases and other secondary sources. You will be asked to write for a host of different audiences. If you can study something that gives you a good foundation in these skills, then you will come out more prepared for your trek into the legal field.
Leading law schools have an acceptance rate well below 20 percent with an average GPA of admitted applicants close to or higher than 3.8. Your undergraduate-level education directly impacts your ability to get ...
Business. Majoring in business, such as in business administration or corporate business, may be a smart path for some pre-law students to follow. Business degree plans are often rigorous, which may make business majors more appealing to law schools.
Economics is a solid major to select if you are interested in delving into the corporate law niche . It may also be relevant to intellectual property law and other specializations. More than 2,700 students applying to law school between 2016 and 2017 majored in economics, and 85 percent of these applicants gained admission to at least one law school program. The average LSAT score for this group was 158.9, and the average GPA was 3.47.
While a business degree may be well-suited for many potential law school applicants, the coursework may be most relevant for those who intend to pursue a career in corporate law or other similar areas. The specialized business degree obtained may make this major more or less relevant.
LSAC data reveals that students majoring in business administration had an average LSAT score of 150 and an average GPA of 3.22.
Your undergraduate-level education directly impacts your ability to get into law school. Specifically, your major affects your ability to earn a higher GPA and your performance on the LSAT. Some colleges and universities offer a pre-law major, but most do not.
Business coursework may be advantageous for pre-law students in several ways. For example, the coursework may be heavy in reading and writing, which can prepare you for success with the LSAT, in law school and throughout your career. Public speaking, contract structure, corporate structure, business processes, negotiations and more may also be covered heavily in these programs.
To become a lawyer, individuals need to spend seven years in school. Initially, students get their bachelor’s degree from a college or a university. Afterward, they must take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). The student’s university grades and LSAT score will determine whether they get into the law school of their choice.
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 a license from the bar vary from state to state.
Got it! Lawyers work in the legal system to represent their clients. For criminal justice cases, the lawyer may be prosecuting the case or defending a client in the courtroom. Meanwhile, civil cases can involve anything from property disputes to class action settlements.
Criminal justice is also a popular option for students who are preparing for law school . In general, students should pick a major that matches their future goals. If the undergraduate college does not have a pre-law program, students should take courses that match the law school’s admission requirements.
Philosophy students study human thought and debate on age-old topics such as knowledge, existence, ethics, and truth. Your coursework can include subjects like ancient and modern philosophy, ethics, theory and logic, and metaphysics. You’ll likely take deep dives into the works of renowned philosophers like Plato, Kant, Descartes, and Nietzsche. Most schools will offer a B.A. in philosophy, but B.S. options may also exist.
Political science is the most popular major for those planning to head to law school for good reason. As a political science major, you’ll study the theory and practice of government and its link to the legal system. Whether you earn your political science bachelor’s degree online or on-campus, your coursework will cover how laws are created and executed and you’ll learn about the history behind each law’s formation. You’ll also gain a strong understanding of topics such as political theory, international relations, and political methodology. Depending on your school, you can graduate with either a B.A. or B.S. in political science .
While the official definition of sociology is the study of institutions, those who choose this major will quickly find that it entails much more. As a sociology major, you’ll discover how societies interact, how groups work together, and how human behavior influences it all. You’ll learn how different systems and structures govern humans and communities and you’ll walk away with knowledge running the gamut from anthropology and psychology to philosophy and political science.
As a psychology major, you’ll learn to understand how and why people act and think as they do. You’ll gain insight into the human mind through courses covering topics such as human development and behavior, language, creativity, and emotion and motivation. Graduates of psychology programs can apply their understanding of the human mind to a variety of positions and it’s a popular starting point for a number of graduate degrees. Whether you earn an online psychology degree or opt for the traditional route, most schools offer either a B.A. or B.S. for psych students.
Like political science, criminal justice is a natural undergraduate major for those applying to law school. As a criminal justice major, you will develop an understanding of the American justice system’s three main branches: the courts, the police, and prisons. You’ll likely be required to take courses in administration, constitutional law, criminal justice, evidence, forensics, law, criminal profiling, and judicial process. Most programs are interdisciplinary and require you to take some courses that fall under the political science, sociology, psychology, and philosophy departments. You can earn a B.A. or a B.S. in criminal justice and both online criminal justice degrees and in-person programs exist.
Political science is a logical choice for future law students . The overlap between the political and legal worlds means that you’ll be entering law school with a strong foundation to build upon. On top of that, the problem-solving and critical thinking skills you’ll have gained as an undergraduate will serve you well both in law school and as a professional lawyer. You’ll have the chance to hone the art of public speaking which can be beyond useful in the professional world.
Majoring in economics can be a smart choice if you’re aiming for law school, especially if you’re interested in corporate law. As a law student, you’ll benefit from the ability to analyze large datasets, recognize problems, and suggest solutions. You’ll also be able to apply the critical thinking skills you’ve acquired to both your studies and your profession upon graduation. Because economic issues often dictate legal reforms, having a foundation in economics can make a lot of sense if you’re thinking of becoming a lawyer.
Law schools look for candidates with abstract thinking skills, the ability to interpret written texts, and high reading comprehension. They want candidates that have fine reasoning abilities, the ability to think logically.
The English major is a very popular major for law school because of its immediately obvious benefits: advanced reading comprehension and persuasive writing skills. Students of the English major study dense and complex literature and are then required to process the information, make connections and create organized analytical arguments and defend positions. In this light, the critical thinking skills required of English majors mirror the skills required by law students. Strong reading and writing skills are required by all lawyers, so the English major is a no-brainer when it comes to selecting a major for law school.
This is because many laws are enacted to adjust and correct economic behavior by businesses and individuals in the marketplace. Legal studies focus on topics that are rooted in economic analysis—torts, contracts, property rights, antitrust, business organizations, and regulations. In short, a study of economics is a study in the financial impact of the law. Because of this, economics is a great area of specialization for many potential law students because it remains a great area of focus after law school as well.
Criminal justice is a natural fit for law school since coursework focuses on criminal justice topics. These programs often include courses on court proceedings, the correction systems, and many other aspects of the legal system. Criminal justice degrees emphasize strong research, analysis, and writing skills which are a necessity in law school. Yet despite this being a natural fit for law, many law schools prefer specializations in other areas of study. In fact, some schools scrutinize academic records far harder in the criminal justice major than any other major.
A significant part of being a lawyer is understanding past precedent on different legal cases in the past. Is it any surprise then that history is a great major for law students? History students not only study the events of the past, but also study the way different legal systems have evolved, court rulings, treaties, and other legal agreements. Through the course work of a history major, students gain experience in writing research papers and learn how to draw on history to establish logical, concise, and clear arguments. They analyze diverse writings and conduct research into many dense, and difficult to comprehend texts—skills that are essential in law school.
The English major is a very popular major for law school because of its immediately obvious benefits: advanced reading comprehension and persuasive writing skills. Students of the English major study dense and complex literature and are then required to process the information, make connections and create organized analytical arguments and defend positions. In this light, the critical thinking skills required of English majors mirror the skills required by law students. Strong reading and writing skills are required by all lawyers, so the English major is a no-brainer when it comes to selecting a major for law school.
The most popular major of law school candidates is political science . There’s a reason why many successful politicians are lawyers—the link between law and political theory is very strong. Political science is the study of government systems, political behavior, and how the judicial system works. This is where a political science degree shows its advantage in law school. Students in this field often have a better understanding of how laws are created and executed as well as the history behind them. Political Science courses often cover foreign political and legal systems, as well as historical cases. These programs emphasize developing reading comprehension and writing skills in addition to public speaking skills.
An undergraduate degree in criminal justice or prelaw can prepare a student for the practical effects and implications of the legal system. Prelaw degrees, which focus exclusively on law school requirements and preparation, are uncommon but are still offered by some schools, such as Washington State University.
Philosophy majors receive training in critical thinking, logic and problem-solving skills. Lawyers use these skills to craft or refute legal arguments and to understand and use case studies as evidence. A philosophy degree also demands a high quantity of critical reading across various texts, and critical reading and understanding is a large component of a law school workload.
Chuck Lander holds a Masters of Fine Arts in creative writing from American University. In addition to working at university writing centers and teaching writing skills in high school classrooms, he has written for blogs and publications such as the American University Writing Center and "Practicing Planner" since 2008.
The ABA recommends no specific majors or courses for undergraduates; instead, it recommends following your interests across a broad range of challenging courses, which will best develop the various skills required to become a lawyer.
Regardless of which major aspiring attorneys choose during their undergraduate educational careers, there are two absolute requirements for entering law school. Students must earn top grades to gain admission to an accredited program. They must also get an acceptable score on the Law School Admission Test (LSAT).
Though the path to becoming a lawyer isn’t simple, it ultimately leads to a career that is rewarding financially and professionally. From the first class a freshman student takes, a lawyer’s education is primarily about developing the core capabilities that make a person an analytical thinker and a compelling, persuasive communicator.
Critical Thinking – Ultimately, lawyers are problem-solvers that understand the boundaries of the laws and regulations under which they operate. Successful attorneys can synthesize large amounts of complex information regarding both their specific cases and complicated laws to help their clients.
Attorneys fresh out of law school generally begin as associates that work on teams led by experienced lawyers, who provide oversight and mentorship. After serving in this capacity and gaining experience and trust with both supervisors and colleagues, associates lead their own teams and can become partners at the firm. A partnership means the attorney has an ownership stake in the firm. Becoming a partner takes several years of solid performance. Individuals that do not advance are often forced to leave, but they may choose to quit their job and open up their own practice. Other lawyers may choose to work in legal departments at medium- or large-size firms. It is rare for newly graduated attorneys to be hired as in-house counsel at an organization.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median pay for lawyers is $126,930, as of May 2020. The bottom 10% of lawyers earn $61,490, with the top 10% bringing in $208,000. As with other occupations, industry matters.
To legally practice law in any state, prospective lawyers must pass the licensing exam commonly referred to as the “bar exam.”. Passing this exam means the individual is admitted to that particular state’s bar association. Some states require that multiple exams are successfully completed.
They must then pass their state’s bar exam, a written test, to be admitted to the bar and begin practicing law. Throughout their professional careers, lawyers must either uphold certain ethical obligations or risk being disbarred from practicing law.