what should i get my bachelor's degree in if i want to be a lawyer

What to know before becoming a lawyer?

Sep 07, 2011 · You may choose to major in subjects that are considered to be traditional preparation for law school, such as history, English, philosophy, political science, economics, or business, or you may focus your undergraduate studies in areas as diverse as art, music, science, mathematics, computer science, engineering, nursing, or education.

What are the professional requirements for becoming a lawyer?

Feb 14, 2022 · You earn a bachelor’s degree, complete the required testing to apply to law school, and earn a degree called a Juris Doctor (J.D.). However, aspiring attorneys have a number of decisions to make, including what subject to major in as an undergraduate and what types of law you may wish to specialize in during law school.

Which degree do you need to become a lawyer?

Many lawyers are self-employed and use math skills to manage business finances. Math also enables lawyers to more successfully specialize in niche areas of the law. These areas include bankruptcy law, real estate law, taxation law and other areas. Math majors may also thrive in legal niches related to securities, estates and trusts.

What is the best undergraduate degree for lawyers?

Feb 17, 2022 · There are plenty of majors that can help you on your journey to becoming a lawyer, including criminal justice, philosophy, political science, psychology, and more. Legal educators argue that students are most successful when they study subjects they enjoy.

What does a lawyer do in court?

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.

How long does it take to become a lawyer?

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.

Can I take the bar exam without a law degree?

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. Then, they are allowed to take the bar exam.

What is the test to become a lawyer?

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.

Do lawyers need 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 new state. Some states do allow reciprocity, provided you meet their requirements in experience and moral character.

What are the skills needed to become a lawyer?

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

What is political science?

Political science offers an in-depth understanding of government, from its formulation to its implementation. As governments are the source of laws, this has wide applications to the legal field. Any lawyer will be working within the legal framework developed by the government of the nation in which they practice, and an intimate understanding of both the government and the philosophical values by which it governs is beneficial. For this reason, political science has long been regarded as one of the top areas of study for future lawyers, and it remains a strong choice for those looking to enter the profession.

Why is law important?

Laws have material consequences on every person and structure. They influence outcomes across the life course, making the field extremely important to the stability and progress of society. The work done by law professionals is competitive and pays well. Because of these things, students wishing to pursue a career in law are faced ...

What is a business administration degree?

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.

How do psychology and law intersect?

Psychology and law intersect well, as both deal with human thought and behavior. Psychology experts are relied upon heavily as witnesses and experts in many different legal cases and contexts. Having an understanding of psychological theory and its application can be helpful when it comes to preparing for law school.

Does LSAT score matter?

Many argue that it doesn’t matter what you study for your undergraduate degree, and it is true that your grades and score on the LSAT play a larger role in getting into law school than your specific area of undergraduate study.

What is a criminal justice degree?

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.

Is economics a good major?

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.

What is the LSAT test?

The LSAT tests for critical thinking skills rather than subject matter expertise. 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. Notice how all majors have students that ...

Is criminal justice a good fit for law school?

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.

What is political science?

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.

Is philosophy a good major?

The granddaddy of all mind-stretching mental exercises, philosophy is a fantastic major that builds a student’s ability to think critically and argue. Law is heavily based on philosophical elements like ethics, and human nature—subjects that are commonly taught in a philosophy major. Philosophy is a difficult major. It requires students to think analytically and form logical arguments. It also examines moral, political, and legal issues with no clear right or wrong while asking students to render judgment. Because of the difficulty level, some law schools may look more favorably at a degree in philosophy than a degree in a field like Criminal Justice.

What are the skills required for an English major?

In this light, the critical thinking skills required of English majors mirror the skills required by law students.

What is legal studies?

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 ...

What majors are challenging?

An ecology major might take up residence in environmental law. Science majors are challenging and require students to learn complex subject matter, analyze data, and arrive at provable conclusions.

DegreeDazed Member

What bachelor's is best to get into law school? My friend says that an English degree is fine, but I'm not sure about that. Should you get a degree in communications or is there a pre-law degree somewhere?

NorCal Active Member

An undergraduate degree in English is usually the best choice from what I understand. Its not mandatory, you can major in anything, but I've been told it helps.

TEKMAN Semper Fi!

I agree with NorCal, because attorney requires high level of language communications. However, also depends what kind of law you want to practice. If you want to be an Intellectual Property Lawyer, Science and Engineering would be recommended. If you plan to do Taxation Law, then Finance/Accounting.

atrox79 New Member

I don't know too much about law school but I know lots of people who major in English, Philosophy, Political Science & History for their undergrad degrees with the goal of going on to get a J.D..

Psydoc New Member

According to a local judge, who I was on a high school career panel with, "the best degree for law school is a degree that will allow you make a living doing something you enjoy if you fail to get into or out of law school." Makes a lot of sense to me.

Hokiephile New Member

Anything that requires you to do a lot of reading, writing, and thinking. Engineers and scientists often have trouble at first because they're used to more concrete thinking. I teach law students and they mostly have abysmal reading and writing skills, so work on those. Don't avoid classes because they require a lot of reading or a research paper.

CalDog New Member

Law school admissions are heavily controlled by two factors: LSAT score and GPA. So if the only consideration is law school admissions, then it could be argued that: "the best major for law school is the one that will maximize your GPA."

What are the requirements to become an attorney?

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).

How much do lawyers make in 2020?

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.

Where do lawyers work?

The Work Environment of a Lawyer. Lawyers mostly work in office settings, with occasional travel to meet with clients or to conduct work at outside agencies and organization s like hospitals, prisons, courthouses, and individual homes.

Is law a specialized field?

Law is an increasingly specialized career, so specific majors may have more career relevance, depending on what type of law is practiced upon graduation. Despite the long road to becoming a lawyer, the profession pays well and is highly regarded in society.

What do you learn in law school?

During their law school education, students will learn how to write legal documents and how civil procedures are conducted. They will also learn various types of law, including tax law, constitutional law, corporate law, property law, and labor law. They must then pass their state’s bar exam, a written test, to be admitted to ...

Do lawyers have to pass the bar exam?

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.

What is the path to becoming a lawyer?

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.

What is the acceptance rate for law school?

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 ...

Is it hard to maintain a high GPA in law school?

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. However, because the coursework can be more challenging, it may be more difficult to maintain a high GPA throughout all four years of school.

What is the benefit of majoring in English?

If you thrived in high school English classes, majoring in English may enable you to earn a higher GPA in college than you may earn in other areas of study. This major may provide other substantial benefits as you prepare for the future. Consider that 3,549 law school applicants held a degree in English in 2016 and 2017. The average LSAT score for these applicants was 154.4, and approximately 80 percent of applicants with this degree were admitted to at least one law school.

Is philosophy a pre-law major?

Philosophy is not a major that may immediately come to mind when pursuing a pre-law path. However, law is heavily based on philosophical aspects, such as human nature, ethics and other topics that are thoroughly covered in college-level philosophy courses. In addition to this essential link between law and philosophy, some law schools have higher admissions ratings for liberal arts majors that are considered to be more challenging. Philosophy often falls into this group.

What is the best degree for law school?

A degree in political science prepares you for success in law school and in a professional capacity by improving reading, writing and public speaking skills. In-depth knowledge about the Constitution and its founding principles as well as the development of the court system also provide strong benefits. 6. Economics.

Is psychology a science?

While there is a scientific aspect of psychology, this applied science also branches into principles of human behavior. Because the law impacts and moderates human behavior, law and psychology are intertwined.

What is the average LSAT score?

Their average LSAT score was 152.5, and 78 percent of applicants were admitted. An undergraduate-level education in psychology provides several benefits for students in law school and for legal professionals. In many areas of the law, lawyers must work directly with social services, such as social workers.

What are the steps to become a lawyer?

Prospective lawyers must undertake a series of steps to practice law, including completion of undergraduate and graduate degrees, examinations and licensing processes. Prior to embarking in this journey, those interested should ask themselves why they want to become a lawyer and if they are willing to commit several years to studying law in order ...

How much do lawyers make in 2020?

The BLS reports that the median annual wage for lawyers was about $126,930 in 2020, with the top 10 percent of earners taking home more than $208,000 per year. Those working in state and local government tend to earn less while lawyers specializing in financial and insurance law are in the top bracket.

What is the LSAT?

Admissions officers use scores from the LSAT as an objective measure to assess the knowledge and quality of applicants.

How long does it take to get a JD?

The degree typically takes about three years of full-time study to complete. According to the ABA, there are currently 205 approved higher education providers. Not to be confused with other degrees such as the Doctor of Science of Law, the JD is a professional degree specifically designed to train future lawyers and prepare them for the bar examination.

What is a JD?

The Juris Doctor (JD) is the nationally recognized degree for practicing law in the United States and is currently offered by 205 ABA-accredited law schools. Prospective students should have knowledge of the faculty, areas of study, tuition, and curriculum prior to applying.

How long does it take to become a barrister?

The degree typically takes about three years of full-time study to complete. According to the ABA, there are currently 205 approved higher education providers.

What is the law of health?

Health law: Health law is a broad field that focuses on everything related to healthcare, including healthcare policy, patents, and medical malpractice. Intellectual property law: Attorneys in this type of law work to protect the intellectual property of clients through patents, trademarks, and copyright.

What Degree Does A Lawyer Need?

See more on collegeconsensus.com

What Happens After Law School?

What Kind of Bachelor’s Degree Should Students get?

Is Law School Required?

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 you once you g…

See more on learn.org

Getting Into Law School

Law School

Experience and Skill Development

Continuing Education

Political Science

See more on edsmart.org

Psychology

Criminal Justice

English

History

Economics

Philosophy

Sociology

Communications

Science