what should i major in college to become a constitutional lawyer

by Johann Conroy 10 min read

Constitutional attorneys must hold a bachelor's degree and obtain a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school. Some students choose to pursue a master's degree in constitutional law prior to attending law school; others obtain a constitutional law certificate as part of their J.D. coursework.

Anyone who aspires to become a constitutional lawyer must first complete a bachelor's degree in Law, or History, or Political Science, or any major that involves critical thinking and research.

Full Answer

What degree do you need to be a constitutional lawyer?

As an aspiring lawyer, you can earn a bachelor's degree in a number of programs that emphasize courses like history, English and public speaking. If you have an interest in constitutional law, you might want to consider related majors such American history, public policy or political science.

What degrees do you need to apply for Law School?

Jul 25, 2009 · Constitutional attorneys must hold a bachelor's degree and obtain a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school. Some students choose to pursue a master's degree in constitutional law prior to attending law school; others obtain a constitutional law certificate as part of their J.D. coursework. Constitutional lawyers must then be admitted to the bar …

What courses will I take in a constitutional law major?

Jan 03, 2022 · Young adults who want to become lawyers should consider majoring in political science in college. With a political science degree, you’ll get a solid foundation in how the government is structured, how laws work, and who has power.

What subjects do you need to study to become a lawyer?

Oct 05, 2020 · The first step to becoming a constitutional lawyer is to earn a bachelor's degree in political science, economics, history or a related field. Next, students must enroll in …

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What is the best major for lawyers?

The Best Majors for Aspiring LawyersBusiness. A business major is a great option for those who are entrepreneurial-minded. ... Criminal Justice / Criminology. Criminal justice is the identification and explanation of criminal behavior patterns. ... Economics. ... English. ... Philosophy. ... Political Science. ... Psychology.Jan 3, 2022

What can you do in constitutional law?

Constitutional law is a multifaceted discipline offering many varied career options. You may wish to work as an attorney or paralegal, or you might pursue a career as a law school professor. Attorneys advise clients and represent them in court. They can also work for a government agency or nonprofit organization.

Why should you study constitutional law?

Why Become a Constitutional lawyer? Studying constitutional law and practicing as an attorney puts you in a position to impact society at large. Some of the most far-reaching legal changes in the country arise from the cases these lawyers bring before the Supreme Court.

How do you become a constitutional lawyer?

A: A law degree and a license to practice is a must to become a Constitutional lawyer in India. For practicing Constitution Law, practice at High Court or Supreme Court is suggested.Sep 13, 2021

What is a Constitutional Lawyer?

A constitutional lawyer or constitutional attorney deals mainly with the interpretation and implementation of the rights, rules, and amendments outlined in the United States Constitution. Constitutional law is often applied to cases that are argued in federal courts, including the Supreme Court.

Constitutional Attorney Requirements

Constitutional attorneys must hold a bachelor's degree and obtain a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school. Some students choose to pursue a master's degree in constitutional law prior to attending law school; others obtain a constitutional law certificate as part of their J.D. coursework.

Career and Economic Outlook

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment opportunities for lawyers nationwide are expected to increase by 6% from 2018 to 2028, about as fast as average when compared to other occupations. Although income can vary according to experience level, lawyers in May 2018 earned a median annual salary of $120,910.

Business

A business major is a great option for those who are entrepreneurial-minded. Students interested in corporate law might find that classes in management and economics are well-suited to their postgraduation career needs. Word of warning, business majors should be careful not to focus solely on the fundamentals.

Economics

An economics major spends a lot of time summarizing large amounts of quantitative data. This is great training for law school as an econ major will be well-prepared to sort information and evidence in order to build a case backed by evidence.

English

Lawyers must be well-versed with the English language as they spend a lot of their time researching, writing, and speaking in court. English majors will learn how to analyze and synthesize large bodies of text, developing a command of written and verbal language (sometimes more than one).

Philosophy

Is there a more “prelaw school” major than philosophy? It’s no surprise that students majoring in philosophy dive deep into logic, ethics, and morality, which are all big, existential questions relevant to the study and practice of law.

Political Science

Political science majors should be prepared to study political systems, public policy, and the relationship between types of government and the law. This major is probably the closest to a law school curriculum in undergrad that a student will find.

Psychology

Psychology is the study of human behaviors and this major gives students insight into the human psyche. For instance, students might apply their psych studies to criminal cases, questioning how human error could possibly lead to wrongful convictions or how innocent people sometimes make incorrect judgments.

Bottom Line

For students considering a career in law, some majors are a reliable source of the skills and knowledge central to the profession. However, no major will guarantee a law school acceptance letter — and no major will disqualify a student, either.

What is the closest thing to law school?

Political Science. Of all majors, this may be the closest to a "law school" curriculum as you can get. In this major, you'll study political systems, public policy, international relations and the relationship between government, the law, and individual rights, among other things.

What do philosophy majors study?

Philosophy majors delve deep into the study of logic, ethics, and morality —areas of thought that also happen to be the cornerstones of law. You'll debate with classmates, present arguments and do a lot of research to support your case, which is not all that different from what lawyers do to prepare for court.

What is an economics major?

Not only are economics majors trained to think logically and analytically, but economic policies and procedures, as well as how resources are distributed and managed, are topics closely connected to the legal issues you'll encounter as a lawyer.

What do history majors learn?

From a practical standpoint, history majors are also tasked with lots of research and writing and must learn to draw conclusions based on historical documents, a great precursor to the work you'll do in law school.

Is business a good major?

A business major is a good option for those who plan to go into corporate law. That said, be sure to supplement business fundamentals with humanities and liberal arts electives so you can train your analytical and critical thinking muscles, as well as practice research and writing, too.

Does it matter what you study as an undergraduate?

If you have your heart set on landing a legal gig, it's important to know that it doesn't necessarily matter what you study as an undergraduate. This is truly a profession suited to those coming from vast educational backgrounds.

Is Discover Student Loans affiliated with LSAT?

LSAT is a registered trademark of the Law School Admission Council, Inc., and is not affiliated with Discover Student Loans.

How to become a constitutional lawyer without law school?

While it's possible to become an attorney without going to law school (depending on your state laws), you still need to take and pass the bar exam.

Which universities offer constitutional law?

Yale University, Harvard, Stanford and the University of California, Berkeley, all offer constitutional law programs. As a student, you will have the chance to attend workshops and lectures, conduct legal research, debate political issues and complete internships at prestigious law firms.

What is the minimum score required to pass the bar exam in New York?

Applicants must obtain a total score of 1,390 or higher to pass the exam, according to the State Bar of California. The New York State Board of Examiners has slightly different rules. While the bar exam format is similar to that in California, applicants must achieve a score of 266 or higher to qualify for admission.

What do you need to know before taking the bar exam?

Before taking the test, look for a constitutional law study guide and other resources at a library.

How much do lawyers make?

The average annual salary for lawyers is around $123,000, as reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Experienced attorneys who work for top law firms can earn $208,000 and up, while those employed by government agencies make about $144,300 per year.

What is the role of the Constitution?

Its role is to ensure adequate interpretation and implementation of the U.S. Constitution.

What is the highest possible score for law school?

It consists of a writing assignment, multiple-choice questions and logic games. The highest possible score is 180, according to the Law School Admission Council. Your score will only be available to you and the law schools you have applied to.

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History

English

  • Having a strong command of written and verbal skills will take you far as an attorney whether you're writing, researching or speaking in court. Analyzing great works of literature and historical texts from various cultures and time periods is great practice for the hours you'll spend in the law library.
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Philosophy

  • Philosophy majors delve deep into the study of logic, ethics, and morality—areas of thought that also happen to be the cornerstones of law. You'll debate with classmates, present arguments and do a lot of research to support your case, which is not all that different from what lawyers do to prepare for court.
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Political Science

  • Of all majors, this may be the closest to a "law school" curriculum as you can get. In this major, you'll study political systems, public policy, international relations and the relationship between government, the law, and individual rights, among other things. You're required to analyze various written documents and data sets (think ancient texts to social media posts) and will learn to thin…
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Economics

  • Not only are economics majors trained to think logically and analytically, but economic policies and procedures, as well as how resources are distributed and managed, are topics closely connected to the legal issues you'll encounter as a lawyer. Any major that has you summarizing qualitative and quantitative data to solve problems is good training for your brain to seek out evi…
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Business

  • General business knowledge can be applied in almost any industry, and that holds true for aspiring attorneys as well. A business major is a good option for those who plan to go into corporate law. That said, be sure to supplement business fundamentals with humanities and liberal arts electives so you can train your analytical and critical thinking muscles, as well as pra…
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General Tips

  1. Consider majoring in a discipline that is related to the type of law you want to practice. Since you don't have to declare a specialty during law school, building a background as an undergraduate i...
  2. Choose a major or take electives that are heavy on research and writing. As mentioned earlier, those are the critical skills that will help you most in law school.
  1. Consider majoring in a discipline that is related to the type of law you want to practice. Since you don't have to declare a specialty during law school, building a background as an undergraduate i...
  2. Choose a major or take electives that are heavy on research and writing. As mentioned earlier, those are the critical skills that will help you most in law school.
  3. Whichever academic route you take, maintaining a strong GPA is essential if you aim to attend a selective law school program.