what to major in community college to become a lawyer

You have to major in an academic subject, such as Political Science, Math, Philosophy, and so on. Unlike premed, there are no prerequisite courses you must take in order to be considered for law school.

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What should I major in college to become a lawyer?

Dec 03, 2019 · When it comes to the prerequisites for law school, each school has its own unique set of requirements. Even so, there are two main things that all law schools require – a graduate degree and an LSAT score. Your undergraduate degree must be from an accredited college or university and you may be required to send in an official transcript as ...

Can I get into law school after graduating from a community college?

Oct 05, 2021 · Consider these steps on your way to becoming a lawyer: 1. Earn a bachelor's degree. Having an undergraduate degree is a minimum requirement for admission into law school. Although most lawyers have degrees in subjects like English, economics, political science, philosophy, journalism, mathematics and business, there is no official recommendation …

What can you do with a degree in law school?

By Anne Wallace. Many undergraduates entering law school have majored in political science, economics, business administration, history, English, and rhetoric, but …

What are the prerequisites for Law School?

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. These are all …

What are the requirements for law school?

Even so, there are two main things that all law schools require – a graduate degree and an LSAT score .

How to enhance your resume for law school?

You can also enhance your resume with volunteer work or a summer internship. Talk to an Admissions Counselor – Even if you feel confident about your law school application, it never hurts to talk to a pre-law admissions advisor.

What do law schools want to know?

What law schools really want to know is that you have developed your critical thinking skills and that you can communicate effectively and support a rational argument. If you know that you want to go to law school, you will probably take the LSAT at some point while you are still in school.

What to do if you have a low grade in a class?

If you got a low grade in a class, consider taking a summer class to show that you are serious about maintaining high academic standards. You can also enhance your resume with volunteer work or a summer internship.

Why do people go to community colleges?

For some, the community college offers a degree of flexibility that can’t be had at some colleges and universities and, for others, it is a way to save money on tuition. But will your graduation from a community college as opposed to a traditional college or university hurt your chances of success in pursuing a career in certain fields? Keep reading to learn some valuable tips for applying to law school with a community college degree.

Is community based law school demanding?

Getting the degree and setting the best benchmark in law colleges community based education is very much demanding. In many cases finding the exact opportunity to excel along with to form the traditional educational guidelines they are proposing the best bit from the beginning.

Does community college hurt your chances of getting into law school?

There are always exceptions to the rule, but graduating from a community college should not hurt your chances of getting into law school as long as you have a strong application.

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 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 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 is the purpose of a lawyer's knowledge of the law?

Using their knowledge of the law to find passages and precedents that may then be used in the defense of their clients

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.

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 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.

What do lawyers need to be versatile?

The time when lawyers settled into a groove and stayed there for forty years is gone. To be versatile, you’ll need a methodology for learning new skills and information quickly. Literacy and analytical thinking, technological expertise and ways to find a mentor are not college majors but the skills you should learn while in school -- that’s what’s important.

What are the most important parts of a law school application?

Your grade point average and Law School Admission Test score are the most important parts of your law school application. Major in something you love, other than baseball, so that you have the incentive to get that 4.0. Your LSAT score comes in a close second. The four scored sections of the LSAT are analytical reasoning, logical reasoning, reading comprehension, and a writing sample. Any liberal arts discipline that teaches you critical reading, analysis, research and writing will help.

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.

How do I become a lawyer?

In addition to earning specific degrees, the process includes passing your state's bar exam in order to become a practicing attorney. Understanding the many educational opportunities for becoming a lawyer can help you determine which path is best for you. In this article, we discuss education requirements to become a lawyer and the different degrees to pursue, including those for individuals who want to work in the legal field without going to law school.

What do you study in law school with a philosophy major?

Philosophy: Philosophy majors typically study logic, ethics and morality and take courses in epistemology (the theory of knowledge), metaphysics and moral and political philosophy. This major can help prepare you to debate, present arguments and do research to support a case — all excellent skills for law school.

What do you study in criminal justice?

Criminal justice: Criminal justice majors take classes in criminal law, victimology, statistics, and the U.S. court system while studying how the criminal court system operates . After earning your law degree, these courses and line of study will give you a foundational understanding of crime and law and will be useful during hearing, dealing with police and negotiating with opposition counsel.

What are the advantages of law school?

It also teaches students material related to their state bar exams . Other advantages of law school include networking opportunities and transferable skills.

What to consider when choosing a degree?

When deciding what degree to pursue, consider what your priorities are, such as gaining the most knowledge possible or gaining experience right away. Consider the time and financial requirements for each degree as you evaluate how well each option aligns with your career goals.

How long does it take to get a masters in law?

A Master of Laws typically takes one to two years to complete, depending on if a student is taking courses full time or part time.

What is a masters in law?

A Master of Laws is a postgraduate degree to expand knowledge in law and specialize in a specific area of law. This degree is for those with an undergraduate academic law degree, a professional law degree or an undergraduate degree in a related subject.

Why do lawyers need to take classes?

Aspiring lawyers should take classes that involve extensive reading and writing so that they can become better readers and writers, since those skills are critical to most legal jobs, according to law school professors.

What is the goal of law school?

J.D. students should realize that the goal of taking a law school course isn't simply to get an A; the point is to master the material covered, Langan emphasizes. "You, in essence start preparing for the bar exam from Day One."

Why is drama important in law school?

Those extracurricular activities allow students to develop their capacity to argue persuasively, lawyers explain, adding that drama also provides solid preparation for a legal career since the performing arts emphasize public speaking skills.

How much does a lawyer make?

A legal career often leads to a six-figure salary. The median annual compensation among lawyers in the U.S. as of May 2019 was $122,960, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Why is it important to take standardized tests for law school?

If you intend to pursue a J.D., a strong standard ized test score improves your odds of law school acceptance, so it is essential for law school hopefuls to thoroughly prepare for whichever test they opt to take.

How many states allow you to practice law without a law degree?

Jason Ruen – an executive attorney at Stewart J. Guss, Injury Accident Lawyers, a national personal injury law firm – notes that only seven states allow someone to practice law without a law degree. Wyoming, New York and Maine require some formal legal education, although they don't mandate completion of a J.D. degree.

What is the best background for a family lawyer?

A background in counseling or social work can be helpful for family lawyers. Some people combine a J.D. with a Master of Social Work, or MSW, credential. Federal judicial clerkships. Achieving stellar grades in law school usually is necessary to become a clerk in a federal court.