Law

Law Degrees

To become a lawyer, or attorney, you will need to pursue a Juris Doctor Degree (J.D.). This is a graduate level program that is very challenging and competitive, but a necessary requirement for those who wish to practice law.

In order to achieve a Juris Doctor Degree, you would first need to earn a bachelor’s degree. While law schools will generally accept bachelor’s degrees of any major, some schools do offer “pre-law” bachelor’s degree programs. Pre-law degree programs require 4 years of study and prepare graduates to go on to study law at the graduate level. Other popular undergraduate degree majors include English, criminal justice, history, and business. Those who wish to apply to a Juris Doctor Degree program will need to have maintained a very high GPA at the undergraduate level, but also score quite well on the Law School Admission Test (LSAT).

In law school, students will spend 3-4 years studying topics such as civil procedure, contracts, criminal law, constitutional law, patent law, environmental law, and intellectual property to name a few. Students can choose to specialize in a certain area or can study all aspects of the legal system. Upon graduation, Juris Doctor Degree holders will be eligible to take the bar exam. Graduates must pass the bar exam to become certified to practice law. Most law schools base the curriculum of their J.D. program on the specific knowledge and skills students need to pass this exam.

Other Law Degree Options

Some schools also offer programs for people who wish to learn more about the legal system, but do not intend on taking the bar exam or practicing law. This is a popular option for students who would like to enhance their resumes by increasing their legal knowledge, or whose careers would benefit from advanced legal study.

Job Outlook for Law School Graduates

Although earning a Juris Doctor Degree can be a long and challenging process, salaries of lawyers and attorneys are very rewarding. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2006 Lawyers earned a median salary of $102,470. Job opportunities for lawyers will increase as the use of legal services becomes more popular.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-2009 Edition