How Many Years Should You Expect To Be In Law School?
Students preparing for their future careers often make the choice of their profession by the Junior year of high school, although it’s not always the case. Those with a sharp focus on a career in law school may participate in running start programs to get some of the general college requirements out of the way by the time they graduate with their diplomas. Some adults decide that a career in law is in their future after working years in other professions. If you’re considering a legal career, you’re probably wondering how many years it takes to become an attorney. The years required for education in law depend on the level you wish to achieve. On average, most law schools offer three-year programs. Here is an overview of how many years it takes to reach specific career goals within the practice of law.
How long to achieve a general law degree?
Berkely’s career site explains that law school can take anywhere from three to five years for completion. Part-time students will spend a few more years completing the requirements for graduation. A basic law degree for general practice is three years for full-time students. Students who plan to serve as generalists in the law profession may complete the educational component of their preparation within three years. Some preferring to obtain specialized degrees or advanced law degrees should plan on spending a few years more. Nearly any college degree at the bachelor’s level takes four to five years to complete. Law degrees can take less time to complete, but the studies are often more intensive.
What are the requirements to enter law school?
Most law schools require students to provide evidence of their bachelor’s degree as part of the eligibility requirements for admission. Each law school establishes its standards for admissions. Most require minimum scores for LSATS and GPA. This means that students must take their undergraduate studies seriously and earn the best possible grades and test scores. Some of the best law schools in the nation are highly competitive and only admit students who evidence the best scores with outstanding marks and some type of extracurricular accomplishments. Again, it varies from one law school to another.
What Law degrees are available?
Best Colleges reports that five different law degrees are available. Students may choose from a Juris Doctor, Master of Laws, Doctor of Judicial Science, Master of Legal Studies, or Master of Dispute Resolution degree. Here is an explanation of each degree.
Juris Doctor
The Juris Doctor degree (JD), is the most common for lawyers in the United States. It was the first law degree in the US and is provided by the American Bar Association. Some non-American Bar Association-approved law schools offer JD degrees. Requirements for entry into a JD degree program include a bachelor’s degree, and candidates must pass the Law School Admission Test, referred to as the LSAT. The average JD program takes three years of full-time study to complete.
Master of Laws
The Master of Laws degree is referred to as the LLM degree. This degree is a one-year program for full-time students and two years for part-time students who have earned another law degree. There is no stand-alone law degree from an accredited institution of higher learning that offers a one-year law degree. You must consider the previous time spent in the study of law when considering the Master of Laws program. The LLM degree program offers various specialization choices for students. Some students may opt for a specialization in International law, American Law, Taxation, Environmental Law, Human Rights Law, Intellectual Property Law, or other subfields within the law. Some law schools offer dual degree programs. Students are not generally required to take the LSAT when applying for Master of Laws programs.
Master of Legal Studies
The Master of Legal Studies is commonly referred to as the MLS degree. It is for students with career ambitions that do not include practicing as attorneys. It provides a comprehensive knowledge of the law and provides information and experience in dealing with legal issues and procedures for professionals who are not practicing attorneys, yet regularly work with legal issues. Typically, graduates in this program are professionals within the business, regulatory agencies, human resources, or law enforcement. Requirements to enter this program include a bachelor’s degree, letters of recommendation, a resume, a personal statement, and a personal interview by the admissions committee for the program. The Master of Legal Studies degree lasts between 16 to 28 months. Students take courses in contracts, regulatory compliance, administrative law, and negotiation theory.
Doctor of Juridical Science
Legal Career Path explains that the Doctor of Juridical Science degree is referred to as the SJD degree. It is a two-year program of study for lawyers who possess either an LLM or a JD degree and seek an advanced degree in their legal education. The SJD is a post-doctoral-level degree with strict admission policies including evidence of either LLM or JD degree, a resume, personal statement, letters of recommendation, and a research proposal. Personal interviews for admission are required. It is the highest level of law degree offered. Professionals within the field of law who typically seek this degree are those pursuing a career in legal research such as law scholars, law professors, legal scientists, or those in similar career fields. The program requires students to participate in one-on-one legal research with law professors and participation in seminars.
Master of Dispute Resolution
The Master of Dispute Resolution degree is referred to as the MDR. The MDR program takes students up to two years to complete. it is typically for people who wish to work in organizations in positions where negotiation and resolution skills to deal with difficult situations are required. Courses include conflict management, identifying workplace issues, arbitration practice, negotiation, mediation, and dispute resolution. Candidates for admission must possess a bachelor’s degree, a personal statement, a resume, and letters of recommendation.
Why does it take so long to earn a law degree?
Students who pursue a law degree can expect to spend four to five years earning a bachelor’s degree and an additional one to five years in law school. It’s fair to say that the total number of years spent in higher education will range from five to ten. Law school provides an intensive study of legal systems and various niches of specialization within the law. Law schools teach students to think like lawyers and to observe the highest integrity and accurate delivery of services as allowed by the law. They learn complex problem-solving skills and learn to become master thinkers, speakers, and writers. Law school is an advanced discipline of study that requires sharp analytical problem-solving and creative skills. Law degrees prepare lawyers, judges, academics, researchers, and other professionals for advanced careers. Students must memorize specific laws and become intimately familiar with their various applications. It’s more than regurgitating facts. It involves the ability to apply the law in abstract cases. Law school requires listening to lectures, seminars, passing exams, and hands-on experience working with clients in various clinics and community projects. Students read volumes of research and case studies to prepare for examinations and oral deliveries. It takes time to prepare for a career in law. The education process is packed with information and higher levels of learning and experiential learning.
How to prepare for a law degree?
Multiple paths can lead to a law degree. Some students have achieved their degrees by the age of 19. Students in the United States must be at least 18 years or older to qualify for admission to most law schools. Students from all educational backgrounds and walks of life may successfully find law programs that will consider their admission. Some students focus their high school and early college studies in programs that are geared toward a law degree, while others wait until they’re at a turning point in their careers, and opt for a new area of professionalism. Students range in age from 18 through their later adult years. It’s not required to begin preparation in high school, or at any certain age.
The Law School Admission Council recommends that all students keep their grades high. Grades are not the only consideration for law school admission but they are factored in as a part of the overall rating system used by admissions committees. Attending summer enrichment programs such as the National Student Leadership Conference provides hands-on experience for students that can help to prepare them for a career in law leadership at the middle-school level. High School students should speak to a career counselor to learn which courses offered at their local schools can help prepare for a law degree. Counselors can provide advice on choosing the best undergraduate schools and majors. Keep your GPA high, and attend any law school events that are offered in your area. Explore the career options afforded by a law degree and volunteer, shadow, or intern with those in the legal profession. Attend pre-college summer programs offered by The National Student Leadership Conference for increasing your attractiveness to law school admissions committees. College students can benefit from enrolling in the Prelaw Undergraduate Scholars programs offered by LSAC It’s a four-week program that helps students to learn skills necessary to navigate the law school admission processes and succeed in law school. Students may sign up for the program during their undergraduate college years. The program target students from minority groups and those underrepresented in the legal profession with a focus on the first two years in college, but others are welcome to enroll. Students may apply for a law school conditional admissions program to help them find out what law school will be like. Some law schools offer these programs, but not all. Conditional Admissions programs can enhance the student’s chances of gaining the attention of the admissions committee for full admission if they complete the program. It can serve as a segue at some law schools.
How to choose the right law school
Each law student has individual goals and aspirations for their career plans. There is no cookie-cutter program that covers the gamut. Before choosing a law school, it’s essential to consider your career goals, your budget, your qualifications to gain entry to specific law schools, and the type of program that you will benefit from the most. Each law school has set criteria of requirements for who is eligible to apply. You must meet the minimum requirements. Choose a school with a solid reputation for turning out professionals who pass the Bar Exams with a high-pass rate. It shows that the school has helped adequately prepare them for the first hurdle to professional certification. Choose a school that offers tuition rates within your budget or offers scholarships or financial aid. Choose a school that has the programs of specialization that interest you. Other things to consider are the resources of the law school. Choose a school that offers large law libraries with adequate hours for study time. The school should also provide experiential opportunities to give you hands-on experience in your area of specialization. Some law schools provide students access to clinics in the community that offers students opportunities to work with clients in the real world, courtroom experiences under the direction of professional judges and attorneys, moot courts, etc. Check the school’s ratings on a national level. Compare it with other law schools. Ensure that the law school you select has the approval of the American Bar Association.
Final thoughts
The average law student will have spent three to five years earning their undergraduate degrees to earn the bachelor’s degree required for admission to law school. Law programs may take an additional one to five years for full and part-time law students, depending on the degree and interest in the specialization. Law school is offered for full and part-time students and offers degrees that are advanced study programs with a focus on the practice of the law. The most successful law students are those who are committed to the intense and rigorous program of study.
