How Many Years of College Does IT Take to Become a Lawyer?
Would you like a high-energy, fast-paced career? You could have that and more as a lawyer, an individual who works as an intermediary between members of the public and the legal system. To become a practicing lawyer, you will need to complete about seven years of college education, which include an undergraduate degree program and law school. You are also required to pass a state-administered bar exam in order to practice. Schools offering Juris Doctor degrees can also be found in these popular choices.
Lawyers
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), lawyers, or attorneys, are an important part of modern-day society because they serve as advisers and advocates for the public (www.bls.gov). They fill the roles of counselors, mediators, defenders or prosecutors. As a lawyer, you'd be responsible for offering guidance to individuals on their legal rights and advising them on how to defend themselves against civil and criminal charges. Additionally, you'd represent individuals and corporations in business and personal legal affairs, often in court.
Educational Requirements
Entrance to law school is highly competitive. You will first need to complete a bachelor's degree program, which typically takes four years. If you're planning to attend law school, you might consider a major in English, history, politics or business, though there is no particular required major. After earning your bachelor's degree, you must complete law school, which can take 2-4 years, and earn your Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree. During your first year in law school, you study broad subjects, such as constitutional law and legal writing, before you choose a concentration for your later years of study.
Areas of Study
While in law school, you have the option to concentrate in an area of interest. Private practice lawyers generally specialize in criminal or civil law. You may specialize in other areas, such as:
- Civil law
- Criminal law
- International law
- Environmental law
- Probate law
- Tax law
- Bankruptcy law
Licensure
After completing a J.D. degree program, you will need to pass the bar examination approved by your state, usually the Multistate Bar Examination. When you pass the bar exam, you are demonstrating that you have achieved the level of mastery mandated by your state of residence. Ethics testing is also required for licensing by many states.
Employment and Earning Potential
As a lawyer, you could have excellent earnings and employment opportunities. According to the BLS, employment of lawyers had been expected to grow 13% from 2008-2018. Salary.com reported that the expected median salary for a lawyer with 0-3 years of experience was $88,471 in July 2011. Lawyers with 2-5 years of experience had an expected median salary of $113,818, with that number rising to $143,638 for those with 5-8 years of legal experience.
To continue researching, browse degree options below for course curriculum, prerequisites and financial aid information. Or, learn more about the subject by reading the related articles below:
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