law degree and requirements?

Question

I'm in the US - anyway, I have noticed that some law programs (UConn) require you to have an undergrad degree first and then u will be elgible to apply while others (rutgers-camden) say just apply directly to the law school..... why is this? where is a good place for communications law to practice and how I can get into that field? last thing - once you get ur JD degree can u study any area of law (criminal, insurance, personal injury, etc)?

i do have an undergrad degree.

i would like to expand on it.

Answer 1

You definitely have to have an undergrad degree in the U.S. to attend law school. (This didn't use to be required untill the early to mid 1900's where one by one all states began requiring this)You can apply while you are still pursuing an undergrad degree, but they require proof of degree completion before you are allowed to attend. A lot of schools offer specialties that may or may not require additional time beyond the three years for the J.D(such as criminal, insurance, personal injury) and they look favorable on a resume but you can practice any kind of law with a J.D. After you graduate and have earned a J.D you must pass the MPRE and the bar exam for the state you will be practicing in, and then be admitted to that state's bar by a committee which involves a long invasive personal application asking about credit, mental and personal health, past behaviors, criminal/civil suits you have been involved in. They certainly don't make it easy to become a lawyer!

Answer 2

Some schools have BS/JD programs. This is why you apply to a signly combined program.

Otherwise, you need an undergrad degree to be accepted into law school.

Once you graduate, you can practice any kind of law you want. Of course, you wont be knowledgeable in all areas of the law.

There is an excpeption. Patent law...you need to pass the patent bar and one of the requirements in an undergrad degree in science (or a certain number of credits in science (or compsci).

I suggest you get an under grad degree first. You can major in anything yu please and then go to law school. it is a good way to keep your options open.


Also, the first answerer is incorrect (for the U.S.). Law school is 3 years and their is no prelaw requirement. I know this because I went toundergrad for 4 years, then went straight to law school for 3 years and am now an attorney.

You can even do law school is 2.5 years in you take 18 credits a semester and take classes through the summer.

Answer 3

http://www.bls.gov/oco/

This government website will tell you everything you need to know.

I do know for a fact, however, that Rutgers and Camden do in fact require an undergrad degree first--you can't just go to law school.

Good luck :)

Answer 4

4 years undergrad(any degree),2 years pre-law,4 years law.

Your area of expertise is decided AFTER your 2nd year.