Online Degrees in Law

Law Degrees

The study of law in the United States is done at the graduate level, for the most part in law schools that are attached to major colleges or universities. Although many schools do offer pre-law bachelor's degree programs, it is not necessary for you to complete such a program in order to enroll in law school. While the American Bar Association notes that undergraduate majors such as English, history, philosophy, economics, business or political science are traditionally seen as preparatory for a legal career, you may, in fact, major in any area of interest, including computer science, nursing or art prior to applying to law school. It is recommended, however, that any course of study you follow provide you with ample opportunities for writing and research, as these skills will be called upon frequently once you are admitted to law school and later as you come to practice law.

In order to be admitted to law school, you will not only need to have completed your bachelor's degree with a satisfactory GPA, but you will also usually be required to have earned a passing score on the  Law School Admission Test (LSAT) and you may need to complete one or more essays and/or short-answer questions and supply letters of recommendation. Once admitted, your course of study will usually take three years, during the course of which you will study subjects including constitutional law, civil procedure, legal research and writing, contract law, criminal law and torts and take an ABA-mandated course in professional ethics. After your first year of study you'll be able to choose an area of specialization from fields such as corporate law, international law, intellectual property law,  family law and tax law. You may also have the opportunity to participate in internships or legal clinics while you study.

When you graduate from law school, you will be awarded the Juris Doctorate (JD) degree, but you will still not be allowed to practice law until you have passed the bar exam in the state where you intend to work. You may also need to undergo a character and fitness evaluation and a background check before being admitted to your state bar association.