Becoming a lawyer can be an intensive academic journey. On average, it typically takes at least three years to earn your law degree; however, an accelerated program could allow you to complete it faster.
All aspiring lawyers must first earn a bachelor’s degree. Any subject will do, though studying topics like political science, history and criminal justice could help prepare you for life in law practice.
Full-time
Most law school students enroll full-time, typically taking four years for an undergraduate degree and three for either their Juris Doctor (JD) or Master of Laws (LLM) degrees. To maximize experiential learning during law school – such as clinics, externships, internships, summer fellowships pro bono work moot court/mock trial experience and more- the shortest path may also include additional experiences like clinics externships internships summer fellowships pro bono work moot court/mock trial events during these years of law school study.
Your classes will focus on the fundamentals of law practice, such as constitutional and civil rights law; criminal procedure law; contract law; property law and more. Expect heavy reading and class prep assignments such as writing papers, developing outlines and joining study groups.
Fordham University boasts a diverse student body, from working pathologists and 10-year army veterans, to entrepreneurs enrolled as part-time students. Part-time students have access to all the same academic programs, world-class facilities, renowned faculty members and can complete their degrees within eight semesters; making studying manageable with other life commitments or careers.
Part-time
If you want to become a lawyer but lack the time or schedule for a four year law degree, an online Master of Jurisprudence (MJ) program might be for you. Many MJ programs can be completed part-time over just two years!
Before embarking on a law degree program, it’s wise to take several undergraduate classes to prepare yourself for the academic rigors of law school. Engaging in challenging classes and joining student organizations will help build analytical thinking abilities essential for legal education. In addition, writing skills must also be developed as you will need to express yourself clearly and concisely when creating legal documents.
Your first year in law school will likely involve spending much time studying case law and preparing for an extensive exam schedule. Most law schools advise against working during this time, though it’s sometimes impossible to turn down additional income from working full-time jobs.
Accelerated
A typical path to becoming a lawyer involves earning a four-year bachelor’s degree, followed by three years of law school, before passing the bar exam. Some universities provide accelerated programs allowing highly motivated students to earn their JD in two years – typically those with prior legal experience or clearly stated career objectives in law.
Most accelerated law programs adhere to traditional curriculums, but often include additional activities that help students apply their learning in real life situations. Such activities include law clinics and externships which offer hands-on experience that bridge the gap between academic learning and legal practice.
Law school can be demanding on both mental health and emotional well-being. Before enrolling in an accelerated program, prospective law students should carefully consider if they can cope with its stressors; many law schools strongly discourage working during the first year; in fact some even forbid it altogether!
Dual Degree
Many law schools consider factors other than undergraduate GPA and LSAT scores when making admission decisions, such as community service experience and membership in student organizations as part of their admissions criteria. You should consider taking classes that prepare you for legal study such as legal writing and analytical thinking classes to give yourself the best chance at acceptance into law school.
Law school education differs drastically from undergraduate studies in terms of reading and writing requirements. It’s not unusual for first year law students to complete between 50-100 pages per night in reading during their first year, which makes developing these skills important before entering law school.
Some schools offer students the option of earning dual degrees in law and another subject, making this an attractive opportunity for those interested in academic careers that combine law with knowledge from other fields. Students seeking this route must apply separately to both programs before collaborating with their individual schools on developing an enrollment plan.
