Lawyer
By: Cassidie Flynn
Requirements
- Almost all law schools, particularly those approved by the ABA, require applicants to take the Law School Admission Test.
- Most states and jurisdictions require lawyers to complete a juris doctor (J.D.) degree from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association.
- A bachelor’s degree is required for entry into most law schools, and courses in English, public speaking, government, history, economics, and mathematics are useful.
Education/Skills
It usually takes 7 years of full-time study after high school—4 years of undergraduate study, followed by 3 years of law school.
A J.D. degree program includes courses such as constitutional law, contracts, property law, civil procedure, and legal writing.
Law students may choose specialized courses in areas such as tax, labor, and corporate law
The Law School Admission Test (LSAT) measures applicants’ aptitude for the study of law.
Job Openings/Median Wages
Median Wages: $115,820 per year- $55.69 per hour
Job Openings: Competition for jobs should continue to be strong because more students are graduating from law school each year than there are jobs available.