Top Law Schools
So you are making preparations for a career in the legal field and you are looking for the best law schools and colleges in the US and Canada. It takes a lot of stamina, perseverence, and desire to learn to be a lawyer, but the rewards are well worth the effort. Imagine holding an important position as a prosecutor or defense attorney in the court; or you could specialize in one aspect of law, such as estate taxes, entertainment law, litigation, etc. Whatever future you imagine, a law degree can take you there.
Find schools with Law Programs
All top law schools in the US must be approved by the American Bar Association (ABA). They are designed to provide post-graduate studies in law, instructing future lawyers in all aspects of the legal system. Candidates for legal studies at the university level are required to hold a minimum of a Bachelor Degree in a related field such as Humanities and Social Sciences or Criminal Justice. A course in law leading to a Master of Science Degree (MS) takes approximately two to three years, and a Doctorate Degree takes about two years more. If you are just starting out with no related experience or education in law, you might want to get your feet wet with a course in Legal and Paralegal. A legal paralegal course would be a great testing ground to see if you are really ready to start on the path to law school, and it would give you the leading edge once your legal studies begin in earnest.
Upon graduation from law school, attorneys are awarded various respected law degrees, including the Doctor of Judicial Science (S.J.D.), Doctor of Comparative Law (D.C.L.), and the Juris Doctor (J.D.) or Doctor of Jurisprudence (J.S.D.). While these Doctorate Degrees sound impressive (and they are), the graduate is not yet ready to start practicing law. Before beginning a legal practice, all lawyers are required to pass a state bar examination.
An education from law schools can take many diverse directions. Those who work in the public sector can gain great personal satisfaction from helping the "underdog" fight the court system, but the pay can be relatively low. Lawyers who practice law in the private sector, however, are usually very well-paid, with annual incomes well into six figures. How will you best use your education in law? The choice is up to you.
To learn more about gaining a legal education, we urge you to contact law schools and colleges on our website today.
