More than ever before, the law has generated an incredible amount of interest from student all over the world. Some of this can be attributed to the many television shows and movies that have glamorized the job. However, the law out of necessity has developed the need for many specialties, therefore, creating increased notoriety and interest.
If you are one of those students seriously considering a career in law, then there are things to consider and information needed to make an informed choice. As earlier stated, the law has many specialties, and there are many different ways to contribute in this field. All of these contributing jobs require differing levels of education, and this article aims to clarify some of the confusion regarding law degrees.
Depending upon your particular goals, you can work in the legal field with an Associate's degree, provided it's in legal studies. This type of degree will provide you with the kind of education and training needed to work as an entry-level paralegal or legal assistant. These positions average an annual salary of approximately $46,000 and usually take place in legal services agencies or government agencies, although some folks work for private practice firms.
If you are thinking about earning a Bachelor's degree with the notion of a career in law, understand that it is only the first step to becoming a lawyer. You cannot practice law with a Bachelor's degree; however, if you study criminal justice, you have a few very good chance of working within the legal system. This type of degree will provide you with the qualifications needed for a job as a detective or a probation officer, for example, and you can even complete your studies online.
Of course your Bachelor's degree is the first step toward becoming a lawyer and is usually followed by three years of law school. The most commonly sought law degrees are Juris Doctor and the Master of Laws, sometimes referred to as an LLM degree. The latter is for those who want to complete advanced studies in a specific area of the law.
The pinnacle of law degrees is Doctor of Judicial Science and Doctor of Comparative Law Studies. These of course are equivalent to PhD degrees. You may also opt for a joint law degree, which will combine law with another course of study taking longer to complete.
Law school is an expensive undertaking, but there are a number of scholarships available if you know how to research. However, lawyers earn very good salaries, and even if you take student loans to pay for law school, you should be able to handle repayment. The median annual salary for lawyers is in the low six figure range.
If you are drawn to some kind of career in law, then you will need some level of post-secondary education. Whether you want an Associate's degree for entry-level positions or you want the whole nine yards ending with the bar exam, it all begins with a law program. All you need to do now is make your decision and choose a school that meets your needs. If you want a more flexible program, then consider online college.
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