The requirements for entering law school, and the degree awarded for successful completion of law school is often misunderstood. Clearing up misconceptions may lead to a much smoother decision to enter law school.
About Law School
In every U.S. state, except California, Maine, New York, Vermont, Virginia, Washington and Wyoming, a law degree from an accredited institution of higher learning must be earned to practice law. Law school in the United States lasts three or four years. Law schools do not award a bachelor's degree. Instead, the Juris Doctor (JD) degree is awarded to those who graduate from law school. A bachelor's degree in any discipline is required to enroll in law school.
California, Main, New York, Vermont and Virginia allow state residents to apply for bar admission without a JD.
Admission Into Law School
Every law school has its own admission requirements. All law schools, however, require candidates to take the Law School Aptitude Test (LSAT). The LSAT is an aptitude test with sections in logical reasoning, reading comprehension and analytical reasoning. Test takers are also required to complete a written essay. The LSAT is scored from a low of 120 to a high of 180.
About the JD
The JD is the highest level professional degree for in law in the United States. It is a doctorate level degree, comparable to the PhD in other disciplines. Most states, however, do not allow practicing attorneys to use the title "doctor" in their professional names. Most states' laws require practicing attorneys to use "attorney," "attorney-at-law" or "esquire" titles in their professional names.
Additional Requirements to Practice Law
In the United States, admission into a state's bar association is required to practice law in that state. Admission into the state bar is contingent on the passing of the state bar exam. The bar exam, usually administered twice a year, is designed to test a candidate's knowledge of the laws of the state and law in general.
Additional Legal Degrees
The Masters of Laws (LLM) degree is available for those who have earned a JD. It is an advanced legal degree as opposed to a professional degree such as the JD. The LLM is used predominately by those who wish to become law professors.
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