Law & Paralegal Degrees
The legal field is massive and comprises many different careers. Perhaps two of the most prevalent and crucial careers are those of lawyers and paralegals. Becoming a lawyer requires first obtaining a bachelor's degree and then going on to receive a JD from an accredited institution. Lawyers are some of the highest paid professionals in the job market today, but the hours are long and the cases can be trying. Paralegals, or legal assistants, are the backbone of most law firms. With increasingly important roles, paralegals handle research, calling clients, looking over depositions, and a variety of other tasks. The U.S. Bureau of Statistics reports a substantial demand for paralegals by the year 2016.- All
- Associate
- Bachelor's
- Master's
- Doctorate
- Certification
Ask An Expert: Real Questions, Expert Answers
Law schools in the US do not cost the same. Each school's tuition and room board/costs will vary. For example, the tuition at the University of Montana with room and board is $39,524 compared to Cornell University in N.Y. which is $69,750. Hope this helps.
JD, Juris Doctor, is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.
In general there are no definite paralegal requirements. Most can learn as they work. But you must have knowledge of the skills needed for this type of work. A few skills that are helpful are good research skills and a knowledge of legal writing. Lawyer requirements may vary depending on the country. In general one needs to have a high school diploma and have a bachelor's degree. You then must attend law school at a University. And last but not least you must pass "the bar" exam.
An exact number of legal specializations is difficult to pin down, but you can consult the "What are some of the specializations within this degree program?" section of our page to get a picture of the various forms legal practice can take.
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