Bachelor's Degrees

• Prospective law students need a bachelor's degree from a four-year college to gain admittance to a law school. The American Bar Association says it doesn't matter what the undergraduate degree is in. The bar association notes traditional majors for lawyers include English, business and political science, with students also majoring in subjects in areas they hope to practice in.
  
  

Other Knowledge Needed

• The American Bar Association notes that prospective law students need to have good writing, speaking and research skills. They also should understand history and take math courses so they can analyze financial data. Students also should have an understanding of cultures and public affairs in the United States and abroad.
  
  

Law Schools

• The American Bar Association has approved programs at 200 universities across the United States. Graduation from one of these schools makes it easier to qualify to take the bar exams required by states. The association says some law schools offer online courses, but states generally don't allow students who have online law degrees to take the bar exam, though certain online courses are acceptable. Full-time students can complete law school in three years; it may take part-time students several years to complete the program. Law schools require students to take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT).
  
  

Alternative to Law School

• Certain states allow students who haven't attended law school but who have worked under a licensed lawyer for several years to take the bar exam; New York is one state that allows this; program requirements are spelled out in Section 520.4 of New York State law. These students are required to complete at least one year at an approved law school and then work as a law clerk for a New York lawyer for a minimum of four years. The attorney is required to provide the same education and training that a student would receive in law school.
  
  

Job Outlook for Lawyers

• The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' "Occupational Outlook Handbook" says the number of jobs for lawyers will grow at about the same rate as other occupations, but that competition will be keen for jobs because so many students are graduating from law school. The handbook notes that in 2008, salaries for lawyers nine months after graduation was $48,000 for clerkships; $50,000 for government lawyers; and $69,100 for lawyers employed by businesses.