Do you know that Harvard University was the only law school in 1896 to require an undergraduate degree before students can be admitted for a law degree course? This same rule was enforced by other law schools in 1909 until various state programs also used undergraduate degrees as prerequisites in 1921. (1) This rule was later adopted by almost all law schools not only in America but in other countries as well. But now, law degree programs are not just offered in brick-and-mortar establishments alone. As such, online law degrees are available through distance or e-learning. (2) There are also law schools without undergraduate degree as well as universities that don’t require undergraduate degrees to enroll for their law degree courses.
Certain law schools in Michigan, for instance, admit students even if they haven’t completed their undergraduate courses yet. However, the school may require the student to have at least 90 quarter hours or complete a minimum of 60 semester hours from accredited schools. Hence, the applicant should secure a notice or letter from the school proving that he completed the required semester or quarter hours for admission. His GPA and law school admission test results will also be evaluated. The process of application will require students to submit an essay discussing his goals and reasons why he want to study law. Moreover, letter of recommendations may also improve the chances of approval by the committee of admission. (3)
How Long Does It Take to Get a Law Degree?
Aside from completing an undergraduate degree, which normally takes four or more years, earning a law degree usually requires three more years of completion. After years of intensive research and training, the law degree holder will have to pass the bar exam first before he may practice law. (4) In most cases, law degree holders still enroll in review centers to ensure higher test results.
For part-time students, it doesn’t only take three years for them to complete the law degree course. (5) Considering the time and budget constraints, they don’t get to enroll for full academic units. Part-time law students are more likely to suffer from problems in schedule and lack of concentration because of their work and family obligations. Despite these common difficulties, some of them were able to finish their law degree courses and practice law as a profession.
(1) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juris_Doctor
(2) http://distancelearn.about.com/od/onlinecourses/a/onlinelawschool.htm
(3) http://www.cooley.edu/admissions/admw_outba.htm
(4) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Law_school
(5) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Law_school