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How Long Is Law School In The US?

| June 22, 2023 | Last Updated on: November 24, 2023

Do You ever find yourself wondering, “how long is law school?” Well, getting a law degree in the United States can take a while. 

Consider it about three years if you are going to school full-time. However, it is not just about time, is it? There are a couple of things here and there that make it shorter or longer. 

Finally, when you finish law school, that is your true achievement. It is an esteemed degree that can earn you respect and money.

If you’re going to law school as a full-time student, you’ll probably spend about three years studying. 

But if you’re doing it part-time, it can take you five years. In our article, we will talk about how long you might spend in law school in the United States.

In this article, we will be discussing the tenure of law school in the United States. 

How Long Does It Take To Become A Lawyer?

How Long Does It Take To Become A Lawyer?

To become a lawyer in the United States, you are required to enroll in specific legal programs that would enable you to become a practicing attorney. 

The following law programs will make you a lawyer in the United States: 

Juris Doctor (JD) degree

Juris Doctor (JD) degree

The time that will be required to become a lawyer by acquiring a JD degree is seven years. This means you will have to spend three years on your juris doctor degree and four years on your bachelor’s degree. In the United States, all lawyers must acquire their JD degree to become practicing attorneys. This is the most common law degree that is taken by aspiring lawyers for practicing law. Make sure that you choose a law school that is accredited by the American Bar Association for attaining your juris doctor degree. This will make your degree risk-proof and will allow you to effectively practice law in the United States. Moreover, if you seek to extend your knowledge, a JD degree recognized by ABA is vital. 

Master’s Of Law (LLM) Degree

Master’s Of Law (LLM) Degree

If you want to be a lawyer in the United States and get a special LLM degree, it’s going to take you quite a while. Think of the time being about eight years in total. So, let us give you a quick run through the whole process.

Firstly, you will spend some years in regular law school to get a JD degree, that is your Juris Doctor. That is around three years if you study full-time. Remember that this comes after your bachelor’s degree. However, if you want to know more and become an expert, LLM is the way to go.

Yes, you read that right. You can apply for an LLM degree. This is like a master’s degree in law. It helps you specialize in a specific area of law.

Now, here’s the thing. If you want to get an LLM, you need to be a lawyer already. Your law degree can be either from the United States or another country. So, if you’re starting from scratch, you are looking at around 7 years. This is only if you are counting from your bachelor’s to your JD degree.  it’s about seven years.

But if you add the LLM to the mix, it’s going to be around eight years in total. So, becoming a lawyer in the U.S. takes time and dedication, but it’s worth it if you want to be an expert in the field.

Is Law School Hard?

Is Law School Hard?

Before entering a law school, it is smart to question whether the course you are choosing is hard or not. This is because it is crucial to know if you have the capacity to complete law school effectively to become a lawyer. But, yes, if you ask if law school is hard? Then the answer is – yes. 

Law school involves a lot of reading. You will have to put in quite some hard work before you can become a lawyer. Passing with good grades takes a lot of effort. Moreover, you will also have to face tough competition from other students. 

How Difficult Is Law School?

However, there is one thing that can make law school even more challenging. Professors in law schools tend to surprise you by asking questions during class. Even if you know the answers, this can be nerve-wracking. 

Another tough part is how they teach. Remember that it is quite different from your earlier studies. Their professors probably gave you all the important topics. In law school, you have to figure out a lot on your own.

Law professors tend to teach you through the process of case studies. This means that your professors will not be engaging in teaching you specific chapters to make you understand a particular law. 

Due to this, you will have to conduct extensive reading on particular cases to have a better understanding of laws. Moreover, you will also have to prepare them before class as there might be chances of your professor cold calling to know your opinion of the case. 

Another factor that makes law school hard is its curve grading technique. This enables your grade to be based on the performance of your colleagues.

This can be tough as, unlike other degrees that mark you based on your individual performance, a law school will compare your performance with your classmates. 

Due to this, it becomes extremely difficult to acquire a good grade in a law school.

Final Thoughts!

It is true that law school will push you to your limits. But this is for your own good. 

A law school experience will mold you into a strong and wise individual that you were not before entering law school. 

You might think that becoming a lawyer requires a long time and excessive hard work. You are partially correct because law school can be long and tough. 

But after having completed your law school, you will have attained a prestigious degree.  Along with having skills that are invaluable, which are very crucial for dealing with the real world. 

So, inspite of the hardship and tenure of a law school, it will be worth it if you are determined to become a lawyer in the future. 

We from exclusiveguides.net  wish you the best of luck in the journey of becoming a successful lawyer in the future.

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Jyoti Jha
Jyoti Jha

Jyoti Jha is a freelance SEO content writer for tech , health, and education-related content. With 5 years of experience in the industry, I am creating high-quality content that captivates readers and delivers value.

COMMENTS (3)

3 Replies to “How Long Is Law School In The US?”

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