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Degree in Law: The Start of a Perspective Career

If you have decided to study law and become a successful lawyer, make sure you know the answer to the question, "why did you decide to become a lawyer?". You will hear this question at the University admission interview, scholarship interview, and many other job interviews to come. These essential questions to think over seriously are going to change your life and make law your passion.

Degree programs in law are extremely diverse. And the only reason for it is that law regulates every sphere of our life. Law surrounds us everywhere and regulates our life: our relations with family members, employers, neighbors, and the government. Banking lawyers work to settle the relations between banks and clients. Real estate lawyers help to purchase property, corporate lawyers advise in building strong companies, and so on. 

The second important question to answer before applying for degree studies in law is, "What exactly do I want to study?".

Bachelor's degree programs in law offer general education in the history of law, sociology of law, philosophy and psychology, theory of law, different legal systems and institutions. This is three to four years when future students get the fundamental knowledge and prepare themselves to graduate studies. Master degree programs in law are more specialized, definitely, and lead students to a certain career path. The critical factor here is to concentrate on a specific major field of study, e.g., commercial law, family law, labor law, etc. In certain countries, practicing law requires a set of licensing examinations as a supplement to graduate studies.

Through engaging in Ph.D. studies in law, the students go further with academic research and scientific training. They contribute to the development of academic knowledge resources, as well as impact better law-making.

Studying law is quite expensive, but the funding opportunities available for outstanding international students are broad too.

Law, Legal Studies and Jurisprudence

Those three terms are widely discussed in the context of law studies, and you may often meet them in different degree program titles. So, the clarification of the meaning for each may come in handy for you. 

Let's start with the comparison between law and jurisprudence first. Generally, you can refer to Jurisprudence as a theoretical version of the law. It studies legal institutions, legal systems, and law's role in society as a theoretical subject. 

Law, on the contrary, is more practice-based. Law students study government set policies and regulations that organize and coordinate people's behavior in society. Law studies are not about the theory of law. They are the law. Students learn the laws as given regulations and apply the learned material to practical cases in life. 

Legal studies are closer to jurisprudence, as they also study the theoretical aspects of how the law works. Legal study majors usually include courses on different law directions, and in some approaches, these two studies are considered similar or as completing each other. 

Career Applications of Law

Law careers can be in any field related to studying Law, setting new laws, defending Law, etc. And in this variety, the Law students need to identify their narrow path within the discipline. Each of them will take to different career paths and maybe even require different approaches to studies. 

To begin with, though Law is one of the deepest and comprehensive disciplines, there are still jobs you can handle with only an associate degree. Further, the higher your ambitions are, the higher academic degrees you should complete. 

Generally, the student’s education level determines the level of their academic opportunities in all the disciplines. Law might be considered one of the spheres where this difference is more noticeable. 

Below, there is a breakdown of the law careers based on which degrees you take.

What can Law Associates do?

After the required two years of completing the studies, Associate degree graduates can specialize in criminal justice, paralegal associate, and associate in criminology.  

The skills gained during this program are quite enough to work as a police officer, legal assistant, and paralegal. While the mentioned are the main career perspectives of law associates, you can also apply for similar level jobs that require knowledge of criminal justice, legal research of writing skills, or social work. 

What can Law Bachelor’s Graduates do? 

A Bachelor’s degree is the first important step to rise above the average specialist. You will study the key theoretical spheres of Law at a higher educational institution’s level, and the job occupations that employees will trust will become significantly wider. 

The most popular Bachelor’s programs in Law include criminal justice, legal studies, and law enforcement. With the Bachelor’s in Law, you can qualify for the works of detective, dispatcher, non-profit manager, etc. 

What opportunities does a Master’s in Law unlock?

If students do not plan to specialize in academic careers and acquire a Ph.D., the Master’s in Law is considered the highest level of specialization in a certain career. Therefore, the upper positions in the field will become available to you with this degree. 

The common law Master’s programs include law enforcement administration or legal studies. You can apply for jobs of forensics science technician, emergency management director, or financial examiner. 

Your career applications are becoming significantly more due to a Master’s degree because you will examine in detail the advanced courses of criminology, criminal law, foundations of legal thought, etc. 

Doctoral degree opportunities in Law

Doctoral degree studies are a direct corridor to any level of occupation in the job market. The popular career opportunities include lawyers, professors, and forensic scientists. 

There may be additional requirements for some doctorate degrees to complete. For example, a Juris Doctor (JD) usually takes up to three years to complete. As a JD student, you will explore civil laws and common laws.

As another option, you may spend 3-5 years to acquire a doctorate in criminal justice. In this program, you will study juvenile justice, criminal justice, etc. 

ARMACAD Database of Academic and Professional Programs in Law

ARMACAD database of programs and events on the law will satisfy students, practitioners, and academics. This online directory offers a broad choice of degree level programs, certificate and online courses, academic conferences, and workshops. Practicing lawyers and graduate students can also benefit from a range of summer schools, skills, and hands-on trainings, competitions, and awards for practicing lawyers.