What Degree Do You Need to Be a Lawyer? Your Full Guide to the Education Path to Legal Practice

I remember the exact moment I realized I wanted to help people get into graduate school. It was during my own application journey, navigating the stress of grad school admissions, wondering if I was smart enough, strategic enough, or even belonged. Back then, I was finishing up my senior year at Pomona College and trying to decide between all the impressive options in front of me.

I ultimately chose to pursue both an MPA at Harvard Kennedy School and an MBA at Harvard Business School. During my final year of those dual programs, I used a $10,000 grant from Harvard Business School to launch The Art of Applying®. It began as a heart-forward admissions consulting company and has grown into a powerful resource that has helped thousands of clients get into top graduate schools and win over $30 million in merit scholarships.

If you’re reading this, you’re probably wondering: What education is needed to become a lawyer in the USA or elsewhere? What degree do you need? And how long will it all take? Maybe you’re the first in your family to consider law school. Maybe you’re navigating this as a career switcher, or you’re a college student trying to choose your major.

This blog post breaks it all down for you. No jargon. No confusing detours. Just a clear, smart path forward.

Step 1: Earn a Bachelor’s Degree from an Accredited College or University

The first requirement to become a lawyer is completing your undergraduate degree. You need a bachelor’s degree before you can even think about applying to law school. The American Bar Association (ABA) doesn’t mandate a specific major, but many aspiring lawyers choose areas that strengthen their critical thinking skills and expose them to subjects related to the law.

Popular undergraduate majors for law school applicants include:

• Political science
  
• History
  
• Philosophy
  
• Economics
  
• English
  
• Criminal justice

If you’re drawn to environmental causes, consider a science major that could support a future career as an environmental lawyer. If you’re aiming for international law or tax law, you’ll want to strategically align your undergraduate studies with your future area of law.

Bottom line: You typically need to earn a bachelor’s degree, ideally from an accredited college or university, and you’ll want to maintain a strong GPA during your four years of undergraduate study.

Step 2: Take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT)

Before you can go to law school, you’ll likely need to take the LSAT, or Law School Admission Test. This standardized test is required by many law schools and evaluates your:

• Logical reasoning
  
• Reading comprehension
  
• Analytical thinking

The LSAT is administered by the Law School Admission Council (LSAC), and your LSAT score is a major factor in the law school admission process.

Pro tip: Plan ahead. Many law schools begin accepting applications in the fall for admission the following year. You’ll want to take the LSAT well in advance of application deadlines.

Some schools may accept the GRE, but the LSAT remains the gold standard for most law school application processes, especially for top-tier schools.

Step 3: Apply to and Attend an Accredited Law School

Once you’ve nailed your LSAT, the next step is to apply to law schools, ideally those that are accredited by the American Bar Association. ABA accreditation matters because, in most states, you can only sit for the bar exam if you’ve earned your degree from an ABA-accredited law school.

You’ll want to consider:

• The school’s law school curriculum
  
• Areas of specialization
  
• Career support
  
• Geographic location

What Degree Do You Need to Be a Lawyer?

To become a lawyer, you need to earn a Juris Doctor degree (often referred to as a JD degree) from an accredited law school. This is a graduate-level law degree and the foundational legal education for anyone planning to practice law in the United States.

If you’re aiming to become an associate at a law firm and one day work your way up to partner, you won’t even get in the door without a JD. For people who want to move into leadership, shape policy, or have the freedom to work in multiple sectors, the JD is the launchpad.

Law School Curriculum: What You’ll Study

Over the three years of law school, full-time students typically cover:

• Civil procedure
  
• Constitutional law
  
• Criminal law
  
• Property law
  
• Legal research and writing
  
• Electives in specialized areas of law such as business, family, environmental, or international law

Many law schools also offer clinics, externships, and internship opportunities so that law students can gain hands-on experience.

One client of mine with a science background shared that law school was the only way they could bridge the gap between research and real-world change. They saw their JD as the key to shaping science-based policy, not just publishing papers.

Step 4: Pass the Bar Exam in Your State

Graduating from law school is only part of the journey. You also need to pass the bar exam in the state where you want to practice. The bar examination is typically a two- or three-day test that covers both national and state-specific law.

Passing the bar exam proves that you have the legal knowledge and judgment needed to serve as a lawyer in that state. You’ll also need to meet any bar association character and fitness requirements.

Some students choose to take a bar prep course to get ready for this high-stakes test. You may also need to take the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE), depending on your state.

In short, you’ll need to:

• Graduate from an accredited law school
  
• Take the bar exam
  
• Pass both the exam and a background check

Once you pass the bar exam, you can practice law and even start applying for jobs at a law firm or government agency, or open your own practice.

Still, I know this step can feel intimidating. I’ve seen many clients question themselves here, especially those who didn’t go to a “top” law school or who didn’t pass on their first try. But passing the bar isn’t about perfection; it’s about persistence. If you keep showing up, you will get through it.

Can You Become a Lawyer Without Going to Law School?

This is a question I get a lot. Can you become a lawyer without attending law school? In most states, the answer is no. You need to attend law school.

However, a few states like California, Virginia, Vermont, and Washington allow you to become a lawyer without attending a traditional law school by “reading the law.” This means apprenticing with a licensed attorney or judge and learning through practical experience. But keep in mind:

• It takes just as much time, sometimes more
  
• The bar passage rates for this route are significantly lower
  
• Many employers may prefer candidates with a JD

So yes, it’s technically possible to become a lawyer without law school in a handful of states, but for most people, it’s not the recommended route.

Especially if you’re the first in your family to pursue higher education or you’re building something your parents never imagined for themselves, law school gives you the structure, accountability, and legitimacy to help you thrive.

How Long Does It Take to Become a Lawyer?

One of the most common questions I hear is, “Is seven years too long?” My answer: What kind of life do you want to live five, ten, or twenty years from now? If becoming a lawyer is part of that vision, the time becomes an investment, not a delay.

Let’s do the math.

• Four years of undergraduate study
  
• Three years of law school
  
• Time to study for and pass the bar exam

That’s a minimum of seven years of full-time study. If you’re studying part-time or take time off between stages, it can take longer.

The time it takes to become a lawyer can vary based on your pace, personal obligations, and state requirements. But if you’re moving steadily through each phase, you can expect it to take seven years from undergrad to bar licensure.

What Kind of Education Is Needed to Become a Lawyer?

To sum it up, here are the education requirements to become a lawyer:

1. Complete your bachelor’s degree (in any major) from an accredited college or university
2. Take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT)
3. Earn a Juris Doctor degree from an ABA-accredited law school
4. Pass the bar examination in your chosen state

Each step requires discipline, focus, and strategy. But if you know your “why,” it’s absolutely doable.

And yes, even if your GPA or LSAT score isn’t perfect. One of our clients had a 2.9 GPA and a mid-range LSAT, but with the right support and storytelling, she got into multiple law schools, with scholarships. You don’t have to be flawless to be successful.

A Real-World Example: From Uncertainty to Success

At The Art of Applying, I’ve seen so many students come to us unsure if they had what it took. One client in particular had a 2.9 GPA and a modest LSAT score but dreamed of becoming a public interest attorney. With coaching, accountability, and a smart strategy, she was accepted into multiple law schools with scholarships and is now thriving at a top program.

Stories like hers are why I created the Application Accelerator. It’s our signature program that helps nontraditional applicants navigate the law school admission process, write unforgettable essays, and position themselves for scholarships.

Your Next Step: Make an Informed Decision

So, what degree do you need to be a lawyer? You now know it’s more than a degree. It’s a commitment, a journey. And with the right support and information, it’s absolutely within reach.

If you’re serious about becoming a lawyer, your next best step is to gather trusted guidance. Whether you’re just beginning your undergraduate degree or ready to apply to law school, getting expert eyes on your game plan can save you time, money, and heartache.

And no, you don’t have to go to Harvard or Stanford to build a meaningful legal career. I say that as someone who did, but who’s worked with hundreds of successful lawyers who didn’t. Your school doesn’t define your impact.

When you’re ready, you can book a free Quick Call with my team to see how we might support you.

We’ve helped thousands of clients walk this path. You don’t have to figure it all out alone.

If you’re crunching the numbers about law school and wondering how it lines up with your goals, especially in lower-paid areas like public interest or immigration law, that’s smart. Choosing your area of law thoughtfully, applying for scholarships, and planning ahead financially can help you build a career that’s both purposeful and sustainable.