Kara Sears
While it is possible to study law and engineering at the same time, it is an ambitious undertaking. Some universities offer a double degree in engineering and law, but the two fields are almost mutually exclusive in terms of philosophy. Engineers are concerned with finding the truth and understanding, while lawyers are focused on winning their case. However, there is some overlap in areas such as patent law, ethics, and technology. A joint degree may prepare you for a career as a patent attorney, but you will need to develop supplemental skills to succeed in both fields. Engineers may find the open-ended writing portion of the LSAT challenging, but their logic-based thinking and analytical skills can be advantageous. Ultimately, combining an engineering degree with a law degree can open up unique career opportunities and increase earning potential.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Feasibility | Possible, but rare and may be challenging |
| Career Prospects | Patent attorney, contract attorney, intellectual property lawyer, tax attorney |
| Course Structure | Little overlap in course material |
| Skills | Logic-based thinking, analytical skills, systems thinking |
| Preparation | Paid test preparation or study groups available |
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What You'll Learn
Law and engineering double degree
A double degree in law and engineering combines legal knowledge with technical skills, allowing graduates to provide innovative legal solutions in engineering. This degree is offered by several universities, including Monash University, UNSW Sydney, and Swinburne University. The Monash University double degree is called Laws and Engineering - L3002, while the Swinburne University degree is called Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Engineering (Honours). The UNSW Sydney degree is called Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) / Law.
The Law and Engineering double degree develops analytical, legal reasoning, creative thinking, and technical skills. It provides a unique understanding of the implications of law and engineering, making graduates attractive to employers for their critical thinking and analytical skills. This degree presents career options in either field or a combination of the two. Some potential career paths include patent attorney, contract attorney, intellectual property lawyer, and tax attorney.
The Monash University Laws and Engineering double degree offers practical legal experience, international study opportunities, and industry-focused community support. It is recognised by the Victorian Legal Admissions Board (VLAB) and satisfies the academic requirements for admission to practice in Victoria. However, further training, such as Practical Legal Training (PLT) or supervised legal training, is required to practise law.
The UNSW Sydney Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) / Law double degree is taught by Australia's #1 Engineering faculty and a leader in progressive and rigorous legal education. It consists of 52 courses (312 Units of Credit) and can be completed in 6.7 years full-time. The program offers flexibility, allowing students to tailor their schedules to suit their goals and engage in extracurricular activities or industry opportunities.
The Swinburne University Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) is ranked highly in global university rankings. It requires the successful completion of 650 credit points for the degree. The university offers Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), allowing students to gain credit towards their course based on their previous experience and knowledge.
While studying law and engineering simultaneously can be challenging and may require additional skill development, there are benefits to having a unique skill set. Engineers may find that their analytical and systems thinking skills can be advantageous in law school and the job market. They can also leverage their existing skills in certain areas of law, such as patent law, land law, and tax law.
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Career prospects
While studying law and engineering simultaneously may be challenging, there are career prospects that can benefit from the combination of these two fields. Here are some options to consider:
Patent Attorney
One of the most common career paths for individuals with both law and engineering degrees is to become a patent attorney. Patent law is a branch of intellectual property law that deals with new inventions, products, trademarks, and copyrights. An engineering background can be advantageous in this field, as it often involves understanding mathematical and technical aspects of inventions. Additionally, specific engineering degrees may qualify individuals to sit for the patent bar under Category A.
Contract Attorney
Contract law involves the creation and enforcement of agreements between parties. Engineers transitioning into contract law can leverage their existing skills, such as analytical and systems thinking, to understand complex contractual matters and communicate them effectively to clients.
Tax Attorney
Tax law focuses on assisting companies or individuals with taxation matters, including reducing tax liabilities. An engineering background can be beneficial in tax law due to the heavy involvement of mathematical and statistical skills, which aligns with an engineer's expertise.
Net Neutrality Law
This emerging area of law focuses on issues related to the internet and equal access to information. Engineers with a STEM background can excel in this field as it aligns closely with their existing skill set. Their understanding of technology and analytical skills can be a significant advantage in navigating the legal aspects of net neutrality.
While these are some of the prominent career paths, it is important to note that the study of law and engineering simultaneously may result in a foundational understanding of each field. Individuals pursuing this path may need to consider further specialization or additional qualifications to deepen their expertise in their chosen career direction.
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Course overlap
While law and engineering may seem like unrelated fields, there is some overlap in course content. For instance, both disciplines require an understanding of patent law, ethics, and technology. However, this overlap may be minimal, and the courses are largely independent of each other. Law school, for instance, may require engineers to develop supplementary skills, such as open-ended writing, which they may find challenging.
Law and engineering courses also differ in their philosophical approaches. Law students may focus on the letter of the law or emotion to win a case, while engineers are more concerned with real truth and understanding. This distinction may present a dilemma for students considering studying both fields simultaneously, as they may not gain the same depth of knowledge as those specialising in one subject.
However, there are advantages to studying both law and engineering. Engineers may find their analytical and systems-thinking skills beneficial for understanding complex ideas and translating them into language that clients can understand. Their mathematical and statistical skills could also be useful in land-use, zoning, and construction law, which often involve these concepts.
Additionally, engineers with a background in law may be well-suited for careers as patent attorneys, as they would possess the necessary technical knowledge and legal expertise. They could also pursue other legal careers, such as contract law, intellectual property law, or tax law, where their existing skills could be applied.
Overall, while there may be some overlap and advantages to studying law and engineering simultaneously, it is important to consider the potential challenges and the time commitment required to succeed in both fields.
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Admission requirements
Law School Admission Requirements:
When applying to law school, engineers may need to develop supplementary skills to succeed. It is beneficial to register with the Law School Admissions Council (LSAC), which administers the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT). This test is required by all ABA-approved schools, and applicants are evaluated based on their LSAT score and GPA. Since the LSAT is writing-based, it is recommended to practice reading and writing beforehand. In addition, law schools often require applicants to submit transcripts, letters of recommendation, and other supporting documents. It is common for applicants to apply to multiple law schools, including a mix of "safe" and more competitive options.
Engineering School Admission Requirements:
Engineering programs typically admit students directly from high school. However, for a dual degree program in law and engineering, some universities may require applicants to have completed a prior degree or have a certain number of years of university education. For example, the University of Pennsylvania's JD/MSE program requires applicants to have a prerequisite engineering background or to apply for the MCIT degree if they lack this background. Additionally, standardized tests such as the GRE or GMAT may be required for admission to the engineering component of the dual degree program.
Country-Specific Requirements:
In some countries, such as Canada and the US, a law degree is a professional program with competitive admission requirements. In these cases, prior completion of a degree or a set of prerequisite courses may be necessary for admission. On the other hand, engineering programs in these countries may admit students directly from high school. It is important to research the specific admission requirements for the universities and countries of interest, as they can vary significantly.
Overlapping Areas of Study:
While law and engineering are distinct fields, there are some overlapping areas of study such as patent law, ethics, technology, and intellectual property law. Students may benefit from exploring these niche areas of overlap when considering a dual degree program. For example, an engineering background can be advantageous for technology law, as it helps to distill complex technology concepts for the courtroom.
Career Opportunities:
When considering a dual degree in law and engineering, it is essential to research the career prospects for graduates. Engineers who pursue a law degree may find unique opportunities to employ their logical thinking skills and ability to understand complex information. They may also benefit from the growing relevance of technology in the legal field, allowing them to pursue new and expanding areas of law. Additionally, engineers with a legal background may have higher earning potential due to their unique skill set and potential professional experience.
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Skills and benefits
Studying law and engineering simultaneously can be an epic amount of hard work, and there is little overlap in course material between the two fields. However, there are benefits to having a skill set that combines both. For example, engineers may find that many of their existing skills are applicable to law school studies. Their logic-based thinking and analytical skills can be beneficial when dealing with complex ideas and translating them into a language that clients can understand.
Engineers with a system-based background may find the open-ended writing portion of the LSAT challenging. However, their problem-solving skills and ability to break down problems logically can be an advantage when it comes to taking the LSAT and working as an attorney.
An engineering background can be helpful in areas of law such as patent law, land-use law, tax law, and net neutrality law. Patent law, which falls under intellectual property law, deals with new inventions, products, trademarks, and copyrights. Engineers can leverage their technical knowledge in these areas to understand and advise clients effectively.
Land law, which deals with the right to use property, often involves mathematical and statistical matters where an engineering background can be advantageous. Similarly, tax law, which focuses on taxation implications for companies and individuals, aligns with an engineer's mathematical skills. Net neutrality law, a STEM-based specialty, is another area where an engineer's pre-existing skill set can be readily applied.
Overall, combining law and engineering skills can open doors to various career paths, including patent attorney, contract attorney, and intellectual property lawyer. Engineers turned lawyers can offer a unique skill set and may enjoy a slight advantage over their peers in the job market.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, some universities offer a double degree in engineering and law. However, it will likely be an intense amount of work, and the fields have little overlap in course material.
Engineers who study law can benefit from a unique skill set that combines their analytical skills with an understanding of the law. This can lead to higher earning potential and a competitive advantage in the job market.
Career paths that combine engineering and law include patent attorney, contract attorney, intellectual property lawyer, and tax attorney.
You can register with The Law School Admissions Council (LSAC) and take the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT). Engineers may find the writing portion challenging but can leverage their logic-based thinking for the exam.
The main challenge is the risk of spreading yourself too thin across two diverse fields. This may limit the depth of knowledge gained in each area. Additionally, the admissions process for law school can be highly competitive, especially for those with non-traditional backgrounds.
