Anaya Nolan
Law is a diverse and competitive field that offers many specialisations. Law school graduates can expect an entry-level salary of around £22,000 in the UK, with the average salary being £25,000. The obvious route after obtaining a law degree is to become a solicitor or barrister, but a law degree is also considered highly valuable in other professions such as academia, media, business, politics and banking. Law degrees are interdisciplinary, combining the study of business and legal principles. Courses cover areas such as business ethics, labour law, regulatory compliance, civil procedure, criminal procedure, constitutional law, property law, legal writing, contract writing and negotiation. In your final year of law school, you may take courses that discuss topics like public international law, European Union law, and Islamic law. There are many types of law degrees, including Juris Doctor (JD), Master of Legal Studies (MLS), Master of Dispute Resolution (MDR), Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD), and more.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Degree type | Juris Doctor (JD), Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD), Master of Legal Studies (MLS), Master of Dispute Resolution (MDR) |
| School accreditation | ABA-accredited schools allow graduates to sit for the bar exam in more jurisdictions |
| School reputation | Schools with more national recognition may be preferable, but standing out in a lower-ranked school can also be beneficial |
| Course content | Civil procedure, criminal procedure, constitutional law, property law, legal writing, contract writing, negotiation, public international law, European Union law, Islamic law, intellectual property law, etc. |
| Career prospects | Solicitor, barrister, academia, media, business, politics, banking, lawyer, judge, etc. |
| Salary expectations | Entry-level salary of around £22,000, average salary of £25,000, increasing to £45,000 once qualified and potentially reaching £82,000 within four years |
| Legal training | Continued legal education courses are often required to maintain a license; further postgraduate qualifications can be taken to specialise |
| Other considerations | Building business awareness, developing reasoning and argumentation skills, participating in summer schools and competitions, gaining work experience |
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What You'll Learn
International law
Yale Law School, for example, offers a variety of international law programs that provide administrative coherence to the many programs that engage with international law. Its primary purpose is to assist students in identifying international opportunities, both curricular and extracurricular. Yale Law School also offers support for student initiatives, organizations, and journals, as well as participation in international moot courts. There are a myriad of career paths in international public and private law, and Yale provides career counselling, resources, as well as fellowships to assist students in their professional development.
Cornell Law School is another example of a school with a strong international law program. Cornell offers a diverse curriculum with numerous opportunities for students to study international and comparative law. The curriculum is taught by members of the permanent faculty, distinguished practitioners, and visiting professors from other U.S. law schools and universities around the world. Through Cornell's clinics and practicums, students serve clients across the world and promote justice on a global scale. Many of these clinics give students the chance to engage with international law and institutions on a range of issues, including international human rights, refugee rights, gender justice, and labor rights. Cornell offers several international degrees and specializations, including a J.D./Master en Droit at Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne University and a J.D. & LL.M. in International and Comparative Law combined pathway.
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Labour law
After completing a labour law course, graduates can pursue careers as legal advisors, NGO workers, judges, legal experts, consultants, human resource managers, and more. Labour law is a critical subject to study as it helps create a healthy and respectful work environment, and it is relevant to both employees and employers.
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Health law
Some of the topics covered in health law include regulations concerning data privacy and security, especially with the increasing use of AI technologies in healthcare. For example, the White House released an executive order in October 2023 with directives to establish standards for AI safety and security in healthcare, equity, and civil rights. Additionally, existing privacy requirements like HIPAA, the Federal Trade Commission Act, and international laws such as GDPR aim to protect health data.
Other topics within health law include mental health law, public health, food safety, health policy-making, and health services. Health law is a diverse and evolving field that adapts to the changing landscape of healthcare and its intersection with legal rights and regulations.
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Property law
There are several study guides available for students to refer to, such as 'Understanding Property Law' by John Sprankling, 'Acing Property' by Colleen E. Medill, 'Questions and Answers: Property' by Donald Kochan and John Nagle, and 'A Short and Happy Guide to Property' by Paula A. Franzese. These guides provide an overview of the important rules, concepts and principles that govern property law. They also include practice questions and analytical frameworks to help students prepare for their exams.
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Immigration law
The University of Miami's School of Law, for example, offers both academic and experiential learning opportunities in the field of immigration, asylum, and citizenship law. Students can tailor their studies by combining immigration law with other areas of study, such as human rights law, business law, criminal law, health care law, and social justice and public interest. The university's Immigration Clinic allows students to gain first-hand experience by advocating on behalf of immigrants and collaborating with immigrants' rights organisations.
The City University of New York's School of Professional Studies also offers an Advanced Certificate in Immigration Law. This online course is taught by practising immigration law judges and attorneys and is designed for professionals working with immigrant populations to expand their knowledge and gain skills to help them advance professionally.
Rutgers Law School offers a Certificate in Immigration Law to students who have completed their first year of law school. The program ensures that students are exposed to a broad range of issues in immigration law and obtain practical experience in the field. To complete the certificate, students are required to take a minimum of 15 credits in approved upper-level immigration law and procedure-related courses.
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Frequently asked questions
Law degrees often cover foundational legal knowledge, including civil procedure, criminal procedure, constitutional law, property law, contract law, and legal writing. Later in your studies, you may take courses in more specific topics, such as public international law, European Union law, and Islamic law. There are also many interdisciplinary degrees that combine the study of law with other subjects, such as business management with law or criminology with law.
There are several types of law degrees you can pursue. The Juris Doctor (JD) degree is designed for students who want to practice law and is often a prerequisite for other advanced law degrees. The Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD) is the most advanced law degree and is typically pursued by those who intend to teach or research law. A Master of Legal Studies (MLS) allows you to build knowledge of law without becoming a practising lawyer. A Master of Dispute Resolution (MDR) focuses on conflict resolution skills and can be pursued without a law degree.
A law degree can lead to careers as a solicitor or barrister, but it is also useful for a range of other professions, including academia, media, business, politics, and banking. With further specialisation, you can pursue careers as a lawyer in areas such as health law, immigration law, intellectual property law, or international law.
The reputation of the school is an important consideration, as the legal field is status-oriented. You may also want to consider the specialisations offered by the school and whether they align with your interests. Additionally, think about your future career plans and ensure that your degree will be recognised in the state or country where you intend to practice law.
