Can you get into law school with a 2 year degree?
Asked by: Elda Ortiz | Last update: February 13, 2026Score: 4.8/5 (68 votes)
Yes, you can go to law school with an associate's degree, but it significantly limits your options, primarily to state-accredited (not ABA-approved) schools, mainly in California, as most top-tier law schools require a bachelor's degree; however, you can also complete a bachelor's degree by transferring your AA/AS credits, which is generally recommended for broader opportunities.
Can you be a lawyer with a 2 year degree?
No; you need a bachelor's degree, which takes four years to obtain, and then three years of Law School; applicants without a bachelor's degree are not considered by Law Schools.
Is it possible to do law school in 2 years?
Yes, you can finish law school in two years through specialized, accelerated JD programs offered by some law schools, which condense the traditional three-year curriculum into a faster, summer-intensive format, allowing graduates to enter the legal field sooner and save on tuition. These programs are intensive, often requiring continuous study through summer semesters, and are designed for highly motivated students with strong academic records who are ready to fully commit to an accelerated pace.
Is an associate's degree enough for law school?
Acknowledging this, the State of California permits those with an AA or AS degree, or a minimum of 60 bachelor degree-applicable units from a regionally accredited college, to meet pre-legal education requirements and apply for the study of law.
What disqualifies you from law school?
What disqualifies you from law school often involves dishonesty, serious criminal history (especially crimes of moral turpitude like fraud), significant financial irresponsibility, or academic misconduct, all falling under the "character and fitness" evaluation, though a single minor issue usually isn't a bar if disclosed honestly and explained well; failure to disclose, lying on the application, or misrepresenting facts is often a more significant reason for denial or later disbarment.
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Did Kim Kardashian pass the bar exam to be a lawyer?
No, Kim Kardashian did not pass the California Bar Exam in July 2025, a result she publicly shared in November 2025, vowing to keep studying despite the setback, but she has previously passed the "Baby Bar" exam after multiple attempts and plans to retake the main bar exam. She revealed her failed attempt on her show The Kardashians, showing emotional moments from her preparation and disappointment, and emphasized her determination to pass.
Do lawyers make $500,000 a year?
Yes, many lawyers earn $500,000 or more annually, especially Big Law partners, senior corporate counsel, specialized litigators, and successful solo practitioners in high-value fields like IP or medical malpractice, though this is not the norm for all attorneys, with median salaries being much lower. Reaching this income level requires specialization, strategic business growth, marketing, and often working in major markets, with top-tier law firms (Big Law) offering high starting salaries and significant bonuses that can push senior associates past the $500K mark.
What is the quickest law degree to get?
The fastest ways to get a law degree involve accelerated Juris Doctor (J.D.) programs, like two-year J.D.s (e.g., Southwestern Law's SCALE) or combined 3+3 programs with undergrads, letting you finish in as little as 3-6 years total (including undergrad), while specialized, non-traditional routes in California might technically offer faster paths but are difficult. For a quicker master's in law, Master of Legal Studies (MLS) programs can be completed in about 12 months, but these don't qualify you to be a practicing lawyer.
Can you have an associate's degree and go to law school?
At minimum, a Law Student Applicant must have either a Bachelor's Degree (B.A./B.S.), or an Associate Degree (A.A./A.S.), or 60 units of college credit that are transferable toward a four-year degree, from a regionally or nationally accredited university.
Is 2 years a bachelor's degree?
No, a standard 2-year course is usually an Associate Degree, not a Bachelor's Degree, which typically takes four years; however, some accelerated programs or specific UK/European qualifications can offer bachelor-level study in two years, but generally, a 2-year degree is a foundational qualification for employment or transferring to a bachelor's program.
Is a 2.7 GPA bad for law school?
Yes, a 2.7 GPA in law school is generally considered low and can significantly limit your options for top-tier schools and prestigious employers, often placing you below the median for many programs, though it's not impossible to succeed, especially if offset by a very high LSAT score or if attending a lower-ranked school with a different curve, with career prospects depending heavily on the specific law firm/role and your performance in subsequent years.
What's the hardest year of law school?
Most law students agree the first year (1L) is the hardest due to the steep learning curve, new teaching methods (Socratic/Case Method), intense reading/writing, and high-pressure environment designed to build foundational skills, though 2L brings different stressors like career planning and internships. 1L is a "bootcamp" for thinking like a lawyer with unfamiliar concepts and high stakes for grades, making the transition from undergraduate studies particularly challenging.
What is the shortest time to become a lawyer?
The shortest time to become a lawyer in the U.S. is around 6 years, using a 3+3 accelerated bachelor's/JD program, or 5-6 years with a fast-tracked JD, plus bar exam prep and passing, but an intense, year-round 2-year JD after undergrad is the fastest law school period, though 3 years is standard, with the absolute quickest involving California's Law Office Study (with a 4-year apprenticeship) or some states' bar exams requiring fewer prerequisites, but these are less common.
Did Michelle Obama pass the bar?
Yes, Michelle Obama did pass the Illinois bar exam, but she failed it on her first attempt after graduating from Harvard Law School before passing it on her second try, later becoming a licensed attorney in Illinois and having a successful legal career before becoming First Lady. She was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1989 and went on to work in intellectual property law at a firm where she met her husband, Barack Obama.
What is the lowest degree you can get in law?
If you want to practice law in the US, you need to earn at least a JD degree. However, while you need one to obtain a license, it is not the same as a research-based master's degree. A Master of Laws degree (LLM) allows JD holders to further specialize in a specific type of law.
What is the shortest JD program?
The shortest JD programs are typically 2-year accelerated Juris Doctor (J.D.) programs, offered by various law schools like Southwestern Law School, Drexel University, and Suffolk University Law School. These intense, year-round programs condense the traditional three-year curriculum into two, often starting in May or June, and allow motivated students to graduate sooner, saving time and tuition while entering the legal workforce earlier.
How did Kim Kardashian become a lawyer?
But Kim Kardashian did not graduate from law school. Instead, she endeavored to complete the study requirements of California's Law Office Study Program (LOSP) to be eligible to take the California Bar. This is a process we at Esq. Apprentice call legal apprenticeship.
Can I skip college and go straight to law school?
Most law schools require a college degree, but some may only ask for equivalent course work, and some law schools focus on your legal interest and life experiences and not on your grades or LSAT scores.
What degree is lowest to highest?
The standard order of college degrees from lowest to highest is: Associate Degree, followed by a Bachelor's Degree, then a Master's Degree, and finally a Doctoral Degree, with each step representing a higher level of specialized knowledge, deeper study, and increased requirements.
Do lawyers make $500 an hour?
Yes, many lawyers, especially those with experience or in specialized fields in major cities, can and do charge $500 or more per hour, though rates vary widely, with averages often in the $200-$400 range, while less experienced lawyers in smaller areas might charge much less. Rates depend heavily on practice area (corporate, litigation), location (DC, NYC are higher), experience, and firm size, with senior partners in big firms reaching significantly higher rates than junior associates or solo practitioners, notes PracticePanther.
What is the easiest law major?
The easiest law degree programs, such as the Master of Legal Studies (MLS), are typically less demanding than traditional law degrees like the Juris Doctor (JD). MLS programs are designed for professionals who want a foundational understanding of law without the need to become licensed attorneys.
Is 40 too late for law school?
No, 40 is not too old for law school; many older applicants successfully attend, leveraging life experience as an advantage, with a significant percentage of law students being 30 or older, and some older graduates building fulfilling second careers. While balancing family, work, and finances requires planning, law schools often value the maturity, dedication, and diverse perspectives older students bring, making it a feasible path for many.
What is the lowest paid lawyer?
There's no single "minimum" lawyer salary, as it varies wildly from $50,000 in public interest to over $200,000 for first-year associates at Big Law firms, depending heavily on location (big cities pay more), firm size (Big Law pays much more), and specialization (corporate/IP pay more than family law or non-profit work). Entry-level salaries in public service often start around $50k-$70k, while large private firms in major markets can offer $200k+ right out of law school.
Is law going to be replaced by AI?
No, AI won't fully take over law but will fundamentally transform it by automating routine tasks, increasing efficiency, and augmenting lawyers, making tech-savvy lawyers more valuable, while lawyers who don't adapt risk being left behind; AI handles data analysis, contract review, and research, but human judgment, contextual understanding, and complex argumentation remain essential for client counsel and strategic decision-making, shifting the focus to higher-value work and potentially changing billing models.
How difficult is law school?
Law school is an academic challenge; most students agree the first year (“1L” year) is the most difficult. In part, this is because law school is taught using methods entirely different than the lecture method used in most college classrooms.