Can you go to law school without a bachelor's degree in California?
Asked by: Trudie Conn | Last update: December 27, 2025Score: 4.6/5 (43 votes)
California is one of the few states that does not require a bachelor's degree to apply to law school. You will most likely need to take the LSAT exam. However, applying and getting accepted are two different things—you'll be in competition with students who will, for the most part, have a bachelor's degree.
Do I need a bachelor's degree to go to law school in California?
Bachelor's Degree recommended, but not required- The Committee of Bar Examiners for the State Bar of California, in accordance with Rule 4.25, requires applicants to have completed a minimum of 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours of college work.
Can you go to law school without bachelor's?
While some universities may offer pre-law majors and programs, there is no specific undergraduate degree required for law school. Students have been admitted to law school from nearly every academic discipline, according to the ABA.
How do I become a lawyer in California without a degree?
- study law in a law office or judge's chambers during regular for at least 18 each week for a minimum of 48 weeks to receive credit for one year of study. ...
- pass the First-Year Law Students' Examination, also known as “Baby Bar”. ...
- pass the MPRE. ...
- pass the California Bar Examination.
Is an associate's degree enough for 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.
How To Attend an Accredited Law School Without a Bachelors Degree, or LSAT? Listen up...#LawSchool
What law schools accept an associate's degree?
The only kind of law school that will admit you with an associate's degree is an unaccredited law school. You do not want to attend an unaccredited law school. Don't even think about trying to skip the bachelor's degree requirement. When it comes to legal education, either do it right or don't do it at all.
Can you take the LSAT without a bachelor's?
Yes, you can take the LSAT without a bachelor's degree. However, you must have earned a bachelor's degree to enter law school. Many students apply for law school the fall of their senior year of college and then enter law school the following fall, after receiving their bachelor's degree.
Has anyone become lawyer without degree?
In four states, you can still take this non-law-school route to becoming a lawyer. Vermont, Washington, California, and Virginia all allow people to become lawyers by “reading the law,” which, simply put, means studying and apprenticing in the office of a practicing attorney or judge.
How long is law school in California?
Law school typically takes three years to complete, and students receive a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree when they graduate. This degree qualifies you to take the state bar exam, which allows you to practice law in California.
What type of lawyer makes the most money?
Patent Attorney Salary
Patent attorneys are the highest-paid type of lawyers, with an average salary of $185,351, ranging from $119,88 to $285,530. Various factors contribute to a patent attorney's average salary, including experience, firm, location, and subject matter expertise.
What law schools don't require a degree?
- Cornell Law School.
- Glendale University College of Law.
- Empire College School of Law.
- University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law.
- The University of Oregon Clark Honors College.
- University of Massachusetts School of Law.
- Rochester Institute of Technology.
How expensive is the LSAT?
What fees are associated with the LSAT? It costs $222 to take the LSAT and receive one free score report. In addition, subscription to the Credential Assembly Service (CAS) is required for application for most law schools. This subscription costs $200 and includes on score report for $45.
What is the easiest state to become a lawyer in?
Going by the 2021 bar exam passing rates, Wyoming has the easiest bar exam to pass. However, we don't really get the full picture by just looking at the passing rates. Each state's bar exam can differ in difficulty and content.
Can you skip undergrad and go straight to law school?
Not in the US. Most states require graduation from an ABA-accredited law school, and ABA-accredited law schools require a four-year degree. However, several states (e.g. California) don't have four-year degree requirements. In these states, skipping college is uncommon but not unheard of.
Is it hard to get into law school in California?
Golden Gate University has an acceptance rate of 25.5% and a median LSAT score of 154. The California Western School of Law is of equal difficulty to get into. While it has a higher acceptance rate of 56.6%, it also has a higher median LSAT score of 153.
Can you finish law school in 2 years?
Accelerated JD programs are designed to expedite the legal education process, allowing students to enter the legal profession more quickly than through traditional pathways. These programs come in various formats, including two-year JD programs and 3+3 JD programs, each catering to different student needs and goals.
What is the quickest law degree to get?
The fastest law degree you can earn is a Master of Legal Studies, as some of these programs allow you to graduate in 12 months. Master's programs require you to have a bachelor's degree beforehand, and some require you to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) beforehand.
What is the hardest year of 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.
How to become a lawyer in California without a degree?
Instead of going to law school, you can study under a judge or an experienced attorney for four years. If you meet the study requirements, you can skip law school and go straight to take the California bar exam. Passing the bar exam will give you a license to practice law in California.
What state has the easiest bar exam?
Overall, Utah is the easiest bar exam to pass. This is true whether you are a first-time taker or repeat taker! In July 2023, Utah had a 94% pass rate for first time takers and a 73% pass rate for repeat takers. It also has the lowest UBE cut score of 260.
Can you go to law school while working?
Many schools now offer full and part-time programs, which means you could earn a law degree while working or managing other responsibilities. Understanding the advantages and challenges of being a part-time law student can help you decide if it's the right path for you.
How hard is it to pass the bar without law school?
Pass Rate. The bar exam pass rate of an apprentice is about ⅓ of that of a student who attends an ABA approved law school, according to a study by Priceconomics. With a passing rate of approximately 27% for apprentices, it is clear there are topics that can be missed, that a traditional law school is sure to cover.
What GPA do I need for law school?
Obtain High GPA & LSAT Scores
According to the Law School Admission Council (LSAC), students need a GPA of at least 3.59 and an LSAT of 162 or more to get into any top 10 law schools. However, that is the bare minimum, and you should aim higher if you want to increase your chances of getting into the top 3.