Can you have an associate's degree and go to law school?
Asked by: Ike Cummerata | Last update: April 29, 2026Score: 4.5/5 (54 votes)
Yes, you can sometimes go to law school with an associate's degree, but it's often difficult and limits your options to specific, sometimes unaccredited or state-specific programs, as most reputable, ABA-accredited law schools require a bachelor's degree for admission and bar eligibility; however, some schools allow exceptional applicants with an associate's or 60+ transferable credits to apply, though they'll need very strong grades and LSAT scores, and you must verify bar eligibility in your intended state.
Can you go to law school with an associate's?
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.
Can I go to law school without a bachelor's degree?
Pursuing law school without a bachelor's degree is possible for the right-motivated student. While most law schools expect applicants to have an undergraduate degree, certain accredited programs offer exceptions through bachelor's degree waivers or 3+3 concurrent enrollment options.
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.
Can you go to law school with a different degree?
Yes. In the US law school is a graduate school for people who have completed undergraduate school. You can major in anything (or double or triple major in anything) and still get into law school. In fact, many top colleges don't even have a pre-law program.
Are you too old to go to law school?
What disqualifies you from law school?
Disqualification from law school often stems from academic failure (low GPA/grades) or character & fitness issues like significant criminal records, academic dishonesty (cheating, plagiarism), financial irresponsibility, or, most commonly, failing to be truthful on your application or during the character and fitness review process, as honesty and candor are paramount. While issues like past arrests or financial struggles aren't automatic disqualifiers, they require full disclosure and evidence of rehabilitation to avoid denial or later disbarment.
Do lawyers make $500,000 a year?
Yes, many lawyers earn $500,000 or more annually, especially partners at large firms, top corporate lawyers, or specialized trial attorneys, but it's not typical for the average lawyer, whose median salary is much lower, requiring significant experience, specialization (like IP or M&A), and business acumen to reach that high income level.
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.
Is it worth going to law school at 40?
Yes, going to law school at 40 can be very worth it, offering advantages like greater focus, clarity, and valuable life experience that enhance studies and a second career, but it requires careful consideration of finances (debt), family impact, and clear motivation, as you'll have a shorter time to practice compared to someone starting younger. Mature students often build fulfilling careers, leveraging prior skills for new legal paths, but should weigh the investment against potential lifetime earnings.
Can I graduate law school in 2 years?
Yes, you can finish law school in two years through specific, accelerated JD programs offered by some law schools, like Southwestern, Drexel, and Gonzaga, which condense the traditional three-year curriculum into a fast-paced, intense, and often summer-intensive format, designed for highly motivated students who want to start their legal careers sooner. These programs are competitive and require consistent focus, but they allow for earlier bar exam eligibility and entry into the workforce, though they often involve less elective flexibility than traditional programs.
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 states don't require a degree to become a lawyer?
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.
What GPA do I need for law school?
Law school GPA requirements vary significantly, but most schools look for at least a 3.0, with top programs often seeking 3.5+ (even 3.8+), while some less competitive ones accept below 3.0; your GPA, combined with your LSAT score, determines competitiveness, with high scores needed for elite schools and your undergraduate performance trend (e.g., upward) also considered.
Did Kim Kardashian pass the bar exam to be a lawyer?
No, Kim Kardashian has not yet passed the full California Bar Exam; she failed the July 2025 exam and publicly shared her results in November 2025, vowing to keep studying, though she previously passed the First-Year Law Students' Examination (Baby Bar) in 2021. She's said she came "so close" and is determined to pass, viewing the setback as motivation for future attempts.
Can you be a lawyer with a 2 year degree?
Associate degree-holders can practice in most states after law school and the bar, but many schools prefer a four-year degree.
What is the highest paying job with an associate's degree?
The highest-paying jobs with an associate degree are often in healthcare and technology, with top roles including Air Traffic Controller, Nuclear Technician, Radiation Therapist, and Dental Hygienist, often earning six figures, alongside significant opportunities as Diagnostic Medical Sonographers, Nuclear Medicine Technologists, Respiratory Therapists, and various Engineering/Tech Technicians. These roles offer strong earning potential and high demand, providing a faster path to lucrative careers than bachelor's degrees.
What percent of people quit law school?
Law school dropout rates vary significantly, but recent data for ABA-approved schools shows low overall attrition (around 1.66%), with higher rates (over 6% for 1L) at less selective or unaccredited schools, especially for students of color, driven by academic pressure, mental health, and finances, with first-year attrition being most common. More selective schools with higher GPA entry requirements tend to retain students better.
Who is the oldest person to get a law degree?
There isn't one single "oldest law student" record, but notable examples include Alice Thomas, who graduated from law school at 79 in 2009, and Michael Kent Jones, who graduated at 74 in 2025, claiming to be the oldest man to do so in the U.S. Others like Australia's Joan Oliver, who graduated at 75 in 2021, and Jim Edwards, studying at 73 in 2014, highlight many people pursuing law degrees later in life.
Can I become a lawyer at 45 years old?
We get these questions all the time too – and the answer is YES you can become a lawyer in your 30s, 40s and 50s – and no, it's not too late!
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.
Which lawyer is easiest to become?
The easiest law to practice is often considered to be estate planning. This involves helping clients prepare for the distribution of their assets upon death or incapacitation, making it relatively straightforward compared to other legal fields.
What is the 3 3 law?
In a nutshell: 3 years in undergrad, and 3 years in law school. Given that most undergrads take 4 years to earn their degree, a 3+3 progam is a university program that can offer future lawyers a fast track to earn their Bachelor's degree and their Juris Doctor (law school degree).
What is the lowest paid lawyer?
There's no single minimum salary for lawyers, as pay varies wildly by location, firm size, and specialization, but entry-level salaries range from around $50k-$70k in public interest/small firms to over $200k at big corporate firms, with overall averages often near $100k-$120k. The lowest earnings are typically in public service, while high-paying areas include corporate law, IP, and big cities like NYC or D.C.
How old is the youngest lawyer?
The youngest lawyer is currently Sophia Park, who passed the California Bar exam at 17 years and 8 months old in late 2024, breaking her brother's record and becoming the youngest in California history. While she passed the exam, she was sworn in as a licensed attorney in March 2025 after turning 18, joining the Tulare County District Attorney's Office as a prosecutor.
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.