What are the best majors for a defense attorney?
Asked by: Juvenal Lynch | Last update: July 10, 2025Score: 4.2/5 (75 votes)
What degree do you need to be a defense attorney? To become a defense attorney, you must earn a bachelor's degree in any field, though majors like political science or criminal justice are common. Afterward, you must complete a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school, which typically takes three years.
What do most attorneys major in?
Political science is a very popular pre-law major because politics is heavily interrelated with legislation. The study of political behavior, government systems, and how the judicial system works are all very useful in law school.
What degree do you need to have to be a criminal defense lawyer?
A law degree and admission to the bar of the state you wish to practice is required to work as a criminal lawyer. Most employers prefer candidates with at least two years of practice in criminal and civil law.
What major is best for criminal justice?
- Corrections major. As corrections majors, students study prison life and prepare for roles in prison and jail facilities. ...
- Criminology major. As a criminology major, students focus on the nature and causes of crime, criminal behavior and the criminal justice system. ...
- Forensic science major.
Which degree course is best for a lawyer?
The best degree choice for law is philosophy. Many studies confirm they score highest on exams such as LSAT and even surprisingly the MCAT. Philosophy teaches you how to take reasoning and critical thinking skills to the absolute maximum. It also teaches you how to become the best possible moral agent you can be.
The BEST College Degrees For Law School (Spoiler: NOT Political Science)
Which law pays the most?
What are the highest-paid types of lawyers? The highest-paid lawyers typically specialize in fields such as corporate law, intellectual property, tax law, medical malpractice, and entertainment law. These areas command higher salaries due to the complexity, demand, and financial stakes involved.
How hard is the bar exam?
The bar exam is hard. In fact, it may be one of the most difficult challenges you ever embark on. You must memorize numerous laws and consume a lot of knowledge to answer questions correctly. For many, it feels like trying to hold sand in your hands, knowing that you'll inevitably lose much of it.
What is the best major for a criminal lawyer?
Choose the right major: While there is no specific major required to become a criminal defense attorney, degrees in law, criminology, criminal justice, sociology, psychology, and political science can provide a solid foundation for future law studies.
Is criminal justice the easiest major?
And while we've explained that criminal justice may not be as difficult as some people think, that doesn't mean it's “easy”. If you're serious about breaking into the industry, then it's important to invest the time and resources needed to develop the skills you'll need to succeed in criminal justice.
What is the highest paying job in criminal justice?
The highest-paying job in criminal justice is typically a role within federal law enforcement, such as a Chief of Police or an FBI Agent, where salaries can exceed $150,000 annually depending on experience and location.
Is it hard to be a defense attorney?
This career can often demand long nights and tough weeks. Even before a case goes to trial, you may spend hundreds of hours gathering evidence, creating a case, and looking for weaknesses in your own and the defense's case.
Who is the most famous defense attorney?
1. Clarence Darrow- Clarence Darrow is an American icon and is widely regarded as the greatest American attorney to ever step foot in a courtroom.
What is the best major for a prosecutor?
- Law, 50%
- Political Science, 13%
- Criminal Justice, 5%
- Psychology, 4%
- Other Majors, 28%
What college do most lawyers go to?
- University of Virginia. ...
- Northwestern University. ...
- University of California, Berkeley. ...
- University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. ...
- Duke University. ...
- Cornell University. ...
- Georgetown University. ...
- University of California, Los Angeles.
What kind of lawyer gets the most money?
Corporate and tax lawyers tend to be the highest earners, with patent and IP lawyers not far behind. Trial lawyers also pull down a lot of money, particularly in the civil litigation field.
Which lawyer field is the best?
- Immigration lawyer. ...
- Employment law associate. ...
- Personal injury lawyer. ...
- Civil litigation attorney. ...
- Real estate attorney. ...
- Intellectual property attorney. ...
- Bankruptcy lawyer. ...
- Family lawyer.
Does the FBI like criminal justice majors?
However, the most straightforward educational path for aspiring FBI agents is a degree in criminal justice. This degree provides a comprehensive understanding of the criminal justice system, laws, and procedures directly applicable to an FBI agent's daily tasks.
What is the easiest 4 year degree?
- Easiest Bachelor's Degrees. Starting the process of obtaining a bachelor's degree is an exciting endeavor that presents numerous opportunities. ...
- Anthropology. ...
- Supply Chain Management. ...
- Criminal Justice. ...
- Marketing. ...
- Psychology. ...
- Business Administration. ...
- Communications.
What is the best major for a lawyer?
- Criminal Justice. This may be an obvious choice, but this is one of the best majors for law school. ...
- Political Science. This degree tends to be very common for pre-law students. ...
- History. ...
- Psychology. ...
- Philosophy. ...
- Linguistics. ...
- Communications. ...
- Mathematics.
What lawyer is in most demand?
Some of the most universally in-demand legal specialties include intellectual property law, family law, immigration law, real estate law, and corporate law.
Is criminal law a hard major?
Criminal law is tough—but if you're willing to rise to the challenge, you'll be hard-pressed to find a more exciting, diverse, or thought-provoking legal career.
How many times fail bar exam?
You're in luck! There is no limit to the number of times you can take the bar exam in the state of California.
What is the hardest state to become a lawyer?
California is widely considered to have the hardest bar exam, due to its low pass rate and the difficulty of the content and constraints of the exam.
Did Kim Kardashian pass the bar exam?
Kim Kardashian learned very quickly how hard bar exams can be. The California state bar is one of the most difficult states to pass, with a 40-50% pass rate. The first attempt rate, the second attempt, and after the third time, she finally passed!