Career Guide
Law
Lawyers advise and represent individuals, businesses, organizations, and government agencies on legal issues and disputes. They can work in a variety of settings such as private law firms, courts, government entities, consulting businesses, educational or healthcare organizations, and can also practice independently. They facilitate communication between clients and others; conduct research and analysis of legal problems; interpret laws, rulings, and regulations for individuals and businesses; present facts in writing and verbally to their clients or others and argue on their behalf; and prepare and file legal documents, such as lawsuits, appeals, wills, contracts, and deeds. Many lawyers will specialize in a certain type of law so that they become experts in their field.
Degree Requirements
Lawyers need a 4-year bachelor’s degree, 3 years of law school, and to pass a written bar examination. Each state has their own bar exam. Law school graduates receive the degree of juris doctor (JD) as their first professional degree. There is advanced education beyond a JD for lawyers who specialize or want to take their practice to another level.
MCC students are advised to transfer to a 4-year college for a bachelor’s degree and prepare to take the LSAT.
Criteria for Acceptance
There is no prescribed set of courses or required undergraduate major for law school. Majors such as English, History, Philosophy, Economics and Political Science tend to lend themselves more readily to law school, however, admission to law school has been obtained via a wide variety of bachelor’s degrees. If possible, the undergraduate major you choose should be meaningful to the type of law profession you wish to follow. In addition, most, if not all, law schools require that a bachelor’s degree be from a regionally or nationally accredited institution.
Students must take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) prior to applying to law school. It provides a standard measure of acquired reading and verbal reasoning skills. Selecting challenging courses is recommended for potential law school applicants (for example, writing intensive and honors courses). Contact the Pre-Law Advisor at your four-year college for further information and assistance.
Criteria of Importance for Acceptance Include
- Undergraduate GPA (grade point average)
- Law School Admission Test (LSAT) score
- College curriculum & extracurricular activities (such as joining a pre-law organization in college)
- Individual character & personality
MCC Prerequisite Courses
Selecting challenging courses is recommended for potential law school applicants (for example, writing intensive and honors courses). Courses in psychology, sociology and anthropology which help build understanding of human behavior are important. Courses in economics, history, and political science are strongly recommended. Courses in logic, ethics and science help develop the rigorous analysis of thought processes necessary for success in law school.
Institutions
Colleges in New York State that offer a J.D. Degree:
- Brooklyn Law School City
- City University of New York
- Columbia University
- Cornell Law School
- Fordham University
- Hofstra University
- New York Law School
- New York University
- Pace University
- St. John's University
- SUNY University at Buffalo
- Syracuse University
- Touro College
- Yeshiva University
Other Important Information
While every effort is made to ensure that the information in this guide is accurate, students are advised to contact transfer institutions for specific course requirements and the most up-to-date information.
Updated 09/29/2025