What classes to take if you want to be a lawyer?
James Olson
Updated on March 24, 2026
Recommended Classes For Law
- Social Studies Courses. The law keeps the world running in order.
- English Courses. Critical thinking is the cornerstone of law.
- World Language Courses. Knowing multiple languages can expand your job opportunities in the legal field.
- Information Technology (IT) Courses.
- Business Education Courses.
What high school subjects are needed for law?
Required High School Subjects
- English. In law school, you will be required to read a lot of case law, academic articles and textbooks.
- Math v Math Literacy. Law school is about reading, reading and more reading.
- History.
- Business Studies, Accounting, Economics.
- A third language.
- Drama.
- Physical Science and Biology.
Does being a lawyer require math?
All newly credentialed law school graduates who go to work for law firms need basic math knowledge to fill out time sheets to bill clients and track their business expenses. Attorneys specializing in litigation often require knowledge of statistics, as many court cases hinge on using statistics to prove factual points.
What is the hardest class in law school?
But most law students peg either Federal Courts or Federal Income Tax as one of the most difficult courses in law school. They are also among one of the most practically useful courses in law school so chances are you will take one, if not both of these courses.
What kind of classes should I take before going to Law School?
Courses in these subjects are advised so that students have some understanding of the topics before beginning law school. Courses covering world history, government, jurisprudence, law, and taxation are usually reading-intensive, which is also great preparation for law school.
What kind of Education do you need to become a lawyer?
You’ll need a four-year undergraduate degree followed by three years of law school and a juris doctorate (J.D.) degree. A J.D. is awarded by law schools that are accredited by the American Bar Association. You must then pass the bar examination.
What can you do with a degree in law?
Other than becoming a lawyer, law graduates are desirable candidates for various fields such as media and law, academia, commerce and industry, social work, politics and more. You will find that studying law can take you just about anywhere.
Can you go to college and go to Law School?
In most countries, legal education begins at the undergraduate level. However, few American colleges offer prelaw programs or majors. If you can’t study law at your undergraduate institution, then what courses can you take to prepare yourself for law school and show commitment to a legal pursuit?