Legal Studies Careers: Job Description & Salary Info

About this article
What are the pros and cons of a career in legal studies? Get real job duties and career training requirements to see if a career in legal studies is right for you.
  • Pros & Cons
  • Paralegal
  • Lawyer
  • Judge

Careers in Legal Studies

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The legal studies field pertains to positions that deal with matters of the law. Additionally, many positions may demand long hours. Three positions relevant to the legal studies field include paralegal, lawyer and judge. Use the table below to help you compare these careers:

Paralegals Lawyers Judges
Career Overview Conduct legal research for law firms Represent and advise clients regarding legal matters Resolve disputes by applying legal principles
Education Requirements Certificate or associate's degree in paralegal studies Juris Doctor degree Juris Doctor degree
Program Length 1 year or less for certificate programs, 2 years for associate's degree 3 years beyond bachelor's degree 3 years beyond bachelor's degree
Additional/Other Training Internship or on-the-job training Internship Orientation
Certification and Licensing Voluntary certification Admitted to the bar Admitted to the bar (in many cases)
Experience Requirement Entry-level (may need 1 year experience in a law or office setting) Entry-level positions available Previous experience as a lawyer (for some positions)
Job Outlook (2014-2024) Fast as average growth (8%)* Fast as average growth (6%)* Little growth (1%)*
Median Salary (2014) $48,350* $114,970* $115,140*

Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

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  • Pros & Cons
  • Paralegal
  • Lawyer
  • Judge

Popular Schools

  • Online Programs Available
    1. UMass Global

    Program Options

    Bachelor's
      • BA in Legal Studies
      • BA in Legal Studies (Business Law)
      • BA in Criminal Justice
  • Online Programs Available
    2. National University

    Program Options

    Doctorate
      • Juris Doctor
      • Doctor of Criminal Justice
    Master's
      • MSOL - Criminal Justice
  • Online Programs Available
    3. Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education and Psychology

    Program Options

    Master's
      • Masters in Dispute Resolution
      • Masters in Legal Studies
  • Online Programs Available
    4. Fordham University

    Program Options

    Master's
      • Master of Studies in Law in Corporate Compliance
  • Stanford, CA

    Stanford University

  • Online Programs Available
    6. Liberty University

    Program Options

    Doctorate
      • LLM: International Legal Studies
      • PHD: Education: Educational Law
      • DLP: Law & Policy
      • DCJ: Doctor of Criminal Justice: General
      • DCJ: Homeland Security
      • PHD: Criminal Justice: Leadership
    Master's
      • MBA: American Legal Studies
      • JM: American Legal Studies
      • JM: Compliance
      • JM: General
      • JM: Health Law
      • JM: Special Student (Non-Degree) - Legal Studies
    Certificate
      • GRAD CERT: Executive Law & Policy
      • CERT: Criminal Justice
      • GRAD CERT: Advanced Criminal Justice
      • GRAD CERT: Executive Criminal Justice

Featured Schools

UMass Global

  • BA in Legal Studies
  • BA in Legal Studies (Business Law)
  • BA in Criminal Justice

Which subject are you interested in?

National University

  • Juris Doctor
  • Doctor of Criminal Justice
  • MSOL - Criminal Justice

What is your highest level of education?

Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education and Psychology

  • Masters in Dispute Resolution
  • Masters in Legal Studies

Which subject are you interested in?

Fordham University

  • Master of Studies in Law in Corporate Compliance

Are you located in the U.S.?

Liberty University

  • LLM: International Legal Studies
  • MBA: American Legal Studies
  • GRAD CERT: Executive Law & Policy

What is your highest level of education?