Making the most of Florida law schools requires you to understand that a law degree is not just for lawyers. It is also useful for many other professionals including administrators, business investors and politicians. The most common law degree awarded in the United States is the Juris Doctor (J.D.), which is usually granted through a three-year graduate program.

A law school in Florida must be accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) before the state bar association will allow a graduate to sit for the bar exam. The ABA specifies precise requirements of accredited schools, including factors such the contents of its library and the minimum amount of instruction time. In addition to completing the required course work, there are three important credentials to strive for while in law school:

1. Membership in the law review of Florida law universities; this membership is based on grades and writing ability, and many employers may include this in their hiring criteria.
2. Moot court; this experience can distinguish students as effective oral advocates and provide practical legal training.
3. Membership in the Order of the Coif; this is based on grade point average.

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Find out the ranking for law schools in FL

A law school's ranking is extremely important to an attorney's career. Graduates of the most elite laws schools typically fill prestigious positions such as clerkships for the Supreme Court.

I recommend: The Prelaw Handbook provides a variety of sources that rank law schools and also has many other resources for choosing a law school. U.S. News & World Report regularly publishes its ranking of law schools.

Research law universities in Florida according to their courses of study

Many online sites describe the specific areas of specialization for various law schools. These sites frequently provide additional resources about each law school to determine if it is a good fit for you and your business career.

I recommend: LawyersAid13.net provides the particular mission of each law school, including specific aspects of the curriculum. The Vocational & Technical Education Center maintains a list of law schools in Florida suitable for technical vocations such as paralegals and court reporters.

Learn more about the Florida law school admissions process

You can improve your chances of being admitted to a law school by knowing which criteria the admissions boards most value. Highly-ranked law schools typically accept only a small percentage of the total applicants.

I recommend: ApplyingToSchool provides a detail description of the typical admissions process for law schools and uses Florida State as an example. The University of Florida provides specific advice for its pre-law students on admission to its law school.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  A student graduating from a lower-tier Florida law college may wish to concentrate on job opportunities in that school's home market as local businesses typically employ area alumni. A lower-tier FL law school may also have a national scope when it caters to a specific type of student, such as a historically black or Christian university.

Attending law school in Florida and earning your law degree doesn’t necessarily mean you want to practice law. Florida law degrees can be put to use in a variety of different ways for your business, from learning about business investments to ensuring the administrative aspects of your company are in compliance with Florida and national laws.

There are a variety of Florida law schools throughout the state, from top-ranked private Florida law universities to law schools in Florida that offer part-time evening programs. Before you can seriously consider a Florida law degree, you’ll need to meet the academic requirements for law universities in Florida, which includes taking the LSAT exam. As you begin your search for Florida law schools, consider the following:

1. Check out the rankings of Florida law schools to ensure you get the best education possible.

2. Only seek out Florida law schools that have been accredited by the American Bar Association.

3. If your time is limited, seek out part-time law schools in Florida.

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Search for top FL law schools

Don't settle for anything less than the best: Research the top Florida law schools to determine your best options in the state.

I recommend: U.S. News & World Report ranks more than 12,000 graduate programs throughout the country each year, including law schools. University of Florida Levin College of Law and Florida State University College of Law both rank in the top 100 law schools in the nation, at number 46 and 55, respectively.

Apply to accredited law universities in FL

In addition to consulting Florida law school rankings, when it comes to deciding among Florida law schools, you should consider only accredited law schools in Florida. These institutions have been approved by the American Bar Association (ABA) to meet the standards set within the country's legal profession.

I recommend: The ABA’s website provides a list of accredited law schools in Florida. In addition to the University of Florida and Florida State, Florida A&M University College of Law and Florida Coastal College of Law have ABA-approved programs.

Consider part-time law schools in FL

If you run your own business, it can be difficult to find the time between work and home life to attend classes toward a Florida law degree. Florida part-time law schools are great options for busy business owners -or anyone, really - to get the education they seek.

I recommend: Stetson University College of Law offers a part-time program where students can typically receive their law degree within four years. Prospective students at Florida International University School of Law can also opt for its part-time program.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Be realistic when determining how much time you'll have to spend each semester toward earning a law degree. Most Florida law schools have a part-time option, so while it may take longer to get the degree, you'll have an easier time focusing on coursework - and your business - if you don't overload yourself.

Florida law schools advice and ratings use many statistics, such as employment prospects, median salary and tuition. Intangibles such as campus life, teaching methods and learning atmosphere may also form the basis of a law school evaluation.

Applicants to accredited law schools in FL should begin their search by first considering law schools located in their desired geographic area. They also should consider the top law schools in the state where they plan to practice. Applicants should then select the schools that are within their budget and meet their specific needs. There are three general sources for evaluating Florida law colleges:

1. Blogs on FL law schools. A credible blog or other type of social media may have posts from students, faculty and law school experts sharing their personal experiences and professional opinions about Florida law schools.
2. Rating services of law schools. Recognized experts may provide ratings of law schools that offer exceptional educational programs.
3. Recognition for individual law schools. The best law schools will have awards, grants and other accolades for their programs.
   

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Get advice for law universities in FL through blogs

Blogs contain advice, opinions and comments from law students, professors or lawyers on law schools in Florida. They also provide an analysis of law school rankings.

I recommend: Concurring Opinions provides an extensive analysis and discussion on the significance of law school rankings, including analysis of ratings impact on Florida Coastal School of Law. Discourse.net is a blog by a law professor at the University of Miami that includes discussions on law school rankings as they pertain to the University of Miami.

Study rankings of law universities in Florida

Rankings for law schools in Florida are an effective and credible source of advice and ratings. Each rating service should provide its methodology. Rankings typically consist of weighted factors, such as assessments of law professors, selectivity and placement rate.

I recommend: The Consus Group provides a specific methodology and includes two Florida law schools in its top 100 list. PreLaw magazine ranks Florida State University as the fourth best value law school based on bar passage rate, employment rate and tuition.

Look at law schools in Florida that are awards recipients

Awards and accolades can be an excellent way of identifying top tier law schools in Florida. Law schools may receive awards for legal research, academic programs or specific papers. The best law schools also will receive grants for their programs.

I recommend: University of Florida News reports that University of Florida Law Professor Berta E. Hernández-Truyol is the recipient of the Clyde Ferguson Award from the Association of American Law Schools. The Barry University School of Law won the 2008 ABA National Criminal Trial Advocacy Competition.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Law school applicants seeking highly rated law schools in Florida should use the law school ratings to get a good overview of the schools. However, applicants should be more concerned with finding a law school that will meet their particular needs, rather than attending the highest ranked law school on a list. Law school students may also wish to consider attending Florida law schools online. An online law school in Florida may provide a more affordable option for busy law school students.

Learning some Florida law schools basics is beneficial to you if you want to get your education in the state of Florida and plan to specialize in law. Before you take that first step toward enrollment and invest money, you want to make sure that your educational path meets your current needs.

Different Florida law universities specialize in various aspects of law. Find out all your options in regards to coursework and learning opportunities. As you consider Florida law school basics, you might want to think about the following options:

1. Look into the credentials of specific Florida law professors.

2. Consider Florida law schools basics such as how a law school ranks according to other schools in Florida and around the nation.

3. Find out offerings from online law schools in Florida.

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Do a background check on Florida law professors to determine prior education and work achievements

When looking at specific law schools in Fl, consider the credentials of the faculty. Find out when and where they went to school, what work they've done, determine whether they participate in continuing education and find out whether they've won any awards. This helps you get a clear understanding of their activity in the field of law, including their specialties.

I recommend: The University of Florida highlights a number of professors and cites awards won by these professors. It also links to works published by the professors highlighted on its website. St. Thomas University-School of Law offers a page on its website where one can easily browse through full-time faculty credentials. It offers links to some of the resumes for professors.

Check out how a Florida law school compares to other law schools around the country

Some Florida law colleges stand out among others in national ratings. Go to sites that review the colleges and offer rankings to see where a specific college or law school stands.

I recommend: Prelaw Handbook offers a site that ranks law schools around the nation according to specialty. Its specialties include trial advocacy, environmental law, international law and legal writing, among others. Top-Law-Schools.com offers a list of the top law school rankings for 2010. It offers links to each law school, so you can easily find more information on individual institutions.

Join Florida law scholars in non-traditional settings by taking courses online

Many FL law schools offer programs where one can take courses toward earning a degree using online resources. This allows students to learn in their own setting without having to pay for room and board. Professors mentor students online and students interact with other students through online forums.

I recommend: TJSL Law School is a fully accredited online school, receiving its accreditation from the American Bar Association. It offers coursework through video lectures and online forums where students can interact and collaborate on documents.