Tennessee Law Schools

Prepare yourself for a career in the legal world at law schools in Tennessee

There are many jobs for people who hold a TN law degree. From civil law to criminal litigation to business negotiations, lawyers are in high demand. Law schools generally accept students who hold a Bachelor's degree in any major, but they prefer students who majored in business, political science, legal studies or something similar during their undergraduate years.

Law schools in Tennessee have strict admission requirements, and being the best student you can be will only help your chances of getting accepted. You can begin with getting a paralegal certificate, then advance to get your A.S. or B.S., then proceed to law school.

1. Look into paralegal studies to start your journey to Tennessee law schools. Paralegal careers pay well and offer great experience.

2. Get your undergraduate degree before applying to Tennessee law schools. All law programs require a Bachelor's degree for admission.

3. Apply at ABA-approved law schools in Tennessee. These are accredited by the American Bar Association and guarantee that you can sit for the bar after you graduate.

 

Consider a certificate in paralegal studies to help get you into law schools in Tennessee

Paralegals assist attorneys, in short. Depending on their education, they may do almost as much as the attorney himself, although they do not hold bar cards. This is a great career for those interested in law but who don't have the time and/or money to attend law school for a J.D. degree. If you plan to eventually go to law school, you'll need a Bachelor's degree, but a paralegal certificate can be the first step in your preparation.
Try: See if the paralegal program at Southwest Tennessee Community College is right for you. Motlow State Community College offers an Associate's degree designed to prepare you for transfer to a pre-law program at a four year college.

Prepare yourself for admission into TN law schools with an undergraduate degree

Admission into law school is extremely competitive. Getting good grades while working on your Bachelor's isn't the only deciding factor as to your acceptance into a law program; teacher recommendations and extracurricular activities factor in as well. Choose a school with a program that interests you as well as has academic clubs and caring teachers.
Try: Consider getting a B.A. or B.S. in Criminal Justice and Criminology at East Tennessee State University in Johnson City. Check into the pre-law program (B.A. or B.S. in Political Science) at Austin Peay State University.

Earn a J.D. degree from one of the accredited law schools in Tennessee

The J.D. is the highest degree that can be held by those in the legal industry. These degrees are usually three-year programs designed to prepare you for taking the Bar Exam. It's important that these are ABA law schools; Tennessee students who go to schools that are not accredited risk not being allowed to sit for the bar.
Try: Check out the degree requirements at the reputable Vanderbilt University Law School. Take a look at the timeline for the curriculum at the University of Tennessee College of Law. Consider doing the joint degree from the University of Memphis School of Law.

 

• If you live in the northeast section of Tennessee, check into law schools in Knoxville, Tennessee. There are also several other schools in this corner of the state.
• Be cautious if you want to consider an online law degree in Tennessee. These programs are not accredited and don't guarantee that you can sit for the bar upon graduation.

Copyright © 2011 Business.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

---