Also known as the “Lone Star State,” Texas is the second largest US state. Its economy is one of the fastest growing economies in the nation. Agriculture, entertainment, technology and healthcare are some of the leading industries of Texas. The state also has several reputable academic institutes including a number of law schools. The combination of a wide array of law schools and the state's legal markets makes Texas ideal for producing the best attorneys in the field.
Texas Law Schools
Aspiring lawyers who want to pursue a legal education in Texas can find several law schools to choose from. The law schools in this state are nationally and internationally-recognized for their teaching and academic environment. They offer quality education to hone the students' legal skills and prepare them to cater to the ever-growing demand in law-related capacities. The highly experienced faculty, modern learning methodologies and training are some of the defining qualities of law schools in Texas.
Types of Programs
Both regular and part-time programs in law are available at law schools in Texas. Students can enroll in programs that suit their personal routines. The Juris Doctor Degree typically takes three years to complete. These programs include a variety of topics such as civil procedure, property law, constitutional law and more. Students may also be required to complete externships in order to get practical experience in the legal world.
Aspiring lawyers can choose an area of specialty in law as well. They can opt to focus their studies in commercial law, corporate law, family law or intellectual property. Programs are also available in other fields such as taxation law, international & comparative law and public law and regulation.
Employment Opportunities
Lawyers can work potentially with legal services or finance and insurance companies. They can also potentially find jobs with the government as well. The income of these legal experts varies by their qualification, type of employer and experience. They can make between $54,000 and $166,000 a year.
How much do Lawyers make in Texas?
According to statistics, Lawyers earned a median annual income of $47,640 in 2013. Paralegals in Texas earn more than the paralegals in the rest of the country. Paralegals and legal assistants earned a median annual income of $52,670 in 2013 while paralegals and legal assistants nationally earned $52,040 for the same year.
If you are thinking of enrolling in a law school in Texas, then consider these law schools:
Top Five Law Schools in Texas
South Texas College of Law Houston: STCL happens to be the oldest law schools in Houston and the third-oldest in Texas. With over 129 national titles in law school championships, the school beats over twice as many law schools within the country. It helps you grow by placing great emphasis on foundational courses, which are taught in the first year. Students are also provided with opportunities to join a Trial Academy or a mock trial program. It is through national competitions the school prepares you for careers in trial advocacy. Which is why, STCL graduates have performed as justices for the Texas Supreme Court and the PreLaw Magazine ranked STCL as the "Best Moot Court of this Decade" in 2016.
St. Mary's University School of Law: The law school is the oldest Catholic law school in the American Southwest and the first ever law school in Texas that offers a Master of Jurisprudence (M.Jur.) degree program. The law school has its own journal, St. Mary's Law Journal that trains students in extensive legal understanding and writing as well as critical analysis and terminologies.
Baylor Law School: This law school is known for its high job placement rate in Texas. It boasts of producing members of Congress, federal judges, two governors of Texas and former FBI directors and ambassadors. The law school emphasizes on practical learning, which is why it has a Practice Court Program that enhances the pre-trial preparations, execution of advocacy and the relevant skills required to perfect opening and closing arguments.
University of Texas School of Law: Not only is it ranked among the top five public law schools in the U.S., but is also the No.1 law school that has the biggest return on investment in the country. The law school emphasizes on analytical thinking, fundamentals of legal analysis and communication.
SMU Dedman School of Law: Dedman School of Law is one of the best in the country. The Law School's alumni have served as Chairs of the House Judiciary Committee, White House Counsel and Chief Justices of Indonesia and Thailand. In the graduating class of 2016, 91.1% ended up passing the bar exam in their first attempt, as compared to 77.6% of the state's overall average rate.
Texas is No.4 when it comes to employment of lawyers, by state, as of May 2017. It is also home to some of the best public and private law schools in the US. If you are thinking of becoming a lawyer in Texas then consider enrolling in one of the above mentioned law schools.
How Long Does It Take to Graduate from a Law School in Texas?
There are many schools in Texas such as the Texas A&M University, the Baylor University, the University of Houston and the South Texas College, which are offering Law courses. Students can enroll in a 3 year long Juris Doctor program or a 1 year long Master of Law (LL.M.) program. Dual degrees such as the Juris Doctor/Master of Business Administration (JD/MBA) and Juris Doctor/Master of Public Administration (JD/MPA) can be completed within 3.5 to 4 years.
What Are the Requirements to Graduate from a Law School in Texas?
Students enrolled in the LL.M. program must complete at least 24 semester hours of credit and those enrolled in the JD Program have to complete 86 semester hours of credit. They have to study modules like Civil Procedure, Legal Research & Writing, Legal Analysis & Communication, Criminal Procedure and Criminal Law. Dual Degrees such as JD/MBA and JD/MPA require around 70 semester hours of credits.
How Much Can I Make after Graduating from a Law School in Texas?
Once students graduate from a Law school, they can work as Legal Associates in corporate and private offices. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Lawyers earned an annual median pay of $120,910 in May 2018. In 2016, the number of jobs in this field was 792,500. Also, the employment in this field is predicted to grow by 8% from 2016 to 2026.
Frequently Asked Question(s)
Q:By enrolling in an online Law Schools in Texas, will I be able to lower my expenses?
A:Yes, you can save a lot by enrolling in online degree programs. Now online education is possible in all academic fields including law. Students can study from their homes without having to travel anywhere. The costs are reduced incredibly as students no more have to pay for travelling to a campus, or pay for textbooks.
Q:Are all law schools Texas accredited?
A:Most of the law schools in Texas are accredited. To make sure you enroll in an accredited law school, it is best to check the status of the institute. Information regarding accreditation can be found easily online. Institutions which are not regionally/programmatically accredited are basically not following quality education standards.
Q:What can I learn from law schools in Texas?
A:Law schools in Texas offer law programs for both part time and full time students. These programs cover an assortment of law topics including civil procedure, constitutional law, commercial law, property law, corporate law, intellectual property theft law, family law, real estate or land law and tort law. These programs also require students to complete professional law internships.
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