There are several ways to get on the professor track. What's (almost) mandatory is graduating from a top six law school, preferably YHS (Yale, Harvard, Stanford).
Some law professors get JD/PhDs - you can't get a PhD in law, but many go for companion subjects. For example, JD/PhDs in psychology are very hot right now.
Prestigious federal clerkships help, as do a few years in biglaw.
You can also work for a number of years, distinguish yourself, become an expert in a certain area, and then you'll be more desirable.
It's difficult to get hired as a professor, though, because there are way fewer jobs than there are people who want them. Academia is extremely competitive. Your school and work experience/clerkships can get you in the door, but you still have to be a good interview. Being smart doesn't always translate into being a good speaker or communicating your ideas well, so keep that in mind.
Most law professors hold only a JD. The most common way to become a law professor is to graduate from the top of your law school class, then clerk at a prestigious court (most law profs clerk at US court of appeals) then apply for professor positions.
First you must complete your undergraduate education. After you have earned a undergraduate degree, then you must go to law school and earn a Juris Doctorate (JD), which is a professional advanced degree to practice law. After earning your JD you will then need to go on to complete a JSD (or other abbreviations as appropriate for a Doctor of Laws). Most likely when applying for a doctor of laws program you will need to have practical experience within a particular area or have a stellar academic record in your JD program to be admitted. Some law faculty are offered teaching positions with only a JD, which is often based upon extensive experience.
Firstly, you'll need a law degree (JD), preferably from a top 6 school. You'll also need to graduate at the top of your class and it will help to have some law review experience and an LLM.
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There are several ways to get on the professor track. What's (almost) mandatory is graduating from a top six law school, preferably YHS (Yale, Harvard, Stanford).
Some law professors get JD/PhDs - you can't get a PhD in law, but many go for companion subjects. For example, JD/PhDs in psychology are very hot right now.
Prestigious federal clerkships help, as do a few years in biglaw.
You can also work for a number of years, distinguish yourself, become an expert in a certain area, and then you'll be more desirable.
It's difficult to get hired as a professor, though, because there are way fewer jobs than there are people who want them. Academia is extremely competitive. Your school and work experience/clerkships can get you in the door, but you still have to be a good interview. Being smart doesn't always translate into being a good speaker or communicating your ideas well, so keep that in mind.
Most law professors hold only a JD. The most common way to become a law professor is to graduate from the top of your law school class, then clerk at a prestigious court (most law profs clerk at US court of appeals) then apply for professor positions.
First you must complete your undergraduate education. After you have earned a undergraduate degree, then you must go to law school and earn a Juris Doctorate (JD), which is a professional advanced degree to practice law. After earning your JD you will then need to go on to complete a JSD (or other abbreviations as appropriate for a Doctor of Laws). Most likely when applying for a doctor of laws program you will need to have practical experience within a particular area or have a stellar academic record in your JD program to be admitted. Some law faculty are offered teaching positions with only a JD, which is often based upon extensive experience.
You earn a law degree (JD) and then you apply for a job as a law school professor. Keep in mind it's hard to get a job as a professor.
Firstly, you'll need a law degree (JD), preferably from a top 6 school. You'll also need to graduate at the top of your class and it will help to have some law review experience and an LLM.