Lawyers are licensed professionals who interpret laws and represent the interest of clients in a variety of legal matters. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that the demand for attorneys will increase by 11 percent through 2016, resulting in 84,000 new jobs for those with the required educational background in the field.

Undergraduate Education

The first step in becoming a lawyer is receiving a bachelor's degree in a humanities-related field like English, political science or philosophy. Some universities offer pre-law degrees for prospective attorneys.

Law School

After graduation from an undergraduate program, it is necessary to attend a law school accredited by the American Bar Association. During the first years of school, students study the foundations of law in a number of areas as well as legal writing, while the second half of law school typically involves courses in the lawyer's desired area of specialty.

Time Frame

Bachelor's degrees typically require four years to complete, and the average law school program lasts three years.

Cost

For the 2006-07 school year, the average cost for one year of law school was between $4,711 and $41,200, according to CostHelper.com. Public law schools in the state where you live are typically less expensive than out-of-state public or private law schools.

Considerations

After graduating from law school, lawyers must pass the bar exam in the state they intend to practice before being allowed to practice independently. Some lawyers choose to continue their education by earning a master's degree or a juris doctorate.

Source:

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Lawyers

CostHelper.com: Cost of Law School