Careers: paralegal, legal secretary, lawyer, court clerk, and judicial law clerk. Majors: Legal Studies and Paralegal, Political Science, and Criminal Justice.
College majors for law and legal services
Legal Studies and Paralegal
Studies law and the legal system and prepares you to support attorneys.
Political Science
Studies government, politics, public policy and international relations.
Criminal Justice
Studies crime, law enforcement, courts and corrections.
Careers in law and legal services
Paralegal
Research, draft and organize legal work that supports attorneys and their clients.
- Typical training: 6 months to 2 years
Legal Secretary
Keep a law office running by managing documents, filings and calendars.
- Typical training: Several months on the job
Lawyer
Advise clients on the law and represent them in disputes and deals.
- Typical training: 7 years after high school
Court Clerk
Keep court, city and license records running for the public.
- Typical training: 1+ year on the job
Judicial Law Clerk
Research and draft opinions for a judge, usually right after law school.
- Typical training: 7 years after high school
Title Examiner
Search property records to confirm who owns a property and what claims are on it.
- Typical training: Several months on the job
Mediator
Help people resolve disputes without going to court.
- Typical training: 4 years + under 5 years of experience
Court Reporter
Create word-for-word records of court proceedings and live captions.
- Typical training: 2–4 years
Skills these careers use
- Legal research
- Legal writing
- Negotiation
- Legal writing and drafting
- Discovery management
- Docketing and calendaring
Minors that fit this interest
- Philosophy and Ethics: Builds skills in reasoning, argument and ethical decision-making.
- Legal Studies: Adds an understanding of law, contracts and the legal system.
- Political Science: Adds knowledge of government, policy and politics.
Start building skills now
A self-paced online course on what paralegals do: duties, 15+ key terms, step-by-step tasks, tools, safety and how to launch the career.
Skills you build: legal research, legal writing and drafting, and discovery management
Why it fits: Fits your interest in Law and Legal Services
A self-paced online course on what legal secretaries do: duties, 15+ key terms, step-by-step tasks, tools, safety and how to launch the career.
Skills you build: legal document formatting, court e-filing, and docketing
Why it fits: Fits your interest in Law and Legal Services
A self-paced online course on what lawyers do: duties, 15+ key terms, step-by-step tasks, tools, safety and how to launch the career.
Skills you build: legal research, legal writing, and negotiation
Why it fits: Fits your interest in Law and Legal Services
Law and Legal Services: frequently asked questions
What careers are there in law and legal services?
Careers connected to law and legal services include paralegal, legal secretary, lawyer, court clerk, judicial law clerk, title examiner, mediator, and court reporter.
What should I major in if I am interested in law and legal services?
Majors connected to law and legal services include Legal Studies and Paralegal, Political Science, and Criminal Justice. Compare what each includes, the skills it builds and where it leads.
What law and legal services careers do not require a four-year degree?
Examples include paralegal, legal secretary, court clerk, title examiner, and court reporter. They typically start with a high school diploma, a certificate, an associate degree, an apprenticeship or on-the-job training.
Which law and legal services careers usually require a bachelor’s degree or more?
Examples include lawyer, judicial law clerk, and mediator. Some also need a license or certification.
What skills do you need for a career in law and legal services?
Skills that come up often in these careers include legal research, legal writing, negotiation, legal writing and drafting, discovery management, and docketing and calendaring, along with communication and problem solving.
What minors fit an interest in law and legal services?
Minors connected to law and legal services include Philosophy and Ethics, Legal Studies, and Political Science.
How do I start a career in law and legal services?
Learn about the careers in the field, choose one or two that fit you, check the education or training each requires, and build practical knowledge early through classes, part-time work, volunteering or short career training.
Can I explore law and legal services careers before choosing a college major?
Yes. Career profiles, job shadowing and short online career training let you learn what jobs in law and legal services involve before you commit to a major or program.
Does Career Education Institute offer training related to law and legal services?
Yes. Related online trainings include Paralegal Training, Legal Secretary Training, and Lawyer Training. They are general, non-credit courses that teach what a job involves; they do not grant a degree or license.
Which colleges offer programs related to law and legal services?
Use the college search to find U.S. colleges that report awarding degrees in related majors, filtered by state, city, ZIP code, online programs and type of school.