What are the differences between an ABA law school and reginally accredited law school?
399744
If you want a law degree that will actually allow you to practice law in the United States, you should look solely at ABA law schools. \nHere in the States, actually practicing law requires that you take (and pass) a 'bar exam' after completing law school (you actually take a portion of the exam while still in law school, but the big part is after). These exams are administered on a state level, so that if you want to practice law in California, you must pass the California bar exam. Some states have what is called reciprocity that makes it so states will accept a bar exam  score(or a certain amount of legal experience) from another state. You can find out about a state's reciprocity bydoing a quick search, or visiting the website for that state's bar assosciation. \nThe problem with non-ABA schools is that only two or three states will even allow you to take the bar exam unless you attend an ABA accredited law school. That said two of those states are California and Florida. You should look at the bar pass rates for the schools as well, since unless you pass the bar you can't practice law in the states.\nIf you do end up having to take the LSAT I have heaps of advice on that (I scored in the 99.9th percentile).\nyoungnedofthehill@yahoo.com
388151
Law school teaches you more than just "the law," it teaches you how to think like a lawyer.  Legal professions approach problems systematically, and in a way that many people are not used to thinking.  The legal reasoning begins with a rule, then an application to the facts that leads to a conclusion, while people who are not lawyers tend to come to a conclusion, then find facts that support it.\n\nEven though the law changes constantly, you must learn how to research and understand the law.  This is only done through guidance and practice.  Although one can tell what a law is from a statute, a lawyer can find case law to see how the court interpreted it, and find history that may shed light on how it may be applied in the future.  And it takes skills learned over a period of time to learn how to extract the law from a case, or to even find a relevant case.\n\nYou learn research skills, crtitical thinking skills, and ethical standards at law school, along with the fundamentals of major topic areas.  You learn black letter law that will be tested on the bar exam.  You need to attend law school to learn the techniques needed to research law for your client, learn how to write in a legal form, and how to practice ethically.  None of these things can be gained from merely memorizing the law.\n\nIf you are planning to practice law as a career, these are the skills you will need.  For more info on law schools and how to apply, visit http://www.LSAC.org .
958627
It depends on whether you possess a law degree recognised in Canada and your knowledge in Canadian statutes.
219862
Most attorneys are member of the state bar (lawyer) association.  Search for your state and bar asssociation for the site for your state bar.  It normally list their school and when they passed the exam to practice law in your state.
307153
The U.S. Department of Education does not accredit schools.  It has set up six (I think) Regional Accreditation Agencies.\n\nYou are very right.  This is NOT good.  You said it is a private school.  If it is owned by a religious group (how Catholics own Loyola University per se) then you MAY (slim chance) be okay.  But, most companies want a diploma from a school that is Regionally Accredited (there is no such thing as Nationally Accredited in the U.S.)\n\nAlso, if you are getting any student loans or grants, they usually only pay to Regionally Accredited Schools.
980720
Let me begin by offering this warning--BE VERY CAREFUL!!  Yes, there are some online colleges that are legitimate; and there are others that are nothing more than degree mills. It is very important to recognize that all of these colleges are private institutions and are usually for-profit. That makes a huge difference when it comes time to validate your degree to either your employer or to another college.\n\nThere are several factors that you must consider.  First, what exactly do you want to accomplish with your degree. If the answer is personal satisfaction or perhaps a raise or promotion at work, then online may be the way to go. However, if you are looking to advance yourself with a master's or doctorate degree, like I am doing, then online may not be a viable route. For example, there are at least three online law schools--none of which are accredited by the American Bar Association. Without ABA accreditation, you cannot practice in Florida, which is where I live. So, online is not a viable option for me. \n\nSecond are the cost considerations. Online schools are typically outrageously expensive.  And there is no benefit to paying that additional fee. \n\nIf you are interested in obtaining your degree online, start with your local community college. Most community colleges are facing a funding crisis that prohibits them from building additional classrooms. As a result, many have turned to online versions of thei9r classes. They carry full college credit (make sure that they are regionally accredited) and the cost involved are quite reasonable--in some cases as low as $30 per credit hour.  \n\nI would try this route first and see if it will allow you to achieve your goals. Good luck!!
158335
Most law schools require a Bachelor's and I am guessing that you have an Associates from DeVry.
79313
It means don't go there. You need to go to an accreditec school.  I don't believe I have ever heard of an employer who only hired from non-accredited schools.  You would be very less likely to get a job you want if you are up against another person that has a degree from an accredited school.  I also believe that if they are not accredited you won't receive the best education possible.
911325
www.lsac.com will give you all the resources you need, including links and breakdowns of schools offering particular legal sepcializations.  Good luck.
697069
It's called a lawyer's office!!!  The answer to legal questions is not always black and white.  There is a reason that lawyers go to school for 3 or 4 years after undergrad.  You can't get easy answers in law!
827417
You are smart to ask.  There are two things to look at, and you need to be careful, because a lot of schools claim accreditations in a slimy way.  First, there are regional accreditors for the overall university, such as WASC (Western Association of Schools and Colleges) and Middle States.  These look at both the financial viability of the institution and its ability to deliver on its mission.  Beyond this, many disciplines have their own accrediting bodies, and you may not be able to transfer your coursework if the department or School isn't accredited by these.  For example, I teach in a business school, and we don't accept units from someone who did not graduate from an AACSB-accredited business school for business courses.  I've had a lot of students say, "But my school was accredited!" and it turns out that they were accredited by a regional accreditor (or by an accrediting organization with lower standards, like ACBSP).  So you need to check the university's overall accreditation, and then look to see if the discipline itself has one or more accrediting organizations, find out which is most respected, and then look for that too.
804583
An AB (Associates) is generally 2 years or 60 credit hours\nA BBA (Bachelors) is generally 4 years or 120 credit hours\nAn MBA (Masters) is generally 2 years or 60 hours\nA DBA (Doctorate) is generally 3 years or 90 hours.
40074
the university should be accredited...geta degree in the field that you want to pursue a career in...stay away from "buy your degree" schools like online or night only schools...like that university of phoenix..or any "business" school...i wouldn't hire anyone with that on their resume...;)
902768
Every state bar is every different.  Some states not only require that you complete law school but that you complete law school from an American Bar Association Accredited School (which most are).  Some other states, however, still allow you to "read the law" which is essentially to take the bar and pass it after working with an attorney.  Most states no longer allow this.  Some tradition rich states, like Virginia, still allow it because as a matter of fact institutionalized legal education is only about 100 years old - so most of America's great legal scholars of the 18th and 19th century never attended law school.  Reading the law is sort of a throwback to those days and is more history/tradition than anything.  As a practical matter you could probably count on one hand the number of lawyers practiving today that did not attend law school.
322921
In Ca. you need an AA Degree with 36 units of law credits then you can go to law school, which only a few are accepting just an AA.  Most times, a BA degree is needed first which is four years at college, then on to law school.  Law school is four years and intense.  The hardest part I think is passing the STate Bar Exam after you're all done and many fail it their first few times.\nYou need to find the laws in your own state.  Get on the web and look for your states bar assiciation and call them, they can give you the criteria or it may be on their web site.  Another way is to simply call an Attorneys office tell them you are interested in becoming an attorney and would like to know what the states law is on education for it...................good luck.............
480493
You can check with your local public library. Here are some links. Make sure any school you go to is accredited.
510081
"Lawyer" is a generic term for anybody having studied the law, "advocate" is somebody having clients, a lawyer or counsel in the American sense. \n\nSolicitor, finally, is a British term, meaning a lawyer who doesn't go to court (that's what a barrister is for), but peprares briefs or contracts on behalf of a client, and "instructs" a barrister if necessary.