There are many jobs for people who hold a West Virginia law degree. From civil law to criminal litigation to business negotiations, lawyers are in high demand. Law schools generally accept students who hold a Bachelor's degree in any major, but they prefer students who majored in business, political science, legal studies or something similar during their undergraduate years.
The only law school in WV has strict admission requirements, and being the best student you can be will certainly help your chances of being accepted. You can begin by getting a paralegal certificate, then advance to get your A.S. or B.S., then proceed to law school.
1. Look into paralegal studies to start your journey to WV law schools. Paralegal careers pay well and offer great experience.
2. Get your undergraduate degree before applying to West Virginia law schools. All law programs require a Bachelor's degree for admission.
3. Apply for law school in WV. The school is accredited by the American Bar Association and offers a great program.
Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done
Consider a certificate in paralegal studies to help get you into law schools in West Virginia
Paralegals assist attorneys, in short. Depending on their education, they may do almost as much as the attorney himself, although they do not hold bar cards. This is a great career for those interested in law but don't have the time and/or money to attend law school for a J.D. degree. If you plan to eventually go to law school, you'll need a Bachelor's degree, but a paralegal certificate can be the first step in your preparation.
I recommend: Earn your Associate's or Bachelor's in legal studies from
Mountain State University. Start the legal program at
Marshall Community & Technical College.
Prepare yourself for admission into West Virginia law universities with an undergraduate degree
Admission into law school is extremely competitive. Getting good grades while working on your Bachelor's isn't the only deciding factor as to your acceptance into a law program; teacher recommendations and extracurricular activities factor in as well. Choose a school with a program that interests you as well as has academic clubs and caring teachers.
I recommend: Check out the political science program offered by
West Virginia State University. The pre-law curriculum at
Bethany College was designed to prepare students to pass their LSAT.
Earn a J.D. degree from an ABA accredited law school in West Virginia
The J.D. is the highest degree that can be held by those in the legal field. When it comes to law schools, WV only has one, the public West Virginia University College of Law, located in Morgantown.
I recommend: See if
West Virginia University's College of Law dual degree in law and public administration appeals to you. Create an account and then
apply online for admission to the West Virginia University College of Law. Check out the
Internet Legal Research Group to see how the school ranks.
Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide
- As a general rule, private schools cost more than public schools, but may offer a better curriculum. Carefully weigh your options before choosing a program of study to prepare yourself for applying to law schools in WV.
The official source of West Virginia Law Schools is
the West Virginia Law Schools page at Business.com
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