lawyer

#Criminal Law Colleges and Universities in the U. S.

Criminal law degrees require college graduates to attend law school in order to earn a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree. Most law degrees can be completed within three years of full time study, and students can focus on criminal law by choosing relevant advanced courses after completing the core requirements.

How to Select a Criminal Law School

Criminal law is a field of law focusing on criminal acts such as drug use, fraud, abuse, assault, theft, murder or robbery. To break into this field of law, students must first complete their bachelor's degree and do well on the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). Strong writing, speaking, research and analysis skills are needed to succeed as a law student and as a lawyer.

To choose a criminal law school, students look for a program that matches their location and scheduling needs, as well as offering the specific degree or specialization they desire. Approximately 200 law schools in the U.S. are accredited by the American Bar Association. Typical classes in a law education include constitutional law, criminal procedures, criminal law and evidence. An aspiring criminal lawyer will complete three years of law school beyond their undergraduate degree; he or she must then pass the Bar Exam, which confers the certification necessary to become a practicing attorney in one's state.

Students with a degree in criminal law can move on to become public defenders, prosecutors or private lawyers.

Largest Schools by Total Student Population