What degree do you need to be a judge?

After getting an undergraduate degree, the next step is obtaining a law degree. Most judges begin their careers as lawyers, and prior legal practice is a prerequisite for many state and federal judgeships. To that end, a judge must obtain a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree.

This requires completing three years of legal education at a law school approved by the American Bar Association. Some schools offer part-time programs, which typically take four years to complete. During the first year of study, students will focus on fundamental law coursework, including contracts, civil procedure, and criminal law.

In the final two years, students will complete elective classes in specialized topics (e.g., tax law, family law, etc.) Clinical internships are also typically available. Completing an internship during law school can provide students with experience in the field and networking opportunities, which makes it easier to find employment after graduation.

After earning a JD degree, lawyers must apply for admission to the bar exam in their state or jurisdiction of practice. Although admissions and testing requirements vary, admission usually requires being licensed, which is gained by passing numerous exams.

The Multistate Bar Exam is 200 questions and 6 hours and tests knowledge of various law fundamentals, including criminal law, contracts and torts, and an ethics exam. The National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE) offers past examinations for sale on its websites. These exams provide students with an idea of what to expect on the bar exam.

Judges will need to work as attorneys before being appointed or elected as a judge. Lawyers may apply for judgeships by submitting their names for consideration to a judicial nominating commission, or they may be recommended by senators or other politicians.

Generally, being nominated for a judgeship requires a strong history of legal practice and support from politicians. Some federal judges are appointed to life-long terms, while other federal, state, or local judges have fixed or renewable terms of office. At the end of these terms, the judges often retire or teach law school.