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District court judge education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a district court judge. District court judges usually study law, political science, or finance. 55% of district court judges hold a bachelor's degree, and 35% hold an doctoral degree. We analyzed 214 real district court judge resumes to see exactly what district court judge education sections show.
The most common colleges for district court judges are the Southern Methodist University and the Southern Methodist University.
There are also many online district court judge courses to help get the education required to be a district court judge.
What education do you need to become a district court judge?
What degree do you need to be a district court judge?
- Bachelor's, 55%
- Doctorate, 35%
- Master's, 8%
- Associate, 2%
- Other Degrees, 0%
What should I major in to become a district court judge?
- Law, 41%
- Political Science, 12%
- Finance, 6%
- Business, 5%
- Other Majors, 36%
Most common colleges for district court judges
| District court judge common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Southern Methodist University | 7.41% |
| Temple University | 7.41% |
| University of Michigan - Ann Arbor | 7.41% |
| University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | 7.41% |
| Brooklyn Law School | 7.41% |
Best majors for district court judges
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Law | 40.9% |
| 2 | Political Science | 11.9% |
| 3 | Finance | 5.7% |
| 4 | Business | 5.0% |
| 5 | English | 5.0% |
Best colleges for district court judges
The best colleges for district court judges are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and Vanderbilt University.
A district court judge with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for district court judges. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become district court judges.
1. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,354
Enrollment
7,083
2. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$50,420
Enrollment
7,582
3. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$55,695
Enrollment
6,596
4. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
5. Yale University
New Haven, CT • Private
In-state tuition
$53,430
Enrollment
5,963
6. Cornell University
Ithaca, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$55,188
Enrollment
15,105
7. Georgetown University
Washington, DC • Private
In-state tuition
$54,104
Enrollment
7,089
8. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI • Private
In-state tuition
$15,262
Enrollment
30,079
9. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
10. University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, IN • Private
In-state tuition
$53,391
Enrollment
8,568
20 best online courses for district court judges
Advertising disclosure
1. International Law in Action: A Guide to the International Courts and Tribunals in The Hague
International Law in Action explains the functions of each international court and tribunal present in The Hague, and it looks at how these institutions address contemporary problems. On the basis of selected cases, and through interviews with judges and lawyers, you will explore the role of these courts and tribunals and their potential to contribute to global justice. The first module of the course will investigate how judicial settlement is different from other more political forms of...
2. Introduction to International Criminal Law
-- About the Course -- From the Nuremberg trial to the case against Saddam Hussein, from the prosecution of Al-Qaeda terrorists to the trial of Somali pirates – no area of law is as important to world peace and security as international criminal law. Taught by one of the world’s leading experts in the field, this course will educate students about the fundamentals of international criminal law and policy. We will explore the contours of international crimes such as genocide, war crimes,...
3. Employment Law Compliance Made Easy
A comprehensive course for management to understand key employment law issues in the workplace...
4. Criminal Law in 120 Minutes: A Fast Track Course
A 2 hour fast track summary of Criminal Law, targeting all common law LL.B examinations!...
5. International Law In Action: Investigating and Prosecuting International Crimes
‘Investigating and Prosecuting International Crimes’ is the second course in Leiden University’s new series on International Law in Action. The first course covered international courts and tribunals in The Hague in general. This second course provides an insider perspective into the work of international criminal courts and tribunals. You will learn about the investigation and prosecution of international crimes in The Hague. Atrocities produce unspeakable forms of violence. We will explore...
6. An Introduction to American Law
This course will give you a glimpse into six different areas of American law: Tort Law, Contract Law, Property, Constitutional Law, Criminal Law, and Civil Procedure. You will gain insight into the complexities and dilemmas that arise from the application of law in different settings, and what is distinctive about American approaches...
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9. Cross-border road transport in EU law context
Have you ever wondered which legal rules are applicable to cross-border EU road transport? Are you interested in the issues revolving around EU employment law in the international road transport sector? Then, on behalf of the University of Antwerp, Erasmus University Rotterdam, University of Gdańsk, University of Luxembourg and Tilburg University, we would like to welcome you to this MOOC on Cross-border Road Transport in EU law context. This MOOC is a part of the Erasmus + Project funded by...
10. American Contract Law II
Course description: Contracts I & II provides a comprehensive overview of contract law in the United States. The course covers most of the key concepts found in a first year law school class. Each lecture is based on one or more common-law cases, integrating legal doctrines with policy discussions. The course also covers key sections from the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC), which governs the sale of goods. By the end of the course, the learner should be able to understand: Formation defenses:...
11. Criminology and Criminal Psychology Certified CSI+ Course
Learn Criminal Law and Start your career with certification of Criminal Law and Criminal Psychology, Learn Criminology...
12. Law of Contracts in 60 Minutes: A Fast Track Course
A 60 minute fast track summary of the Law of Contracts, targeting all common law LL.B examinations!...
13. European Business Law: Understanding the Fundamentals
The European Union is one of the world’s largest and most important economies. This six week course is the first in a series of three that will provide students with an insight into European Business Law. The series ranges from considering the basic structures and principles of the European Union to focusing on various specialized areas of law. Each course will give the students an understanding of the laws and policies that regulate the internal market of European Union, as well as relevant...
14. Introduction to Key Constitutional Concepts and Supreme Court Cases
This course offers an introduction to the U.S. Constitution and landmark Supreme Court cases interpreting it. It explores the Constitution’s origins, its amendment over the years, and methods of constitutional interpretation. Topics include the nature and structure of the federal government, the powers of the federal government, and individual rights...
15. The Legal Implications of Social Media in the Workplace
Regulatory and Case Law Considerations for Employers' Social Media Policy Development...
16. Social Media Monitoring and Privacy Law
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17. A Law Student's Toolkit
Whether you are an advanced law student looking to review the basics, or an aspiring law student looking for head start, this course will help you build the foundation you will need to succeed in law school and beyond. This course will introduce you to terminology, concepts, and tools lawyers and legal academics use to make their arguments. It will help you follow these arguments—and make arguments of your own. This course consists of a series of short lectures and assignments. A reading list...
18. ERPO: A Civil Approach to Gun Violence Prevention Teach-Out
Evidence shows that 1 life is saved for every 10-20 Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs) issued. ERPOs are legally issued civil orders that allow people on the front lines to ask a court to prevent a person at imminent risk of harm to themselves or others from purchasing or possessing firearms during a critical period of risk. As of October 2020, ERPO laws have been enacted by nineteen states and the District of Columbia and while some aspects differ by state, the general process for applying...
19. English for Business and Law - Contract Law
An English language course for business and law...
20. Law: A Comprehensive Summary for LLB Students
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Top 10 most affordable universities for district court judges
The most affordable schools for district court judges are Brigham Young University, inter american university of puerto rico bayamon, and inter american university of puerto rico aguadilla.
If the best universities for district court judges are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for district court judges.
1. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
2. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Bayamon
Bayamon, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$5,940
Cost of attendance
13,508
3. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Aguadilla
Aguadilla, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$5,902
Cost of attendance
13,284
4. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Cost of attendance
21,623
5. Florida International University
Miami, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,556
Cost of attendance
19,434
6. University of Puerto Rico - Rio Piedras Campus
San Juan, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$4,094
Cost of attendance
11,299
7. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$8,987
Cost of attendance
25,527
8. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
9. SUNY at Buffalo
Buffalo, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$10,099
Cost of attendance
24,568
10. Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey - Newark
Newark, NJ • Private
In-state tuition
$14,409
Cost of attendance
25,083
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for district court judges
The hardest universities for district court judges to get into are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and Vanderbilt University.
Some great schools for district court judges are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for district court judges based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.
1. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
2. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
3. Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN • Private
Admissions rate
10%
SAT average
1,514
4. Yale University
New Haven, CT • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,517
5. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
Admissions rate
5%
SAT average
1,520
6. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
Admissions rate
9%
SAT average
1,516
7. Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, MO • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,506
8. Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA • Private
Admissions rate
28%
SAT average
1,429
9. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
10. Washington and Lee University
Lexington, VA • Private
Admissions rate
21%
SAT average
1,444
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for district court judges
The easiest schools for district court judges to get into are University of North Texas at Dallas, barry university, and university of southern maine.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a district court judge without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for district court judges.
1. University of North Texas at Dallas
Dallas, TX • Private
Admissions rate
83%
SAT average
992
2. Barry University
Miami, FL • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,006
3. University of Southern Maine
Portland, ME • Private
Admissions rate
85%
SAT average
1,050
4. Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey - Camden
Camden, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
71%
SAT average
1,086
5. Cleveland State University
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,111
6. Saint Thomas University
Miami Gardens, FL • Private
Admissions rate
52%
SAT average
1,031
7. Nova Southeastern University
Fort Lauderdale, FL • Private
Admissions rate
79%
SAT average
1,196
8. Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey - Newark
Newark, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
63%
SAT average
1,105
9. Western New England University
Springfield, MA • Private
Admissions rate
85%
SAT average
1,160
10. Pace University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
76%
SAT average
1,154
Average district court judge salary by education level
| District court judge education level | District court judge salary |
|---|---|
| Doctorate Degree | $59,720 |
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025