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Intellectual property lawyer education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become an intellectual property lawyer. Intellectual property lawyers usually study law, legal research and advanced professional studies, or electrical engineering. 46% of intellectual property lawyers hold a bachelor's degree, and 42% hold an doctoral degree. We analyzed 339 real intellectual property lawyer resumes to see exactly what intellectual property lawyer education sections show.
The most common colleges for intellectual property lawyers are the George Washington University, The and the George Washington University, The.
There are also many online intellectual property lawyer courses to help get the education required to be an intellectual property lawyer.
What education do you need to become an intellectual property lawyer?
What degree do you need to be an intellectual property lawyer?
- Bachelor's, 46%
- Doctorate, 42%
- Master's, 10%
- Associate, 2%
- Other Degrees, 0%
What should I major in to become an intellectual property lawyer?
- Law, 38%
- Other Majors, 35%
Most common colleges for intellectual property lawyers
| Intellectual property lawyer common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| George Washington University, The | 10.14% |
| University of California, Santa Barbara | 8.70% |
| DePaul University | 7.25% |
| New York Law School | 7.25% |
| University of New Hampshire School of Law | 5.80% |
Best majors for intellectual property lawyers
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Law | 38.4% |
| 2 | Legal Research And Advanced Professional Studies | 14.0% |
| 3 | Electrical Engineering | 9.2% |
| 4 | Chemical Engineering | 4.4% |
| 5 | Business | 3.9% |
Best colleges for intellectual property lawyers
The best colleges for intellectual property lawyers are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and Vanderbilt University.
An intellectual property lawyer with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for intellectual property lawyers. 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 intellectual property lawyers.
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 intellectual property lawyers
Advertising disclosure
1. Intellectual Property Law
Intellectual property is the currency of the tech world. The pharmaceutical patent for Lipitor generated over $100 billion in revenue, the copyright for the Harry Potter franchise has generated over $25 billion to date, and the trademarked brands of the world’s largest tech companies now eclipse $100 billion in value. But what makes these intangible assets so valuable?\n\nThrough the courses in this specialization, you will learn the differences between the various forms of U.S. intellectual...
2. Introduction to Intellectual Property
Intellectual property is the currency of the tech world, with the world’s most valuable intellectual property assets dwarfing the value of their real-world counterparts. Apple’ trademarked brand was valued at over $100 billion as of 2017. J.K. Rowling’s Harry potter franchise has generated over $25 billion to date. But how did the law come to create such enormous value in intangible assets? This course will introduce the various types of U.S. intellectual property: patents, which cover...
3. Intellectual Property Security Awareness
How to Use Social Media without Infringing on Trademarks, Copyrights, Trade Secrets and Patents...
4. Certificate course in Intellectual Property Rights (IPR)
This course has been designed by experts to cover the basics of IPR and understand Patents, Trademarks and Copyright...
5. Intellectual Property in the Healthcare Industry
This course begins with an overview of general intellectual property law in the United States, then examines how the policy choices behind those laws shapes the behavior of major players in the healthcare industry. We will examine how patents and trademarks shape the behavior of pharmaceutical companies, and how complex issues involving medical research in university settings, and ownership of genetic information and material, are resolved by intellectual property laws. The course concludes...
6. Protecting Business Innovation
The modern day business is bustling with ideas, products, and designs that often fail to benefit from their discoveries and inventions when they are unable to adequately protect those innovations. Protecting a business’s innovations entails essential skills, ranging from an understanding of intellectual property rights and trademark law, to the process of getting a patent.\n\nThis specialization covers business law and strategy, along with other essential skills and concepts, and what they mean...
7. Essentials of Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs)
The Who, What, When, Where, and How of the World's Most Common Business Contract...
8. Copyright Basics: How to Protect Your Work from Piracy
Protect your most valuable asset - your intellectual property...
9. Legal Aspects of Entrepreneurship
By its nature, the law touches on many aspects of entrepreneurship, making it an applicable and versatile topic of study. For aspiring entrepreneurs, it's important to understand how to form the business, work with the initial customers, and hire. For active entrepreneurs, there are critical considerations on employment law, operating policies, and managing contracts. For everyone, the role that the law plays in managing the company, and its associated risks, must be properly understood to...
10. Hardening, Polymers, Properties
This course will introduce age hardening and how to use a phase diagram to identify an alloy that is eligible for age hardening. The key factors that affect nucleation and crystal growth will be investigated. In addition, an introduction to polymer science will be given. The key differences between thermoplastic and thermosetting polymers will be introduced. Strengthening mechanisms will be introduced. We explore what happens to the properties of a polymer as you increase or decrease the extent...
11. Patents & Trademarks: Learn the Patent and Trademark Process
2 courses in 1. Learn the process for patenting your idea, invention and how to trademark you brand...
12. Fundamentals of Residential Property Management
Understand the foundation of residential property management as a property manager or landlord...
13. Artificial Intelligence and legal issues
The purpose of the course is to help students understand the legal implications related to the design and use of artificial intelligence systems, providing an overview of the risks and legal protections that can be envisaged and giving an overview of the legislation and legal principles currently applicable on the subject. In particular, the profiles of civil and criminal liability, protection in terms of intellectual property and the impacts of AI on the fundamental rights of the individual -...
14. Property Management 101
Learn the basics of managing rental property and becoming a landlord...
15. Copyright Protection for Entrepreneurs (Protect Your Work)
Protect Your Blog, Online Content, Photo, Videos and Avoid Copyright Infringement Copyright Law 101...
16. Easily Register a Trademark (On Your Own)
Discover How to Search & Register a Trademark on Your Own • Protect Your Name & Brand • No Trademark Lawyer Necessary...
17. U.S. Residential Real Estate, Property & Mortgage Business
Property & Mortgage Underwriting Loan Processing Financial Analysis Mortgage Operations Origination...
18. Effectively Lease Commercial Real Estate Properties
Learn how to lease industrial, office, and retail properties with ease...
19. Intro to Analyzing Rental Income Properties
Learn the fundamentals of investment analysis specifically for rental income property investments...
20. Navigating the Complexities of Software License Agreements
Software License Agreements...
Top 10 most affordable universities for intellectual property lawyers
The most affordable schools for intellectual property lawyers are Brigham Young University, florida state university, and university of florida.
If the best universities for intellectual property lawyers 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 intellectual property lawyers.
1. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
2. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Cost of attendance
21,623
3. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
4. Florida International University
Miami, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,556
Cost of attendance
19,434
5. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$8,987
Cost of attendance
25,527
6. University of Puerto Rico - Rio Piedras Campus
San Juan, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$4,094
Cost of attendance
11,299
7. SUNY at Buffalo
Buffalo, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$10,099
Cost of attendance
24,568
8. University of Missouri - Kansas City
Kansas City, MO • Private
In-state tuition
$8,178
Cost of attendance
20,934
9. University of Washington
Seattle, WA • Private
In-state tuition
$11,207
Cost of attendance
25,275
10. University of Wisconsin - Madison
Madison, WI • Private
In-state tuition
$10,555
Cost of attendance
25,497
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for intellectual property lawyers
The hardest universities for intellectual property lawyers to get into are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and Vanderbilt University.
Some great schools for intellectual property lawyers 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 intellectual property lawyers 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. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
Admissions rate
5%
SAT average
1,520
5. Yale University
New Haven, CT • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,517
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. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
9. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,512
10. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
19%
SAT average
1,466
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for intellectual property lawyers
The easiest schools for intellectual property lawyers to get into are University of Southern Maine, cleveland state university, and western new england university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as an intellectual property lawyer 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 intellectual property lawyers.
1. University of Southern Maine
Portland, ME • Private
Admissions rate
85%
SAT average
1,050
2. Cleveland State University
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,111
3. Western New England University
Springfield, MA • Private
Admissions rate
85%
SAT average
1,160
4. Saint Thomas University
Miami Gardens, FL • Private
Admissions rate
52%
SAT average
1,031
5. Nova Southeastern University
Fort Lauderdale, FL • Private
Admissions rate
79%
SAT average
1,196
6. Pace University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
76%
SAT average
1,154
7. Quinnipiac University
Hamden, CT • Private
Admissions rate
72%
SAT average
1,190
8. Suffolk University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
85%
SAT average
1,131
9. Widener University
Chester, PA • Private
Admissions rate
69%
SAT average
1,115
10. Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Carbondale, IL • Private
Admissions rate
72%
SAT average
1,124
Average intellectual property lawyer salary by education level
| Intellectual property lawyer education level | Intellectual property lawyer salary |
|---|---|
| Doctorate Degree | $86,562 |
Intellectual property lawyer education FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025