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Litigation associate education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a litigation associate. Litigation associates usually study law, political science, or history. 56% of litigation associates hold a doctoral degree, and 40% hold an bachelor's degree. We analyzed 4,880 real litigation associate resumes to see exactly what litigation associate education sections show.

The most common colleges for litigation associates are the New York Law School and the New York Law School.

There are also many online litigation associate courses to help get the education required to be a litigation associate.

What education do you need to become a litigation associate?

What degree do you need to be a litigation associate?

The most common degree for litigation associates is doctoral degree, with 56% of litigation associates earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are bachelor's degree degree at 40% and bachelor's degree degree at 3%.
  • Doctorate, 56%
  • Bachelor's, 40%
  • Master's, 3%
  • Associate, 1%
  • Other Degrees, 0%

What should I major in to become a litigation associate?

You should major in law to become a litigation associate. 55% of litigation associates major in law. Other common majors for a litigation associate include political science and history.

Most common colleges for litigation associates

Litigation associates often get their degrees at New York Law School, Georgetown University, and Southwestern Law School. Here are the most common colleges for litigation associates in the US based on their resumes.
Litigation associate common collegePercentages
New York Law School18.10%
Georgetown University7.15%
Southwestern Law School6.37%
Brooklyn Law School6.15%
University of Pennsylvania4.92%

Best majors for litigation associates

Best colleges for litigation associates

The best colleges for litigation associates are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and Vanderbilt University.

A litigation associate with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for litigation associates. 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 litigation associates.

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 litigation associates

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1. International Law In Action: Investigating and Prosecuting International Crimes

coursera

‘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...

2. International Law in Action: A Guide to the International Courts and Tribunals in The Hague

coursera

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...

3. Intellectual Property Security Awareness

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4.8
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How to Use Social Media without Infringing on Trademarks, Copyrights, Trade Secrets and Patents...

4. Effective Legal Office Administration

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4.5
(1,067)

Effective Legal Office Administration...

5. Artificial Intelligence and legal issues

coursera

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 -...

6. GST - Audit, assessment and litigation

coursera

In this course, you will learn the aspects of tax dispute resolution, assessment, investigation, and audit under GST and understand the penal provisions for non-compliance. You will also understand the provisions related to anti-profiteering introduced in GST. This course provides a platform for learners planning to launch their careers in the field of GST-related compliance in India. Learners already undertaking GST compliances may also upskill themselves with the technical skills imparted...

7. Forensic accounting, fraud investigation and fraud analytics

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4.3
(657)

The 14 hour course(50casestudies) helps to understand fraud examination, forensic audit,financial crime, data analytics...

8. Fundamentals of Insurance - 2

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4.4
(5,370)

Part 2...

9. Intellectual Property Law

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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...

10. Intellectual Property in the Healthcare Industry

coursera

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...

11. Fundamentals of Insurance - 1

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4.4
(8,948)

Part 1...

12. Person-Centred Counselling Certificate

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4.6
(266)

Learn the fundamentals of how counselling and psychotherapy work, and how to use counselling skills...

13. Liabilities and Equity in Accounting

coursera

In this third course, you will learn about liability and equity accounts and its effect on the balance sheet. If you have mastered bookkeeping basics and understand accounting assets, you are ready to jump into Liabilities and Equity in Accounting. You will explore the various types of liability, including: current and long term, payroll, and sales tax. Additionally, you will learn about the equity portion of the accounting equation and how to account for changes in owner’s equity. By the end...

14. Introduction to Key Constitutional Concepts and Supreme Court Cases

coursera

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. Excel Skills for Insurance Professionals

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4.5
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From Vlookups to Pivot Tables: Learn the Excel basics anyone working in the insurance industry needs to know!...

16. Legal English

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4.5
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Legal language and communication skills...

17. ERPO: A Civil Approach to Gun Violence Prevention Teach-Out

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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...

18. Introduction to Intellectual Property

coursera

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...

19. ICD 10 & 11 Medical Coding and Billing

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4.4
(767)

Preparation for Medical Coding Certification Exam...

20. Introduction to International Criminal Law

coursera

-- 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,...

Top 10 most affordable universities for litigation associates

The most affordable schools for litigation associates are Brigham Young University, florida state university, and university of florida.

If the best universities for litigation associates 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 litigation associates.

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 litigation associates

The hardest universities for litigation associates to get into are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and Vanderbilt University.

Some great schools for litigation associates 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 litigation associates 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 litigation associates

The easiest schools for litigation associates 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 a litigation associate 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 litigation associates.

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 litigation associate salary by education level

Litigation associate education levelLitigation associate salary
Doctorate Degree$115,641

Litigation associate education FAQs

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.