Question for lawyers and accountants

[TheoPetro]

I will be graduating next december with an undergrad degree in finance. I have taken all the accounting courses required and have had 1 general business law course. I got to thinking and really like the idea of getting a law degree. I LOVED the law course and think it would be a huge help in the future. I have also liked the accounting courses because they really give you a feel for how the finances of a business work. I really want to get my CMA (certified managerial accountant, similar to a CPA) once I graduate but I think a law degree may be just as helpful.

What would the time frame be like for completing a business law degree or getting a CMA?

Would it be crazy to do both?

P.S. An MBA may be down the road but I dont feel it would be as helpful as the law degree or the CMA right now.

 

[dug777]

I have a law degree and a economics degree (five year combined degree, triple major), and I like it 😉

Seriously tho, it's a kickass combo for policy work, which is what I do 😀

 

[TheoPetro]

bump for some daytime responses

 

[aphex]

Before you make up your mind, make sure to go sit in on a few classes at a nearby law school.

I went to law school having loved my undergrad business law course as well, but law school was an entirely different animal and generally just sucks as a whole. I graduated in 2.5 years and wish I would have listened to those who warned me before going - hindsight is 20/20. If I would have realized exactly how much it would cost as well as how poor the job market is right now - I probably wouldn't have gone.

I see your in Ohio, I have a few contacts at OSU Law who I can put you in contact with. LMK.

 

[RKS]

Originally posted by: aphex
Before you make up your mind, make sure to go sit in on a few classes at a nearby law school.

I went to law school having loved my undergrad business law course as well, but law school was an entirely different animal and generally just sucks as a whole. I graduated in 2.5 years and wish I would have listened to those who warned me before going - hindsight is 20/20. If I would have realized exactly how much it would cost as well as how poor the job market is right now - I probably wouldn't have gone.

I see your in Ohio, I have a few contacts at OSU Law who I can put you in contact with. LMK.

QFMFT

I loved my undergrad bus. law courses (cake) as well but law school is not a gimme. A LOT more reading, use of the Socratic method, long exams, and stress.

I worked while in law school so I didn't have much time to relax; this combined with peers that are just as intelligent and competitive, law school should not be judged on how much you like undergrad business law classes. Apex gave great advice on sitting in on a actual class (try Civil Procedure for 2 hours) before you make a decision.

 

[alm4rr]

-

 

[teddyv]

Think about a joint JD/MBA - takes just an extra year.

 

[Dirigible]

Originally posted by: dug777
I have a law degree and a economics degree (five year combined degree, triple major), and I like it 😉

Seriously tho, it's a kickass combo for policy work, which is what I do 😀

Law degrees are different in the U.S. than Australia, so take Dug's experience with a grain of salt.

Time frame is roughly 3 years for J.D. I've never heard of anyone escaping quicker, but a poster above me did, so I guess it's possible. Usually schools will try to hold on to you for the full 3 years. Add more time on to that for another degree - but it should be shorter than the normal time for full J.D. plus normal time for full other degree.

I enjoyed law school quite a bit. Being a lawyer? Not so much enjoyment the first few years of my career, although the road got less bumpy as time went on.

Be sure you know exactly what you'd do with your degree(s), that you'd enjoy it, and that it's worth the opportunity cost of the time spent getting the degree(s) and the money spent on tuition.