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Can you use a psychology degree as a lawyer? What majors are best for a career in law?

I'm interested in psychology as well as law and I was thinking about majoring in psychology in case I change my mind, but will that really be useful in a law career?

college-major psychology law degree
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Matthew’s Answer

Unless you have a firm idea of what kind of law that you intend to practice, your undergrad degree is not really that important. I was a political science/international relations major in undergrad and I cannot say that those majors would have made me more prepared than any other particular major. Obviously, the practice of law requires a good amount of reading so any undergraduate curriculum that stresses reading comprehension and writing would be beneficial.
Thank you comment icon Thank you so much! Grace
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Sravya’s Answer

I definitely think you could use psychology to be a lawyer because I think psychology is a very versatile major. But, I do think there could be better majors if you do want to become a lawyer and those majors would probably be political science, history, english, economics or business, etc.
Thank you comment icon Thank you for giving me advice. Grace
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West’s Answer

I agree with Matthew Connors. I was a history undergrad, and aside from heavy reading/writing, it hasn't been useful in my law practice. My advice would simply be this. Do something in your undergrad that EXPANDS your marketability. Maybe something in finance or business, or some such degree. Your JD will get you the lawyer jobs, not your undergrad. Get an undergrad degree that might help you branch out from law if in the future you wish to make any changes.
Thank you comment icon Your advice was so helpful! Grace
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Nina’s Answer

Hello,
I worked at a private law school and met many law students from all types of education backgrounds (from science to arts). Many studied political science but I would definitely say study your undergrad in whatever you're passionate about. Psychology, I'm sure can be helpful but also agree with who said there is a lot of reading in law school, so any subject that helps you be a better reader/interpreter of concepts would also help.
Too many students are concerned about the "job/career" but from my long experience, even if you for SURE know what you want to do, you're likely to adjust as you enter the workforce. Good luck!

Nina recommends the following next steps:

Talk to people in the law field that you're interested and get their opinion
Thank you comment icon Thank you, Nina for the advice. Grace
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Edward’s Answer

I recommend Math because law is symbolic communication just like math.
Thank you comment icon Thanks for the advice. Grace
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Olga’s Answer

Business major can be helpful if you are planning to practice corporate law.
Thank you comment icon Thank you so much! Grace
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Baljit’s Answer

Hi Grace,
Whether the undergrad degree you do helps you depends on what kind of job you want to do. If you have a psychology as you undergrad it will help you understand some of the case law you would have to study in order to get your JD. Taking some law classes while undergrad would also help you understand the concepts of law in the law degree.
Thank you comment icon Thank you, this is amazing! I really needed it. Grace
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