Dear Vals,
(1) You cannot go to an accredited law school in the United States
(i.e., one that is recognised by the BAR), without having an
undergraduate degree. This is one of the requirements. You can try to
get a foreign law degree (JD is a graduate professional degree in the
US, but in other countries, lawyers are educated in the bachelor
level) and try to get it recognised in the United States, and this is
practically (almost) your only solution: either residentially (e.g.,
in Canada, but there are many international schools), or through
distance learning (DL). A DL law degree, that is recognised in its own
country and by BARs in many US states is the University of London
degree:
University of London - Law Degrees
<http://www.londonexternal.ac.uk/course_search/subject_groups.php>
By the way, University of London also has a DL programme, which
combines Law and Management, with material and administration of the
London School of Economics.
Several other British universities, most notably the Nottingham Trent
University also offer this.
LLB (Hons) distance learning
<http://www.ntu.ac.uk/nls/prospective_students/undergraduate/llb_distance_learning/>
Please note, that unlike what Zodiac has said, most state BARs would
not admit someone who has taken a DL law course (in the US), and that
there are many hacks and crooks out there, schools who claim to offer
a DL - JD, but in fact, their JD is not recognised. In the best case,
DL JDs are only recognised in California (and still, you must have a
first degree, so it solves nothing). An LLB from a British university
might give you - even if earned through DL :
(A) Automatic option to sit the BAR, in some states
(B) Option to complete some JD education (a semester, or a year) and
then sit the BAR
(C) And states that would not recognise this degree, would still
recognise it if you will have gone through the troubles of becoming a
British solicitor/barrister, as lawyers with foreign degrees.
Malet Street Gazette is a site with lots of information about LLBs
from University of London in the US:
Malet Street Gazette
<http://www.malet.com/homepage.html>
I recommend this forum if you're interested in questions of distance learning.
DegreeInfo Forum
<http://forums.degreeinfo.com/forumdisplay.php?s=e8fdb5e79999eedc015a7359bef0313b&forumid=13>
I asid this is the **almost** the only solution, because I've found
this statement from the University of Wyoming:
" In very exceptional cases, an applicant without a bachelor's degree
may be admitted as a special student and become a candidate for the
professional degree in law. The applicant must furnish evidence to
satisfy the committee that age, experience, and training have equipped
the individual to engage successfully in the study of law despite the
lack of the required prelegal education."
(SOURCE: University of Wyoming, General Bulletin, College of Law
<http://uwadmnweb.uwyo.edu/registrar/bulletin/7law.html>).
And from the University of Indiana:
"Q: Do you ever admit students without an undergraduate degree?
A: Under exceptional circumstances, applicants who do not have an
undergraduate degree may be admitted as candidates for the Bachelor of
Law (LL.B.) degree. You may be considered for admission to the LL.B.
program if you meet all of the following criteria:
You are at least 30 years old.
You have completed at least three-fourths of the credit hours required
for a bachelor's degree with a GPA of 3.3 or higher.
You have not been enrolled in an academic program for at least five years.
You scored in the 75th percentile or higher on the LSAT." (SOURCE:
University of Indiana, FAQ ,
<http://indylaw.indiana.edu/admissions/faq.htm#A3>).
<http://indylaw.indiana.edu/admissions/faq.htm#A3>
(2) MBA, by name, is also a master's degree - after one already has
graduate from college. However, some schools would admit you to an MBA
programme without a BA. See my answer to that question here:
Need a Degree to do an MBA
<http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=362953>
See further info here:
Which MBA
<http://mba.eiu.com/index.asp?layout=qa_archive&date_part=9%2F1%2F2004>
In addition to those mentioned in my original answer:
University of East Anglia
<http://www.mgt.uea.ac.uk/courses/pgcourses.asp?id=MBA>
" Applicants without a first degree will be considered on the basis of
their business and management experience, their career to date and
likelihood of benefiting from the course."
Huron Business School
<http://www.huron.ac.uk/programs/mba.html>
"The modular structure enables participants to enter the program at a
level appropriate to their prior educational and practical experience.
Recent business graduates can normally proceed immediately to the 12
courses offered at the 600-level, whilst graduates in non-business
disciplines or participants without a first degree (but with
professional experience) will take up to six courses at the 500-level
before moving on to the more advanced courses."
Durham Business School
<http://www.dur.ac.uk/dbs/teaching/postgraduate/mba/ent_and_appl/>
"Applicants without a first degree, but with appropriate experience
and expertise at a high level, may be considered subject to the
production of a portfolio of evidence demonstrating capability. The
Programme Director will review the portfolio for evidence of academic
ability, analytical skills, communication skills and clarity of
thought and expression. Typically, a portfolio of evidence consists of
documents such as a project report, background information on your
contribution to the project, strategic reviews, project proposals and
reports showing how you followed up specific tasks.
Those who wish to undertake the Distance Learning MBA without a first
degree, but having considerable managerial experience may be admitted
to study for the Postgraduate Certificate in Business Administration.
On successfully completing the Certificate programme, students can
continue working towards the MBA."
But, as with law, be warned of the many diploma mill crooks out there,
and check the school thoroughly before applying. You can use the
DegreeInfo forum (again), if it is a distance learning degree. Read:
Anne Fisher, "Will I End Up Getting Scammed if I Pursue an Online
MBA?", Fortune (fee-based),
<http://www.fortune.com/fortune/annie/0,15704,487450,00.html>
I hope this answers your question. Please contact me if you need any
further clarifications before you rate it. I basically used knowledge
and experience here, but my search terms, nevertheless, have been:
[MBA "without a bachelor degree"],
[MBA "without a first degree"],
["jd without a * degree"]
[jd "without an undergraduate degree"] |
