Single or Double-degree (1 Viewer)

[Kazl0]

Hi guys, I am a reader of the forums but just registered.

I wanted to share my thoughts. I currently do Accounting and Law - a double degree. However, I absolutely detest accounting and am thinking about either changing my other degree or just doing Law by itself.

However, I fear that this will render me less competitive when trying to get a job. Is this correct? How important is it that I get two degrees? What are usually the most helpful degrees to compliment a Law degree?

Any advise will be appreciated.

 

[melsc]

^ I don't know about that because the other degree wont be taught from a legal perspective at all, it wont really be that relevant if you do Criminology because thats not part of Criminal Law in the legal sense, Criminology does not = criminal law, it basically means you will have a theoretical understanding of why crime occurs and why we punish it but it will not give you specialised knowledge in the field of criminal law with refence to what lawyers deal with i.e. statutes, cases, defence etc..

Double degrees basically mean you get two degrees in 5 years, its only and extra year compared to undergrad straight/vanilla law which is 4 years (3 if you do grad law). It also gives you a fall back if you don't like law. Its better received because you are considered to be a better rounded grad because you have learnt something other than law, but if you do straight law its not going to have that much of an impact, most employers probably wouldn't care that much!

Arts is a great degree to combine with because its general and flexible and you get a bit of variety.

Good luck!

 

[hfis]

Well I do a single degree and I have been described as 'a fucking idiot' and 'an arrogant bastard', so make of that what you will.

 

[melsc]

If I lived a little closer to wollongong I would have done ur combo hfis!

 

[Kazl0]

Well I do a single degree and I have been described as 'a fucking idiot' and 'an arrogant bastard', so make of that what you will.

Huh, why?

Mel, thanks for your reply heaps. I will talk it over with more people before I decide. I would love the view of more members and understand what I am to gain or give up exactly if all I really want to do is be a lawyer.

 

[neo o]

I do straight law as well, though, if I started off as an arts student I would have probably stuck with it. There are a few benefits to doing a double degree -

1. It gives you more options once you graduate. For example, if you do law/med sci you can either choose to become a lawyer or a scientist.

2. For pleasure or a relief from law. Law can get tedious, and if you enjoy learning an arts degree can be enjoyable.

3. To help you become a more well rounded graduate.

People often push the 'synergy' line, but I think it's misleading. A degree in science, commerce, actuarial studies etc may increase your career options but they aren't going to necessarily increase your employability in a legal role because the degrees are quite unrelated. There are a few exceptions of course, languages are nice if you plan on working overseas, traveling or picking up foreign chicks. Philosophy isn't a bad option as well, if you're interested in academia. If I had my time over, I probably would have chosen arts/law so that I could study a language, but I'm also happy with the extra electives that I get from doing straight law.

 

[maka]

No downsides in my opinion to a double degree.

Some people say its a year wasted (5 years instead of 4 years) but I like the comfort in being able to combine my legal interests with business interests and having the ability to choose different career paths.

I do Business (HRM) with my Law degree and I very much enjoy the complimentary nature of this. I mean I like employment law so HRM is very closely related. Others do finance or accounting and are interested in areas like mergers and acqusitions and tax.

I personally would support a double degree. But, its not up to me really.

My interests from Year 12 till now 3rd year Law have changed as have my career ambitions, so I am happy I chose that added security with Business and Law.

 

[Cookie182]

I do straight law as well, though, if I started off as an arts student I would have probably stuck with it. There are a few benefits to doing a double degree -

1. It gives you more options once you graduate. For example, if you do law/med sci you can either choose to become a lawyer or a scientist.

2. For pleasure or a relief from law. Law can get tedious, and if you enjoy learning an arts degree can be enjoyable.

3. To help you become a more well rounded graduate.

People often push the 'synergy' line, but I think it's misleading. A degree in science, commerce, actuarial studies etc may increase your career options but they aren't going to necessarily increase your employability in a legal role because the degrees are quite unrelated. There are a few exceptions of course, languages are nice if you plan on working overseas, traveling or picking up foreign chicks. Philosophy isn't a bad option as well, if you're interested in academia. If I had my time over, I probably would have chosen arts/law so that I could study a language, but I'm also happy with the extra electives that I get from doing straight law.

True. I take it some specialised legal fields are complemented nicely- u mention medsci i imagine that could only be advantageous to a practioner in medical law/malpractice and maths/phsyics/engineering can be useful for people in patent law where they need to understand the science behind an invention or in the construction law field (particularly if a person is a structual eng)Obviously, someone with qualifications in accounting and law is going to very suited to the practice of taxation law and finance/economics can give quantitative skills along with knowledge of markets which is an advantage across a wide range of business fields including contracts, M and A, insolvency etc etc

Whilst its not essential, i beleive a double degree is very important particualrly if you ahve an idea of the type of legal practice you would like to enter. Psychology/law also appears popular, particularly for those wanting to enter criminal law. An arts/economics degree with maybe a political science/international relaions major can also suit well for those interested in politics/public servants or being a diplomat. Also, the skill of being a lawyer and analysis is vey useful in the banking industry, hence if combined with some quantitative skills this opens up wide career opps in business.

 

[Kazl0]

Thanks for your posts guys. I'm going to talk it over with my counselor more but I think I will just concentrate on doing an LLB by iteslf.