Lawyers interpret the law through actions and words for the protection of an individual, a business concern or an idea. They must be widely versed in a great many areas: the law, economics, history, human motivation and behavior, and the practicalities of day to day living. The education of lawyers never ends because they must constantly be abreast of information which may be of use to the client. Although lawyers affect nearly every aspect of society in a range of positions and industries, their basic duties are the same--to represent the needs of their clients in civil and criminal trials. Lawyers can specialize in specific areas of law including, but not limited to; bankruptcy, international, probate, or environmental law. Some lawyers spend more time in the courtroom than others, working as trial lawyers. Pitt-Bradford students interested in earning a Doctor of Jurisprudence (JD) degree after completing their Bachelor’s degree may choose to major in any academic discipline. Before the second semester of their junior year they should consult with a pre-law advisor or the Office of Career Services for specific information concerning law school admissions and the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT). After completing a Bachelor degree Law School usually takes 3 years on a fulltime program. Some schools offer part-time programs which take 4 years. During the first year of law school students generally take all the required (core) courses. These courses include civil procedure, contracts, constitutional law, criminal law, legal writing, professional responsibility/ethics, property law, and torts.