When a law degree is not enough

Abstract

This research attempts to answer the question of why some attorneys obtain a second advanced degree after their law degree. That is, if a law degree is all that is needed to practice law, then why do some attorneys continue with their studies, especially since they lack an economic incentive to do so? The research includes a literature review with background information on credentialism and human capital theory, on lawyers and law school, dissatisfaction, income and debt, alternatives to law, joint graduate degree programs, and gender. SPSS modeling is utilized to arrive at the conclusion that human capital theory and satisfaction account for lawyers’ attainment of additional degrees. Abstract Approved: _________________________________________________ Noga O’Connor _________________________________________________ Visiting Assistant Professor, Social Foundations, Educational Policy and Leadership Studies _________________________________________________ DateApproved: _________________________________________________ Noga O’Connor _________________________________________________ Visiting Assistant Professor, Social Foundations, Educational Policy and Leadership Studies _________________________________________________ Date _________________________________________________ Christopher Morphew _________________________________________________ Professor, Higher Education Educational Policy and Leadership Studies _________________________________________________ Date WHEN A LAW DEGREE IS NOT ENOUGH: THE NECESSITY OF A SECOND PROFESSIONAL DEGREE FOR LAWYERS by Rebecca LeAnne Bowman A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy degree in Educational Policy and Leadership Studies (Higher Education) in the Graduate College of The University of Iowa July 2010 Thesis Supervisors: Visiting Assistant Professor Noga O’Connor Professor Christopher Morphew