A law degree is one of the most traditional courses in Brazil and has been among the most sought-after by students for years. After all, having a law degree has always been synonymous with social status and good pay. Therefore, the field attracts many students who see themselves in the future as lawyers and judges.
First, it's important to understand that there isn't a single profile for a law student. Therefore, don't worry about thinking you might not fit in. Within the legal profession, there's a huge range of opportunities. Furthermore, some characteristics will develop over time.
If this is your dream, but you're still unsure what awaits you in law school, we're here to help. Keep reading!
1. What is Law?
Before discussing a law degree, it's necessary to contextualize the field itself. Law is the science responsible for overseeing the application of legal norms in force in a country. In this way, it's possible to maintain the organization of society.
A law graduate must be prepared to ensure the proper enforcement of legal norms. These norms are of immense importance for the development of the country; it is no coincidence that democracy is also called the rule of law.
There are several branches of law, but the best known are: Civil Law, Labor Law, Administrative Law, Consumer Law, Business Law, Human Rights, Criminal Law, and Tax Law.
2- How does a Law Degree work?
A law degree aims to prepare students for a legal career, either through private practice or public service. The course is offered as a Bachelor's degree and lasts five years, divided into 10 semesters.
During the first semesters, students take theoretical courses such as economics, political science, sociology, philosophy, and others. However, from the second semester onwards, students begin to have more contact with specific subjects related to their field of study.
In addition to a law degree, it is necessary to pass the Brazilian Bar Association (OAB) exam to practice law. Therefore, it is essential to dedicate oneself to this process from the beginning, and taking a preparatory course may be a good option.
3- Internship: an important differentiator
A great way to complement your education during a law degree is through internships, which allow students to gain experience and put into practice what they learn in the classroom.
However, don't worry, nowadays future lawyers have excellent opportunities to gain experience even before graduating. When you are sure about the area you want to work in, the ideal is to focus on opportunities in that field. However, even those who haven't yet decided can do internships in different areas.
Internships, besides being an excellent way to discover your vocation, also enrich your resume with practical experience. Internships have become so important that the Brazilian Bar Association (OAB) is increasingly discussing making them mandatory during law school.
4- Areas of practice in Law
As we mentioned earlier, there are several branches you can explore during your law degree. Check out some of the main areas of practice:
Civil right
This is the area dedicated to representing private and individual interests in matters related to family, assets, and property, for example. It focuses on the norms that govern the coexistence of people in society, being the most comprehensive of all areas of law.
criminal law
This is the specialty whose purpose is to prepare and present the prosecution or defense in cases related to crimes against individuals or organizations. Criminal law is also responsible for establishing the penalties that will be imposed on offenders, always respecting constitutional principles.
business law
This is the area that regulates business activities, that is, it deals with business corporations, as well as the rights and obligations of entrepreneurs, special contracts, credit instruments, and issues related to intellectual property.
Labour anda Employment
This is the branch of law that governs labor relations in order to prevent degrading situations. Therefore, it is permeated by rules and principles directed at both workers and employers. It represents individuals and companies in matters of social security, unions, or disputes between the two parties.
Environmental Law
Environmental Law is the branch of Legal Science that deals with issues related to the interaction between humans and the environment. Above all, its objective is to legally protect fauna, flora, rivers, air, and landscapes, ensuring that they remain healthy for future generations.
Tax law
It takes care of tax obligations while combating potential errors in tax collection by collecting entities. In other words, it regulates and oversees tax collection without influencing the management and allocation of these resources.
Administrative law
Administrative Law is the branch of law dedicated to the application of legislation that regulates the relationship between public bodies and authorities with society. It has its own laws and principles that confer autonomy and a high degree of specialization as a branch of law.
Digital Law
Digital Law aims to standardize and regulate the use of digital environments by individuals, as well as to protect information contained in these spaces and on electronic devices. It is a relatively new branch of law, since it deals directly with the use of technology.
Electoral Law
Electoral Law deals with political matters and the entire universe that encompasses them, mainly during election periods and campaigns. Therefore, it is generally agreed among legal scholars that Electoral Law is the instrument for effective democracy, as it allows citizens to exercise their right to vote.
It's clear that Law is a very broad field, encompassing other sub-areas such as Real Estate Law, International Law, and so on. Public legal careers also stand out within the field of Law.
However, to enter these careers, it is necessary to take a competitive exam. See the possibilities below:
- Public defender's office;
- Police station;
- Judiciary;
- Public Prosecutor's Office;
- Judicial analysis;
- Judge;
- Prosecutor's Office;
- Attorney General's Office;
- Diplomacy.
Pursuing an academic career, continuing studies and research even after graduation, is also a great path for law graduates. Thus, many graduates choose to pursue a lato sensu postgraduate degree (postgraduate or MBA) or a stricto sensu postgraduate degree (master's or doctorate).
If you'd like to explore even more possibilities in the legal market, you can download our Career Guide for Law Students . It's packed with essential information for anyone wanting to explore the various careers in law!
5. How to choose an educational institution?
Choosing a good institution that offers a law degree can be difficult! Currently, Brazil has more than 1500 colleges offering the course. That's a high number. However, quantity doesn't necessarily mean quality in this case. So, how do you choose?
Firstly, the student pass rate on the OAB exam is a great indicator of the quality of education . Another way to validate excellence in education is through performance indicators that evaluate undergraduate courses, such as the MEC score or the Preliminary Course Concept (CPC).
The CPC, for example, analyzes the conditions for student training, such as the faculty roster, teaching resources, infrastructure, etc. A study shows that, in an evaluation of the CPC in institutions across the country that offer law degrees, only 24,1% had a performance considered satisfactory.
The Brazilian Bar Association (OAB) also recognizes educational institutions that meet criteria of excellence and demonstrate the level of quality that the Order expects. However, of the 1.212 undergraduate law courses evaluated, only 161 were recommended.
Analyzing these performance indicators is a way to understand whether students graduate with the capacity for legal development. That is why it is so important to choose an educational institution recognized for its academic quality and professional excellence.
Did you know that IDP is one of the 161 institutions that received the OAB Recomenda Seal? We have been offering quality education for over 20 years, and are one of the most respected higher education institutions in Brazil.
If you are interested in understanding how a law degree works in practice, check out our website , download the Course Guide, and learn about the professors, our structure, and the course curriculum.
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