Happy 25th Kensington

Nosborne

I would guess they allowed the unaccredited degree because no degree is actually required. Will this change? From what I understand law apprenticeship route was discontinued this year in Calif.

 

Rafael

Would they have gotten that far if the degree became known? It would probably turn into a John Gray situation fairly early on. And that would be scary.

 

More on apprenticeship

It's true that clients and employers are the toughest test. But this is an argument in favor of apprenticeship, as opposed to academic degree programs. The best way to learn about the real-world demands of clients and employers is at work, not in school.

In engineering, you need 6 years of work experience, which must be described in detail, certified by a PE, and approved by the licensing board. The board can and does reject work experience that is deemed too menial.

Sure, some people might be able to work in an office for several years without really learning anything, just as some people manage to spend several years in school without really learning anything. But in either case, those people are not going to pass the licensing exam. That's what it's for.

In California, prospective lawyers do have to take an additional "First Year Law Student Exam" if they are non-degreed, or are in an unaccredited degree program.

Engineers in California take the same exams with or without degrees. However, nondegreed engineers are required to have much more work experience (6 years with no degree, 2 years with accredited BS degree, 1 year with approved BS/MS). Additional testing wouldn't achieve anything, because the initial exam (the FE or EIT exam) already weeds out those who can't demonstrate a BS-level of proficiency.

 

Legal apprenticeship discontinued in CA ?

Hmm, are you sure about this?

The current requirements for admission to the California bar are posted here. Apprenticeship is still discussed in detail under Rule VII, Section III: "Study in a Law Office or Judge's Chambers". And Calbar still appears to be accepting fees for those filing an "Intention to Study Law in a Law Office or Judge's Chambers".

 

CalDog,

It does say that apprenticeship is still allowed. Heard from law school friend that this was going to be discontinued. Just hearsay I guess and not admissable in court!

 

CalDog

Which is good but a bit of an insult to the unaccredited degree holder it seems.The pass rates of the unaccredited DL degree holders were pretty bad + they are not useable in most states so you have to wonder why that would be a choice.

 

CalDog
"But in either case, those people are not going to pass the licensing exam. That's what it's for"

Not necessarily because there are exam study guides that address exam info only. And exams can't cover 4-5 years of in depth study of all facets of a profession.I can only address what I experienced and apprenticeship seemed to me to be an inferior way to go.