What Is the Law Degree in Brazil?
In Brazil, law is taught as an undergraduate program. Once complete, the student will have a Bachelor's degree in law. It is also found in private law schools. Any legal degree must be accredited by the National Commission of Legal Education of the OAB Federal Counsil. Officially, the law degree in Brazil is an undergraduate degree in Laws and Social Sciences. A Doctor of Law, which requires additional study, is also an option here. It requires further study as well as practical use in the field.
Law Higher Education in Brazil
Brazil has a large number of law schools and, as a result, there are many attorneys present. In fact, in one of the country's largest cities, Sao Paulo, there are some 222,000 lawyers present. This is significantly less than most cities in the United States or the UK. However, there is a real need for qualified professionals here since many attorneys are less than reputable.
The student who wishes to practice law in Brazil will need to complete all of his or her studies and then enroll in the Course of Law programs at one of the many schools, of which there are more than 1000. The student will then need to graduate from that school. Then, once he or she graduates, the student will need to pass a Bar test. This is a diverse test that can be very challenging. It is administered by the Bar Association of Brazil. Generally, the educational process takes about five years to complete.
For international students who wish to enroll in law programs in Brazil, the first step is to apply to one of the colleges welcoming international students. Students will need to have the means to pay for themselves, including their full education, and will need to obtain a student visa, which the school can help the student to achieve.
Looking long term, there is a need for qualified professionals here, but there is plenty of challenge as well. The well qualified student will need to apply him or herself properly in order to obtain the right level of education.