Law school tutors assist law students with particular subjects and topics. If you wish to become a law school tutor, you must ideally have a law school education and have a general idea of what topics you want to tutor. In addition, you should have some background or experience in teaching at the graduate level. Developing a system to grade and evaluate your students’ progress is also important. If you intend to work on your own rather than with a company or organization, your chances of success will increase if you have a plan in place to cultivate your client base.
The study of law can be overwhelming for some students. Basically, the typical three-year law school curriculum is jam-packed with a variety of classes that focus on different areas and aspects of the law. In order to become a law school tutor, you yourself should have a law school education. A basic law school education generally includes four years of college followed by three years of law school. Keep in mind that, in order to get accepted into law school, you must first pass the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT), a rigorous exam that assesses your eligibility.
Classes in law school can be very specialized, and very few people can become experts in all aspects of the law. If you want to become a law school tutor, you should choose what area of study you wish to specialize in and develop your expertise in that regard. For instance, if you want to tutor students in trial procedures, you might consider obtaining certification above and beyond law school education. Similarly, if you wish to tutor contract law, having practical experience in the area of contract negotiation, interpretation, and the like could prove very helpful. In short, you should avail yourself of all resources that can help you become an expert in your chosen area of tutoring expertise.
In addition to a solid education in the area of law you wish to teach, in order to become an effective tutor, you should ideally have some experience teaching at a graduate level. Consider working as a student teacher for a time to gain some valuable insights into tutoring at the postcollege level. Also, whether you intend to tutor students one-on-one or in larger classroom settings, you should develop a basic curriculum along with a way to test and assess your students’ progress. Again, a student teaching position can help you develop these skills before you become a law school tutor.
If you are hoping to work with an organization or group that specializes in law school tutoring, finding potential clients shouldn’t be a problem. On the other hand, if you want to become a law school tutor on your own, you should develop a strategy to find potential clients. This could include advertising at local law schools but should also encompass the use of social media. Consider joining online groups and forums that can put you in touch with law students who might be in need of help with their classes. Developing a fair tutoring rate can also be key in attracting clients, so make sure you check the going rate in your area, and keep yours competitive.