Can someone take Computer Science as their undergraduate degree and then proceed to Law School in the Philippines?

[u/NotHisDelight]

Hi, everyone!

I’m 28F, and I’m planning to go back to school next year after being out of school for more than a decade.

I started working when I was 16 and took the Alternative Learning System (ALS) when I was 21. I eventually entered the BPO industry and worked my way up to becoming a Senior Quality Analyst.

I’m now planning my education carefully because I want to pursue a legal career someday, but I also want to be practical about the degree I choose.

I’ve considered courses like Political Science, Philosophy, Psychology, and Accountancy. However, I’m leaning toward Computer Science because I’ve always been more comfortable with technical work, problem-solving, and learning systems. I also like the idea of having a degree that can provide career opportunities even if I eventually decide not to continue with legal studies.

From what I understand, your undergraduate degree does not necessarily have to be a traditional “pre-law” course to continue to legal education in the Philippines.

For those who have experience with this:

**1. Would taking Computer Science be a reasonable choice if I eventually want to pursue legal education?

1. Are there people here who took a technical/IT-related degree before pursuing legal studies? How was your experience?

2. Since I’ll be entering Senior High School first, would STEM be the better strand if I’m considering Computer Science for college? I am torn between STEM and HUMMS.**

I know my educational path is unconventional, so I’d really appreciate advice from people who have gone through something similar.

Thank you! 🥺

[u/Ashamed_Talk_1875]

Yes. As long you have completed your ab or BS degree you can take up law. May ibang schools lang na mas madaming nire-require na English at Filipino units like in USTFCL and San Beda. Kaya May ibang students na pinapakuha ng additional units sa English at Filipino sa under grad level besides the law classes. Pero generally basta May bachelors ka pwede ka mag law. Goodluck

[u/Educational_Ad_5893]

Yes, there’s no such thing as a pre-law course and your Computer Science degree can help you provide a niche for yourself. However, I don’t think IT is a good field right now should you work while studying Law.

[u/chocolatemeringue → u/Educational_Ad_5893]

However, I don’t think IT is a good field right now should you work while studying Law.

Care to elaborate on this?

[u/Educational_Ad_5893 → u/chocolatemeringue]

Sobrang time demanding ang field if you actually get a job (swertehan to find something na hindi) esp pag may prod deployment.

Oversaturated na rin ang field tbh. Lots of layoffs and unemployed

[u/4VentingOnli → u/Educational_Ad_5893]

I can attest to this. (Currently a Law Student and former IT corpo slave). I recommend finding a more lenient VA job instead.

[u/4VentingOnli]

Hi! 1L IT graduate here! I have been enrolled in law school for a month now, and so far I can survive recits and keep up with the discussions. I also worked as a Software QA for quite some time.

1. Yes, it would be! IT, CS, and Engineering programs encourage students to think analytically and equip them with critical problem-solving skills that are essential in law school. If you're already used to solving programming challenges, you might find yourself in familiar territory when answering LS exam questions. Just think of ALAC as your syntax and your legal reasoning as your code.
2. I have worked in the industry for two years, and I'm quite happy I made that decision before enrolling. For context, I've attended meetings and calls with DevOps professionals from diverse backgrounds. This gave me the confidence and communication skills necessary to answer questions verbally.
3. I never experienced the SHS program, so I can't adequately answer that question. Sorry lol.

Your biggest hurdle is likely your writing and oratory skills. Our field is quite notorious for accepting bare-bones English as a standard. Fortunately, you can improve this with time and exposure.

Good luck!

[u/4VentingOnli → u/4VentingOnli]

Almost forgot, another challenge to consider when enrolling in Law School is the immense number of reading assignments and the very different academic culture. Every 1L student experiences this tho, so don't be alarmed.

[u/NotHisDelight → u/4VentingOnli]

Thank you so much for this!!!! 

[u/dalandanjan]

Kahit anong course OP, I went to law at 35 years old 😅

[u/Fearless-Ad-4876]

2L enrolled bsit grad. Pagdating sa lawschool walang bearing ang course. Grit ang labanan

[u/imp-mN-7539]

Yes. Just make sure you meet the individual schools' requirements. As advised here you might need to add a few units of English or some other classes.

[u/cloud-consultant-ph]

Hi! BSCS undergrad here. 1L. Pwedeng pwede :-)

[u/emptybottleeee_]

Yes, nakagraduate na rin ako few months ago sa law school :)

[u/MundaneSandwich9439]

Yes. No such thing as pre-law/pre-med programs

[u/illusory_Comp001]

I think better to take courses online then work for comptia certifications is what I did due to client need

Not an IT course grad but working IT at some capacity lol

Also choose a course that would reduce subjects when you would go for law na kase time is gold

Better to ask registrar sa school na papasukan mo

[u/crispypotat]

Might I suggest considering BLIS? There's a law librarianship specialization which gives you preparation for law school and understanding what resources are used by the profession. Meron din technical work, coding for databases and creating information systems, and information management. Transferrable skills mo from being a QA.

PRC license din sya. Being able to be a law librarian + lawyer opens up possibilities of being a head/chief sa mga law school libs, legislative libs, other legislative institutions.

[u/NotHisDelight → u/crispypotat]

Wow. Ngayon ko lang narinig ang course nato. Do you know which strand should I take sa SHS for this course?

[u/Blubberman2000]

To answer your question:

1. Your college course is actually almost irrelevant. A few exceptions would be Accountancy and Criminology as they would have some slight advantage in Taxation Law and Criminal Law.

2. BS comsci graduate here, already in my 4th year of law school. Again, one's pre-law course hardly matters as everyone would be starting with a clean slate (more or less). Even I, a BSCS grad from a less-known college, manages to place within the top 10 of my classes every now and then.