Land use law vs planning

[Planner15]

I'm currently planning on going to grad school next year and there are a couple options that I am considering. The first is to go to a well respected planning school on a full scholarship. This is the option I'm leaning towards because it carries very little risk and I like the environment of the school.

The other option in front of me is to do a dual degree in urban planning and law at T14 university. I would parlay this into a career in land use law. I would spend 4 years and $150,000 on this option. Although, theoretically I would make more money in the long run.

Does anyone have any advice for me? I've heard very poor things about the law field right now, but I've heard good things about the market for people coming from T14 schools and 150,000 isn't too much in the grand scheme of things.

[mike gurnee]

I'm currently planning on going to grad school next year and there are a couple options that I am considering. The first is to go to a well respected planning school on a full scholarship. This is the option I'm leaning towards because it carries very little risk and I like the environment of the school.

The other option in front of me is to do a dual degree in urban planning and law at T14 university. I would parlay this into a career in land use law. I would spend 4 years and $150,000 on this option. Although, theoretically I would make more money in the long run.

Does anyone have any advice for me? I've heard very poor things about the law field right now, but I've heard good things about the market for people coming from T14 schools and 150,000 isn't too much in the grand scheme of things.

Have you been accepted into a law school where there is a nearby planning program (that accepted you as well)?

[Planner15]

Have you been accepted into a law school where there is a nearby planning program (that accepted you as well)?

Yes. I was accepted for a dual degree program at a University that offers both degrees. The entire program would take 4 years for the two degrees.

[beach_bum]

Do you want to be a lawyer that works with planners or a planner? It's a big commitment to go to law school on top of planning. I knew a couple of my classmates who did this and one is now a municipal attorney and the other an environmental policy wonk now. You will have more earning potential as a lawyer, but you will definitely work more hours for that.

[dvdneal]

I agree with Beach Bum, you're looking at two different jobs. Which one suits your personality better? Personnally, if I had the time and money I would have gone for a law degree, but I like the legal aspects of planning. I'm not sure if I would have like the extra work though.

[chocolatechip]

Definitely look into the long term market for lawyers in your area. Another field that is in the dumps, and not necessarily because of the recession, either. Count on not being able to practice.

[otterpop]

I know several planners who, after a few years as planners, went to law school. If the law interests you, I suspect you will find a more rewarding career as a land-use lawyer than as a planner.

[Planner15]

Thanks for the input everyone. Another thought occurred to me: is the dual program really anymore marketable than simply a JD? It would take an extra year which would cost $40,000 plus the opportunity cost of not working. Would it make make me a better land use lawyer or is it just a way for grad school to suck every penny from me that they can?

[mike gurnee]

Thanks for the input everyone. Another thought occurred to me: is the dual program really anymore marketable than simply a JD? It would take an extra year which would cost $40,000 plus the opportunity cost of not working. Would it make make me a better land use lawyer or is it just a way for grad school to suck every penny from me that they can?

If you know you want a future in land use law, the planning degree is worth it. Especially in these tough times.

[luckless pedestrian]

I say go to law school! If I could redo my career, I would have taken my dad's advice and gone into it - but I know that's just me -

with these tough times, though, you might be better off going to the school where you won't have so many loans

[bentobox34]

It sounds like you are more interested in land use law than planning. As a general word of advice on taking on the level of loans you are considering, you should try to assess where you see your life going over the next 10 years or so (hard, I know). If you are 22 I say definitely go for it, if you are more like 32 I would say you should think about how close you are to wanting to "settle down" especially if that for you involves having kids. Because if you go down this path your life will be very unsettled for a decade or more, not only during the 4 years of school but also when you are on the bottom rungs of a law career working long hours to prove yourself, possibly moving a few times for the best job advancement opportunities, and saddled with close to $1000 in minimum monthly debt service and preferably paying more to get those loans out of the way.