<p>Hey guys
First time on the boards... I am a senior at DePaul University w/Major in Finance... I want to attend law school after I graduate June 05'...
I am new to all this so please bare with me... I wasnt thinking about law school till recently so I don't know much about it... Patent Law right now seems very appealing to me but from my understanding you need a engineering degree (undergrad) to be considered for this? :( why is this? What choices do i have with a business Finance degree?</p>
<p>Thanks guys</p>
<p><a href="http://www.patentbarstudy.com/qualifications.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.patentbarstudy.com/qualifications.html</a></p>
<p>For patent bar requirements. DadofSam has said that it is best to have an undergraduate degree in engineering/sciences to avoid questions and having your resume chucked in the trash pretty quickly, although other coursework is acceptable.</p>
<p>Would anyone know if a master's degree in a field such as physics (giving the requisite 24 hours) be acceptable?</p>
<p>Answering my own question - you can get a grad degree and use it for the patent bar if it satisfies the course requirements seen in the second section.</p>
<p>I know a theoretical math major who petitioned the PTO for permission to sit for the patent bar after passing an engineering licensure examination (without having studied engineering in a classroom setting). The PTO granted his petition.</p>
<p>It's always struck me as a little odd that you're ostensibly required for have a formal scientific background so that you'll understand the principles behind the technology in which you're prosecuting patents; but once you're a member of the patent bar, there's no requirement that the patents you prosecute be restricted to those in your area of technical expertise.</p>
<p>Iz: the requirements for taking the USPTO registration are found at <a href="http://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/dcom/olia/oed/grb09dec04.pdf%5B/url%5D">http://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/dcom/olia/oed/grb09dec04.pdf</a>
They include either a degree in specified sciences, or a certain number of credits in specified courses. It is also possible that, as mentioned by Greybeard and elsewhere, one can take the exam after having passed an engineering licensing exam. However, my comment on that is that unless you will be certain of a job offer or want to open your own office, you will not be competitive with other applicants who have a degree, so I don't recommend that as a plan.</p>