Is a Juris Doctor (J.D.) a Master's Degree or a Doctorate?
When planning their futures, many law students ask themselves: What is a J.D. Degree? Is a law degree a master's? What other types of degrees allow the practice of law? This article will help clear up these confusing discrepancies while also providing unique information for aspiring lawyers.
Is a J.D. a doctorate? Yes, a J.D. is considered a doctorate, as it is the highest level of law education one can attain in the United States. All future lawyers must earn a J.D. degree, which qualifies them to sit for state bar examinations. Already established lawyers from outside the country may enroll in a Master of Laws (LL.M.) program that offers specialized training in a number of legal subjects. In addition, a few schools offer non-professional master's programs in legal studies or closely related fields.
 |
What Is a J.D. Degree?
Students enrolled in a J.D. program focus on the single career goal of becoming a lawyer. This type of law program is the only kind that allows graduates to sit for a state bar exam. Many law schools allow students to attend on either a full-time or part-time basis. Full-time students may not work more than 20 hours per week, as stipulated by the American Bar Association (ABA), and the J.D. may be earned within a 3-year period. Part-time students often take evening courses, extending the time to complete the program by 1-2 years. While the ABA does not currently accredit fully online J.D. programs, institutions like Syracuse University College of Law recently introduced blended, partially-online options for students to earn their J.D. degree.
First-year J.D. students take a set of required general courses, such as torts, civil procedure and criminal law. Most law schools allow second- and third-year students to customize their curricula, and they can focus on a particular area of law. A few options include the following:
- Civil rights
- Administrative law
- Copyright law
- Environmental law
- Sports law
- Trusts and estates
- Employment law
Once a J.D. is earned, some graduates wonder: what is a Juris Doctor degree equivalent to? The simplest answer is that a J.D. is equivalent to a Ph.D in that both are doctoral degrees.
What Is a Master of Laws Degree?
LL.M. programs are typically designed for law school graduates and experienced lawyers. These programs are often less structured than professional J.D. programs and generally consist of 12-40 credit hours of coursework. In most cases, only students who hold a J.D. or its foreign equivalent can enroll in a Master of Laws program.
Like most master's programs, LL.M. programs tend to offer part-time enrollment, evening courses, and distance learning options. Schools such as Hofstra University or Drexel University offer a Master of Laws degree completely online. Legal master's programs have a considerable amount of flexibility, permitting students to either select an area of specialization or choose a range of subjects without a specific concentration. The following specializations may be available:
- Administrative law
- Constitutional law
- Family law
- Jurisprudence
- Criminal law
- International business
- Contract law
- Juvenile justice
What Is a Master of Legal Studies?
Often mistaken for a law degree, a Master of Legal Studies (MLS) is not the same as an LL.M. It's a nonprofessional degree for advanced students seeking knowledge of basic law principals. Students are not required to have any prior legal training as they would with an LL.M, though many applicants have legal experience.
What Are Dual Degree Programs?
Many law schools recognize the need for successful lawyers to have advanced educations outside of law. Most universities offer secondary degree options for J.D. students. In fact, Juris Doctor and Master of Laws programs often have overlapping coursework and may be completed concurrently. Other common programs combined with a J.D. could include the following:
- Master of Business Administration (MBA)
- Master of Science in Accounting (M.S.)
- Master of Arts in International Law (M.A.)
- Doctor of Medicine (M.D.)
- Doctor of Philosophy in Political Science (Ph.D.)
- Master of Social Work (MSW)
- Master of Education (M.Ed.)
