Keith Mack
There are several types of law degrees that can be pursued depending on one's career goals. In the United States, a Juris Doctor (JD) is the most common law degree, which can be pursued after obtaining a bachelor's degree. Other types of law degrees include a Master of Laws (LL.M), a Master of Legal Studies (MLS), a Master of Dispute Resolution (MDR), and a Doctor of Juridical Science. The specific classes and curriculum will depend on the type of law degree pursued and the school attended. Law degrees are typically obtained through a combination of coursework, research, and practical experiences, such as internships.
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What You'll Learn
Juris Doctor (J.D.)
A Juris Doctor, also known as J.D. or Doctor of Jurisprudence, is a graduate-entry professional degree that prepares individuals to practice law. It is the only qualifying law degree in the United States and the Philippines. Other jurisdictions, such as Australia, Canada, and Hong Kong, offer both the postgraduate J.D. degree and undergraduate law degrees.
The J.D. degree is typically obtained after completing an undergraduate degree. In the United States, it is a professional doctorate, described as a "doctor's degree – professional practice." It is considered a master's degree in Australia, South Korea, and Hong Kong, and a second-entry bachelor's degree in Canada. The degree generally requires three years of full-time study and is conferred upon students who have successfully completed coursework and practical training in legal studies. The curriculum covers fundamental legal subjects such as constitutional law, civil procedure, criminal law, contracts, property, and torts, along with opportunities for specialization.
Admission to a J.D. program in the United States typically requires a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, and students must submit LSAT or GRE test scores. Some law schools in the United States have started accepting the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) for admission, but the majority still require the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). Additional requirements may include letters of recommendation, personal interviews, and personal statements.
The Juris Doctor degree is the required legal degree for professionals pursuing a career as a practicing attorney. It prepares students to research cases, prosecute or defend lawsuits, and argue on behalf of clients and businesses. To be fully authorized to practice law in the United States, individuals holding a J.D. degree must pass a state bar examination, which may vary depending on the state in which they intend to practice.
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Master of Dispute Resolution (MDR)
A Master of Dispute Resolution (MDR) degree is a graduate program that equips students with the skills to resolve conflicts and negotiate. The degree is interdisciplinary and provides a theoretical foundation for conflict problem-solving in diverse settings, including organisations, communities, and political systems. Dispute resolution is a rapidly growing field in the legal industry, and an MDR degree can lead to career opportunities in human resources, law enforcement, business counselling, education, international diplomacy, and more.
MDR programs are typically 24-unit degree programs offered on a part-time or full-time basis. The degree can be completed in as little as one year or up to two years for a full-time program, requiring around 30-48 credits. Some schools offer accelerated programs or graduate certificates that can be used towards an MDR degree. The curriculum covers negotiation, mediation theory, arbitration practice, conflict management, and a wide range of dispute resolution topics.
Admission requirements for an MDR program vary, but most schools require applicants to have a bachelor's degree in any discipline from an accredited college or university. Some programs may also require standardised test scores, such as the LSAT or GRE, and additional materials such as a résumé, personal statement, letters of recommendation, and personal interviews.
The Pepperdine Caruso School of Law and the USC Gould School of Law are two examples of institutions offering MDR programs. Pepperdine's program is top-ranked and offers a hands-on approach, real-world simulations, and opportunities to handle real cases. USC's program is renowned for its history of innovation and excellence in legal education, with faculty members who are experts in dispute resolution.
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Master of Legal Studies (MLS)
A Master of Legal Studies (MLS) is a non-professional degree designed for non-lawyers who want to gain a deeper understanding of the law without pursuing a career as a practising attorney. The MLS is a good fit for professionals who deal with legal concepts or procedures in their daily roles and are looking to advance their careers.
MLS programs require applicants to have earned a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Standardised test scores, a résumé, a personal statement, letters of recommendation, and personal interviews may also be required.
MLS curriculums typically cover a variety of legal topics, providing students with a strong foundation in all aspects of the law. Courses may include contracts, regulatory compliance, negotiation theory, administrative law, legal writing, and federal litigation in a global context. The University of Miami, for example, offers specialisations in general legal studies, healthcare, technology, HR, real estate, and finance.
The Master of Legal Studies can usually be completed in one to two years. UCLA offers a flexible curriculum with online, hybrid, and on-campus options, allowing students to complete the program in nine months full-time or two to four years part-time. Stanford University, on the other hand, requires students to complete the MLS degree within two consecutive academic years, with the expectation that they will finish within one year.
The MLS degree can help professionals enhance their understanding of the law and support their law-adjacent roles. It can also be a pathway to supervisory, management, or executive-level positions that require knowledge of U.S. law, regulations, and risk management.
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Master of Laws (LL.M.)
A Master of Laws (M.L. or LL.M.) is a postgraduate academic degree pursued by those holding an undergraduate academic law degree, a professional law degree, or an undergraduate degree in another subject. The LL.M. is an advanced professional degree for those already admitted to legal practice. The LL.M. degree in American Legal Studies is a nine-month program with global credibility. It is open to students who have finished a law degree in a foreign country.
LL.M. degree programs are offered by the law faculties of The University of Hong Kong, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, and the City University of Hong Kong. An LL.B. degree is usually required for admission, but for the LL.M. in Human Rights program offered by HKU, an undergraduate degree in any related discipline is sufficient. Several universities and colleges in Ireland offer LL.M. programs, including Dublin City University, Trinity College Dublin, University College Cork, and National University of Ireland.
In Italy, the term "master" often refers to a vocational master, which is 6 or 12 months long, on specific areas such as "law and internet security" or "law of administrative management". The LLM in International Business Law from Panthéon-Assas University is also available in Mauritius at Medine Village campus. To practice law in the Netherlands, an LL.M. degree with a specific set of courses in litigation law is required.
Completing an LL.M. qualification in Pakistan consists of studying eight subjects across four semesters, spanning a period of two years, and also requires the student to write a thesis on a proposed topic. The program is taught in English and includes comparative constitutional law, comparative human rights law, and comparative jurisprudence as mandatory subjects. The Master of Laws programs offered in Portugal do not use the designation LL.M. and are instead commonly called Mestrado em Direito (Master's Degree in Law).
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Legum Doctor (LL.D.)
Legum Doctor, also known as LL.D. or Doctor of Laws, is a degree in law that is considered the highest academic degree in law in some jurisdictions. It is equivalent to a Ph.D. and requires candidates to make a significant contribution to legal scholarship through original doctoral research. The duration of an LL.D. degree typically ranges from 3 to 7 years, depending on the specific program, research requirements, and whether it is pursued full-time or part-time.
In the UK and Republic of Ireland, the degree of Doctor of Laws is a higher doctorate ranking above a Ph.D. and is awarded based on a submission of advanced research. It is often awarded honoris causa to notable public figures, particularly those associated with politics or the law. In former years, Doctors of Law were a distinct form of Attorney-at-Law who were empowered to act as advocates in ecclesiastical, probate, and admiralty courts.
In Germany and other continental European countries, there is no distinction between a Ph.D. and an LL.D. German universities award doctoral degrees in law as a Doctor of Law (Dr. iur.), which is reserved for dissertations in the fields of social and political sciences. The degree usually requires independent academic research of up to 4 years. The German academic system also recognizes a higher doctorate in law, which is awarded after the completion of a second dissertation (Habilitation) and is a prerequisite to teach law at German universities.
In Malta, the LL.D. was a doctorate-level academic degree in law requiring at least three years of postgraduate full-time study at the University of Malta, in addition to three years of previous law study. Students were required to complete coursework in core areas of law and submit an original thesis. As of 2014, changes to the law course removed the Doctorate of Laws (LLD) title and replaced it with a Master of Advocacy (M.Adv) degree.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several types of law degrees, including:
- Juris Doctor (J.D.)
- Legum Doctor (LL.D.)
- Master of Laws (LL.M.)
- Master of Legal Studies (MLS)
- Master of Dispute Resolution (MDR)
A Juris Doctor degree is a professional law degree that allows an individual to practice law, typically in the United States. It is a first-level law degree that is obtained after completing a bachelor's degree and typically takes three years to complete.
A Master of Laws is an advanced academic degree that is pursued by individuals who already hold a professional law degree or a degree in a related field. It typically takes one year to complete and allows for specialization in specific areas of law.
In most jurisdictions, a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree is required to practice law. However, additional requirements may vary depending on the specific jurisdiction. For example, in the United States, individuals must pass a state bar exam to practice law in a particular state.
