Keith Mack
The highest degree you can earn in law varies depending on the country and the specific area of law you wish to practice. In the United States, the Juris Doctor (JD) degree is the most common professional law degree and is required to practice law. However, lawyers can also obtain a Master of Laws (LLM) degree to specialize in a specific area of law, such as tax or immigration law. The Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD) is the most advanced law degree offered by most schools in the US and is often a requirement for law professors. Outside of the US, the highest law degree varies; for example, in Germany, the highest degree is the Lizentiat der Rechtswissenschaften, while in Switzerland, it is the Master of Law (MLaw).
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Highest academic degree in law | Legum Doctor (LL.D.) or Doctor of Laws |
| Equivalent to | PhD |
| Highest degree in some jurisdictions | Juris Doctor (JD) |
| Highest degree in most schools | Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD) |
| Duration of JD degree | 3 years |
| Duration of SJD degree | 3-5 years |
| Requirements for SJD degree | LLM |
| Requirements for LLM | JD |
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What You'll Learn
Juris Doctor (JD)
A Juris Doctor, Doctor of Jurisprudence, or Doctor of Law (JD) 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. In other jurisdictions, such as Australia, Canada, and Hong Kong, it is offered as a postgraduate degree alongside other qualifying law degrees, such as the Bachelor of Laws or Bachelor of Civil Law.
The Juris Doctor degree originated in the United States in 1902 and is the most frequently awarded law degree. It generally requires three years of full-time study and includes 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.
To be admitted to a Juris Doctor program, a bachelor's degree is typically required, although some accelerated programs offer the option to earn both degrees in six years. The Law School Admission Test (LSAT) is an integral part of the admission process and is required by most law schools. This standardized test evaluates skills such as analyzing arguments, making deductions, reading strategically, and understanding formal logic.
The Juris Doctor degree is considered a terminal degree, representing the highest level of achievement in the field of law. It provides individuals with the qualifications and skills necessary to practice law and pursue careers as lawyers or legal professionals. In the United States, individuals with a JD degree who wish to practice law must pass a bar examination, which grants them a license to legally practice law in a specific state.
The Juris Doctor degree is a highly regarded qualification for those seeking to work in the legal profession. It offers a comprehensive understanding of legal principles and prepares individuals for the challenges and complexities of legal practice.
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Legum Doctor (LLD or LL.D.)
The Legum Doctor (LLD or LL.D.) is a doctorate-level academic degree in law, which in some jurisdictions can also be awarded as an honorary degree. The degree is also referred to as a Doctor of Laws.
In the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and several European countries, the LL.D. is a higher doctorate that is usually awarded based on exceptionally insightful and distinctive publications that make significant and original contributions to the study of law. In the UK and Ireland, the degree is considered a higher doctorate, ranking above a PhD, and is awarded upon submission of a portfolio of advanced research. Some universities, such as Oxford, instead award the degree of Doctor of Civil Law (DCL).
In Sweden, the LLD is the highest academic degree in law. It is a research degree that combines 240 credit hours, or the equivalent of four full-time years of work. Candidates have the option to complete a dissertation or a monograph of a series of published articles. In Finland, the Doctor of Laws is also the highest academic degree in law, requiring 60 credits of course studies and the completion of a doctoral dissertation.
In South Africa, the LL.D. is awarded based on research and the completion of a dissertation. It may also be awarded as an honorary degree based on contributions to society. German doctoral degrees in law are typically awarded as "Doktor der Rechte", "Doktor des Rechts", or "Doktor der Rechtswissenschaft", and are abbreviated in Latin form as "Dr. iur." or "Dr. jur.". The degree of Dr. iur. usually requires independent academic research of up to four years.
Malta, the smallest member state in the European Union, previously offered the LL.D. as a doctorate-level academic degree in law. It required at least three years of postgraduate full-time study at the University of Malta, with at least three years of previous law study for entry. However, as of 2014, changes to the law course resulted in the removal of the Doctorate of Laws (LLD) title, which was replaced by the Master of Advocacy (M.Adv) degree.
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Master of Laws (LLM)
The Master of Laws (LLM) is a graduate degree for those who have already earned a Juris Doctor (JD) degree and want to build expertise in a specific area of law, such as tax law, immigration law, or international law. It is a customizable program that typically takes one year to complete, although some programs can be completed in less time, and others may take up to two years. LLM programs are ideal for lawyers who want to expand their expertise, specialize in a specific legal area, and enhance their professional credentials. They are also beneficial for those seeking to advance their legal careers or further their academic journey in the legal field.
LLM programs offer a variety of specializations, including general law, global law and technology, intellectual property law, international business, privacy law, and cybersecurity. Some programs, like the LLM in Business Law, focus on developing the diverse legal, business, and negotiating skills required in business law. Others, like the LLM in International Business, Law, and Ethics, cover the laws, policies, and best practices that shape international commerce and trade.
The Master of Laws is a widely recognized degree, with nearly 100 LLM courses available across 25 institutions in Australia alone. It is also offered at various prestigious universities worldwide, including Suffolk University in Boston, MA, and the USC Gould School of Law in Los Angeles, California. The degree is open to both domestic and international students, with many programs taught in English.
The LLM is a valuable degree for lawyers from outside the United States and Canada who want to learn US legal skills and broaden their global perspective. It provides practical, specialized legal knowledge that can make graduates more competitive in a tough job market. In addition to enhancing career opportunities, the LLM also offers the chance to gain real-world experience through nationally recognized clinics, programs, and experiential opportunities.
The LLM degree is a natural progression for those who have already earned their JD and are seeking to further their legal education. It allows graduates to deepen their legal knowledge, build strength in specific areas of law, and develop the skills necessary to work in a variety of global industries and settings.
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Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD)
The Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD) is the most advanced law degree one can earn, and it is a common requirement for law professors. It is a highly specialized research doctorate in law designed for aspiring legal academics who wish to pursue sustained independent study, research, and writing. SJD degrees usually take between three and five years of full-time study to complete all requirements, which typically include coursework, examinations, presentations, and a dissertation.
Harvard Law School's SJD program, for example, is designed for aspiring legal academics who want to pursue independent study, research, and writing. Candidates are expected to produce a dissertation that will make a substantial and valuable contribution to legal scholarship. There are five stages to the SJD program: completion of a study plan that includes coursework, two presentations at the SJD Colloquium, and other requirements.
Similarly, Emory University School of Law offers a highly selective SJD program. The program is only open to candidates with a distinguished academic record in law, outstanding scholarship promise, and the potential to complete a high-quality scholarly dissertation. Applicants must have a first degree in law to be eligible to apply for the SJD program. This requirement can be met in one of three ways: holding a Juris Doctor from an ABA-approved law school, possessing a bachelor's degree in Law (LLB) or a related field from an accredited college or university outside the United States, or holding an LLM degree (or its equivalent). In rare cases, the US LLM degree requirement may be waived for applicants with a law degree from a common-law country or a graduate degree in law or a related field.
International applicants to the Emory SJD program whose native language is not English may request a waiver of the TOEFL/IELTS requirement if they earned their degree from an institution where English was the language of instruction. However, it is important to note that if a waiver is granted, the student will be tested as if English were their native language.
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Master of Legal Studies (MLS)
The Master of Legal Studies (MLS) is a non-professional degree that introduces graduate students and scholars in other fields to the fundamentals of the legal system, legal argumentation, analysis, procedure, and substantive law in selected areas. It is designed for those pursuing academic careers, and some institutions, such as Stanford Law School, offer MLS students the opportunity to participate in the SPILS Program.
The MLS is not a requirement to practice law, nor is it a substitute for a Juris Doctor (JD) degree, which is the minimum qualification to obtain a license to practice law in the US. Instead, the MLS is intended to enhance the effectiveness of professionals whose work involves regulations, negotiations, or collaboration with lawyers or legal issues. It can expand career options in sectors such as insurance, law enforcement, and corporate compliance.
The University of Arizona, for example, offers an affordable MLS program that can be completed in one year on a full-time or part-time basis. The program is also available fully online, making it convenient for working professionals. UCLA offers a similar online and hybrid program that can be completed in nine months full-time or two to four years part-time.
MLS candidates are expected to complete all degree requirements within two consecutive academic years. At Stanford Law School, students must complete four Autumn Quarter Law School courses, three of which are required first-year courses, including Legal Writing and Legal Research. They must also complete an additional 24 approved quarter units of coursework and be "in residence" as a law student for at least three quarters.
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Frequently asked questions
The highest degree you can earn in law is jurisdiction-dependent. In the US, the Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD) is the highest degree you can earn and is a common requirement for law professors. In other jurisdictions, the Legum Doctor (LL.D.) is the highest academic degree in law and is equivalent to a Ph.D. In some jurisdictions, the LL.D. is an honorary degree.
The Juris Doctor (J.D.) is a professional degree and the minimum academic requirement to practice law in the US, Japan, Canada, and some other countries. The J.D. is a terminal degree that typically takes three years to complete. After graduating, you must take the bar exam to become a practicing lawyer.
The Master of Laws (LLM) is a graduate degree for those who have already earned their J.D. and want to specialize in a specific area of law. The LLM typically takes one year to complete.
Other master's-level law degrees include the Magister iuris (Mag. iur.) ("Master of Law") in Austria, the Master of Dispute Resolution (MDR), and the Master of Legal Studies (MLS). The MDR focuses on conflict resolution and builds negotiation, mediation, and arbitration skills. The MLS allows students to build their knowledge of law without pursuing credentials to practice as a lawyer.
