Types of law degrees offered in the United states. The United States hosts 6 of the top 10 law universities in the world. So, if you want to pursue law from the best universities in the world, there is a high chance you will end up in the US.
It is very essential for all law aspirants to understand what kind of law degrees does the law schools in the US offer. They basically offer 5 types of degrees:-
- Juris Doctor (JD)
- Master of Laws (LLM)
- Doctor of Judicial Science (SJD)
- Master of Legal Studies (MLS)
- Master of Dispute Resolution (MDS)
Each type of law degree prepares students for a certain type of problems, but each degree requires a different type and amount of training.
Table of Contents
Juris Doctor (JD)
Juris Doctor is the most basic degree for professionals who want to become a practising attorney. The majority of the practising attorneys in the US hold this degree. JD prepares you for all the aspects of US law and legal procedure so that you excel in researching cases, prosecuting or defending lawsuits. It also helps you master analytical and critical thinking so that you can think on your feet and argue cases for individuals or businesses.
This degree takes 3 years to complete and you need to have a bachelors’ degree from a college.
Master of Laws (LLM)
This law degree is tailor-made for professionals who already hold a law degree (mostly JD) and want to specialize further in a particular field of law (Criminal law, international law, Intellectual property law and so on).
It is a 1 year long degree which helps you hold a stronger grip in a particular field of law.
Doctor of Judicial Sciences (SJD)
This is the highest form of a law degree that exists. Professionals usually pursue it after their JD and LLM. This is the highest level of a law degree and is pursued by only those who are looking to advance their legal education after getting their JD and LLM.
It is 2 year long degree and you will possess the highest degree of law possible.
Master of legal studies (MLS)
This course is designed for people who are not lawyers. This course is designed for people who could benefit from a deep understanding of the law but do not want to be practising attorneys. It is good for professionals who deal with legal procedures or concepts in their daily role, or those who are looking to teach it.
It is a 1 and half year long degree.
Master of Dispute Resolution (MDR)
A Master of Dispute Resolution degree can be beneficial for professionals who are looking to develop conflict resolution and negotiation skills to better manage conflict and handle difficult situations. MDR programs can attract professionals who are interested in learning how to resolve conflicts between parties, handling change or promoting communication in their organization, and identifying workplace issues before they arise.
It is a 1 and half year long degree.
These are the 5 types of degrees you can pursue in the US.
5 types of law degrees offered in the US
- Juris Doctor (JD)
- Master of Laws (LLM)
- Doctor of Judicial Science (SJD)
- Master of Legal Studies (MLS)
- Master of Dispute Resolution (MDS)
Recent Post