A range of undergraduate and graduate law degrees exist.
The first degree for anyone wishing to practice law in the United States is the juris doctor degree. Law schools accredited by the American Bar Association offer this degree as well as a wide range of graduate degrees. Generally, three categories of graduate degrees exist: academic master's degrees for non-lawyers, post-juris doctor law degrees for practicing lawyers, and research- and academic-based doctorate-level degrees.
Juris Doctor Degrees
To practice law in the United States, individuals must earn a juris doctor (J.D.) degree at a law school accredited by the American Bar Association. They also must pass the bar exam of the state in which they wish to practice law. An undergraduate (bachelor's) degree and completion of the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) are required for admission into a J.D. program, which generally lasts three years. The bachelor of laws (LL.B.) degree is offered at some Canadian and international universities and is equivalent to the J.D. degree.
Post-Graduate Degrees (Non-Professional)
Academic master's degrees for non-lawyers vary from law school to law school. Degrees can include a master of science (M.S.), master of studies (M.S.), master of legal studies (M.L.S.) and a master of professional studies (M.P.S.). These are non-professional and academic degrees and do not qualify the holder to practice law, unless she also has a J.D. or equivalent degree.
Post-Graduate Degrees (Professional)
Master's degrees are available for lawyers practicing law in the United States and lawyers who were educated at foreign universities. The most common degree is the master of laws (LL.M.), but some law schools also offer juris master (J.M.), master of comparative law (M.C.L.) and master of jurisprudence (M.J.) degrees. The LL.M. is an advanced law certification recognized by countries throughout the world and is generally a one-year program. A J.D. or equivalent first degree is required to enroll in an LL.M. program.
Doctorate Degrees
Research- and academic-based graduate law degrees at the doctorate level include the doctor of jurisprudence (J.S.D.), the doctor of judicial science (S.J.D.) and the doctor of comparative law (D.C.L.). The S.J.D. and J.S.D. degrees are the most advanced law degrees and are three- to five-year programs. Generally, individuals must hold a J.D. and LL.M. degree to enroll in these degree programs, and the programs' students are required to complete a dissertation that is an original contribution to the field of law.
Tags: graduate degrees, United States, accredited American, accredited American Association, American Association, degree Post-Graduate, degree Post-Graduate Degrees