All lawyers have something in common, and that is the J.D. designation at the end of their names. What does J.D. mean and what is a J.D. degree? J.D. stands for Juris Doctor, and it’s the degree you’ll need if you want to practice law in America. But there are several steps you’ll have to take to get those initials after your name.
Let’s take a look at everything you need to know about how and where you can earn a J.D. degree, including the option for an online J.D. degree.
A J.D. degree is a graduate degree that you earn after fulfilling all requirements in law school. It’s also known as a Doctor of Jurisprudence. A J.D. degree is to a lawyer what a MD (Doctor of Medicine) is to a doctor.
The J.D. degree began in the early 1900s in the United States in an effort to standardize law education. Now, over 230 universities in America offer this degree.
The degree required to practice law in other countries is called by a different name, like Doctor of Law degree (LLD) in England, for example. But, even in the U.S., there are some other routes one can take within the sphere of law.
Furthermore, even those who earn their J.D. degree don’t necessarily need to go on to practice law. We’ll jump more into this later, but you can rest assured that the degree will provide you with everything you need to know when it comes to law and complex problem-solving.
Types of Law Degrees
Let’s take a look at these different types of law degrees that may be earned in the United States.
J.D.: A J.D. degree typically takes three years to earn and can be achieved part-time or full-time. To be admitted into law school, you must have a bachelor’s degree and take the LSAT (an entry exam for law school).
LLM: For those who already have their J.D. degree and want to continue to excel in law, they have the option to earn a Master’s of Law degree. This degree can help to earn a specialization.
Master’s Degree: For those who are looking to work in law or policy but not as a lawyer, you can pursue a master’s degree like: Master of Science in Laws (MSL) or Juris Master (JM). This program can be completed in as little as one year or done part-time. The requirement is a bachelor’s degree.
Legal Certificate: There are online options or on-campus options for legal certificates that are affordable and can be completed in as little as three months. They provide an industry-specific credential and are most common in highly regulated industries or subjects (i.e., contracts or compliance).
How Long Does it Take to Earn a J.D.?
J.D. programs are most often accredited by the American Bar Association, which requires a minimum of 83 hours to earn the J.D. degree. In most cases, this takes students three years to complete (or 6 full semesters). However, it is possible that some schools will require additional units to graduate.
What Can I Do with a J.D. Degree?
Most people with a J.D. degree go on to become practicing lawyers. Once they’ve passed the bar exam for the jurisdiction in which they want to practice, they can become an attorney. However, some graduates don’t become licensed and use their degree in other fields. A J.D. degree can be useful in many different professions, including those in: education, finance, politics counseling, and regulatory compliance.
What is a Joint Degree?
Some schools may offer the option for a joint degree. A joint degree in a J.D. program allows for students to earn this designation while also earning another degree at the same time. Common degrees that are often found in a joint degree include a Master of Business Administration (MBA), Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), and Master of Health (MPH).
Joint degrees offer the benefit of spending less time in school because credit hours are applied to both degrees. Joint degrees maximize one’s ability to enter their profession of choice upon graduation because they have skills and knowledge in multiple disciplines.
Information About the Bar Exam
If you’re on track to becoming a lawyer, you will have surely heard of the bar exam. This exam is a standard that is used to ensure that a law student is indeed ready to practice law. Each state has their own licensing agency that administers the exam. The bar exam entails essay questions that are designed to test knowledge on that particular state’s laws. That’s why a lawyer must pass the bar exam in the state that they want to practice.
The bar exam is generally two days long and happens twice yearly. The difficulty level varies by state. Studies have shown that the bar exam is toughest in California, Louisiana, and Arkansas, while states like South Dakota and Nebraska are less difficult to pass.
Can I Earn a J.D. Degree Online?
While it’s not the most common option for law school, online and distance learning is becoming available to students, but not entirely.
To expand, the ABA does not currently approve any law school that is entirely online. However, there are online law schools that offer a J.D. degree (but they are accredited by bodies that are not the American Bar Association).
For those interested in earning degrees online outside of law, there are plenty of options to do so! Take the University of the People as an example. We offer four-degree granting programs at varying levels of education, starting from an associate’s degree and moving on up to a master’s degree. You can choose to study Business Administration, Computer Science, Health Science, and Education at our 100% online, accredited and tuition-free university.
Becoming a lawyer in America demands that you pass the bar exam in your state and graduate from law school with your J.D. degree. The process can be demanding and challenging, but it is rewarding once you become a lawyer and can follow your life’s passion.
If you choose to earn your J.D. and enter a field outside of law, you will still have a graduate’s degree that will benefit you for life!
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