Where to Get a Law Degree

where to get law degree

If you’re considering a career as a lawyer, getting your law degree is an ideal place to start. It will open many doors both professionally and personally for you.

Before selecting a school, research the topic thoroughly and determine your interests in regards to legal practice. After that, apply only to schools that match these goals and aspirations.

Master of Legal Studies (MLS)

A Master of Legal Studies (MLS) degree is tailored for non-lawyers who are passionate about learning more about the law and understanding how it impacts their work. This program is especially helpful for individuals in business, non-profit or government positions who frequently interact with legal issues in their role; an in-depth knowledge of such matters is essential for success in these roles.

Students pursuing the Master of Legal Studies can select to focus on a particular field of law. Options include compliance and corporate responsibility, criminal justice, employment & human resources management, intellectual property rights as well as political law.

Additionally, MLS students can select from a range of courses that explore the US legal system and other aspects of law. Some classes may cover topics such as contract law or torts.

The Master of Laws degree (MLS) usually takes one to two years to complete and is perfect for those working or looking to advance their careers while honing legal knowledge. Many colleges and universities offer this type of graduate program.

Some MLS programs are offered online, making it more accessible for working professionals to obtain this degree. If your state has high employment rates for legal occupations, an MLS degree could be a valuable addition to your resume.

According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statisticsopen_in_new, earning an MLS degree can increase your salary by $368,160 over 30 years. However, your actual financial return depends on which career path you take and how much higher you can earn with this degree compared to a bachelor’s degree.

An MLS degree can give you the edge to pursue a career as a paralegal, legal assistant, mediator or conciliator. It also serves as an excellent introduction for those wishing to work in regulatory compliance across various industries such as education, healthcare and finance.

Juris Doctor (JD)

If you are considering getting a law degree, the Juris Doctor (JD) degree may be worth considering. This graduate-level qualification can be earned through an accredited law school and in most states it is mandatory for someone to acquire their JD prior to becoming licensed as an attorney.

There are various schools offering the JD degree. Some are accredited by the American Bar Association while others are not. Furthermore, there are a few online and hybrid JD programs available as well.

The JD is a three-year program that can be completed full or part-time. During your first year, you’ll take courses in research and writing to prepare you for the rest of the curriculum.

Your JD degree program also offers numerous experiential learning opportunities, such as supervised legal practice and moot court competitions. These experiences can help you hone your skills and gain insight into the legal system in a new light.

While earning your degree, you have the option to pursue a concentration in one area of law. Popular choices include criminal law, business law or real estate law.

A JD degree is the most common path towards a legal career, but it can also open doors to other high-paying jobs in various fields. You may find employment as a judge, mediator or consultant.

In the United States, students can earn the highest professional degree available: Juris Doctor. This degree is equivalent to a Doctor of Medicine or Doctor of Philosophy in most other countries.

Juris Doctorate (JD)

If you aspire to work in the legal field, earning your Juris Doctorate (JD) degree could be your ticket to success. This graduate degree typically takes three years of full-time study and is the only requirement for becoming an attorney in most states.

The JD program is designed to give students a comprehensive grasp of the laws that shape our legal system, as well as developing their writing and research abilities.

In addition to law-specific courses, you’ll also take general courses covering government, business and politics. Furthermore, you must complete an internship, externship or practicum as part of your degree requirements. This practical experience can help prepare you for both the bar exam and future careers in these fields.

A JD is a graduate law degree earned after attending an accredited law school. It usually takes three years of full-time study, which can be completed via online and in-person instruction.

Some colleges and universities will grant a JD to those with a bachelor’s degree. However, most law schools require you to pass an admission test prior to acceptance.

Before applying for a JD, you should take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) and secure letters of recommendation from undergraduate professors or employers who can verify your knowledge and expertise in an area of study. Doing this gives you an edge over other applicants, enabling you to choose a law school with qualified faculty.

The University of Miami’s 88-credit Juris Doctor program is an intense academic experience that offers strong technical foundations in law as a basis for understanding its theory and substance. Our experienced full-time faculty and instructional staff teach all required courses, while talented adjunct faculty members contribute to elective offerings through clinics, academic centers, journals, and other activities.

Master of Laws (LLM)

Juris Doctor (JD) degrees are the standard legal degree, while LLMs (Lecture on Legal Management) are often pursued by those wishing to specialize in one area of law. These degrees typically rely on academic work and can last anywhere from one to three years.

Students with a JD degree often opt to pursue an LLM in order to broaden their professional networks, acquire more sophisticated skills and gain expertise in one particular area of law. LLM graduates may find employment across many sectors such as business, public sector, governmental institutions or non-profit organizations.

Many LLM programs require a thesis, while some are research-oriented with little classroom time. Others provide concentrations in specific fields like corporate compliance or international business.

LLM degrees are widely offered by schools around the world and can be found in numerous countries. In America, some of the nation’s top law schools provide these degrees.

These programs can be taken full or part-time and range in length and graduation requirements. Generally speaking, individuals with LLM degrees are eligible to take the bar exam in most states.

The University of Washington offers a selection of LLM programs tailored to the needs and interests of domestic and international law students with either a JD or other degree. With six specialized tracks as well as the General LLM option, students have the freedom to design their degree around personal goals and career aspirations.

Suffolk University Law School offers a range of LLM options for students, such as the General LLM, Global Law & Technology and JD/LLM dual degree. These programs are perfect for those wishing to further their education or transition into another career; plus they’re located in Boston’s vibrant legal community.

Doctor of Juridical Science (JSD)

For law scholars, a Doctor of Juridical Science (JSD) degree is an ideal option. This advanced degree, offered by Columbia Law School and other universities, equips students with exceptional academic aptitude to conduct scholarly work in legal fields.

Some graduates pursue a career as an attorney or lawyer, while others are drawn to this degree for its opportunities in legal research and writing. Not only does the JSD provide more flexibility with study areas, but it also boasts high job security and pays higher salaries than many other jobs within the legal industry.

JSD programs typically take 3 to 4 years to complete and require at least 140 credit hours of coursework. Some even provide a hybrid format with both online and in-person components.

At Miami Law, we believe the JSD provides an unparalleled chance to combine world-class scholarship with an intensive experience within an exciting law school community. As such, many of our JSD graduates have gone on to achieve academic success around the globe.

The JSD curriculum requires extensive independent research as well as seminars and colloquia led by faculty advisers. In the fall term, your chairperson will create a study plan to guide you through research and writing activities.

You must also submit a Research Proposal that demonstrates your ability to conduct original, creative, and scholarly research on an area of your choosing. The proposal should clearly define the research question and be backed up by an extensive bibliography of pertinent materials.

Your advisor is a faculty member who has agreed to serve as your thesis director. Your advisory committee will meet regularly with you and offer advice and support throughout the entire process of composing your dissertation.