What Are the Different Types of Law Degrees? – Forbes Advisor | Biden News

If you’re planning to earn a law degree, you might consider becoming a lawyer—but there are many other options for law school graduates.

What can you do with a law degree? Any professional whose career requires knowledge of the legal system, laws and regulations can find value in a law degree. Some law programs prepare students to become lawyers, and others cater to students pursuing other types of careers that do not involve practicing law.

What Are the Different Types of Law Degrees?

This article looks at five types of law degrees and popular career options for graduates. Whether you plan to become a lawyer or work in another career that requires legal knowledge, consider one of these degrees to help you achieve your goals.

Dispute Resolution Master

If you don’t intend to work as a lawyer, but you want to develop your skills in mediation, conflict resolution, or negotiation, consider earning a master of dispute resolution (MDR) degree. People who earn an MDR often work in human resources, labor relations, and business management.

If you earn the MDR, your courses may cover negotiation theory, arbitration, conflict management, and mediation. You need a bachelor’s degree to earn an MDR. Additional requirements may include letters of recommendation, interviews, and personal statements.

master of Law

If you have earned a law degree and want to specialize in a certain type of law—such as intellectual property or tax law—getting a master of law (LLM) degree can help you do that.

Coursework for an LLM typically includes subject matter related to areas of legal specialization, such as tax, copyright, environment, and human rights. A bachelor’s degree is required to earn this degree. The university may also set additional requirements, such as letters of recommendation, interviews, or personal statements.

Master in Law

If you don’t intend to practice law, but your job requires you to be well versed in legal concepts, earning a master’s degree in legal studies (MLS) can teach you what you need to know. This degree is a popular choice among labor relations specialists, human resource managers, compliance officers and management analysts.

Coursework in an MLS program may include legal procedures, ethics, research, legal writing, and legal strategy. A bachelor’s degree is required to pursue MLS. Universities may also request letters of recommendation, interviews, and personal essays.

jury doctor

If you’re wondering how to become a lawyer, doctor juris (JD) is the traditional path for students who plan to take the bar exam and become a barrister or judge. Earning a JD typically requires three years of full-time study, or four to five years for part-time students. Some universities offer their J.D. programs as part of a joint degree option, which can also take four to five years to complete.

Earning a JD typically involves courses in contracts, torts, constitutional law, wills and trusts, criminal law and other legal issues. A bachelor’s degree is a prerequisite for earning a J.D. degree, although you can choose your undergraduate major. Additional requirements may include passing scores on the Law School Admission Test® or Graduate Record Examination, letters of recommendation and/or law school personal statements.

Doctor of Laws

A doctorate of juridical sciences (SJD) degree caters to those who plan to work in academia. You need a JD and an LLM degree to earn your SJD, which is the highest degree awarded in law. The length of time to earn an SJD varies by university, but usually requires at least two years of full-time study.

SJD degrees do not have a standard curriculum, so each university works with its students to tailor their program. The path to SJD usually involves seminars, research and one-on-one study with faculty. In addition to the JD and LLM, the SJD program may also require a letter of recommendation, a research proposal, or a personal statement.

Careers for Law Graduates

Arbitrator, Mediator or Conciliator

Median Annual Salary: The median annual salary for arbitrators, mediators and conciliators is $49,410.
Education Required: A bachelor’s degree is required to become an arbitrator, mediator or conciliator. Some organizations require an MBA, law degree or other graduate degree.
Job description: Arbitrators, mediators and conciliators serve as facilitators to resolve disputes between two or more parties. These neutral figures work to reach a settlement in the best interests of all parties.

Journalist

Median Annual Salary: The median annual salary for journalists is $48,370.
Education Required: In most cases, a bachelor’s degree is required to become a journalist. Journalists who are experts in a particular subject area may have a bachelor’s degree, such as a law degree.
Job description: Journalists research and gather information about current and important events. They write news stories to inform the public. Journalists’ work can appear on television, online, in newspapers or in other forms of media.

Judge

Median Annual Salary: The median annual salary for judges is $128,710.
Education Required: A law degree is required to become a judge. A judge also needs to have experience working as a lawyer before becoming a judge.
Job description: Judges preside over court hearings and oversee legal processes, such as resolving disputes and issuing decisions on legal matters. These professionals listen to and consider evidence and information from lawyers, witnesses and others when they make decisions on cases or claims.

Lawyer

Median Annual Salary: The median annual salary for attorneys is $127,990.
Education Required: In most states, a law degree and passing grades on the state bar exam are required to become a barrister. Countries set their own requirements, so be sure to check with you for more information.
Job description: Lawyers represent and advise their clients on a wide variety of legal matters, both inside and outside the courtroom. Their duties may include preparing and filing documents, researching and analyzing legal issues and debating on behalf of their clients.

Political scientist

Median Annual Salary: The median annual salary for political scientists is $122,510.
Education Required: A master’s degree is required to become a political scientist.
Job description: Political scientists research and analyze information about political trends, policies, and systems of government. This may include collecting data from public opinion polls, monitoring government policy decisions or making political or economic forecasts.

Post-secondary teacher

Median Annual Salary: The median annual salary for a post-secondary teacher (college professor) is $79,640.
Education Required: The educational requirements for post-secondary teachers vary according to their area of ​​expertise and where they teach. Most college professors require a doctorate, but a master’s degree may suffice in some educational institutions.
Job description: Post-secondary teachers educate students in colleges and universities. They can also help develop curricula, serve on committees and advise students.

Which Law Degree Should You Pursue?

The type of law degree you choose should fit your career goals, your budget and how long you plan to continue your education.

JD

If you intend to become a practicing attorney, earning a J.D. degree helps you do so. It gives you the knowledge you need to practice law, and it qualifies you to take the bar exam.

LLM

If you have a J.D. degree and you are ready to specialize in a certain type of law, getting an LLM may be the best option. This degree gives you a deeper understanding of certain types of law. As a lawyer with this specialized knowledge, your options for career advancement and earning power can increase.

SJD

If you are a lawyer and you are interested in working in academia, you may want to get an SJD degree. This course of study expands your knowledge and teaches you the skills you need to become a law graduate and educate other aspiring lawyers in a university setting.

MDR

If you are not interested in becoming a lawyer, but you plan to work in a career that requires dispute resolution skills, you may consider getting an MDR degree. This degree helps you understand the legal issues associated with helping people resolve conflicts and disputes.

MLS

If you don’t plan on becoming a lawyer, but you need to understand the laws and regulations in your career, getting an MLS is a great way to help you achieve your goals. This versatile degree can be useful for many career paths that require legal knowledge.

Frequently Asked Questions About Law Degrees