What are the different types of law degrees? – Forbes Advisor

If you are planning to earn a law degree, you may want to 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 could find value in a law degree. Some law programs prepare students to become lawyers, while others cater to learners pursuing other types of careers that do not involve practicing law.

What are the different types of law degrees?

This article discusses 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.

Masters in Dispute Resolution

If you don’t intend to work as a lawyer but want to improve your skills in mediation, conflict resolution or negotiation, consider getting a Masters in Dispute Resolution (MDR). People who earn an MDR often work in human resources, labor relations, and business management.

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

Master of Laws

If you’ve already got a law degree and want to specialize in a particular type of law – such as intellectual property or tax law – getting an LLM can help you do that.

LLM coursework 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 obtain this degree. Universities may also set additional requirements, such as letters of recommendation, interviews or personal statements.

Master of Laws

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

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

Juris doctor

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

Earning a JD typically involves coursework in contracts, torts, constitutional law, wills and trusts, criminal law, and other legal matters. A bachelor’s degree is a prerequisite for a JD degree, although you can choose your undergraduate major. Additional requirements may include a passing score on the Law School Admission Test® or graduation exam, letters of recommendation, and/or law school personal statements.

Doctor of Legal Sciences

A Juris Doctor (SJD) degree serves those who plan to work in academia. You need both a JD and an LLM to earn an SJD, which is the highest degree awarded in the legal field. The time frame for obtaining an SJD varies by university, but usually requires at least two years of full-time study.

The SJD degree has no standard curriculum, so each university works with its students to customize its program. The path to an SJD typically involves seminars, research, and one-on-one tutoring with faculty. In addition to the JD and LLM, SJD programs may also require letters of recommendation, research proposals, or personal statements.

Careers for Law Graduates

Arbitrator, mediator or conciliator

Average annual salary: The average annual salary for arbitrators, mediators and conciliators is $49,410.
Required education: A bachelor’s degree is required to become an arbitrator, mediator, or conciliator. Some organizations require an MBA, law degree, or other advanced degree.
Description of the work: Arbitrators, mediators and conciliators serve as facilitators to resolve disputes between two or more parties. These neutral figures work to reach agreements in the interests of all parties.

a journalist

Average annual salary: The average annual salary for journalists is $48,370.
Required Education: In most cases, a bachelor’s degree is required to become a journalist. Journalists who are experts in specific subject areas may have higher education, such as a law degree.
Description of the work: Journalists research and gather information about current and notable events. They write news to inform the public. Journalists’ work may appear on television, online, in newspapers, or in other forms of media.

a judge

Average annual salary: The average annual salary for judges is $128,710.
Required Education: A law degree is required to become a judge. A judge must also have experience working as a lawyer before becoming a judge.
Description of the work: Judges preside over court hearings and oversee court processes, such as resolving disputes and issuing rulings on legal issues. These professionals listen to and consider evidence and information from lawyers, witnesses and other parties as they make decisions on cases or claims.

A lawyer

Average annual salary: The median annual salary for lawyers is $127,990.
Required Education: In most states, becoming a lawyer requires a law degree and passing the state bar exam. States set their own requirements, so be sure to check with yours for more information.
Description of the work: Lawyers represent and advise their clients on many types of legal matters, both in and out of the courtroom. Their duties may include preparing and filing documents, researching and analyzing legal issues and disputes on behalf of the client.

political scientist

Average annual salary: The average annual salary for political scientists is $122,510.
Required Education: A master’s degree is required to be a political scientist.
Description of the work: Political scientists research and analyze information about political trends, policies and government systems. This may include collecting data from public opinion polls, monitoring government policy decisions or making political or economic forecasts.

Graduate teacher

Average annual salary: The average annual salary for post-secondary teachers (college teachers) is $79,640.
Required education: Educational requirements for post-secondary teachers vary depending on their area of ​​expertise and where they teach. Most college professors need a doctorate, but a master’s degree may be sufficient at some educational institutions.
Description of the work: Post-secondary teachers teach students at colleges and universities. They may also help develop curricula, serve on committees, and advise students.

Which Law Degree Should You Pursue?

The type of law degree you choose should match 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 JD degree helps you do so. It gives you the knowledge you need to practice law and qualifies you to take the bar exam.

LLM

If you have a JD degree and are ready to specialize in a specific type of law, earning 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 career development and earning potential may increase.

SJD

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

MDR

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

MLS

If you don’t plan to become a lawyer but 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 requiring legal knowledge.

Frequently Asked Questions About Law Degrees