Master of Law vs. Juris Doctorate (JD)

<h3 id="section---ComparingAMasterOfLawVs.JurisDoctorateJDPrograms">Comparing a Master of Law vs. Juris Doctorate (JD) programs</h3> <h3 id="section---MasterOfLaw">Master of Law</h3> <p>A Master of Law is a one-year program designed for students who need an advanced understanding of legal systems but are not planning to become lawyers. There is a diverse range of fields where professionals could benefit from law expertise including business consulting, human rights advocacy, human resources management, health services, social services and more. Students begin their studies by taking the same survey courses on U.S. legal systems that JD students take. Then they can tailor the rest of their curriculum by choosing law classes that intersect with their own profession (health law and policy, contract writing and negotiation, patent law, corporate compliance, technology law, etc&hellip;). To apply, students need a bachelor's degree (in any field) and a compelling personal statement that explains their desire to pursue graduate-level work in law. </p> <h3 id="section---JurisDoctorateJD">Juris Doctorate (JD)</h3> <p>A Juris Doctorate is a three-year program that prepares students to take the bar exam and become licensed lawyers. Students can apply with a bachelor's degree in any discipline, but they must take the LSAT (the law school entrance exam). In the first year of law school students undertake a set curriculum that includes introductions to civil procedure, constitutional law, contracts, legal research, criminal law, property, and torts. In the second and third years, students can design their curriculum to concentrate on the specific type of law they are interested in practicing. Many students participate in a research project or internship during their final year of law school and may participate in pro-bono work. </p> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><th>Degree Program</th><th>Program Length</th><th>Program Requirements</th><th>Common Careers</th></tr> <tr><td>Master of Law</td><td>1-2 years</td><td>Bachelor's degree</td><td>Contract negotiator<br />Political scientist</td></tr> <tr><td>Juris Doctorate</td><td>3 years</td><td>Bachelor's degree<br />LSAT scores</td><td>Lawyer<br />Judge</td></tr> </table><h2 id="section---CareerOptionsWithAJurisDoctorateOrMasterOfLawDegree">Career Options with a Juris Doctorate or Master of Law degree</h2> <h3 id="section---Lawyer">Lawyer</h3> <p>A JD degree prepares students with the skills and knowledge they need to pass the bar exam and become professional lawyers. Lawyers work in a range of settings, from fighting for their clients in the courtroom, to negotiating contracts and mergers for massive corporations, to helping new immigrants become U.S. citizens. Most lawyers choose a specialty, like family law, corporate law, immigration law, bankruptcy law, criminal law, civil rights law, intellectual property law or personal injury law. </p> <h3 id="section---Judge">Judge</h3> <p>A judge is typically a former lawyer who has years of experience in the courtroom. They know the law backward and frontward. They make decisions on the application of the law that has massive repercussions on companies, families, and individuals. Most judges start as lawyers and have a JD degree, however, it is possible to come from a different background connected to law with a master of law degree. </p> <h3 id="section---SeniorContractNegotiator">Senior Contract Negotiator</h3> <p>Senior contract negotiators need excellent negotiation and conflict transformation skills. They use the skills learned through a master of law or JD program to write and negotiate contracts for their company or clients. They can apply their law expertise in many ways including overseeing a merger or acquisition between two large corporations, working with clients of a business to negotiate sales contracts, or helping two warring parties (like an environmental protection agency and land development company) to come to a solution in the courtroom. </p> <h3 id="section---PoliticalScientist">Political Scientist</h3> <p>Political scientists research political systems, public opinion, and the structure and operation of governments. They can work in a variety of public, corporate or NGO settings. Most political science positions require an advanced degree, either a JD or MA. Political scientists with expertise in law can research and analyze the effectiveness of legislation and develop or advocate policy recommendations. </p> <h3 id="section---ProfessorOfLaw">Professor of Law</h3> <p>Students who prefer research to practice can use their MA or JD degree to become a post-secondary law teacher. Some professors of law spend the majority of their time teaching classes of law students, while others split their time between teaching and conducting research. Law professors must have excellent communication skills to train the next generation of law professionals. </p> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><th> Careers with a JD or Master of Law</th><th> Median Salary (2018) </th><th> Job Outlook (2018-28)</th></tr> <tr><td> Lawyer </td><td> $120,910</td><td> 6%</td></tr> <tr><td>Judge</td><td>$117,190</td><td> 3%</td></tr> <tr><td>Senior Contract Negotiator</td><td>78,772 (average salary 2018)</td><td>8% (for arbitrators, mediators and conciliators)</td></tr> <tr><td>Political Scientist</td><td>$117,570</td><td>5% (for political scientist)</td></tr> <tr><td>Postsecondary Law Teacher</td><td>$111,140</td><td>10-14%</td></tr> </table><p>Although a Juris Doctorate and Master of Law have their differences, both degrees provide graduates with the expertise necessary to pursue a range of exciting careers within and outside the field of law.</p>