The Law School Admissions Council (LSAC) consists of the more than 200 law schools that are accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA). One of the services that it provides is the standardized Law School Admission Test (LSAT) that is administered several times a year across the country. Candidates for admission to law school in the United States are required to satisfactorily complete the LSAT.
As per the Law School Admissions Council, there are four different types of law degrees plus a legal certificate that a person might be able to work toward. Those follow:
Juris Doctor: A Juris Doctor (JD) from a law school accredited by the ABA is what people need to sit for the bar exam just about anywhere in the United States. A full-time three-year course of study is required, but the degree program is also offered on a part-time basis. An undergraduate degree is a prerequisite to admission into any accredited JD program. The first year of law school classes across the country are uniform. They consist of classes like torts, property, contracts and civil procedure. Electives open up during the second and third years of studies. Satisfactory scores on the LSAT are also required. Upon earning a JD, an individual becomes eligible to sit for their state’s bar exam.
The LLM: The abbreviation “LLM” stands or the Latin title of Legum Magister which translates into “Master of Laws.” The LLM degree is available to assist those who already hold a JD degree so that they can increase their general knowledge or pursue a specific area of law like tax or international law. LLM programs are highly focused and take another year to complete after a JD program.
Doctor of Juridicial Science:The JSD degree is as highest degree that a person can earn in legal studies in the United States. Although the ABA issued a statement that the JD should be considered the equivalent of a Ph.D, some universities have combined legal studies with other fields of study beyond the LLM for those with extraordinary scholarly abilities. A JSD program requires three to five years to complete and a dissertation.
Master of Science in Law: This degree program is for those who wish to learn about the law but not practice it. It’s a suitable degree program for educators, administrators, personnel managers and even entrepreneurs. Depending on where one gets their degree from, it might also be known as a Master in Legal Studies or Juris Master.
Legal Certificate Studies: Although not degree programs, these LSAC certificate training courses will broaden a participant’s knowledge in a wide area of specific studies. Classes are offered online. They take a minimum of about three months to complete. These certificates are often sought in areas that are highly regulated like cybersecurity, medical technology or FDA compliance in the pharmaceutical industry.
All types of legal studies require dedication and commitment. Expect to be intellectually challenged, but the law can also be intrinsically and financially rewarding. Every day with the law is dynamic. There is always something different that lends to a fulfilling work experience.