The Types Of Law Degrees

Law is complicated and yet, rewarding. Studying it comes with many benefits and advantages that are not present with other majors. But are you aware that there is more than just one kind of law degree?

In today’s article, we will talk about the many categories of law degrees online and on-campus, everything you need to know about them, and so much more. Are you interested to know more? You can check out the other kinds of law degrees from valuecolleges.com.

Explaining The Basics Of A Law Degree

A law degree is a program that guides and focuses students with the necessary skills, information, and knowledge for a career and other opportunities in the field of law and legal matters.

It is more than just understanding what makes the gears run and keep our society fair. Students tackle many aspects and academic subjects to make sure the system keeps on running smoothly.

The typical law degree will take at least three to four years to complete, depending on the institution that will reward it. Some academies and schools have additional requirements that need completing before a student can attain a degree under their name.

The Various Types Of Law Degrees

It does take a degree for someone to be a lawyer or a professional who practices law, but most individuals do not know that there is more than one kind of law degree out there. What you will choose to pursue will affect the career path you wish to take in the future.

The types of law degrees are listed below:

• Juris Doctor
• Master of Laws
• Doctor of Judicial Science
• Master of Legal Studies
• Master of Dispute Resolution

A Juris Doctor program or JD is one of the most common programs that you can take. It is the first law degree established in the States. Admission councils mention that non-ABA-accredited schools also offer the program.

It takes three years to complete, and you need to have a bachelor’s degree and pass the LSAT or law school admission test to qualify for admission.

The next type of law degree is the Master of Laws or LLM. The Master of Laws is a degree that individuals who already have a law degree can take. You can apply for a part-time course that takes two years to accomplish or a full-time program that only requires one year.

This degree may have more than just one curriculum, depending on the specialization that a student wishes to handle. An LLM program does not require students to take the LSAT.

Another classification of law degree is the Doctor of Judicial Science. This degree is for you if already finished the JD or/and LLM courses and wish to advance and level-up your law studies. It is the highest form of law degree out there, and it takes two years to acquire.

This degree holds a strict grasp when it comes to admissions: you must have a JD or LLM degree under your name, a resume, a personal statement, a research proposal, various individual interview sessions, and recommendation letters.

Next comes the Master of Legal Studies or MLS. This program is for those who wish to have the knowledge and learn all there is about the law but do not desire to practice it or become lawyers. Those who graduate from this course’s curriculum can have job opportunities in law enforcement, businesses, human resources, regulatory agencies, and so much more. The Master of Legal Studies degree usually takes two to three and a half years to carry out.

The last entry on this list is the Master of Dispute Resolution program or MDR. If you fancy working in settings and organizations where you provide strategies and resolutions to problems and negotiate and handle matters, then this is the course for you. You must have a bachelor’s degree, send letters of recommendation, a personal statement, and a resume to apply for admission.

What Are The Career Paths After Graduation?

Taking up law is a popular choice among many students, and law careers are some of the best that you can aim for. Here is a quick list of some of the careers that you can go after.

Lawyer

This choice is the go-to career for most graduates. As a lawyer, you can either work in a firm or start a legal practice that lets you handle a wide array of cases. A job as a lawyer will land you a salary like no other.

Paralegal

This career choice allows you to do legal work that a lawyer is responsible for, allowing for a case preparation. Paralegals are the backbone of lawyers, so as such, they must have a substantial amount of knowledge and know-how of the law and legal matters.

Legal Secretary

A legal secretary is a career path you can go for if you are preparing files, legal documents, and other media that all others will use in legal settings and aspects. The average salary for a legal secretary is $44,000.

Academy Instructor

An academy instructor is a career path that lets you teach vocational and academic subjects to students. You will lecture pupils on the background and basics of law and legalities, theories and requirements, and criteria that make up a curriculum.

Management Consultant

The business world needs management consultants. They are the ones responsible for keeping the company at its peak and help it run more efficiently. You can also work with firms and other organizations by offering services like organizing, bookkeeping, accounting, human resources, and a whole lot more.

Policy Analyst

Non-profit organizations, legislative bodies, government sectors, and large corporations all require a policy analyst. As an analyst, your job is to create company policies and regulations, provide advice for management branches and legislators, and discuss matters with individuals. You will also be responsible for research work and data gathering. The average salary for a policy analyst is $68,000.

And There You Have It

As you have read, there is more to just being a graduate with a law degree. You have many options to pick when it comes to your job or career, making the field even more intriguing and rewarding.