What Kind of Law Program Is Right for Me?
So, you’re interested in a legal education and learning more about the world of law. But which path is the right one for you?
The right law program for you depends on your personal and professional goals for the future, whether you are in school or in your career, the areas where you want to improve, and more. Here, we’ll look at some of the most common degree programs in law school and what you can expect from each one.
Types of Law Programs
The JD Degree: For Aspiring Lawyers and More
If you’re planning to practice law in the United States, this is the degree you’ll need — but a Juris Doctor, or JD, degree can be useful in other career paths too. JD programs are usually three-year, full-time programs, but part-time programs spread over a longer time period are also out there. You’ll need a bachelor’s degree to apply to these programs, and you’ll also want to take the LSAT as part of the admission process. (Don’t forget — LawHub is here to help you prepare for the test!)
The LLM Degree: The Next Step for Law Grads
Lawyers and other legal professionals who already hold a JD (or an equivalent international degree) can pursue a Master of Laws, or LLM, degree to expand their knowledge or study a specialized area of law. In particular, international students often use these programs to gain exposure to U.S. or Canadian law and the concepts used there.
The Master’s Degree: Law for Non-Lawyers
If you aren’t a lawyer (or looking to become one), but your line of work involves a lot of legal concepts, consider pursuing a master’s degree, an interdisciplinary approach that will help you develop familiarity with the law. One benefit of these degrees is their flexibility: there are several kinds of master’s degrees available, they often can be earned in one year, and online and part-time programs are available.
The Legal Certificate: Broadening Your Knowledge
Legal certificates allow you to add to your existing legal knowledge, either with a broad program or a more specialized area of study. They’re also fairly affordable and require relatively little time. Some of them can be completed in as little as three months. Often, these programs are specific to different industries, especially in highly regulated areas.