LAW DEGREES
Law school graduates typically earn a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree. If you want to practice law in the United States, you usually need a J.D. degree.
Some students earn a J.D. to become a practicing attorney. Others may earn a J.D. to become a law librarian, legal researcher, sports agent, technical editor, professor, consultant, corporate compliance program director, etc.
JOINT LAW DEGREES
Some law schools may offer a joint (also called "concurrent" or "dual") graduate degree in another area for law students who have multiple interests.
A joint degree allows the law student to complete the J.D. and the other graduate degree simultaneously.
Some joint degrees may require an extra year in addition to the three-year law degree. Other joint degrees may be structured to be completed during the regular three years of law school.
Examples of joint law degrees (but joint degrees exist at many other law schools):
UCLA School of Law
- Joint J.D./Master of Arts (M.A.) in African American Studies
- Joint J.D./Master of Arts (M.A.) in American Indian Studies
University of Washington School of Law
- Joint J.D./Master of Laws (L.L.M.) in Asian and Comparative Law
- Joint J.D./Master of Public Health (M.P.H.)
University of Texas at Austin School of Law
- Joint J.D./Master of Arts (M.A.) in Latin American Studies
- Joint J.D./Master of Science in Social Work (M.S.S.W.)
Stanford University Law School
- Joint J.D./Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.)
- Joint J.D./Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Business Administration
University of Oregon School of Law
SPECIALTIES IN LAW SCHOOL
Some law schools allow an emphasis or specialty within their law program to prepare for a career in a specific area of law.
Examples of specialties (but specialties exist at many other law schools):
Harvard University Law School
- Area of Interest in Arts, Entertainment and Sports Law
- Area of Interest in Animal Law & Policy
- Area of Interest in Immigration Law
Seton Hall University Law School
Stanford University Law School
UC Davis School of Law
- Area of Concentration in Business Law
- Area of Concentration in Environmental and Natural Resources Law
UCLA School of Law
- Critical Race Studies J.D. Specialization
- Media, Entertainment & Technology Law and Policy J.D. Specialization
University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law
University of Minnesota Law School
University of Oregon School of Law
STUDY ABROAD DURING LAW SCHOOL
Students in some law schools may be able to study abroad for a semester during law school.
Examples of law school study abroad (but study abroad may exist at many other law schools):
