In law school, you may come across two types of degree, Juris Doctor (J.D.) and Joint Law degree.
| Law Degree | Joint Law Degree |
| Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree is more common. |
Joint graduate degree (may also be known as “concurrent” or “dual” graduate degree) |
| J.D. degree is required to practice law in the United States. | Allow students to complete their J.D degree and other graduate degree simultaneously |
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Possible careers:
Practicing attorney Law librarian Legal researcher Sports agent Technical editor Professors Consultant Corporate compliance program director Etc. |
May take an extra year in addition to the three-year law degree depending on the joint degree. |
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Example of joint law degree schools: UCLA School of Law
University of Washington School of Law
University of Texas at Austin School of Law
Stanford University Law School
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 joint law degrees (but joint degrees exist at many other law schools): |
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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 Joint J.D./Master of Science (M.S.) in Conflict and Dispute Resolution |
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): |
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American Bar Association Study Abroad Guide for Law Students UC Davis School of Law International Semester Exchange Program |
