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Reviewed by:
Former Head of Pre-Law Office, Northeastern University, & Admissions Officer, Brown University
Reviewed: 01/22/24
If you want to become a lawyer, but aren’t sure of the differences between JD and LLM, read on to learn more.
Suppose you decided that law is the perfect field for you. Now you’re looking into post-secondary education. But what is a JD? What is an LLM? And what is the difference between these two?
This article will cover the main differences between these degrees, their admission requirements, and tips on choosing the right one.
To distinguish between the JD vs. LLM degrees easily, here’s a summary of their key differences:
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Now, let's break down the differences between a JD and a lawyer.
A Juris Doctor (JD) is for students without legal education or experience. A JD provides students with the skills to begin practicing law.
On the other hand, a Master of Laws (LLM) is a master’s program taken after students complete their JD. Foreign-trained attorneys who require lessons in American jurisprudence may complete LLMs. This degree is meant for people with prior legal education and experience.
A JD is the minimum requirement to practice law in America. An LLM is an optional degree to advance a skillset further.
A JD covers the basics to prepare students for jobs as lawyers. LLMs go beyond these basics and allow students to specialize in their desired field of law, such as Intellectual Property or Family Law.
An LLM is also generally more theoretical than a JD to help students formulate their own opinions on policies and laws.
Another difference between a JD vs. LLM degree is that LLM students must complete a thesis on their preferred research topic.
However, a thesis is not required for JD programs. Instead, JD students can expect similar assessments as undergrads: exams, tests, papers, and mock trials.
Full-time JD programs typically take three years to complete. Many LLM programs take one year, and some take up to two years to complete.
You can navigate the differences between LLM and JD programs with LLM admissions consulting. Whether advancing your legal expertise or transitioning to American jurisprudence, expert guidance can help you tailor your application, meet program requirements, and stand out as a candidate.
The admission requirements of these programs also differ in a few ways:
Most LLM programs have the same requirements as Stanford Law School:
Here are the requirements for Stanford JD applicants. These requirements are consistent across most JD programs.
While many of these requirements repeat themselves across both degrees, there are some major differences that set these degrees apart.
Choosing between the LLM or JD depends on a couple of factors, which begin with determining where you are in your legal journey. If you don’t have legal experience and have already finished your undergrad in America or Canada, your only option is a JD.
If you have already completed your JD and wish to hone your skills in a specific law field, or you’re a foreign attorney who wishes to practice law in America, you might opt for an LLM over a JD. An LLM will give you a more specific understanding of law theory, and you won’t have to go over the basics of legal practice again.
LLMs are also much shorter programs, which allow foreign lawyers to begin practicing law as soon as possible.
Another reason to get an LLM is if you want to pursue legal education. To teach law, you usually need an LLM at a minimum, and sometimes even a JSD (Doctor of Juristic Science).
You can complete both degrees to begin practicing law. In this case, you must complete the JD before completing the LLM.
For any remaining questions, here are the answers to frequently asked questions about these degrees.
No, an LLM is a master’s program, so it’s more advanced and usually requires a JD or equivalent law degree.
In some ways, an LLM may be harder because of its specialized curriculum and thesis requirements. However, the JD is often believed to be harder because it takes longer to complete and is the first time students are introduced to legal theories and the rigorous demands of law school.
LLMs are often unnecessary, depending on the type of law you practice. Highly regulated areas of law, such as environmental law, education, tax law, or government-related law, are some fields that benefit from LLMs.
People generally pursue an LLM after their JD to specialize in a particular area of law for more career opportunities and higher salaries.
Yes, the JSD is higher and is a doctoral program.
Stanford University is currently the best law school in the nation.
Now that you know the key differences between the LLM vs. JD, you’re one step closer to picking your perfect program and actualizing your career goals! Regardless of which degree you choose, completing a JD, LLM, or both will equip you with the right skills and knowledge to become an excellent attorney!
Reviewed by:
Former Head of Northeastern University's Pre-Law Office, Northeastern University
