Difference between a Juris Doctor (JD) and LLM
Law aspirants can pursue Juris Doctor (JD) and LLM course after graduation. Know the major differences between Juris Doctor (JD) and LLM.
The field of Law is very challenging but full of opportunities at the same time. There are courses available for the students in this field that not only provide them with in-depth knowledge of the Law, but also develop the skills they need to work in the field. There are two such courses in Law: Juris Doctor (JD) and LLM, which make students more efficient and competitive. While Juris Doctor is a standard degree for practicing Law in a country like the US, an LLM degree is a specialization in a specific area of Law. Since both these courses are quite different from each other, students must go through their career prospects before opting for either one.
Juris Doctor (JD) Degree: An introduction
This Law course is very popular in many countries. It originated in the United States; and is a prerequisite for anyone wishing to practice Law there. In Canada, students prefer JD instead of LLB, whereas countries like Australia, Hong Kong and Singapore have also recognized this course. The duration of this course is usually three years, but many Law schools in the US offer an accelerated two-year program. To get admission in the Juris Doctor programme applicants must have successfully completed undergraduate studies at a recognized institution. Usually candidates who have completed three years bachelor's degree as specified by the university can apply.
JD or Doctor of Jurisprudence is a professional degree and its course content is more professional than that of LLB. In the United States, JD graduates from the Law schools approved by the American Bar Association are eligible to take the bar exam in any state and on passing the exam they are provided with a license to practice Law. On the other hand, JD graduates in other countries must undergo practical training as well. Through this course, students gain an effective approach to evaluate and address ethical issues, learn to work effectively in diverse cultural contexts, get an opportunity to participate in team problem-solving and decision-making situations in Law and achieve a level of subject matter knowledge appropriate for the academic discipline.
Subjects offered in JD
The courses taught in this programme are listed below:
-
Torts
-
Courtroom Procedures
-
Public Law
-
Civil Procedures
Popular institutes for JD
Institutes popular among students for the the Juris Doctor courses are:
-
Albany Law School
-
California Western school of Law
A brief about LLM Degree
The LLM (Master of Law) is an internationally recognized postgraduate Law degree, usually of one or two years in duration. This course is done to specialize in a particular area of Law, such as Income Tax Law, Cyber Law or International Law etc. Since this degree signifies specialized legal training, many Law firms prefer to hire LLM candidates. While students in the United Kingdom, India and many other countries pursue a Bachelor of Laws (LLB), students in the United States or Canada pursue a Juris Doctor (JD) course to take admission to LLM. The curriculum of LLB and JD is designed with an aim of imparting basic skills and knowledge of Law to the students. Post LLM, students can pursue MPhil or PhD in Law if they wish to continue further studies or can make a career in the field of Law through various job profiles like- Advocate, Solicitor, Judge, Legal Advisor, Notary Public etc. However, to practice Law in India, students must clear the All-India Bar Examination (AIBE).
Subjects offered in LLM
The syllabus taught as part of an LLM course varies from college to college. Some common topics are listed below:
-
Business Law
-
Cyber Law
-
International Law
-
Aviation Law
Popular institutes for LLM
There are many colleges which offer the students to study LLM. Some of these are:
Career Prospects of JD and LLM
Talking about LLM degree, it is one of the most sought-after courses in India and after this course candidates can get jobs in both public and private sectors. However, the job offer in different organizations and government departments may vary based on the entrance test or interview. LLM degree holders get a good salary package, which increases with professional experience. LLM graduates can work as Judge, Legal Advisor, Advocate, Corporate Lawyer, Cyber Expert, Notary, Oath Commissioner, etc.
A JD degree also gives the candidate a chance to get involved in both public and private sectors. However, most of the candidates pursuing a Juris Doctor degree prefer to become a Lawyer. JD degree holders also work as Lobbyists, Legal Consultants, Patent Attorneys, Compliance Attorneys, Real Estate Lawyers, Arbitrators, Mediators, etc.
So, while LLM is a specialized degree in Law, JD is a required degree to practice Law in a country like the US. Candidates can do LLM after JD. Both the degrees are quite different from each other and their career prospects also differ. It depends on a candidate whether he wants to start his career right after completing JD or he/she wants to do specialization in any one area of Law by pursuing LLM.
