What Are the Different Types of Law Degrees?

If you are a professional seeking a legal career or law-related occupation, it is important to remember that a Juris Doctor (JD) is not the only type of law degree available to you. When pursuing your law degree options, you should first consider the specific legal skills you will need to advance your career.

Some types of law degrees, like the JD, will prepare you to pass the bar exam and practice law as a lawyer in the courtroom or in a more traditional legal setting. Other non-JD law degrees, like the Master of Legal Studies (MLS) or Master of Dispute Resolution (MDR), provide you with legal skills that are useful in almost any field.

Exploring the different admissions requirements, curriculum options, and outcomes of these degrees will help you determine which type of law degree is the best fit for your career goals.

Master of Legal Studies (MLS)

A Master of Legal Studies degree is designed for nonlawyers who could benefit from a deeper understanding of the law but do not want to follow the path of becoming a practicing attorney. A legal studies degree is generally a good fit for professionals who deal with legal procedures or concepts in their daily role and are looking to advance their career.

Admission:
MLS programs require applicants to have earned their bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and can sometimes require standardized test scores. In addition, a résumé, a personal statement, letters of recommendation, and personal interviews can be required.

Academic Experience:
MLS curriculums typically cover a variety of legal topics to give students a strong foundation in all aspects of the law. Courses can cover legal topics like contracts, regulatory compliance, negotiation theory, and administrative law. In addition, students are sometimes required to attend in-person learning experiences that give them the opportunity to put their newly gained legal skills into practice. MLS programs typically take 12 to 24 months to complete depending on full-time or part-time options.

Program Outcomes:
Graduates of legal studies degree programs typically pursue careers in law-adjacent fields such as business, human resources, regulatory agencies, law enforcement, and social work. Skills like working with contracts, understanding the legal procedures involved in transactions, and ensuring compliance with the law can help students advance in these fields.

Pepperdine Caruso School of Law’s online Master of Legal Studies program helps students understand complex legal concepts to make more informed decisions in their role. Students also have the option of choosing a concentration in dispute resolution, with courses from Pepperdine Caruso School of Law’s Straus Institute—ranked #2 for dispute resolution by U.S. News & World Report. Learn more about Pepperdine Caruso School of Law’s online Master of Legal Studies program.

Request Information

Master of Dispute Resolution (MDR)

A Master of Dispute Resolution degree can be beneficial for professionals who are looking to develop conflict resolution and negotiation skills to better manage conflict and handle difficult situations. MDR programs can attract professionals who are interested in learning how to resolve conflicts between parties, handling change or promoting communication in their organization, and identifying workplace issues before they arise.

Admission:
Similar to other non-JD degree programs, individuals pursuing a dispute resolution degree are required to have earned their bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and can sometimes require standardized test scores. In addition, a résumé, a personal statement, letters of recommendation, and personal interviews can be required.

Academic Experience:
MDR curriculums typically cover negotiation, mediation, and arbitration strategies in addition to a wide range of dispute resolution topics. Course topics can include negotiation, mediation theory, arbitration practice, and conflict management. MDR programs typically take 12 to 24 months to complete.

Program Outcomes:
Since conflict and difficult situations are present in almost every field, students can pursue careers in business management, social work, counseling, human resources, construction management, and labor relations.

Pepperdine Caruso School of Law’s online MDR program assists professionals across a variety of industries to confidently resolve conflicts and negotiate complex transactions. The online MDR program is offered by Pepperdine Caruso School of Law’s Straus Institute, which is ranked #2 for dispute resolution by U.S. News & World Report. Learn more about Pepperdine Caruso School of Law’s online Master of Dispute Resolution program.

Request Information

Juris Doctor (JD)

A Juris Doctor degree is the required legal degree for professionals who are pursuing a career as a practicing attorney. JD degree programs at American Bar Association accredited law schools typically focus on all aspects of U.S. law and legal procedure to prepare students to research cases, prosecute or defend lawsuits, and argue on behalf of a wide variety of individual clients and businesses. A JD degree includes preparation for passing a state bar exam, which allows attorney’s to practice in their chosen state.

Admission:
Students pursuing a JD degree are required to have earned their bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and must submit LSAT or GRE test scores. In addition, letters of recommendation, personal interviews, and personal statements can be required.

Academic Experience:
JD curriculums typically emphasize the tools and strategies used in the courtroom and to conduct research on complex legal issues. Course topics can include U.S. law, constitutional law, civil law, criminal law, torts, contract law, property, and other legal topics. Students typically graduate in three years when taking a full-time course load. In most cases, they are also required to complete internships and clerkships at law firms.

Program Outcomes:
Graduates of a JD degree program must pass a bar examination to practice law in the United States. Only after passing the bar exam can students become licensed attorneys.

Learn more about Pepperdine Caruso School of Law’s on-campus Juris Doctor program.

Master of Laws (LLM)

A Master of Laws degree is designed for professionals who already hold a law degree and want to specialize in a particular area of law. Students in LLM programs typically develop expertise in a specific legal subject such as tax law, intellectual property, or human rights law.

Admission:
Students pursuing an LLM degree are required to have earned a JD degree from an accredited college or university. In addition, a résumé, a personal statement, letters of recommendation, and personal interviews can be required.

Academic Experience:
LLM curriculums provide students with the opportunity to further hone their legal skills by choosing from a range of electives that cover advanced legal topics. Specialized areas of study include international law, human rights law, tax law, commercial law, copyright law, and environmental law. Students typically graduate in one year if taking a full-time course load or two years if taking a part-time course load.

Program Outcomes:
After earning this degree and developing expertise in the subject of their choice, LLM degree graduates typically continue their careers as attorneys but serve a more specialized client base. These highly competitive fields can include international law, human rights law, intellectual property law, and health law.

Pepperdine Caruso School of Law’s online Master of Laws (LLM) in Dispute Resolution program prepares lawyers to solve the most pressing conflicts of today through mediation, negotiation, and arbitration. The online LLM program is offered by Pepperdine Caruso School of Law’s Straus Institute, which is ranked #2 for dispute resolution by U.S. News & World Report. Request information today to learn more about Pepperdine Caruso School of Law’s online Master of Laws in Dispute Resolution program.

Learn more about Pepperdine Caruso School of Law’s on-campus LLM programs.

Request Information

FAQs About Law Degrees

  • While a JD (Juris Doctor) is technically a professional doctorate, lawyers in the U.S. do not typically use the title “Dr.”. Instead, they may use “Esq.” (Esquire) after their names to indicate they are licensed attorneys. The “doctor” title is generally reserved for medical doctors and PhD holders, based on cultural practice and professional norms. A JD is a terminal degree for those who wish to practice law.

  • There is no single “best” undergraduate degree for law school. Law schools prioritize applicants with a well-rounded education and strong critical thinking, reading, and writing skills. While Political Science is a popular choice, majors like History, English, Philosophy, Economics, or even STEM fields can be excellent preparation for a legal career as long as they help you develop these foundational skills.

  • The common abbreviation for “attorney at law” is Atty. at Law. While “Atty.” is a shortened form for attorney, the inclusion of “at Law” clarifies the formal title. Another frequent title used after a lawyer’s name in the U.S. is Esq. (Esquire), which signifies a licensed attorney.

  • A Juris Doctor (JD) is the foundational professional law degree in the United States. A “Doctor of Law” is a broader term that refers to more advanced or honorary degrees, such as a Doctor of Juridical Science (JSD) or a Doctor of Laws (LLD). A JD is the required degree for lawyers who want to practice, while other “doctor of law” degrees are typically for those pursuing academic research or teaching.

  • The different types of law can be categorized in two primary ways: by the nature of the law (e.g., criminal vs. civil) or by the source of the law (e.g., constitutional, statutory, and common law).

    Criminal law addresses offenses against the public, while civil law handles disputes between individuals or organizations. Source categories refer to where the law originates, such as statutes created by a legislature or common law established by court decisions.

  • No, an attorney and a lawyer are not exactly the same. A lawyer is a broad term for anyone who has graduated from law school with a law degree. An attorney, however, is a lawyer who has also passed a state’s bar exam and is licensed to practice law. In general, all attorneys are lawyers, but not all lawyers are attorneys.

  • In the United States, Esq. is a professional title appended to the surname of a licensed attorney. It signifies that the individual has a law degree, has passed the bar exam, and is qualified to practice in their jurisdiction. Historically a title for English gentry, its modern use is strictly a professional courtesy marker for lawyers.

  • No, in most U.S. jurisdictions, you cannot be a lawyer without passing the bar exam, which is a mandatory licensing requirement to practice law. While a few states have limited exceptions, such as “diploma privilege” for graduates of in-state law schools or other non-traditional pathways, the bar exam or a similar rigorous equivalent is the standard for licensure.

  • Yes, many lawyers rarely, if ever, go to court, as their work does not require it. Examples include estate planning lawyers, who help clients with wills and trusts, labor lawyers, who advise on employment regulations, and even some corporate lawyers, who focus on business transactions and contracts.

  • A law degree provides highly transferable skills like critical thinking, research, and writing that are valuable in many fields. Individuals with a JD can work in business as compliance officers or corporate executives, in government as policy advisors or legislative analysts, or even in media and publishing. Other career paths include human resources, risk management, or alternative dispute resolution.