A Juris Doctorate degree, also known as a J.D., is a degree that you can receive after you graduate from an accredited law school. In order to attend law school, you must have a bachelor's degree in any field of study; many law schools, in fact, applaud applicants who come from a variety of backgrounds, including the sciences and humanities. Full-time students usually finish these degrees in three years, but many schools offer part-time programs for individuals who cannot attend classes full time.
Many law schools offer students the opportunity to seek combined professional degrees, including the J.D./MBA. These programs are usually accelerated programs to ensure that students may complete them in three years of full-time study. These usually attract a small number of students; for example, Northwestern accepted 28 students for their J.D./MBA program in 2010. This dual degree is designed for individuals interested in pursuing the business side of law or in starting her own business. To apply to this joint degree program, students must have earned a Bachelor of Arts from an accredited four-year institution.
Another combination degree opportunity is the M.P.A./J.D. The program at Princeton University, for example, has students complete five semesters, or two and a half years, at an affiliated law school and then three semesters, or a year and a half, at the Woodrow Wilson School of Public & International Affairs on its campus. The program is designed for students who want an expanded understanding of the relationship between law and policy. Applicants to this type of program must have a Bachelor of Arts from an accredited university or college.
Another type of law degree, one that goes beyond the J.D., is the Master of Law, or LL.M. This program is intended for students who have obtained a law degree from a school outside of the United States who want to develop an understanding of the American legal system. The program lasts for two semesters and allows students to specialize in areas of expertise including business law, international law, and tax law.