A Juris Doctor degree is typically achieved in three years and enables the student to practice law in the U.S. Many law students will combine a Juris Doctor program with a specialized advanced degree so that they can enter a specific field of law in less time. In a Juris Doctor program, students will learn the overarching basics of many areas of law, including public interest, corporate law and civil litigation.
A Master of Laws degree can be attained after a Juris Doctor. It has the student specialize in a field of law such as human rights, technology law or environmental law. If a law student knows that she wants to pursue a Master of Laws, she can often combine her Juris Doctor program with a Master of Laws program, depending on the school. Your curriculum in a Master of Laws program depends on your focus. This specialized degree is attained in about one year.
A Doctor of Judicial Science equates to the Doctor of Philosophy in other disciplines. It is the highest law degree a student can earn in the U.S. and requires the student to have already earned a Bachelor's degree, a Juris Doctor and a Master of Laws degree. For some Doctor of Judicial Science programs, a resume with work or internship experience, published papers and/or a research proposal are required.
Legal degrees can be matched with many other types of degrees and studies for academic and professional success. For example, Stanford Law school has a popular, time-tested joint degree in law and business. Stanford believes that law programs teach a person to think analytically, and that this thought process complements business and other areas of study. Those pursuing law degrees do not have to do so solely to become a lawyer or related professional. Instead, a person with a joint degree in law and business could become a small-business entrepreneur.