A typical U.S. law school offers the three-year basic law program, leading to the Juris Doctor, or J.D., degree. The degree program begins with foundational courses in constitutional law, civil procedure, torts, property, contracts and criminal law. After the first year of study, a student can focus on her specific area of interest through advanced classes and writing projects. For admission into a J.D. program, applicants need to have an undergraduate degree from an accredited U.S. university or college or its equivalent along with qualifying LSAT scores.
The Master of Law, or LL.M., degree is a one-year program. Students gain exposure to international, American and comparative law. Specialized courses cover topics including human rights law, intellectual property, international environment law and taxation. For admission, an American student must have a J.D. degree. Foreign students must possess an equivalent first degree of law along with certificates proving candidate's proficiency in the English language.
Doctor of Juridical Science, or S.J.D., degree is the most advanced degree in law, equivalent to a Ph.D. in other fields. The degree program requires three to five years for completion; each student must write a dissertation that makes a contribution to the field of law. S.J.D. programs train legal scientists, professors and other scholars in law. Law schools require applicants for the S.J.D. program to possess a J.D. or other first-level degree in law.
Graduates in other disciplines, such as business or journalism, who seek some education in law but do not wish to practice may enroll in a Master of Studies in Law, or M.S.L. program. The one-year program features first-year J.D. curriculum and other specialized units administered by the faculty to meet the students' needs. Lawyers are not eligible for the M.S.L. program. Professionals like corporate managers, accountants and people who work with lawyers may benefit from studying for this degree.