Some law schools provide students the opportunity to select an area of concentration as part of the J.D. program. Classwork specifically about Family Law can range from Children's Rights to Adoption to Tax Implications of Divorce. These classes are usually taken as electives during the primary J.D. program.
One of the fastest ways to gain additional credentials in Family Law outside of the original J.D. degree is to obtain a Family Law certificate. Often these programs are designed for paralegals; however, because the information is so specialized, some lawyers find the concentration of information to be helpful in educating themselves about common Family Law issues. These courses are often offered online.
The J.D./MSW degree is often a combined program, during which the student is studying both law and social work. While the law program provides the framework for understanding public policy, the social work program provides an understanding of human behavior and complex family dynamics. Often people with these combined degrees will become public defenders, legal aid clinic directors or victims' rights advocates.
The Master of Law (LL.M) in Family Law degree is acquired after the primary J.D. degree. This degree program is often designed for working professionals, with advanced classes in more complex areas of Family Law, including the financial implications of divorce, litigation strategies, and family law mediation.