Juris Doctor Programs
Juris Doctor programs are designed for students willing to have a career as lawyers, attorneys, counselor, or any legal professions.
Juris Doctor programs are numerous and available in virtually all countries. You can study a Juris Doctor in numerous law schools and universities, and you can combine it with another degree such as an MBA or a PhD
The variety of different Juris Doctor programs can be overwhelming - don't let it stop you! Start your search by looking at the most popular Juris Doctor programs listed below.
What is a Juris Doctor?
The Juris Doctor (also referred to as Doctor of Law or Doctor of Jurisprudence) is the highest professional graduate degree in the field of Law. The Juris Doctor degree is often abbreviated JD, and graduates holding the degree normally take on the professional suffix of "esquire" after their name, rather than using the prefix "Dr." A professional doctorate, the Juris Doctor degree should not to be confused with a PhD in Law, which is a research degree that requires a dissertation.
What are the benefits of taking a Juris Doctor?
Juris Doctor programs take a scientific approach to law, teaching logic and adversarial analysis. Promoting a practical approach to legal study, Doctor of Law programs prepare students for a career as a lawyer, attorney, barrister, counselor or other legal professional. JD programs also prepare students to succeed in professional law exams (sometimes called the "Bar" exam), required to practice in most countries. Passing the legal professional examination is the gateway to becoming a solicitor, lawyer, attorney or legal counsel.
What Do we study in a Juris Doctor?
Juris Doctor programs offer core courses that are foundational to the program and mandatory preparation for the legal professional exam. Mandatory Doctor of Law courses usually include Contract Law, Tort Law, Criminal Law, Professional Responsibility and Civil Procedure. Additionally, JD candidates can enroll in elective courses or may choose to concentrate on a particular area of law, such as Intellectual Property Law, Elder Law, International Human Rights, How much does it cost to take a Juris Doctor?
The monetary costs of completing a Juris Doctor degree program can vary widely from country to country, and between universities. The amount of time it takes an individual to complete their Doctor of Law program may also affect the total price of the degree. After graduation, Juris Doctors will need to pay a fee to the Bar Association or Law Society in order to take the professional examination. However, the investment will prove fruitful with perseverance as lawyers are typically among the highest paid professionals in most countries across the globe.
What are the requirements for a Juris Doctor?
A Bachelors degree is the core pre-requisite to any Doctor of Law or JD program. It is normally not required to have a Masters degree in order to be accepted into a Juris Doctor program. Universities vary greatly in their additional requirements for applicants, in terms of undergraduate grades, program and experience, so prospective students should check with individual schools for this information. It takes two to four years of full time study to complete a Juris Doctor. Doctor of Law candidates must maintain a minimum grade point average and may also be required to complete certain additional credits or coursework to graduate.
Why take an online Juris Doctor?
Many universities offer online Juris Doctor programs, offering flexibility while maintaining academic rigor. Doctor of Law online programs are designed to fit into students' busy schedules, providing the opportunity to study while working or meeting other responsibilities. Using state of the art educational technologies, professors can communicate with online JD candidates easily about assignments and coursework, without the candidate having to travel to campus.
Where to take a Juris Doctor?
Juris Doctor and Doctor of Law programs are offered at universities and academic institutions around the world, in the United States, Japan, Canada, Australia, Hong Kong, UK, Brazil, the Czech Republic, Finland, France, Italy, and more. Some universities offer part-time, online or distance learning curricula for Juris Doctor candidates, making it possible to pursue a JD degree from anywhere in the world. If you are interested in learning more about Juris Doctor programs at universities around the globe, read more here.