Difference Between a Juris Doctor (JD) and Master of Law (LLM) - Check Insights Here

Updated On: September 12, 2023 06:03 pm IST

Check out everything about the JD and LLM courses including the eligibility criteria, duration, top colleges etc. Find out the key differences between the two top law courses in the world.

Table of Contents

What is a Juris Doctor Course?
What is an LLM?
What is the Difference Between JD and LLM?
Subjects offered in JD
Subjects offered in LLM
Top Institutes for JD
Top Institutes for LLM
Job Prospects and Career Scope of JD
Job Prospects and Career Scope of LLM

The Master of Law(LLM) and Juris Doctor (JD) are considered reputed degrees, putting emphasis on the law of the country and its application of in the real world. Both degrees revolve around the subject of law and are considered unique. Depending upon the career, one wants to make for himself or herself, should one decide to choose between the two degrees.

The JD degree is a mandatory requirement for practicing law in the United States. After earning a JD, individuals can take the bar exam in states that license lawyers. On the other hand, pursuing an LLM can provide specialized legal training in areas like corporate law, civil law, environmental law, or human rights law.

Read the article given below to understand the key difference between JD and LLM degrees, and after analyzing both in great detail, one can choose the right fit for themselves

What is a Juris Doctor Course?

Juris Doctorate Degree is the highest education in the legal profession. The course is for students who seek a career as attorneys, lawyers, counsellor or any other legal profession. The purpose of the degree is to help the students with an in-depth knowledge of the legal system along with the laws that govern it. The students are required to take subject coursework apart from the general courses. The subject coursework depends on the area of interest of the student. Some of the subjects a student of a JD programme can expect are Torts, Civil Law, Civil Procedures, Public Law, Courtroom Practices, Constitutional Law, International Law, Contract Law, Business/Financial Law, Real Estate and Property Law.

Following these, a set of internships that involve hands-on experience in the field are also included in the course curriculum.

Also Read: Top National Law Universities in India 2023 - Admission Process, Fees & Eligibility

What is an LLM?

A Master of Law or an LLM is a degree awarded to a candidate who has completed advanced research and education in a particular area of law. Lawyers can pursue LLM to gain knowledge and expertise in a specific sector in order to build a better career path and professional network in the field. Different sectors/specialisations in LLM include tax law, international law, commercial law, criminal law, cyber law, energy law, intellectual property law, jurisprudence, human rights, environmental law, and more. The course has been designed in such a manner that it provides detailed education regarding trademarks and trademark law practice in India and all over the world. From the legal history to the various present-day legal constraints, a plethora of aspects of law are covered in the LLM programme.

What is the Difference Between JD and LLM?

The table given below states the key differences between JD and LLM:

Details	Juris Doctor (JD)	Master of Law (LL.M)
Eligibility Criteria	The JD degree can be taken up by candidates who have completed a three-year bachelor's degree and academic performance as specified by the university. The candidates are also required to appear for the law school admission test whose score will be considered by the institute of the candidate's preference. Students may apply for transfer and note that one should be accredited by the country's Bar Association.	The basic criteria to be able to go for LLM is to have an undergraduate degree in law from a recognised university with not less than aggregate marks as specified by the institute of choice.
Fee	$43,000 per year	Rs 2 lakh per year
Duration of the course	3 years	1 year

Also Read: Difference between a Juris Doctor (JD) and a Bachelor of Law (LLB)

Subjects offered in JD

Numerous subjects are taught when studying JD (Juris Doctor) degree. These include:

Public Law
Civil Procedures
Business Law
Courtroom Procedures
Contract Law
Property and Real Estate Law
International Law
Torts

Subjects offered in LLM

When pursuing a Master of Law (LLM) degree, one is taught various subjects such as:

Criminal Law
Family Law
Human Rights Law
Constitutional Law
Business Law
Cyber Law
Aviation Law
International Law

Top Institutes for JD

Some of the best institutes for pursuing JD are:

University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, William S. Richardson School of Law
Albany Law School
Singapore Management University
Peking University School of Transnational Law
Seton Hall University, School of Diplomacy and International Relations
Australian National University (ANU) - Law
University of Technology Sydney
California Western School of Law

Top Institutes for LLM

Some of the top institutes for pursuing LLM are as follows:

Job Prospects and Career Scope of JD

Pursuing JD opens multiple doors to jobs in both the public and private sectors. Although the most common job positions for one with a Juris Doctor degree include becoming a lawyer or an attorney. Few of the job positions that one can expect after completing the degree are Lobbyist, Legal Consultant, Patent Attorney, Compliance Attorney, Real Estate Lawyer, Arbitrator, Mediator. The annual salary of an individual with a Juris Doctor degree ranges between $60,000 and $90,000.

Also Read: List of Law Courses in India

Job Prospects and Career Scope of LLM

LL.M is one of the most sought-after courses in India and candidates can find jobs in both the private and public sectors. Job offers to various organisations and different government departments are made on the basis of entrance exams. Individuals with an LLM degree are offered great salary packages which are ought to increase with the job type, years of professional experience in the field, etc. A few of the job positions/profiles LLM graduates can opt for are:

Magistrate
Judge
Legal Associate
Professor of Law
Notary
Oath Commissioner
Advocate

The average pay package of an LLM graduate ranges from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 8 lakh per annum. The JD course is a much longer and broader program than LLM. However, both of them are two of the most popular law courses in the world which primarily focus on building competitive legal careers for the students.

This is all you need to know about both the courses catering to the law subject; JD and LLM. Stay tuned to CollegeDekho for more such comparison articles.