What Is a Juris Doctor Program?

A Juris Doctor, or J.D., is the degree required to be a practicing attorney in the United States. Any licensed attorney must possess a J.D. from an American Bar Association approved law school in order to be admitted to the bar to practice law.

What is a Juris Doctor

The Juris Doctor degree was created in the 1960s to replace the LLB, or Bachelor of Laws. The degree gave attorneys the same academic prestige as a Ph.D. It is required that all practicing attorneys have a J.D.

How Do You Get a Juris Doctor

In order to obtain a J.D. you must first be admitted to law school. This requires an undergraduate degree, with an excellent GPA. You must also take and score highly on the LSAT, which is essentially the law school version of the GRE. Finally, extracurricular activities and service to the community will make you look good to law schools.

How Long Does a Juris Doctor Take

Once you have been admitted, it takes three years, on average, to acquire a J.D. There are several law schools that offer part-time programs, so you can take longer to obtain the degree but three years is the minimum.

What Classe Do You Take

While in law school, you will take a variety of classes on the foundations of the U.S. legal system. These will include contracts, property, criminal law, tort law, constitutional law, and criminal and civil procedure. You will also be required to take several courses in legal writing and research. The overall goal is not to teach you every aspect of the law but to teach you to think like a lawyer.

How are You Tested

Examinations in law school typically consist of one final exam at the end of the semester, testing you on everything you have covered throughout the semester.

When Do You Graduate with a Juris Doctor

After you have taken and passed three years worth of classes you are ready to graduate. Once the ceremony is over you will be in possession of a J.D. and you will be ready to take the bar exam in your state. The bar exam is the final hurdle to clear before you can practice law. After that, you are a lawyer.