What Is a Juris Doctor?
A Juris Doctor is a graduate degree in law. Most law schools require three years of full-time study or four years of part-time study to earn a Juris Doctor degree.
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History
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During the mid-19th century, Christopher Langdell, a former dean of Harvard Law School, sought to reform legal education in the United States by creating the Juris Doctor degree. Langdell's approach to graduate-level legal training combined the case and Socratic methods of study.
Significance
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The case method of studying law requires the student to read and analyze judicial opinions that describe an area of law. This method teaches the law student to think like a lawyer by thoroughly exploring how laws are applied to the facts of each case, and how cases can be distinguished from each other.
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Function
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The case method of studying precedents, combined with the Socratic method in the classroom, teaches students to form and articulate legal arguments. The combined study methods serve as preparation for practicing law before a judge and jury.
Types
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All law students study certain core subjects, including civil procedure, constitutional law, torts, contracts, property, and legal research and writing. After these first-year requirements are satisfied, students pursuing a Juris Doctor degree may choose to study different practice areas, including criminal law, corporations, family law, evidence, taxation, and wills and trusts.
Considerations
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The American Bar Association establishes the accreditation rules for law schools offering Juris Doctor degrees. Prospective law students should only pursue a Juris Doctor at an ABA-approved law school.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit Socrates by G. Dallorto
