LLM vs JD: What’s the Difference?

LLM vs JD: What’s the Difference?

2 November, 2023

There’s a reason why you see so many television dramas and movies take place in a courtroom. The thrill of being an attorney is a dream for countless people. U.S. News & World Report ranks being a lawyer number one in its 2023 list of Best Social Services Jobs. And according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary of an attorney is $135,741. The Bureau of Labor Statistics also reports that legal careers are expected to have an 8% growth rate over the next 10 years (as of 2022).

What is a JD? Obtaining a Juris Doctor (JD) is the most common way to practice law in the United States. A JD allows you to sit for a bar exam and practice in the state in which you are licensed.

What is an LLM? For those who obtain a JD in the United States or an equivalent law degree in another country, a Master of Laws (LLM) provides a path to career advancement and possible specialization in a particular field of law.

This article will focus on how an LLM differs from a JD in terms of admission requirements, curriculum and program outcomes.

LLM vs. JD Overview

Admission Requirements

While a JD and an LLM may serve distinct career objectives, the two degrees share some commonalities in terms of their prerequisite requirements. Here’s a quick list of common LLM vs. JD requirements:

*TOEFL or IELTS scores may be required if English is not your first language

Can you enroll in an LLM program without a JD? Most LLM programs require you to have already obtained a Juris Doctor or international equivalent in order to enroll.

Do you need to submit LSAT scores to enroll in an LLM program? LLM programs vary, but most do not require you to submit LSAT scores. For example, Northeastern Law’s Master of Laws does not require the submission of LSAT scores for admission.

Are there any other additional requirements? English proficiency tests may be required if English is not your first language.

Curriculum

JD Curriculum

To ensure all attorneys have the foundational knowledge to pass state bar exams and practice law, JD programs have a fairly unified set of courses for the first year. You are expected to study the following topics:

• Civil Procedure
• Property
• Constitutional Law
• Torts
• Legal Writing
• Criminal Law (or Criminal Justice)
• Contracts

The second and third years of law school allow you to take coursework based on your interests and career goals. Courses will vary by program, but will most likely include options such as advanced courses in legal writing and research or civil procedure, and electives such as estates and trusts, international law, First Amendment and legislation.

LLM Curriculum

An LLM curriculum allows you to gain more specialized knowledge in a particular area of the law. For example, Northeastern University School of Law’s online LLM program features three industry-informed curricular paths: Bar Examination Preparation, Intellectual Property and Technology Law, and International Business. The Bar Examination Preparation track prepares international and domestic attorneys to sit for the California Bar Exam.

With an LLM, you are also able to tailor your studies to fit your career goals. LLM coursework will vary by program. Northeastern Law’s online LLM offers an array of course options, including courses in topics such as torts, contracts and constitutional law. In addition, they offer niche courses in fields that include intellectual property, securities regulation and international tax.

Program Outcomes

While a JD program provides the foundational knowledge you need to practice law, an LLM allows you to specialize in your specific area of interest and distinguish yourself in the legal market. Since an LLM allows you to dig deeper into specialized subject matter, it can also open up more job opportunities. For example, an attorney who is interested in becoming an intellectual property (IP) lawyer could benefit from advanced courses that drill down into the field.

Some of the outcomes students in Northeastern Law’s online LLM can expect from their studies include the ability to:

• Know and understand the law
• Analyze, reason and solve problems
• Apply the means and modes of effective communications
• Recognize the roles of ethical, professional and business norms in practicing law
• Demonstrate team-lawyering skills
• Comprehend how lawyers situate their work
• Understand law in its social context
• Demonstrate aptitude for organizing information
• Incorporate interdisciplinary and international thinking into legal analysis

About the Master of Laws (LLM) from Northeastern University School of Law

Northeastern Law’s 100% online Master of Laws (LLM) was designed for both the global practice of law, and for international lawyers to gain a better understanding of the U.S. legal system.

The online LLM program can be completed in as little as 12 months, and features three in-demand focus areas: Bar Examination Preparation, Intellectual Property and Technology, and International Business.

Northeastern Law’s Master of Laws program was designed with input from a legal advisory group, featuring a curriculum of industry-informed courses that allow students to enhance their practical skills and foundational knowledge.