LL.M vs. JD

Before you begin applying to law schools, it is important to understand which degree you need. Most international applicants have studied law as undergraduates, and are thus LL.M candidates. Ivy Admissions can help clarify this decision, and our admissions counselors have a wealth of information and experience to put to work for you, whether your goal is an LL.M or a JD, or one of a few other options.

The LL.M. is an internationally recognized academic postgraduate law degree, which is usually obtained through a one-year study program. For lawyers it is the equivalent of an MBA. Many law firms prefer candidates holding an LL.M. degree as it indicates that a lawyer has advanced legal training and is able to cope with a multinational legal environment. Most law schools will consider admitting graduate applicants who have earned the equivalent of a JD in countries other than the United States, though some programs with a specific focus on U.S. systems do not. Many others require knowledge of a system that is based in English common law (also known as civil law). In the US, graduate law degrees are various permutations of the LL.M, the M.C.L. and the S.JD.

There is no undergraduate law degree in the United States; thus, students cannot expect to study law without first completing an undergraduate degree. Basic admissions requirements for American law schools are a Bachelor's degree in any field and the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT). The American law degree is called the Juris Doctor (JD) and usually requires three years of study. The JD program involves courses in American common and statute law as well as international and business law. Overseas students who are considering an American JD should note that this program focuses on preparation for US legal practice.

More information is available from our admissions counselors, and on the web at our full-service client page, available exclusively to Ivy Admissions clients. Contact us or sign up with Ivy Admissions to learn more.

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