A Juris Doctor (JD) Degree graduate can sit for the Bar Exam and practice law after clearing this exam. Getting this degree will enable students to enter into a variety of law-related professions.
Lawyers are part of one of the highest paid professionals in the US with an annual mean income, in 2019, of $145,300 which approx. amounts to $69.86 mean wage per hour. The employment rate for lawyers has been predicted to grow by 6% between 2018 and 2028 by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. This high growth will be a result of the masses, businesses as well as the government officials requiring legal services in numerous areas.
What Is a Juris Doctor?
As described above, a Juris Doctor degree, otherwise known as a J.D., is a professional degree offered by many famous universities in the US such as, the Harvard Law School, the Florida State University, and the University of Florida. It is typically offered as a 3 year degree which is opted for by the graduates of an L.L.B degree. A J.D. paves the way for lawyers to practice law after successfully clearing the Bar Exam. A J.D. covers several areas of law and lawyers can choose a concentration that they want to specialize in.
What Can You Do with a Juris Doctor Degree?
Graduates of a J.D. practice law and are generally called lawyers. However, the exact job description varies depending on where and what kind of law they practice. For instance, they may choose to practice criminal or property law etc. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reported the following career outlook for this profession in 2018-19.
Lawyers
The basic job description of a lawyer stated by the BLS says that they must advise and represent masses, businesses and government officials or agencies etc. on legal issues or conflicts. Lawyers typically prefer employment in private law firms however, some work for state or local government run institutions.
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Annual Median Salary, 2019
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$122,960
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Job Outlook, 2018-2028
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6%
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Annual Mean Salary, 2019
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$145,300
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State with the Highest Employment Level, 2019
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California
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83,750
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State with the Highest Salary, 2019
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District of Columbia
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$192,180
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What to Expect from a Juris Doctor Degree?
As explained above, the Juris Doctor (J.D.) is offered as a 3 year professional degree. The curriculum of this degree varies for each university. For instance, the Florida State University offers the 3-year J.D. with concentrations in:
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Business & Tax Law
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Environmental, Energy & Land Use Law
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International Law
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Civil Rights
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Family Law
On the other hand, the curriculum of J.D. offered by the University of Florida includes courses like;
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Contracts
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Criminal Law
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Introduction to Lawyering
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Civil Procedure
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Constitutional Law
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Property
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Pro Bono Service and so on.
How to Choose a Juris Doctor Degree?
While sifting through J.D. degrees from various universities, you must consider the range of specializations being offered, the amount and quality of practice being offered in form of Moot Courts/Mock Trial Sessions and so on. Apart from that, you must also consider the cost of degree, campus facilities, graduation and admission requirements etc. For example, the students of a J.D. degree offered by the University of Florida must complete 88 credit hours to graduate.
Juris Doctor Degree Admission Requirements
Generally, a majority of universities require an online application with an application processing fee. However, other application requirements vary. For instance, to apply for the J.D. degree offered by the Florida State University, you must submit:
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An online application with application fee
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Valid GRE score through ETS or LSAT scores
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A valid Credential Assembly Service (CAS) Report
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Personal Statement and an updated resume
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Residency Form
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If applicable, Educational Institution Discipline or Violations of Law Reports
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Previous Transcripts and so on.