Lawyer

:For information on the type of fish called Lawyer, see the article on Burbot.

Graduate Degrees

Graduate law degrees may also be obtained. A Master of Laws, or LL.M., is awarded after completion of a specialized program of study - often in specialized subjects such as taxation or trial advocacy.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

United States

The highest law degree obtainable in the United States is the S.J.D., or Scientum Juris Doctor, literally "doctor of juridical science". This should not be confused with the "doctor of laws" degree, or LL.D., which is usually, but not always, awarded for honorary purposes. Usually, only law professors bother to earn an S.J.D., since it entails an additional three years on top of one for an LL.M and three for a J.D.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Canada

In Canada (including Quebec), the graduate law degree is generally the LL.M., and some universities offer the higher S.J.D. as well. Some universities are beginning to offer research thesis based Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees in law following the LL.M.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The LL.M, S.J.D. and Ph.D. are not mandatory prerequisites for lawyers who wish to become law professors. Although such advanced degrees do help with regard to seeking employment at the most prestigious law schools, many law professors in the U.S. and Canada (especially those with practical experience in the practice of law before appointment as a law professor) hold only the J.D. or LL.B. degree. However, competition for positions is, in effect, now making the LL.M. and higher degrees a practical necessity.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

United Kingdom

In the United Kingdom lawyers wishing to specialize further take the Master of Laws (LL.M.), Doctor of Laws (LL.D.) or Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Law.

Related Topics:
United Kingdom - Lawyers - Master of Laws - Doctor of Laws - Doctor of Philosophy

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Oxford University offers of a Bachelor of Civil Laws (B.C.L.) in place of the Master of Laws degree. The B.C.L. is not required for admission to the practice of law. The B.C.L. generally takes one year to complete.

Related Topics:
Oxford University - Bachelor of Civil Laws - Master of Laws

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Canadians studying law on Rhodes scholarships at Oxford, after having a Canadian university degree in a non-law subject, tend to take both the B.A. (Jurisprudence) and the B.C.L.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~