Juris Doctor (J.D.) is the professional degree that has been required to practice law in the United States in almost all states for decades. The degree usually requires three years of study involving a wide-range of subjects as set by the American Bar Association, and the J.D. is a professional degree, requiring a Bachelor degree in any subject prior to starting J.D. studies. In order to practice law, a student must complete their J.D. and pass the bar. However, in California, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington, a student may forgo law school if they go through an apprenticeship program for three to four years and pass other requirements, but very few lawyers do not go through a J.D. program even in these states today.
Historically, the main legal degree in the United States was simply a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) degree that did not involve a professional element. The J.D. became used as a more specialized degree in the early part of the twentieth century, and overtime, became the standard legal degree at top universities until most other law schools eliminated the LL.B. in the 1960s. The LL.B. and similar degrees remain used by countries throughout the world. In most countries, a law student must receive an undergraduate degree in legal studies, and then student must receive a shorter masters or doctorate degree to practice most areas of law. The United States system is unique in that a law student does not begin legal education until reaching the professional degree level.
[Last updated in March of 2022 by the Wex Definitions Team]