Is a JD a terminal degree?

Asked by: Nigel Schamberger  |  Last update: October 6, 2025
Score: 4.5/5 (9 votes)

Common examples of such professional degrees are the Doctor of Medicine (MD) for physicians and the Juris Doctor (JD) for lawyers. The MD and JD are currently and widely considered terminal degrees in the U.S., even though other post-doctoral degrees in these fields exist.

Is JD considered a terminal degree?

A J.D. from an accredited law school allows you to sit for the bar exam in the U.S., practice law in a U.S. jurisdiction, and is the preferred degree for most legal employers. A J.D. is considered a terminal degree, but it's also a prerequisite for the LL.

What degrees are considered terminal?

Which degrees are terminal?
  • Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
  • Doctor of Education (EdD)
  • Doctor of Medicine (MD)
  • Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS)
  • Doctor of Dental Medicine (DDM)
  • Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM)
  • Juris Doctor (JD)
  • Master of Fine Arts (MFA)

Is a JD considered a Masters or doctorate?

In the United States, the JD has the academic standing of a professional doctorate (in contrast to a research doctorate), and is described as a "doctor's degree – professional practice" by the United States Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics.

What type of degree is JD?

The American law degree, called a Juris Doctor (JD), is a three-year professional degree. Law school applicants must already have a bachelor's degree. It typically takes three years to complete the J.D. degree, after which the graduate must pass the bar exam to practice law.

Uncovering the Mystery of the Terminal Degree: What Do You Need to Know?

22 related questions found

Is a JD or PhD higher?

JD is a “professional doctorate”, and the qualifying degree for attorneys in the USA (assuming they subsequently pass the bar exam in their state). PhD is an advanced research degree, and in law it would be pursued after earning a JD.

Can a JD call themselves a doctor?

Committee has held that the use of the J.D. is proper, and the use of the title "Doctor" is proper in reputable law lists, on academic occasions and in academic circles when in accordance with the customs of the school and when dealing with lawyers and others abroad in countries in which lawyers are referred to as " ...

What do you call someone with a JD?

A Juris Doctor degree is technically a professional doctorate. But unlike other Ph. D. holders, lawyers don't hold the title of "Doctor." Instead, they can choose to use the title "esquire," which is shortened to "Esq." and is fashioned after the lawyer's name.

What is the highest degree in law?

Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD)

A Doctor of Juridical Science degree is considered the highest level of a law degree and is designed for professionals who are looking to gain an advanced legal education after earning their JD and LLM.

Do you put JD after your name?

"J.D." stands for Juris Doctor — also known as a law degree. You may encounter the term "J.D." after someone's name in a resume, CV, or in an academic paper. Similar to other academic suffixes like "Ph. D." or "M.D.," a J.D. indicates that the titleholder has completed law school.

How do I know if my degree is terminal?

A terminal degree is the highest-level university degree that can be achieved and awarded in an academic discipline or professional field. The term "terminal degree" is also used to refer to a degree that is awarded because a doctoral-level degree is not available or appropriate.

How many Americans have a terminal degree?

According to a 2022 United States Census Bureau report, there were 4.7 million people with doctoral degrees aged 25 and over, more than doubled how many there were in 2000. Campbell said earning that doctoral credential is no small feat.

What is considered a terminal?

A terminal illness is an illness or condition which cannot be cured and is likely to lead to someone's death. It's sometimes called a life-limiting illness.

Is a JD a valuable degree?

More experienced lawyers generally earn more. Finally, private law firms usually offer higher salaries to lawyers with JD credentials than government or nonprofit jobs. JD graduates can also find opportunities in fields like compliance or consulting, where they can use their legal skills.

How do you address someone with a JD?

You might refer to a JD as “your honour” if they are sitting on the bench, and you are on the seat reserved for the accused.

Can you get a PhD with a JD?

The JD/PhD is an efficient and cohesive option for future legal academics, particularly as law schools increasingly seek faculty who hold dual degrees. Students are able to complete the entire program, including the dissertation, in as few as six years.

Is JD equivalent to PhD?

Because a JD is a professional degree intended to prepare you to practice law, while a PhD is an academic degree intended to prepare you to do cutting edge research. Lawyers do some research, but it consists of examining previous legal decisions to see if they are relevant to the case at hand.

What is the hardest law degree to get?

The hardest law school to get into is Yale Law School, with an acceptance rate of 5.5%. Followed by: Stanford Law School: 7% acceptance rate. The University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School: 3.8% acceptance rate.

Is a JD higher than a Masters?

Another interesting fact is that while J.D. certification “ranks” higher than a master's degree in law in the U.S., a lawyer will actually pursue the latter after obtaining their J.D. degree. The Master of Laws (L.L.M) is primarily used to specialize in a certain area, such as criminal law or corporate law.

Does having a JD make you a lawyer?

Earning a J.D. doesn't make someone a lawyer, but it is the first step in the process to begin practicing as one. Graduates of J.D. programs can sit for the bar examination in their state – upon passing the exam, they can then practice law.

Should I put JD after my name on my resume?

Style: Be consistent within categories and abbreviations: if one position title is in bold caps, put all position titles in bold caps or if you use J.D. instead of Juris Doctor (Do NOT use “Juris Doctorate”), use B.A., M.B.A. or Ph. D. Italics are used for degree designations, such as magna cum laude.

Can you call yourself Dr. with a JD?

JD is the standard and lowest law degree (the other being the uncommon LLM, which requires more education than a JD but is not used in most fields of law), and does not allow you to call yourself “doctor.” JD is considered to be the "terminal" degree for law.

Can you put Dr. in front of your name?

Yes, there can be consequences to adding "Dr." or "PhD" to your name without actually having earned a PhD or doctorate degree. Doing so can be considered fraud and misrepresentation, which can result in legal and ethical issues.

How difficult is law school?

Law school is an academic challenge; most students agree the first year (“1L” year) is the most difficult. In part, this is because law school is taught using methods entirely different than the lecture method used in most college classrooms.

How hard is the bar exam?

The bar exam is hard. In fact, it may be one of the most difficult challenges you ever embark on. You must memorize numerous laws and consume a lot of knowledge to answer questions correctly. For many, it feels like trying to hold sand in your hands, knowing that you'll inevitably lose much of it.