Is a Master of Laws the same as an LLM?

Asked by: Walter Rippin  |  Last update: December 11, 2025
Score: 4.7/5 (64 votes)

A Master of Laws (M.L. or LL. M.; Latin: Magister Legum or Legum Magister) is an advanced postgraduate academic degree, pursued by those either holding an undergraduate academic law degree, a professional law degree, or an undergraduate degree in a related subject. In most jurisdictions, the LL.

What is an LLM equivalent to?

LLM (often written as LL. M.) stands for Legum Magister, which is Latin for Master of Laws. An LLM is a one year degree program which you can pursue after receiving a JD (or international equivalent).

Is an LLM higher than a JD?

An LLM takes a lawyer deeper, to gain "advanced knowledge in a specific area of law for career advancement, upward mobility, and/or expanded practice opportunities." The primary difference in the curriculum is that a JD program covers general law concepts; the LLM is focused on a specific area of expertise.

Is Juris Master the same as LLM?

A J.M. is solely for students approaching the study of law for the first time, whereas an LL. M. program may accept both law and non-law graduates. A J.M. program begins with an introduction to law, but students are often given a range of electives where they may attend classes with students from other law programs.

Are you a lawyer with an LLM?

An LLM will provide you with advanced training in law, but it doesn't qualify you as a licensed lawyer. A JD prepares you for legal practice by teaching you everything you need to pass the bar exam and be an effective lawyer. An LLM is more theoretical than a J.D.

Should I get an LLM (Masters of Law)

42 related questions found

Is a Masters of law an LLM?

An LLM, or Master of Laws, is a graduate qualification in the field of law. The LLM was created for lawyers to expand their knowledge, study a specialized area of law, and gain international qualifications if they have earned a law degree outside the U.S. or Canada.

Can you practice law with a Master of law?

Prospective students seeking the right legal education for them frequently ask, “Can I practice law with a Master of Business, Law, and Technology degree?” The short answer is no. To practice law, you must receive a juris doctor (J.D.) degree and pass a state bar exam.

Is a Master's of legal studies a law degree?

What is a Master of Legal Studies? This online, hybrid and on-campus program provides graduate‐level legal education for non‐lawyers whose professional success will be aided by obtaining a working knowledge of the law.

Does a JD make you a doctor of law?

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.

Are LLMs worth it?

In short, an LLM doesn't offer much of anything that you can't just pick up from day-to-day legal practice.

Is LLM easier than law school?

Is LLM Harder Than JD? In some ways, an LLM may be harder because of its specialized curriculum and thesis requirements. However, the JD is often believed to be harder because it takes longer to complete and is the first time students are introduced to legal theories and the rigorous demands of law school.

Is a JD closer to a Masters or PhD?

4. Is a JD a Doctorate? Yes, a JD is considered a professional doctorate degree.

What is above an LLM?

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.

Is an LLM prestigious?

Holding an LLM from a top university could significantly lift your earning potential as well as your chances of getting that fabulous promotion or job offer from a top firm once you are more settled.

What is the difference between juris doctor and Master of law?

While a JD program provides the foundational knowledge you need to practice law, an LLM allows you to specialize in your specific area of interest and distinguish yourself in the legal market. Since an LLM allows you to dig deeper into specialized subject matter, it can also open up more job opportunities.

Which LLM is most in demand?

Have a look at some of the most popular LLM programs below!
  • Master of laws in Administrative Law Studies.
  • Master of laws in National Law Studies.
  • Master of laws in Economic Law Studies.
  • Master of laws in Jurisprudence.
  • Master of laws in Human Rights Law Studies.
  • Master of laws in Dispute Resolution Studies.

What do you call a person with a law degree?

The titles JD and Esq. both refer to someone who has completed law school. JD stands for Juris Doctor, and signifies that someone has completed law school and earned their JD degree. Esq. stands for Esquire and is an honorary title that typically signifies someone has both completed law school and passed the bar exam.

Why did JD replace LLB?

“Between 1964 and 1969, at the encouraging of the American Bar Association, most American law schools … upgraded their basic law degree from the traditional” LLB to JD “to reflect the (by then) almost-universal postgraduate status of the degree,” according to a 2012 blog post from the Marquette University Law School.

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.

Is MLS worth it?

It can lead to promotions and salary increases

Many organizations offer pay raises for earning a master's degree, but Serkin believes an MLS degree gives students a leg up in the workplace that can lead to job advancement because of the skills acquired.

Is a Master of Laws worth it?

An MLS degree unlocks advanced roles with higher salaries. An MLS degree enhances your resume, making you a more competitive candidate for your dream jobs far into the future. In general, professionals with a Master's degree earn roughly 16% more than those with a Bachelor's degree, according to the BLS.

Can I be a lawyer with a Masters?

However, earning a master's degree alone will not allow you to sit for the bar or become an attorney.

Do you need a LLM to be a lawyer?

While it's not necessary to have an LLM to be a practicing lawyer, many professionals pursue one because it can make them more desirable candidates in a specific area or within a large law firm that handles international clients. An LLM may also provide you with the qualifications to become a firm partner.

Can you get an LLM before a JD?

Technically, you can pursue an LLM degree without ever earning your JD. That's only possible, however, if you're an international student who studied law outside of the U.S. “You have to have what we call a first law degree. In the U.S., your basic first law degree is the JD, so you do need it to get your LLM.

Do LLM students take the bar?

degree in American Law does not guarantee eligibility to take a bar examination. It is the responsibility of the LL. M. student to familiarize him/herself with the requirements of the bar exam he/she wishes to take.