What to Study after LLB in USA

With a law degree, you’ll have plenty of scope for an illustrious career – not just as a lawyer, but in academia, journalism, government agencies, policy making, various kinds of regulated industries and so on. 

Studying law in US as an international student can open a lot of doors. Read on to find out what to study after LLB in USA, and launch your career! (study at abroad)

Study Options after LLB in USA

1. LLM (Master of Laws)

2. JD (Juris Doctor)

3. Master’s degrees in Law/Legal Studies

4. Legal Certificate

5. Master’s in Public Policy

6. Master’s in Criminal Justice

LLM and JD

The LLM and JD are your two primary options if you want to practice as a lawyer in the USA.

What’s the difference, and which one should you choose?

JD - Juris Doctor

The JD degree is a pre-requisite to answer the Bar examination that qualifies you to practice in States in the USA. It’s usually a 3-year long full-time degree, wherein you’ll study a range of relevant law and legal subjects, as well as become familiar with the American legal system. 

LLM - Master of Laws

The LLM is a shorter degree of 1 year, that is designed to allow you to specialise in a particular area of law and legal studies. This program is usually taken after the JD in the USA, and can give you an edge in this competitive employment sector. Alternatively, you can pursue your LLM if you have a prior law degree such as an Indian LLB – this can help you practice law in your home country or elsewhere, and may qualify you to sit the bar subject to certain considerations.

Best Law Schools in the USA

• New York University

• University of Pennsylvania

• University of Virginia

• University of California, Berkeley (UCB)

• Duke University

• Georgetown University

• Fordham University

• Northwestern University

• University of Chicago

• University of Maryland

Cost of Study

Cost of study at US law schools range from 40-50,000 USD per year. Public schools typically cost less than private schools. The cost of study for LLM will be less than JD, since it is the shorter degree.

Entry Requirements

JD

LLM

Course Structure

Coursework:

In a JD program, your coursework will start with the basics and become more specialised as you move higher.

• In your first year, you’ll study torts, contracts, constitutional law, civil procedure, property, and legal writing.

• In your second and third years, your studies will become increasingly streamlined, as you start to specialise in particular areas. You’ll take on experiential elective courses, as well as professional responsibility courses, legal writing courses etc.

In an LLM program you will study specialised courses in a chosen area.

Major specializations in Law and Legal Studies include:

• Civil Law

• Tax Law

• Criminal Law

• Corporate Law

• International Law

• Labour Law

• Environmental Law

• Real Estate Law

• Patent Law

• Media Law

• Competition Law

• Intellectual Property Law

• Mergers and Acquisition Law

• etc.

Practical Learning:

To prepare you for the demanding field of legal practice, your US university law degree will prepare you with practical experiences such as debates, moot courts, mock trials, competitions, and case studies.

Learning Outcomes

You’ll develop strong foundational knowledge about the workings of law in general as well as the US legal system. In addition, you will sharpen your critical thinking, persuasive and argumentative skills, communication skills and so on.

What to do after Graduation?

If you’ve figured out what to study after LLB in USA, you probably also want to know what your next step should be and what your career prospects are.

1. Pass the Bar

Every US state has its own Bar procedure – you will have to graduate with a law degree (usually the JD is required) from an accredited institution, answer 1 or more bar exams, and then pass a character evaluation.

Once you pass the Bar, you’ll be eligible to practice as a lawyer in the respective State. To practice in another State you may have to retake the bar, unless there is an inter-state agreement.

2. Career Possibilities

Your options include:

• Practice in your specialisation in top law firms in the USA, with great possibilities for career progression. 

• Establish your own law firm or private practice.

• Enter into the public sector as a magistrate, state prosecutor etc.

• With adequate experience and qualifications, you may also apply to become a justice of the State.

3. Pursue a Higher Degree

The JSD i.e. the Doctor of Juristic Science is the highest degree within the legal field. This degree is typically pursued by those looking into enter academics as a researcher and/or teacher.

Click here to have all your questions about studying in the USA - answered!

You may be wondering what can you do with a law degree besides be a lawyer - and what to study after LLB in USA accordingly. Well, there’s plenty of other programs and opportunities for you!

These alone will not allow you to sit for the Bar, but can open up plenty of other career opportunities.

Other Master’s degrees in Law

Options include Master of Science in Laws (MSL), Master of Legal Studies (MLS), Juris Master (JM), and others. While the name of the degree usually differs based on the university, the structure, focus and curriculum is similar.

These programs employ an interdisciplinary approach, and are designed to provide you with the legal knowledge to get ahead in your career. Practicing lawyers may also take up such a program in order to gain specialised knowledge.

The coursework in such a program will cover the intricacies of negotiations and contracts, the social, political, and economic impacts of the law, and the various legal procedures relevant to certain fields – such as cybersecurity and data privacy, health law and compliance, tax and estate planning, enterprise risk management and several others. You could study the intersection of law with technology, business, healthcare, policy-making and so on.

These programs may be anywhere between 1-2 years long, with cost of study averaging at 35-45,000 USD.

Where to Study Master’s in Law/Legal Studies in USA

• Master of Jurisprudence, Texas A&M University

• Master of Legal Studies, University of Arizona

• Master of Legal Studies, University of California – Los Angeles

• MS in Law, Northwestern University

Entry Requirements

Career Track

Some of your many options include:

Legal Certificate Programs

There are a number of legal certificate programs on offer at US universities. These may cover the basics of law and legal practice, or may be more specialised. These programs are perfect for those seeking to gain an understanding of law in a short period of time and at a more affordable cost of study.

For example, if you’re interested in a career as a paralegal, court reporter, or legal administrative assistant, a certificate program may be the path for you. On the other hand, if you’re already practicing as a lawyer and want to increase your knowledge in a particular area in order to qualify for an advanced program, or are looking to change your career track in law, you’ll find a suitable certificate program. 

These programs range from 3 to 9 months long, with some going up to a year, and fees as low as 10-15,000 USD.

Where to Study Legal Certificate programs in USA

• Berkeley Legal Studies Global Access Program, University of California – Berkeley 

• Agricultural and Environmental Law, South Dakota State University

• Paralegal Studies, University of California – San Diego

• Paralegal Studies, San Francisco State University

• Criminal Justice and Criminology, Ryerson University

Entry Requirements

Wondering what to study after LLB in USA, if you’re interested in non-law degrees? There’s plenty of options for you as well! 

Master’s in Public Policy

In this program, you’ll learn how to plan and analyse policies and program to help contribute to growth and development of an organisation or industry. Your background in law will play a crucial role in helping you navigate the legalities of public policy.

Your program will typically be for 1 year, with cost of study ranging from 40-50,000 USD.

Where to Study Public Policy in USA

• MS in Public Policy, New York University

• MA in Public Policy, The University of Chicago – Harris

• Master of Public Policy, University of Michigan

• Master of Public Policy, Pepperdine University School of Public Policy

• Master of International Policy and Practice, George Washington University

• MS in Law & Policy, Nova Southeastern University, Shepard Broad College of Law

Entry Requirements

Course Structure

Coursework

You’ll study a range of courses, both mandatory and elective, to help you gain a strong foundation in public policy planning and analysis. These may include:

• Introduction to Public Policy

• Analytical Politics: Strategic Foundations

• Analytical Politics: Political Institutions

• Microeconomics and Public Policy

• Communication Skills for Policy Analysis

• Quantitative Methods for Policy Analysis

• Public Economics

• Public Management 

A number of programs will also allow you to specialise in areas like Environmental Policy, International Development Policy, Education Policy, Politics & the Policy Process, Social Policy, Race, Class & Diversity Policy, Urban Policy etc.

Practical Learning

Besides academics, you’ll take part in internships and projects to gain first-hand experience and practical skills.

Learning Outcomes & Career Track

You’ll graduate with important strategic skills, the ability to understand and communicate complex data and information, and analytical and program evaluation techniques that have multiple purposes.

You’ll find jobs in government and not-for-profit sectors. You’ll also be able to work in fields like energy, healthcare, finance, transportation, telecommunications, education, which are heavily regulated and impacted by laws or policy outcomes or have a dependency on lobbying and political influence.

Master’s in Criminal Justice

As crime becomes more complex in a highly digitised world, the need of the hour is for expert analysts for the entire chain of command. In a Master’s program, you’ll study foundation principles of criminality and criminal justice, as well as learn to navigate the tangible and intangible challenges facing law enforcement, corrections and the judicial system. Potential specialisations could include Crime Analysis, Cybercrime Investigation & Cybersecurity, and Strategic Management. 

Your program will typically be for one year, with cost of study ranging from 40-50,000 USD.

Where to Study Criminal Justice in USA

• MS in Criminal Justice, Boston University

• MA in Criminal Justice, Faulkner University

• MS in Criminology and Criminal Justice, Portland State University

• MS in Criminology and Criminal Justice, University of Michigan – Dearborn

• MS in Criminology and Criminal Justice, University of Tampa

Entry Requirements

Course Structure

Coursework

Your coursework will cover the basics, from Criminology and Crime Policy, Criminal Justice Administration and Ethics, to Research and Evaluation Methods.

You’ll also get to choose from a slew of optional courses, such as:

• Rehabilitation and Re-Integration

• Violence and Trauma

• Cybercrime

• Victimology

• Terrorism

• White-Collar Crime

• Gender and Justice

• Forensic Behaviour Analysis

• etc.

Practical Learning

Besides academics, you’ll take part in internships and projects to gain first-hand experience and practical skills.

Learning Outcomes & Career Track

You’ll graduate with the following key competencies:

• Knowledge and evaluation of criminological and criminal justice theories and their implications for public policy and practice.

• Evaluate and resolve ethical issues in criminal justice practice and implement, manage, and lead organizational changes for prevention and response.

• Perform research in the field.

• Leadership theories and skills pertaining to the management of criminal justice organizations.

You’ll find work in sectors that include Human Services, Legal Investigation, Research, Security, Law Enforcement and Public Safety etc.

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