Legal Definitions - Juris Doctor (J.D.)

Juris Doctor (J.D.) is a professional degree that is required to practice law in almost all states in the United States. It usually takes three years of study and covers a wide range of subjects as set by the American Bar Association. The J.D. is a professional degree, which means that a student must have a Bachelor's degree in any subject before starting J.D. studies. In order to practice law, a student must complete their J.D. and pass the bar exam.

• John wants to become a lawyer, so he decides to pursue a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree.
• Mary completed her Bachelor's degree in English and then went on to study law, earning her Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree.

These examples illustrate how a student must have a Bachelor's degree before pursuing a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree. They also show that the J.D. is a professional degree that is required to practice law in the United States.