Bachelor of Laws vs Juris Doctor (LLB vs JD)
When deciding you want to study law, one of the first decisions you need to make is whether you should complete a Bachelors of Law (LLB) or a Juris Doctor (JD) as your law degree. To help you make this decision, this piece will be exploring the following:
What the degrees are;
The similarities and differences between them;
The job usability of these degrees; and
Some myths surrounding either/both of these degrees
What is an LLB?
In summary, an LLB is an undergraduate degree, that once completed, allows the individual to practice law within Australia. It is made up on both core units and electives to allow individuals to tailor their degree to their interests. Typically, a straight Bachelor of Laws degree takes 4.25 years, whereas a double degree with Law ranges from 5-6.25 years. A double degree allows individuals to study another degree alongside law, this may be to increase their job prospects or to allow them to go into a more specific field. There are many different pathways one may take to qualify for the LLB, the most common being the ATAR requirement or transferring after beginning university.
What is a JD?
In comparison, the JD is a postgraduate degree, meaning it is completed once an individual has already undertaken and finished an undergraduate degree. Similarly, to an LLB, individuals undertake both core units and electives to equip students with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills. A Monash JD takes approximately 3 years to complete. There are different pathways that individuals can take to enter the JD. Most often, they must have a bachelor’s degree, a specified GPA, and a specified LSAT.
The similarities and differences between an LLB and a JD
The job usability of these degrees
With an approved LLB or JD degree, the career pathways are the same. Essentially you complete either of these law degrees and then do 6-12 months of professional legal training (PLT) OR 1 year of supervised workplace training (SWT). After you complete either PLT or SWT, you apply for admission to practice with the Victorian Legal Admissions Board. Once these steps are completed and you attain a practising certificate, you become a practising lawyer!
A law degree opens many doors. If you don’t want to become a lawyer/work in the legal industry, your law degree can lead to careers in:
publishing, media, film and the arts
marketing and communications
government and politics
business management
science and engineering
environmental protection and development
project management
banking and finance
international organisations, such as the United Nations
non-government organisations such as the Red Cross and Amnesty International.
Myths of the law degrees
Myth #1 - your social life will be non-existent.
Although law school is consuming it does not take away your life, good time management is crucial to good wellbeing during your studies. Most students (particularly JD students) have part time jobs, live on their own and have social lives.
Myth #2 - JD is ‘more prestigious’ than LLB.
Not true! In Australia, both pathways lead to the same end goal - being admitted as a lawyer.
Myth #3 JD is harder than LLB
Depends! JD covers the same content as LLB, albeit in a more condensed fashion. Your perception of whether a JD is hard or not, like a LLB, depends on your study and time management skills.
Myth #4 JD leads to doctorate degree
Not true! Despite having the term “doctor” in JD, it is not a doctorate nor a PhD. To be called a doctor you need to complete a PhD component after your JD degree.
