Master of Jurisprudence vs. Juris Doctor: Which Law Degree Fits You?

The legal profession is famous for its jargon. Unfortunately, that can also extend to its qualifications and certifications. What is the difference between Master of Jurisprudence vs. Juris Doctor?

Understanding the differences between these degrees and choosing the one that aligns with your goals is the first step toward earning the qualification that will advance your career.

This blog post will focus on the main points of difference between a Master of Jurisprudence (a law degree for non-lawyers) and a Juris Doctor (the law degree you need to sit the bar exam and become a lawyer).

A Master of Jurisprudence is a type of law degree. It's classified by the American Bar Association as an “academic master’s degree for nonlawyers,”¹ which is to say it's not a degree that qualifies you to practice as a lawyer. The Master of Jurisprudence, Master of Legal Studies or Master of Studies Law are all types of Juris Master degrees. Juris Doctor and Master of Laws (LL.M.) degrees do not fall under this degree type. The Master of Jurisprudence is perhaps better understood as a “law-related degree.” The Master of Jurisprudence is typically designed to give graduates an understanding of the law and legal processes.

Often, the Master of Jurisprudence offers a particular focus. For example, the Tulane University Law School online Master of Jurisprudence (MJ) in Labor and Employment Law is designed for professionals with human resource (HR) responsibilities to help build a better understanding of the legal concepts that HR professionals must navigate. It’s a degree for professionals who need to understand the law but not practice it.

The most common reason to pursue a Juris Doctor is to become a lawyer. A Juris Doctor is the degree you’ll need to sit the bar exam and formally qualify to practice law. That said, not everyone who gets a Juris Doctor becomes a lawyer. The Juris Doctor develops critical thinking, analytical and negotiation skills valuable across many industries. Other career paths include journalism, academia, compliance specialist and mediator.² A Juris Doctor can also open doors to leadership positions in business, government, and nonprofits.

Incidentally, the “doctor” part of a Juris Doctor degree can lead some to ask, “Is Law School a master's or a doctorate?” The answer is neither. A three-year law degree from an accredited law school is recognized as a type of doctorate but not one that results in graduates calling themselves “Doctor.” MDs or PhDs use the title “Doctor,” while Juris Doctors label themselves “Esq.”³

To better differentiate between the Master of Jurisprudence vs. Juris Doctor, we can compare and contrast some of the key characteristics of each course of study, such as program structure, time commitment and the typical career goals of graduates from each type of program.

A Master of Jurisprudence degree will typically focus on foundational legal principles and theories, while also providing an in-depth understanding of the regulatory frameworks that govern a particular industry or industries (depending on your chosen concentration or electives). The online MJ in Labor and Employment Law from Tulane Law, for example, is even more of a targeted degree program than the typical Master of Legal Studies program. Tulane Law’s online Master of Jurisprudence programs enable learning law through the lens of labor and employment law, environmental law or energy law, meaning students aren’t required to take a generalized contracts course, but rather learn contract doctrine through specialized courses that are directly applicable to their professional fields.

A Juris Doctor will focus more on the skills and knowledge required to pass the bar exam and work as a lawyer. Juris Doctor students might look closely at the law of torts and contracts and how to write effective legal documents, while Master of Jurisprudence students take an in-depth study of employment law or the regulation of the healthcare industry.

Broadly speaking, a Juris Doctor typically requires three years of full-time study to complete, while a Master of Jurisprudence can be completed in one year full-time or two years part-time. Online Master of Jurisprudence and Juris Doctor programs offer students greater flexibility over their course management, allowing for study to be combined with work and family commitments.

The primary difference between Master of Jurisprudence vs. Juris Doctor degrees is that only the Juris Doctor qualifies graduates to take the bar exam and practice law. The Master of Jurisprudence is a degree that adds value to a professional’s skillset in roles that require an understanding of the law and legal concepts, such as HR manager, contract negotiator or compliance professional.⁴

In choosing whether to pursue a Master of Jurisprudence or Juris Doctor, it’s important to be honest with yourself about your personal goals and circumstances. A Juris Doctor program focuses heavily on case law, legal reasoning and litigation skills. This is best suited for those who want careers as attorneys, judges, prosecutors or in roles where they represent clients or interpret the law directly. Obtaining this degree is extremely challenging, designed to rigorously test students and forge effective lawyers. If you know any lawyers or Juris Doctors, ask them about their law school experience to judge how you might handle the workload. The American Bar Association offers some excellent online resources for people considering whether or not to pursue a Juris Doctor.

A Master of Jurisprudence is a more traditional master’s degree course of study.⁵ If you want to enhance your expertise in your current profession, work more effectively with attorneys or navigate complex regulations, a Master of Jurisprudence may be the better fit. This degree provides a practical understanding of legal concepts relevant to specific fields such as healthcare, business, education, compliance or HR. This is best suited for professionals who regularly work with legal issues but don’t need to be licensed attorneys.

To find out more about the Tulane Law School online Master of Jurisprudence programs, including course information and admissions requirements, explore our online resources or schedule an appointment with our admissions team to discuss your options in detail.