Have you ever wondered what the differences between our Master of Studies in Law (MSL), Master of Laws (LLM) and Juris Doctor (JD) degrees are? Each of these graduate degrees serve a specific purpose and can help propel you into the next stage of your career.
“While obtaining a Juris Doctor (JD) is the most common way to practice law, there are other degrees — including Master of Laws (LLM) and Master of Studies in Law (MSL) — available to those interested in the field.
To gain a better sense of which degree is best suited for your career goals, we spoke with two experts from USC Gould School of Law: Anne Marlenga, director of special projects and adjunct assistant professor of law, and Nicholas Kajimoto, assistant director of online programs.
Below, they discuss the benefits of each degree, the program requirements and the job opportunities that open up with a JD, LLM or MSL.”