A law degree American are J.D. (Juries Doctor), LL.M (Latin: Master of law) and S.J.D (Doctor of Judicial Science) , in USA, undergraduate is not legal, law school degree are mainly J.D, LL.M, J.S.D. In addition to J.D, USA law school education and a one-year master's degree program (Master of Laws, referred to as LL.M) and doctoral degrees in two to four years (Doctor of Judicial Science, referred to as JSD or SJD), usually for international students and master degree (LL.M) is a one-year courses, Xiuman 20 to 30 credits can graduate without writing a paper, it is mainly to help students have a basic understanding of the America legal system.

   First of all, studying for an J.D degree must first through American nationwide "the law school admission test" (Law School Admission Test, abbreviated LSAT). After obtaining a master's degree in law, such as the two professors recommendation can continue for a S.J.D or J.S.D degree. J.D. is the most valuable degree in American, widely recognized. If you want to gain a firm foothold in the America, best to read J.D.. LL.M is a America legal courses a year, equivalent to a master's degree. The name is Master of Law. American national students basically to read J.D., can be said to a one-year programme LL.M is specifically for international students, strictly speaking is 9 months. J.D students are mainly engaged in the practice of law specific, while J.S.D students general legal research. Americans are pragmatists, in addition to real interest in the study of legal academic who read the master, doctor of law degree, the native students rarely read Master of law and doctor of the science of law, J.D education is the focus of excitement. It seems legal education is occupation education in American law, the purpose is not to get a higher degree, but to turn to be engaged in legal practice. In America, to lawyers and other legal affairs, only law school "undergraduate" J.D, and most state bar exam only to legal "undergraduate" (J.D) the degree of opening. The legal department of the government departments, law firms, enterprises pay more attention to in the recruitment of J.D education. As can be seen, legal education is a professional occupation education in basic education bachelor's degree in the America, while "J.D" education is the core and key.
   Those with bachelor degree or above can apply for American LL.M, but usually read LL.M are mainly two types of people. One is the experienced lawyer. Due to the foreign capital, no foreign lawyer's license, basically not possible from legal assistant up to associate. While the UK license with respect to America license to a lot of difficulties, need 2 years of InternPCLL exam, so many lawyers choose to American gold-plated, access to foreign law license with the most rapid, economical method. Two has just graduated from undergraduate students.

   Yu Guoji students, basically no LL.M scholarship, so every applicant must hold at their own expense plan. L.LM tuition for one year in 30000 53 million $9, plus all the living expenses ranging (with NY and LA is the most expensive). The total cost is estimated at 500000 yuan. LLM cost is increasing every year, basically the annual growth rate of 10%.
LLM General program and specialized program two. Most schools offer only general program, select general program undergraduate course can be arbitrary; a few schools, such as NYU corporate LL.M, GTU Taxes program, international law program, the specialized program has certain requirements of the course, such as full courses must choose how many points. I suggest that undergraduates choose general program, because the undergraduate academic direction for the future is not clear positioning, general program can freely elective. Secondly, the application of general program is relatively easy, many specialized program related work background, undergraduate to apply for these program no advantage.
   Is also a law major, LL.M compared with J.D. differences are not small. The biggest difference is that the application of JD require LSAT scores, and LL.M for as long as TOEFL. From the student perspective, JD visa difficult, school fees, because the average is 3 years and the scholarship is not much, but LL.M is relatively better. But in terms of employment and academic point of view, the gold content of JD is much higher than LLM. JD degree in America valuable (whether from the academic angle of view or occupation), LLM is now increasingly worthless. For China applicants, if you intend to stay in the American a lifetime, then read JD sooner or later; only LLM could not stay long in USA. If you intend to return to China, then do not read JD, LLM is more substantial, more economical, and LLM knowledge learned in the Chinese absolutely sufficient.
   In general, only J.D. can do America Bar, but some states, also allows the ABA certification LLM examination of the state of the Bar, including CA and NY. Relatively speaking, NY Bar than CA Bar more attractive to some, because the NY Bar examination as long as 2 days, while CA Bar to test 3 days, and it is said that CA Bar needs a foreign lawyer's license.

   There are three main LL.M way:

   First, to China as a lawyer. This is the most LLM selection. Experienced lawyers usually will return, because there are certain economic basis or family. But no work experience of LLM in USA more can not find a job, so still have to come back.

   Second, find work or a year in America internship. But according to the previous LLM statement is' it is extremely difficult to find a job offer, especially those who will support your J-1 visa '. LLM in America find work is very hard, to what extent? According to U Penn career office, in the past 6 years (05 years ago) LLM class, successful people find work only 15%, the worst one, only 3 people find jobs. Although the schools is different, but basically "job" is very difficult, especially for lack of experience, direct read LLM people. Even in people who find work, is a large part of all work experience at home and abroad, and the outside of American branch prior agreement, where work or internship for a period of time. So, if you are an undergraduate, basically be the worst: unable to find a job, may I finish the Bar will be back. Similarly, intern is also very difficult.

   Third, LL.M JD. Therefore, many students go out, in under the helpless under decided to make a greater investment risk, is J.D. Some schools, such as Columbia, Cornell, and U Penn are allowed to outstanding achievements of LLM into JD. But some schools, such as NYU, is not allowed.