What does JD stand for? In law and education, JD stands for Juris Doctor, Latin for "doctor of law." It is the degree most American lawyers earn, usually after three years of full time law school that follows a bachelor's degree. When "JD" follows someone's name on a résumé or a law firm page, it means the person graduated from law school.
The letters also show up as plain initials. A person named James Daniel or Jennifer Dawn might go by JD as a nickname, and in that case the letters are unrelated to law. On a diploma, a transcript or a job listing, though, JD means the law degree.
Quick facts
Stands for
Juris Doctor (doctor of law)Type
Initialism, said letter by letterLength
Usually three years full time after collegeWritten as
JD or J.D.Needed for
The bar exam in nearly every stateOther meanings
First and middle initials, juvenile delinquent (older slang)Related terms
What does JD stand for in law?
JD is the short form of Juris Doctor. Juris is a Latin form meaning "of law," and Doctor comes from a Latin word for teacher. Together they name a professional doctorate in law.
It is called a professional doctorate because it trains people for a career, the way the MD does for doctors. It is not a research degree like the PhD, and lawyers with a JD do not usually call themselves "Dr." in everyday life.
How the JD degree works
- Finish college. Any major is allowed; there is no required pre law subject.
- Take an admission test. Most schools look at the LSAT, and some also accept other graduate tests.
- Complete law school. The first year covers core subjects such as contracts, torts, property, criminal law, civil procedure and constitutional law. Later years add electives, clinics and writing.
- Graduate with a JD. Part time programs exist and usually take four years.
- Pass the bar exam. The degree alone does not let you practice. You also need a state license, explained on the bar page.
From a job posting: "JD from an accredited law school and active bar membership required." The employer wants both the degree and the license.
JD stands for a doctorate, so why is it the first law degree?
In many countries, law is an undergraduate subject and the first degree is a bachelor of laws, the LL.B. The United States made law a graduate program instead, and American schools gradually switched from the LL.B. to the JD title for the same graduate level training. Today the JD is the standard first law degree in the US.
Lawyers who want more training can earn an LL.M., a master of laws, often in a field such as tax or international law. Lawyers trained abroad often earn an LL.M. in the US before taking a state bar exam. A few go further to an S.J.D. or J.S.D., a research doctorate in law.
JD, J.D. and other ways to write it
- JD without periods is common in résumés, job ads and most modern writing.
- J.D. with periods is preferred by some style guides and many law schools.
- After a name: "Maria Chen, J.D." Lawyers more often write "Maria Chen, Esq." once they are licensed.
- A or an: J is said "jay," so write "a JD program" and "a J.D. student."
Mixing the two in one document looks careless, so settle on a single style. Say it as two letters, "jay dee."
When JD does not mean the law degree
Plenty of people go by their first and middle initials, and JD is a common pair. In that case it is a nickname, said the same way, and it tells you nothing about schooling. You can usually tell from context: initials appear in place of a first name, while the degree appears after a full name or in a list of education.
Older slang used JD for juvenile delinquent, a young person in trouble with the law. You may still see it in old films or crime stories, but it is rare today. Online, JD can also appear as shorthand in game or chat names.
JD vs other degrees
| Degree | Full name | Who earns it |
|---|---|---|
| JD | Juris Doctor | Future lawyers |
| LL.M. | Master of Laws | Lawyers adding a specialty |
| MBA | Master of Business Administration | Business leaders; some earn a JD and MBA together |
| MD | Doctor of Medicine | Physicians |
| PhD | Doctor of Philosophy | Researchers in nearly any subject |
Find more degree and campus letters in the school acronyms section.
Questions people ask
What does JD stand for in a name?
When JD is used as a name, it is usually the person's first and middle initials, such as John David. It is a nickname and has no link to the law degree.
Is a JD a doctorate?
Yes, it is a professional doctorate. It prepares people to practice law rather than to do academic research, and holders rarely use the title Dr.
How long does it take to get a JD?
A full time JD program usually takes three years after a bachelor's degree. Part time programs often take four years.
Can you practice law with just a JD?
Not in most cases. You also need to pass a state bar exam and be admitted to that state's bar before you can represent clients.
Is it JD or J.D.?
Both are correct. JD without periods is common in modern writing, while many law schools and formal style guides use J.D.