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#What is an Executive Juris Doctorate (JD) Law Degree?

Executive J.D. law programs are designed to teach working professionals about legal issues and procedures. Learn about degree requirements, prerequisites, online study options and course topics. Schools offering Juris Doctor degrees can also be found in these popular choices.

Executive J.D. Law Degree Defined

An executive J.D. law degree program is designed to help working professionals advance their careers by expanding their legal knowledge. This type of degree program may be appropriate for people from many different fields, such as education, business, healthcare or real estate. Additionally, these part-time executive J.D. programs offer flexible scheduling or online classes to accommodate full-time work schedules. Executive J.D. law degree programs aren't designed to qualify you to sit for your state's bar exam but to provide you with a legal education. You can usually complete an executive J.D. program in 3-4 years.

Are Online Programs Available?

Some executive J.D. programs can be completed entirely online, although you may be required to go to an approved testing site to take exams. Other programs are hybrid programs that have some required on-campus courses and also offer distance-learning opportunities. In an online executive J.D. program, you can communicate with your professors through electronic message boards, e-mail and telephone. You have access to tutorials and legal research programs, such as Lexis, through your school's website. Coursework is completed on your schedule, although you have the option to view some live courses through an electronic classroom.

What Are the Admissions Requirements?

You need at least a bachelor's degree to be considered for admission into an executive J.D. program. Some admissions committees may prefer that you have professional experience or that your job has a legal application. You can also expect to take the Law School Admissions Test and submit college transcripts from every school you've attended. Additionally, some programs may enforce educational requirements; for example, you may need to have earned a minimum GPA or taken prerequisite classes.

What Classes Could I Take?

Coursework in an executive J.D. program provides training in advanced legal theory and applications. This degree program may culminate in a comprehensive project or exam, which may be collaborative. Some courses of study allow you to choose a specialization in areas like technology or criminal justice. The following are examples of classes you might find in the curriculum:

• Legal research methodologies
• Legal writing
• Torts
• Criminal law
• Health law
• Civil procedures
• Property law

To continue researching, browse degree options below for course curriculum, prerequisites and financial aid information. Or, learn more about the subject by reading the related articles below: