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#What is an Executive Juris Doctorate Program?

The executive juris doctorate program is geared toward professionals who have a strong interest in law but do not wish to practice. Continue reading to learn about the curriculum, program length and admissions requirements.

Executive Juris Doctorate Program: An Overview

Just like a Juris Doctor (JD) degree program, the Executive Juris Doctor (EJD) degree is a professional law degree. While the JD program prepares students to take the bar examination, the EJD program is geared toward those who have an interest in law but do not want to actually practice law. The program typically can be completed in three years.

EJD programs are typically completed online or via correspondence and are usually self-paced. Course material is often presented via video lectures and live, real-time classroom sessions. Students are not required to make any on-campus visits.

Who Should Complete This Program?

Those with interests to enhance their career, pursue additional job opportunities or for self-enrichment should consider an EJD program. Many individuals find an EJD degree beneficial, including teachers, accountants, law enforcement officers, healthcare administrators and entrepreneurs.

Curriculum

The first year of the EJD program offers the same foundational courses as the JD program. Typical course topics include introductory law, torts, legal writing and research, ethics and contracts. The following two years are spent planning a curriculum based on students' personal interests. Students are then able to choose a specialization in areas such as health care law, technology, criminal justice or traditional law.

Second- and third-year courses cover topics such as constitutional law, civil procedures and business organizations. Students also usually take electives during their second and third years. Elective courses include administrative and community property law, trusts, wills, intellectual property and labor laws. Students may be required to complete a final paper in their specialty area.

Prerequisites

Students generally must hold a bachelor's degree in order to be accepted into an EJD program. Those holding an associate's degree must complete additional coursework before enrolling in the program. Any student enrolling in the EJD program will be expected to maintain at least a 2.0 grade point average.