Juris Doctor

noun

Ju·​ris Doctor ˈju̇r-əs- 

: a degree conferred by a law school usually after three years of full-time study

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

Venisa graduated with a bachelor's degree in business administration/management from Oklahoma State University in 1993, before going on to earn her Juris Doctor from Texas A&M University in 2003, according to her LinkedIn profile. —Nicole Acosta, Peoplemag, 3 Jan. 2023

Cross earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville School of Law in 1978. —Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2022

Sharrieff received his bachelor's degree in political science in 1993, his master's degree in exercise and sports science in 1995 and his Juris Doctor in 2001 from the University of Utah. —Tamara Palmer, PEOPLE.com, 13 July 2022

Alexander graduated in 1984 with a Juris Doctor from the University of Texas at Austin Law School, reports Linda Hasco of PennLive.com, and actually worked as a lawyer. —David Kindy, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 Nov. 2021

Word History

Etymology

Latin, doctor of law

First Known Use

1904, in the meaning defined above

Legal Definition

juris doctor

noun

ju·​ris doc·​tor

ˈju̇r-əs-ˌdäk-tər

often capitalized J&D

: the lowest degree conferred by a law school usually after three years of full-time study or its equivalent compare master of laws, doctor of laws, doctor of the science of law

Note: The juris doctor replaced the bachelor of laws as the first degree conferred by a law school in 1969. Not all states mention the J.D. or LL.B. specifically as a requirement for admission to the bar, but all states do require graduation from a law school.

Etymology

New Latin, doctor of law